The form Fila is a literal translation of the arabic 'Jazirat Filah', Island of Philae; while the more familiar form of the name transliterates the Greek Philae.

The Temple of Isis used to stand on an island on the Nile, and after the first Aswan Dam was built at the beginning of the 20th Century, the Temple was subject to annual flooding. Since the new Aswan Dam, the Temple was removed, stone by stone and reconstructed on a higher island to prevent further flooding.

We are most grateful to Raymond Allchin, Professor at The Ancient India and Iran Trust for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.