The first systematic excavation survey began on 14 December 1991 and concluded on 4 January 1992.[2] The Egypt Exploration Society supported the British mission that conducted the three surveys.[2] The first survey conducted focused on the quarries at El Khazindariya, the Ptolemaic Quarries, the tombs of the Sheikh El Haridi, and the mud-brick area near the slope of Abu El Nasr.[2] Three large quarries were located at El Khazindariya. The significance of these quarries comes from the large rock inscription of Ramesses III and surface pottery. A rock inscription of Ramesses III, who was the second pharaoh during the twentieth dynasty, implies that quarrying was carried out under his rule in this particular site.