Harkhuf, an expedition leader to Nubia (southern Egypt and the Sudan) in Dynasty 6 (circa 2350-2170 B.C.E.), described his travels in his autobiography:

His Majesty Merenre, my lord, sent me together with my father, the Sole Companion, Yeri, to Yam [a part of Nubia] in order to explore the way to this foreign country. I did it in seven months. I brought even product from there. 1 was greatly praised for it.

His Majesty sent me a second time, alone. I went forth upon the Elephantine Road [road south from Aswan]. I returned through Yertjet, Makher, Tereres, (all in) Yertjetj, [names of places]—an affair of eight months. When I returned, I brought the products from this country in great quantity. Never before was anything like this brought to this land [to Egypt], I returned from the house...