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Kharga was known in ancient Egyptian times as the Southern Oasis, in fact, Kharga was in use since the Old Kingdom, few remains were found from the Pharaonic period`s Old, Middle and New kingdoms.

Apparently, evidences dating to the New Kingdom said that Kharga was a place for banishment for those who live on the Nile Valley due to its remote location, dry and fierce weather and it continued till the Christian era. it was a place of exile.

Throughout the history, Kharga Oasis was a place where rebellions come out; many expeditions were led by several rulers in order to subdue the rebels.

From the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt`s history, rulers started to put Kharga Oasis into consideration, mending the routes of the desert, put the looting desert tribes under control. Kharga Oasis was flourished and prospered from this time onwards.
During the late period, two temples were constructed for the triad of Thebes (Amen, Mut " and Khonsu) at Kharga Oasis; one at Hibis and the other at El Ghueita.

After that, during Roman eras, the prosperity of Kharga was increased, agriculture, building achievements including fortresses were increased, for protection of the caravan routes. Many Roman fortresses and garrisons were discovered in Kharga Oasis, in addition to wells and aqueducts dating also to the Roman period.

During the early Christian, Monks were exiled in Kharga Oasis and after that, Kharga became a refuge for the Christians, they took the ancient tombs as places to protect themselves from the Roman persecution.

Darb El Arbein Caravan route
Darb El Arbein, meaning the forty day road, is a trade route which connects Asyut in the north with Sudan in the south and passes through Kharga Oasis, was a long caravan route used since Egypt`s Old Kingdom for the trade of many kinds of goods including gold, ivory, spices and others.

This important Caravan route was protected by many Roman fortresses and garrisons; they are different in size as well as their function, some were just a small military post station and some were large guarding forts.

Later on, this route became a slave-trade route between north and south Africa.