 Necho's Canal was the earliest precursor of the Suez Canal.It was in connection with a new activity that Necho founded a new city of "Per-Temu Tjeku" which translates as 'The House of Atum of Tjeku' at the site now known as Tell el-Maskhuta, about 15 km west of Ismailia.The waterway was intended to facilitate trade between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.