Beyt Sobek In 1924, the University of Michigan built an excavation house from ancient mud brick found at Karanis. The house was expanded several times, and used in the 1930's by the British envoy to Egypt. Later, during the 1970's, the house was expanded and used by Cairo University as their excavation house. The current name "Beyt Sobek," meaning "The House of Sobek," is named after the famous crocodile god Sobek who was venerated in the Fayum throughout its history. The house partly follows the foundations of an ancient building,