During the latest excavation session in the central part of the country, which has been ongoing for 22 consecutive years, Egyptian and German archaeologists stumbled upon the entrance to a large temple. The team also discovered that a significant portion of the stones from the pylon had been repurposed for construction needs over the following centuries.
The researchers speculated that “the entrance to the temple in the rock is hidden beneath still untouched piles of debris behind it.” This was shared by archaeologists from the University of Tübingen – Professor Christian Leitz and Dr. Markus Müller.
The search for the temple complex has been underway since 2012. In 2022, leading scientist Mohamed Abdelbadia from the Egyptian Antiquities Authority joined the international team.
What Did the Archaeologists Reveal?
According to the researchers, the temple complex was built between 144 and 138 AD. Its total width was 51 meters, and the towers of the monumental pylon stood 18 meters tall each.
Today, only about 5 meters remain. The structure became a source of building material for subsequent generations. The team even managed to determine when the temple and its pylon were dismantled for stones. Thanks to a coin found among the ruins, it was revealed that this occurred in 752 AD and shortly thereafter.
During the excavations, the archaeologists also uncovered reliefs depicting a ruler making offerings to the goddess Repit and her son Kolantes. Recently discovered hieroglyphic inscriptions revealed which ruler the ancient artist portrayed. It is likely to have been Ptolemy VIII, who ruled Egypt in the 2nd century BC.
“In the northern tower of the pylon, we unexpectedly came across a previously unknown chamber. We cleared the ceiling, which weighed about 20 tons, using an air cushion, wooden scaffolding, and sleds,” the archaeologists reported.
The chamber, approximately 6 meters long and 3 meters wide, was likely a storage space for temple furnishings. Later, it was used to store amphorae, the team noted.
“The corridor leads through the pylon to the chamber, so it could also be accessed from the outside. This entrance is also adorned with reliefs and hieroglyphs,” the scientists added. The reliefs depict the goddess Repit, while opposite the doorway stands the fertility god Min, accompanied by two creatures with the heads of a falcon and an ibis, as reported by Sci.news.
“The unique features of Egyptian temple architecture are reflected in the second doors on the facade of the pylon, which lead to previously unknown stairs that ascended at least through four flights to the now-ruined upper floor,” the researchers noted.
According to Professor Leitz, the carefully polished limestone blocks on the vertically carved rock facade may belong to the sanctuary.