A team of underwater archaeologists from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Paul Valéry University (Montpellier, France) has discovered rock carvings of ancient Egyptian pharaohs in the Aswan Reservoir, also known as Lake Nasser.
What Makes This Discovery Interesting?
Researchers stumbled upon these rare artifacts during a diving expedition, as reported by Live Science. The team noticed carved images of several pharaohs and hieroglyphic inscriptions in Lake Nasser, on the remnants of rocks that were submerged during the construction of the Aswan Dam between 1960 and 1970.
Before this major construction project, UNESCO initiated the registration and relocation of a vast number of archaeological artifacts from the area. However, many of them could not be moved in time and ended up underwater.
Aswan was significant to the ancient Egyptians, as it marked the southern border of the country. This region housed several important temples, including Abu Simbel, adorned with four colossal statues of Ramses II. Aswan was also renowned for the Philae temple complex, where the last Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription was made in 394 AD.
The current goal of the scientists is to identify and document the inscriptions and carved figures that have been preserved underwater, explained Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Expedition participants recorded the artifacts on camera. Later, the underwater photographs can be used with photogrammetry methods to create 3D models of the discovered carvings.
Among the rock carvings found, researchers were particularly drawn to the images of pharaohs Amenhotep III (who ruled from 1390 to 1352 BC), Thutmose IV (who ruled from 1400 to 1390 BC), Psamtik II (who ruled from 595 to 589 BC), and Apries (who ruled around 589 to 570 BC).
Unfortunately, the ministry’s statement provided little information regarding the content of the inscriptions, the appearance of the pharaohs’ figures, or their state of preservation.