Egyptian and American archaeologists unveiled two new discoveries in Aswan, including a royal administrative complex in the ancient Egyptian city of Tel Edfu and a collection of artefacts in the Kom Ombo temple, according to a statement by Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities.
Seated statue at Tel Edfu [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the newly discovered complex as “the oldest archaeological evidence to be found in Tel Edfu till now.”
Horus statue [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
According to Nadine Moeller, head of the American mission, the complex sheds light on the royal expeditions organized during the Fifth Dynasty reign of King Djedkare Isesi, who reigned from the late 25th to the mid-24th century BCE.
Aerial view of the excavation site at Tel Edfu [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
The site was also used as a storehouse for goods retrieved on King Isesi's famous royal expeditions to Wadi Al-Maghara in South Sinai to extract raw materials, especially copper.
View of the excavation site at Tel Edfu [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
Also found at the site was an official list of the names of the workers who participated in the excavation and mining expeditions, including a commander by the name of "Sementio."
Stele fragment [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
Moeller told Ahram Online that she considers this the most important discovery at Tel Edfu since the current mission began excavating the site 2014.
Stele fragment [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
Ayman Ashmawi, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Ministry, told Ahram Online that the discovered artefacts include a limestone stele depicting a man and his wife presenting offerings to a seated deity.
Stele [Credit: Ministry of Antiquities] |
The Temple of Kom Ombo was constructed during the Ptolemaic Dynasty between 180-47 BCE, during Egypt's Hellenistic period.
Author: Nevine El-Aref | Source: Ahram Online [January 11, 2018]