Remains of a Ptolemaic temple uncovered in Sohag
Exciting Discovery of a Ptolemaic Temple in Sohag, Egypt
A joint team of Egyptian and German archaeologists has made a significant discovery near the Great Temple of Atribis in Sohag, Egypt. This new Ptolemaic temple was uncovered by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and the University of Tubingen.
Details of the Discovery
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, described the find as a breakthrough. The temple's pylon facade is 51 meters long, with two towers, each 24 meters wide, flanking a central gate. Originally, the pylon stood 18 meters tall, similar to the Luxor Temple's pylon. The pylon features hieroglyphic inscriptions and carvings of a Ptolemaic king with the lion-headed goddess Repit and her child, Kolanthes. Cartouches suggest the temple dates back to King Ptolemy VIII's reign, possibly mentioning Queen Cleopatra III.
Additional Findings
Christian Leitz, the German co-leader, highlighted the excavation of a southern chamber, partially uncovered in the early 20th century by British archaeologist Flinders Petrie. This chamber includes depictions of celestial deities and carvings of Repit and the fertility god Min. A newly found room with a staircase, once leading to an upper floor destroyed around 752 CE, was also revealed.
Ongoing Excavations
Markus Muller, the German team's site director, noted that the team has been working in Atribis for three decades, previously mapping the great temple and recovering over 30,000 ostraca in Demotic, Coptic, and Hieratic. Excavations will continue to uncover more of the temple's features, adding to Egypt's rich archaeological history.
Doubts Revealed
Ptolemaic Temple
A Ptolemaic Temple is a temple built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which was a period in ancient Egypt when Greek rulers, known as the Ptolemies, were in power. This dynasty lasted from 305 to 30 BC.
Sohag
Sohag is a city in Egypt, located on the west bank of the Nile River. It is known for its rich history and archaeological sites.
Egyptian-German Team
An Egyptian-German team is a group of archaeologists and researchers from both Egypt and Germany working together. They combine their knowledge and resources to discover and study ancient sites.
Supreme Council of Antiquities
The Supreme Council of Antiquities is an organization in Egypt responsible for preserving and managing the country's ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
University of Tubingen
The University of Tubingen is a university in Germany. It is known for its research and academic programs, including archaeology.
Pylon Facade
A pylon facade is the front part of a temple, often featuring large, decorated walls or towers. In ancient Egyptian temples, pylons were usually adorned with carvings and hieroglyphs.
Hieroglyphs
Hieroglyphs are symbols or pictures used in the writing system of ancient Egypt. They were used to represent words and sounds.
King Ptolemy VIII
King Ptolemy VIII was a ruler of Egypt during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. He reigned in the 2nd century BC and was known for his complex and often tumultuous rule.
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