An entrance to a substantial stone temple complex has reportedly been identified by archaeological specialists within the ancient Egyptian settlement of Athribis, situated in proximity to the contemporary city of Sohag.
The southern pylon tower at Athribis, alongside the hillock where a sacred precinct is presumed to be located. Image attribution: Marcus Müller, Athribis Project.
“Beneath the existing, undisturbed accumulations of debris, it is theorized that an approach to a rock-cut temple lies concealed,” stated Professor Christian Leitz and Dr. Marcus Müller, archaeologists affiliated with the University of Tübingen.
“Our collaborative efforts with Mohamed Abdelbadia from the Egyptian Antiquities Authority and a local Egyptian team commenced in 2022 in Athribis, with the objective of excavating a significant stone temple.”
“Systematic excavations have been underway since 2012, dedicated to revealing a temple precinct dating back to antiquity, which was erected between 144 BCE and 138 CE.”
“The totality of the edifice spanned 51 meters in width, with the towers of its imposing entrance measuring 18 meters in height individually.”
“Presently, merely approximately 5 meters remain, with the residual portion having been dismantled through quarrying activities,” they elaborated.
“Evidently, the extraction of these building materials can be precisely dated to the year 752 CE, or a period closely following, as indicated by a discovered coin.”
Furthermore, the archaeologists identified bas-reliefs depicting a royal figure engaging in devotional offerings to the leonine goddess Repit and her offspring, Kolanthes.
Newly deciphered hieroglyphic inscriptions offer conclusive evidence for the first time, identifying the sovereign responsible for adorning and, presumably, constructing the pylon: Ptolemy VIII, who reigned during the 2nd century BCE.
“Within the northern tower of the pylon, researchers unexpectedly encountered a previously uncharted chamber,” the investigators reported.
“We successfully dislodged a ceiling block, estimated to weigh around 20 tons, utilizing a system involving an air cushion, timber scaffolding, and rolling mechanisms.”
“This maneuver led to the revelation of the chamber, which measures approximately 6 meters in length and nearly 3 meters in width.”
“Initially serving as a repository for temple accouterments, it later functioned as a storage space for amphorae.”
“An adjoining corridor provides access through the pylon to this chamber, ensuring its availability from external access points.”
“This entryway is also embellished with both relief carvings and hieroglyphic script,” they further detailed.
“Once again, the divine figure of Repit is depicted, while the opposing door frame features the fertility deity Min. He is accompanied by two exceptionally rare representations: decans, which are celestial groupings utilized for nocturnal timekeeping, characterized by heads resembling a falcon and an ibis, respectively.”
“A distinctive feature within the realm of Egyptian temple architecture is a secondary portal on the pylon’s exterior, granting access to an unrecorded staircase that ascended in at least four distinct flights to an upper level, now lost to time, where further storage areas are projected to have existed.”
“The meticulously planed blocks of limestone situated against a vertically carved bedrock face may constitute a part of a rock-cut sanctuary,” remarked Professor Leitz.
“The prominence of this find, exceeding 3 meters in height, coupled with decorative elements characteristic of a temple’s upper sections—such as a frieze featuring cobras—suggests the potential presence of an entrance concealed behind it.”
