Ptolemaic chapel discovered in Aswan

The chapel was discovered when the Tourism and Antiquities police arrested a few people who were digging illegally under a house near Edfu temple in Aswan. 

Nasr Salama, director of Aswan antiquities, said "The visible scenes imply the chapel could be 12 meters in height. 

The discovered part shows some scenes represent Ptolemy VIII offering justice symbol "Maat" to Horus while Hathor standing behind him and there is a cartouche with the king's name before his figure."

The chapel runs under the nearby houses and the ministry at the moment studying the different options to unearth the rest of the chapel.

#Egypt #Aswan #Antiquities #Egyptology #Archaeology #Illicitdigs 

Egyptian archaeologists discover human remains and pottery

Dr. Mamdouh El Damaty, Minister of Antiquities, announced today a new discovery at Edfu temple.

The discovery has taken place while the team of Edfu inspectors were doing experimental excavations in the front part of the temple in order to implement the second phase of lowering the ground water project funded by USAID.

What was discovered?

A group of pottery dates to the Old Kingdom and Late period as well as human remains scattered in the debris with a few burials. Mr. Nasr Salama, general director of Aswan Antiquities, said "The discovered pots are in different shapes and sizes.

Some of them are pottery and other made of alabaster. Also an Old Kingdom copper mirror was found."

Mr. Salama added "The restoration team of Edfu antiquities managed to clean and do needed restoration work on the discovered antiquities before being transferred to the warehouse."

 

#Egypt #Aswan #Egyptology #Antiquities #Archaeology #USAID

Egypt and U.S. Partner to Launch a Groundwater Lowering Project at Temple Edfu

The Ministry of State for Antiquities (MSA) along with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) kicked-off a new groundwater lowering project at Temple Edfu in a workshop held today in Cairo.  The project will construct a drainage system to lower the groundwater level that threatens antiquities in the Edfu Temple and will be carried out over approximately 20 months.

The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Amin, will attend the Workshop, which has been convened to allow the partners to identify critical factors for project success, prepare action plans, and confirm roles and responsibilities for the project’s implementation.  John Pasch, Acting Productive Sector Development Office Director, will represent USAID at the workshop.

“The Egyptian government and USAID have a solid history of successful collaboration to preserve Egypt’s antiquities,” remarked USAID Mission Director Walter North.  “We look forward to the same cooperation for Temple Edfu.” 

The Government of Egypt and USAID worked together previously on a similar project in Luxor’s East and West Banks where important archeological treasures such as Karnak and Luxor temples, Medinet Habu, the Colossi of Memnon, Amenthotep III, Ramesseum, and Seti I were saved from eventual destruction due to rising groundwater levels.  In addition, a groundwater lowering project is currently being implemented for the Pyramids Plateau which is expected to be completed in April 2012.

Since 1993, USAID has provided more than $100 million to support more than 70 antiquities conservation and training projects in partnership with the Government of Egypt.