2 major archaeological discoveries unveiled in Aswan

CAIRO – 11 January 2018: The Ministry of Antiquities announced two massive archaeological discoveries in Aswan, on its official Facebook page on Thursday.

The first discovery was made by the Egyptian-American archaeological mission of The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago during its excavation works at Tell Edfou site. The mission unearthed an administrative complex that dates back to the fifth dynasty of ancient Egypt.


One of the unearthed artifacts – Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities
Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the unearthed complex is considered the oldest archaeological discovery in Tell Edfou site. He also added that this area probably still hides great secrets underground.


The unearthed administrative complex – Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities
The Egyptian – American archaeological mission’s director Nadine Meoller said that the mission started excavating in this area in 2014, but this discovery is special because it sheds light on the history of the fifth dynasty, and how ancient Egyptians used internal architectural structures to store goods, raw material, and gemstones.

Gregory Marouard, the director of the mission that found the complex, clarified that the mission found more than 200 artifacts which belonged to King Djedkare Isesi, in addition to many tools used in trade campaigns to Africa.


The unearthed artifacts – Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities
Regarding the second discovery, Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, explained that the Egyptian mission uncovered, at the temple of Kom Ombo in Aswan, a statue of a man and his wife while doing some religious rituals, and a statue made of sandstone of a seated man, in addition to two statues of god Horus in the shape of a raven.

The unearthed administrative complex – Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities