Egypt Uncovers Ptolemaic Head from the 7th Century AD at Taposiris Magna, Alexandria

The French archaeological mission from the University of Lyon and the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology in Cairo, led by Dr. Joachim le Bomin, successfully uncovered a marble statue head of an elderly man from the Ptolemaic period.

 

The discovery was made within the ruins of a 7th-century AD house during the mission’s excavations at Taposiris Magna, 45 kilometers west of Alexandria.

The announcement was made by Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the large size of the discovered head, standing at 38 cm tall—larger than a natural human head—indicates it was part of a colossal statue located in a significant public building rather than a private residence.

 

Mohamed Abdel-Badi, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the head is intricately carved with realistic features, characteristic of the realistic artistic style that flourished during the late Hellenistic period.

Preliminary studies reveal the head depicts an elderly, bald man with a wrinkled face that shows sternness and signs of illness.

The studies also suggest that the man represented by the head was a prominent public figure, though not a king, emphasizing the importance of Taposiris Magna as a site of significance from the reign of Ptolemy IV onward.

Dr. Joachim le Bomin confirmed that the mission continues its work at the site to understand why this head was found in a house, despite its origin dating back approximately 700 years before the construction of the house. The mission is also conducting further studies on the head to identify its subject while beginning restoration and preservation work.

The Significance of Taposiris Magna

Taposiris Magna is one of the most important archaeological sites on Egypt’s northern coast, renowned for its sacred role during the Greco-Roman and Byzantine periods. The site contains a large temple dedicated to the god Osiris, from which the city derived its Greek name. The name originates from the ancient Egyptian phrase “Per Wsir,” meaning “House of Osiris.”

Key landmarks at the site include:

• The Abu Sir Temple.

• The “Plantain Tombs” and extensive cemeteries to the east and west of the temple.

• The Abu Sir Lighthouse, which resembles the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria and gave the region its modern name, Borg El-Arab.

• Byzantine-era homes, ports, markets, and a basilica near Lake Mariout.

Since 1998, the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology has conducted excavations and restoration at Taposiris Magna, focusing on areas such as:

• The Ptolemaic Bath: A remarkably preserved public bath with a unique design unparalleled in Egypt.

• The Plantain Tombs: These Ptolemaic-period tombs are undergoing excavation and restoration.

• The southern region overlooking Lake Mariout, including the commercial port, homes, and Byzantine markets.

This ongoing work highlights the site’s historical, religious, and cultural significance, adding to its rich legacy.