Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered new architectural remains of an ancient temple dating to the 26th Dynasty at the Old Palace archaeological site in the village of Al-Qasr within the Bahariya Oasis, providing fresh insights into the region’s religious and administrative importance during the Late Period of ancient Egypt.
The discovery was made by an Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities during the latest excavation season at the site, which has been under investigation since 2014.
Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, said the discoveries enhance understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation and reinforce Egypt’s status as a leading destination for cultural tourism.
According to archaeologists, the latest excavations revealed additional architectural elements of the temple, including the remains of a sandstone structure and several carved stone blocks bearing the names and royal titles of Psamtik I, who ruled during the 26th Dynasty.
Dr Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the finds are helping researchers reconstruct the temple’s original layout and better understand its development through time. He described the discovery as further evidence of the historical significance of the Old Palace site, which served as an important religious and administrative centre for centuries.
Excavations have shown that construction of the temple began during the reign of Psamtik I and continued under his successors, including Apries and Amasis II.
One of the most important discoveries at the site is a large hypostyle hall containing 16 sandstone columns, along with a series of adjoining rooms and chambers. Archaeologists also uncovered decorated reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions mentioning several Egyptian deities, including Amun, Mut and Khonsu.
Researchers also recovered a stone stela dating to the reign of Amenhotep II, suggesting that the Bahariya Oasis maintained close ties with the Egyptian state as early as the New Kingdom period. Additional artefacts from the reign of Ramesses II indicate that religious and settlement activity at the site predates the construction of the 26th Dynasty temple.
Previous excavation seasons yielded a number of significant finds, including a metal seal that revealed the temple’s ancient name, “Ip-Set”, meaning “Headquarters of the Heart”. Archaeologists also uncovered bronze statues and amulets associated with the gods Osiris and Ra-Horakhty, as well as the head of a statue believed to represent a senior priest or official connected to the oasis.
Evidence recovered from the site further demonstrates that it remained occupied during the Greek and Roman periods and into the fourth and fifth centuries AD. Archaeologists found Coptic and Latin inscriptions, together with industrial installations, storage facilities and basins used in the production of wine and oils.
The Old Palace site is considered one of the most important archaeological locations in the Bahariya Oasis, having served as the region’s capital during the Late Period. Researchers believe the latest discoveries will contribute significantly to understanding the oasis’s role within ancient Egypt and its continued importance through successive historical eras.
Sources : Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
