An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has uncovered new architectural elements of the Old Qasr Temple at the Old Qasr archaeological site in the Bahariya Oasis, shedding further light on a temple dating back to Egypt’s 26th Dynasty. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the efforts of the Egyptian archaeological teams, noting that such discoveries enhance our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation and continue to reveal new aspects of its rich legacy. He added that the find underscores Egypt’s extraordinary archaeological wealth—much of which remains undiscovered—while highlighting the expertise of local archaeologists in uncovering new chapters of the country’s ancient history and supporting Egypt’s position as a leading cultural tourism destination. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, stated that the mission uncovered additional architectural remains of the temple, including the remnants of a sandstone chamber and several inscribed stone blocks bearing the names and royal titles of King Psamtik I. He noted that the discovery confirms the historical and archaeological significance of the Old Qasr site, which served as an important religious and administrative centre across successive historical eras. The findings also provide valuable insights into the history of the Bahariya Oasis and its relationship with the ancient Egyptian state. Among the most notable discoveries is the temple’s main hypostyle hall, which features 16 sandstone columns, alongside a number of adjoining chambers and shrines. Excavations also revealed fragments of hieroglyphic inscriptions and decorative scenes mentioning several ancient Egyptian deities, most notably Amun-Ra, Amunet, and Khonsu. In addition, the mission uncovered a stone stela dating back to the reign of King Amenhotep II of the 18th Dynasty. The inscriptions on the stela confirm the oasis’s connection to the Egyptian state since the New Kingdom period. Archaeologists also found artefacts dating to the reign of King Ramesses II, indicating that the site witnessed religious and architectural activity centuries before the construction of the 26th Dynasty temple. These discoveries add to the growing evidence of the importance of the Bahariya Oasis as a key administrative, religious, and cultural hub in ancient Egypt, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region’s long and diverse history. The post Egyptian archaeologists uncover secrets of Oasis Temple appeared first on Egyptian Gazette.
