Egyptian-Chinese Mission Uncovers Limestone Structure Likely Belonging to King Apries Temple in Mit Rahina

An Egyptian-Chinese archaeological mission has discovered a limestone structure believed to be part of the Temple of King Apries from the 26th Dynasty. The discovery was made during excavations at the "Tell Aziz" site in the eastern part of Mit Rahina, Giza.

The joint mission includes expert٩s from Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Peking University, and the Shandong Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology. This find builds upon previous discoveries of temple segments unearthed by the team in earlier seasons.

Strategic Importance

Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized that this discovery is a significant addition to ongoing research in Mit Rahina. He noted its role in shedding light on one of the most vital archaeological sites in the region while praising the fruitful scientific cooperation between Egypt and China.

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the SCA, stated that the find enhances the understanding of the urban planning of ancient Memphis and its religious practices from the Late Period through the Greco-Roman era.

 "Preliminary studies suggest that the southern part of Tell Aziz served as a core area of Memphis," Dr. El-Leithy added. "Evidence indicates the temple remained in use from the 26th Dynasty until the Roman Period."

Key Artifacts Uncovered

Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badea, Head of the Central Administration of Upper Egypt Antiquities and the mission’s Egyptian lead, detailed the findings:

 Statuary: Five headless sphinxes.

 Inscriptions: Hieroglyphic-engraved blocks dedicated to the god Ptah.

Royal Cartouches: Stone blocks bearing the name of King Apries.

 Minor Finds: A collection of pottery, glassware, and copper coins.

Future Prospects

Dr. Zhang Hai, head of the Chinese mission, announced that excavations are scheduled to resume in April. The upcoming phase aims to document further architectural elements of this historic capital. He highlighted that Memphis, situated at the junction of the Nile Valley and Delta, served as Egypt's oldest and most significant capital, acting as an administrative and religious hub for nearly 3,000 years.