New Architectural Elements Discovered at the Ancient Qasr Temple in Bahariya Oasis

The Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, working at the Ancient Qasr site in El-Qasr village within the Bahariya Oasis, has uncovered new parts of the Ancient Qasr Temple. The temple dates back to the 26th Dynasty and was revealed during the mission's current excavation season at the site.

Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, praised the efforts of Egyptian archaeological missions, emphasizing that these discoveries enhance our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization and unveil more of its secrets, thereby bolstering Egypt's position as a leading destination for cultural tourism.

He added that these discoveries embody the value of Egypt's unique archaeological wealth, which still holds many undiscovered treasures. They also reflect the competence of Egyptian archaeologists and their ability to unveil new chapters of our ancient history, which serves as a fundamental pillar for promoting cultural tourism.

For his part, Dr. Hisham El-Laithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the mission succeeded in uncovering new architectural elements of the temple. These include the remains of a room constructed from sandstone and several inscribed stone blocks bearing the names and titles of King Psamtik I, as well as a collection of artifacts that help complete the understanding of the temple's architectural layout and history.

The Secretary-General stressed that this discovery serves as new evidence of the great historical and archaeological significance of the Ancient Qasr site in the Bahariya Oasis, highlighting its role as a prominent religious and administrative center across successive historical eras. It also sheds more light on the history of the Bahariya Oasis and its relationship with the ancient Egyptian state.

In the same context, Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the mission's work at the site began in 2014 and has continued through the 2026 season. These efforts have resulted in uncovering important parts of an archaeological temple that originally dates back to the 26th Dynasty; its construction began during the reign of King Psamtik I and was completed during the reigns of Kings Wahibre (Apries) and Ahmose II (Amasis).

He added that among the most prominent discoveries is the temple's main hypostyle hall, which features 16 sandstone columns, alongside several connected rooms and shrines. This is in addition to the remains of scenes and hieroglyphic texts recording the names of several ancient Egyptian deities, foremost among them Amun-Ra, Amaunet, and Khonsu.

Furthermore, a stone stela dating back to the reign of King Amenhotep II of the 18th Dynasty was found. It bears texts confirming the link between the Bahariya Oasis and the Egyptian state since the New Kingdom era. Artifacts dating back to the reign of King Ramesses II were also discovered, indicating that the site witnessed religious and urban activity from periods even older than the 26th Dynasty.

For his part, Mr. Qotb Fawzy, Head of the Central Administration for Cairo and Giza Antiquities, explained that during its previous excavation seasons, the mission succeeded in revealing the temple's name for the first time: "Ib-Set" (The Abode of the Heart). This was identified through a metal seal found inside the temple, alongside several important statues and artifacts. These include a statue of the deity Thoth, a bronze statue of Osiris, a bronze amulet of Ra-Horakhty, a statue head of a priest or prominent official in the Bahariya Oasis, and a shrine belonging to the local ruler and priest Ba-di-Iset—one of the most prominent figures associated with the administration of the oases during the Late Period.

In the same vein, Mr. Sabry Farag, Director General of Bahariya Oasis Antiquities, pointed out the discovery of evidence confirming the continued use of the site during the Greco-Roman periods and up into the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Ostraca, Coptic, and Latin texts were found, alongside industrial installations and basins used for producing wine and oils, as well as designated storage areas.

The Ancient Qasr site is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Bahariya Oasis, as it represented the ancient capital of the region during the Late Period.