Antiquity News from Egypt Summer 2008
”Lost” Egypt Pyramid Found Near Bull Tombs
The foundations of a pyramid long lost under the sands of Egypt lie exposed on June 2, 2008. Archaeologists announced the rediscovery of the ruins in Saqqara, south of Cairo. The so-called Headless Pyramid was reported in the early 19th century by a German archaeologist, but its exact location was subsequently lost.
With its recent rediscovery, archaeologists have determined that the pyramid probably belonged to Pharaoh Menkauhor, who is believed to have ruled for eight years in the mid-2400s B.C. Teams also found a new part of a sacred road at the site that is thought to have been used for processions of mummified royal bulls. On June 5, 2008, a worker dusts off a large slab of granite that was part of a sarcophagus found in the burial chamber of a recently rediscovered pyramid. The ancient pyramid had been reported in the 19th century but was subsequently lost under the desert. When a team led by Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, found the site again, it took a y ear and a half just to remove all the sand.
Ancient Egyptian administrative building, silos unearthed in Edfu
Sixteen wooden columns were found in the hall and show that it might be part of a governor’s palace, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawwas said.
Pottery and seals dating back to the 13th dynasty were discovered in the hall.
The seals found inside the hall are decorated with spiral patterns and hieroglyphic symbols including ankh sign, said head of the American Chicago University’s mission Nadine Moeller.
Discovering wine press from Byzantine era in south of Sinai
Culture Minister Farouk Hosney announced the discovery of the remains of rocky wine press from the Byzantine era during the digging works of the antiquity delegation affiliated to the Supreme Council for Antiquities in Sail al-Toffaha in the south of Sinai. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities Zahi Hawas said that the press consists of two parts made of local rocks covered with a rose layer, and ends by a red pipe made of burnt pottery.
Ancient Egyptian City Unearthed in Sinai
Archaeologists exploring an old military road in the Sinai have unearthed 3,000-year-old remains from an ancient fortified city, the largest yet found in Egypt, antiquities authorities announced Wednesday. Among the discoveries at the site was a relief of King Thutmose II (1516-1504 B.C.), thought to be the first such royal monument discovered in Sinai, said Zahi Hawass, chief of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
It indicates that Thutmose II may have built a fort near the ancient city, located about two miles northeast of present day Qantara and known historically as Tharu.
A 550-by-275-yard mud brick fort with several 13-foot-high towers dating to King Ramses II (1304-1237 B.C.) was unearthed in the same area, he said. Hawass said early studies suggested the fort had been Egypt’s military headquarters from the New Kingdom (1569-1081 B.C.) until the Ptolemaic era, a period of about 1500 years.
The ancient military road, known as "Way of Horus," once connected Egypt to Palestine and is close to pre sent-day Rafah, which borders the Palestinian territory of Gaza. the mission also
located the first ever New Kingdom temple to be found in northern Sinai, which earlier studies indicated was built on top of an 18th Dynasty fort (1569-1315 B.C.).
A collection of reliefs belonging to King Ramses II and King Seti I (1314-1304 B.C.) were also unearthed with rows of warehouses used by the ancient Egyptian army during the New Kingdom era to store wheat and weapons, he said. The new discoveries corresponded to the inscriptions of the Way of Horus found on the walls of the Karnak Temple in Luxor which illustrated the features of 11 military fortresses that protected Egypt’s eastern borders. Only five of them have been discovered to date.
A documentary film of Djoser Pyramid to be a reference to all archaeologists
“Egypt plans to make a documentary film of Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt’s first step pyramid, using a three-dimensional technique to be a reference to all archaeologists,” Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said The film will display a perspective image of the pyramid, located in Sakkara, to help archaeologists know the exact condition of each step and stone pieces, the Minister said. The four-week project will be carried out by the Supreme Council of Antiquities in cooperation with a Japanese-American mission, Hosni said.
The project comes as part of celebrations of making 2008 the Year of Science between Japan and Egypt.
The pyramid was built during the Old Kingdom’s 3rd Dynasty. The pyramid is 254 feet tall, with six steps.
The Step Pyramid is said to have been built for
Netjerikhet Djoser, the 2nd King of Egypt’s 3rd Dynasty, by that master architect and ancient Egyptian legend, Imhotep.
Djoser’s tomb is located deep beneath the pyramid. The pyrmaid was excavated in 1934 by Jean-Philippe Lauer who found a mummified left foot, believed to be all that is left of Djoser.
Alexandria to Recover the Lost Treasures of Queen Cleopatra
The palace of Queen Cleopatra, laid under the Eastern Alexandrian harbor water, will be explored to reveal the mysteries of the famous queen’s life. The plans to drain the water are expected to be completed by November 2008, after which archaeologists will begin to excavate the “Sunken City”. This challenging and exciting project should enable to discover the hidden treasures within the place of Cleopatra’s love story with General Mark Anthony and to restore the palace to its timeless historical glory.
There have already been numerous discoveries since the project got underway. A 120 meter long underground tunnel, with a number of rooms, has been found and also gold coins with the face of Queen Cleopatra in the water areas surrounding her temple. These discoveries have led to Zahi Hawass’, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, and other archeologists’ belief that the project will lead to the discovery of Cleopatra & General Mark Anthony tombs.
The belief that the two historical figures are hidden in this palace is based on a strong conviction that the two were buried in the temple of Tapusiris Magna, which archeologists believe is the submerged building in this harbor area.
June 30, 2008
Posted in: Egypt