The stone temple, dating back to the reign of King Ptolemy VIII (circa 170–116 BCE), features intricate reliefs that depict the ruler offering sacrifices to the lion-headed goddess Repit and her son, Kolanthes.
Archaeologists have uncovered a fascinating piece of history: a 2,100-year-old temple carved into a cliff at the ancient site of Athribis, located approximately 200 kilometers north of Luxor. The discovery offers new insights into the religious practices and celestial symbolism of Egypt’s Ptolemaic period.
A Glimpse into the Ptolemaic Era
The stone temple, dating back to the reign of King Ptolemy VIII (circa 170–116 BCE), features intricate reliefs that depict the ruler offering sacrifices to the lion-headed goddess Repit and her son, Kolanthes. Repit, a consort of the fertility god Min-Ra, is thought to have been central to the temple’s purpose. However, the structure’s original name and dedication remain a mystery.
Christian Leitz, an Egyptology professor at the University of Tübingen and the leader of the project, emphasized that further excavations and analysis could reveal more details. “The name of this building is still not known,” Leitz shared in a statement.
Inside the temple, the team uncovered a chamber that once stored ceremonial objects and later amphorae—narrow-necked clay vessels with two handles. The entrance to this chamber is adorned with reliefs of Repit and Min-Ra, with one depiction showing Min-Ra accompanied by two decans—celestial figures associated with star-based timekeeping in ancient EgyptArchaeologists Discover a 2,100-Year-Old Egyptian Temple Hidden Within a Cliff. These decans, humanoid figures with animal heads, feature a falcon-headed and an ibis-headed representation.
Unraveling History
The Athribis site, near modern-day Sohag, has been under excavation since 2012, but the temple itself was only discovered in 2022. It is part of a larger temple complex that continues to yield intriguing findings.
The unique representation of decans in the Athribis temple has sparked interest among scholars. Archaeoastronomers Sarah Symons and Juan Antonio Belmonte, who are not affiliated with the excavation, noted the significance of this discovery. However, they highlighted the need for more detailed research to understand the temple’s connection to ancient Egyptian cosmology.
This discovery enriches our understanding of the Ptolemaic period, illustrating the complex interplay of religious and astronomical traditions. As archaeologists continue their work, the temple promises to unveil more secrets about life and beliefs in ancient Egypt.
