Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman artifacts found at Egypt's Heracleopolis

Ancient artifacts spanning Egyptian, Greek, and Roman eras have been unearthed during excavations in Ihnasya Al Madinah, Egypt, the nation's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced Sunday. The site, known in antiquity as Heracleopolis, served as the capital of Upper Egypt's 20th nome and was called nn nswt, meaning “Child of the King,” in Ancient Egyptian.

Among the significant discoveries is a cartouche featuring the raised inscription of Pharaoh Senusret III's throne and birth name. Senusret III was the fifth king of Egypt's 12th Dynasty during the Middle Kingdom. Another cartouche bore the name Osir-Naref, a local iteration of the Egyptian god of the dead, Osiris, who was a primary deity worshipped in ancient Ihnasya. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, highlighted the importance of Senusret's cartouche, stating it confirms the city's sacred status during the Middle Kingdom.

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facial features and curly hair in a style reflecting the classical artistic characteristics common in statues of deities and prominent figures during that period

Archaeologists also uncovered the remains of a Roman basilica, initially a public building during the Ptolemaic period before its conversion into a church in the early Christian era. Additionally, the ruins of a 6th-century Doric temple were found. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, explained that some stones from the temple were repurposed for the basilica's foundation and load-bearing columns, with some columns estimated to weigh around 45 tons. Three columns remain in their original positions.

Further discoveries include a marble head from a statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, noted for its classical artistic characteristics. Wall statues and pottery molds used for minting coins during the Roman period were also found. Dr. Sami Dardiri, Head of the Central Administration for Middle Egypt Antiquities, stated these finds reflect the city's prosperity and the continuation of its cultural and economic significance during the Roman era. The ongoing study of these artifacts aims to determine their precise dates and further illuminate Egypt's rich historical and civilizational diversity.

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the great historical value of the Ihnasya al-Madina area and reflect the cultural and civilizational diversity Egypt witnessed throughout different eras