CAIRO — A joint Egyptian-Austrian archaeological mission working at the Temple of Kom Ombo in Aswan unveiled the discovery on March 2 of an administrative center dating back to the First Transitional Period from 2180 to 2050 B.C., raising questions about when the temple was originally established.

In a press statement, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri said, “During its work in the northeastern side of the temple, the mission found more than 20 conical silos, which are likely to have served as an administrative facility that was used to store and distribute grains during the First Transitional Period from 2180 to 2050 B.C.”

He described the discovery as “important and unique in the area, as it indicates the importance of the city of Kom Ombo during the First Transitional Period, which enjoyed distinctive agricultural and commercial activity and was inhabited by a large number of residents.”

Abdel Moneim Saeed, director-general of Aswan and Nuba Antiquities, told Al-Monitor that the architectural features of the silos, including the vaults, stairs and storage rooms, remain in good condition.