Egyptian mission unearths 85 tombs, temple for Isis goddess in Upper Egypt
An Egyptian archaeological mission has discovered a tower house, in addition to the remains of a Ptolemaic temple and about 85 tombs dating back to different periods from the end of the Old Kingdom until the end of the Ptolemaic period in Sohag, southern Egypt.
CAIRO — The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in a May 4 press statement the discovery of a tower house from the era of King Ptolemy III, in the Gabal El Haridi area in Sohag governorate in southern Egypt.
The Egyptian archaeological mission operating in the area also unearthed the remains of a Ptolemaic temple, parts of which were discovered during previous excavations in the early 2000s.
Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziry explained in a statement published on his Facebook page May 4, “The checkpoint discovered is a mud-brick structure (Tower House) which was built to observe and watch the traffic between nomes borders, collect taxes and secure the boats sailing the Nile.”
He said the temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis durring the era of King Ptolemy III (Euergetes) and it is 33 meters (108 feet) long and 14 meters (46 feet) wide, with an axis from north to south.
