A 15th century BC temple was discovered Wednesday, after seven residents were digging under one of their houses at Al-Badrashein, Giza, according to a statement by the Ministry of Antiquities.
The discovered parts of the temple, which have been buried under 9m of ground water, include 7 tablets, column bases and a statue of a seated person, all made of pink granite.
The residents, who were briefly detained, used diving suits, goggles and oxygen masks during the dig, according to the statement. The detainees were released after police investigations, which showed that the area of the discovery is not a part of the ministry’s property. The house owner reported to the antiquities police that he had found archaeological pieces.
With the help of Arab Contractors Company, a committee from the Ministry of Antiquities was able to lift the pieces, despite the groundwater. The ministry will also continue excavations in the area, searching for more parts of the temple, according to the statement.
