An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Ain Shams University, headed by Mamdouh El-Damaty, former Minister of Antiquities and Professor of Archeology at the University, discovered the remains of a limestone cabin dating back to the Roman era, during archaeological excavations east of the Dendera Temple in Qena governorate.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that a temple for the god Horus was built in this area in the Roman era.
El-Damaty explained that the remains of the limestone cabin are a platform consisting of two levels with a foundation and sloping floors, inside which a water-storage basin made of red bricks covered with mortar with stairs was found, and can be dated to the Byzantine era.
He added that during the cleaning work of the basin, a limestone statue was found in the form of a sphinx representing one of the Roman emperors, wearing the headdress known as the Nemes, with his bridge above his forehead, indicating that the initial examination of the face of the statue indicates that it is likely to be of Emperor Claudius.
El-Damaty described the statue as wonderfully beautiful, as its face is distinguished by royal features depicted accurately, and a slight smile appears on its lips, which have two dimples on both ends, and the remains of yellow and red appear on its face. A painting from the Roman era written in hieroglyphics and demotic was also found below the statue.
The mission will continue the excavation work in the area of the Horus Temple, east of the Dendera Temple, and in front of the Isis Gate, to uncover the road linking them.
It is worth noting that the mission had begun excavation work in the middle of last February, as it carried out a radar survey of the Osirian halls in the Dendera Temple, and a magnetic and radio survey in the area east of the wall surrounding the temple in front of the Isis Gate, with the knowledge of a team from the National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research.
