Latest news with #LatePeriod
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Found a Lost Egyptian City Buried in the Nile Delta
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Archaeologists discovered the lost ancient city of Imet in modern-day Egypt's eastern Nile Delta. Included within the find were multi-story 'tower' homes showing the urbanization of the area. Evidence indicated the worship of the city's patron deity, the cobra goddess Wadjet, waned over time. The discovery of the ancient city Imet in Egypt's eastern Nile Delta offers intriguing insights, including the architectural urbanization of the area prior to the Roman era, and worship of the city's patron deity, the cobra goddess Wadjet. Excavations at Tell el-Fara'in reveal cultural norms during the early- to middle-fourth century B.C., which feature intricate urbanization with 'substantial tower houses,' structures that were basically multi-story buildings supported by exceptionally thick foundation walls, according to a statement from the University of Manchester. 'These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt,' Nicky Nielsen, researcher with the University of Manchester, said in a statement. 'Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely built city with a complex urban infrastructure.' The thick foundation walls were designed to support the weight of the tall buildings. The houses, with their multiple floors, were crafted to accommodate many people, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said in a translated statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The researchers located the city using remote sensing via high-resolution satellite imagery. The images identified clusters of ancient mudbricks that led the team to on-the-ground excavation. It was then they discovered the tower houses. But that wasn't all they found. The team discovered a grain processing center, which featured a paved area and animal enclosures. The find offers information about both the local economy and the religious significance of the area. Nielsen said Imet was prominent during the New Kingdom, sometime between 1550 and 1069 B.C. and its location along trade routes allowed it to maintain importance, especially as it attracted Wadjet pilgrims and merchants. A newer find, from the mid-Ptolemaic Period of about 200 B.C., showed a large structure with a limestone plaster floor and impressive pillars wrapped with stucco. The building was constructed across a processional road that once connected to the temple of Wadjet. Researchers believe that this new building, placed over the ceremonial road shows the worship of Wadjet had waned by that time, offering insight into a shifting religious landscape in ancient Egypt. The temple of Wadjet was rebuilt by Ramses II in the mid-1200s B.C., and then again by Ahmose II in the mid-500s B.C. but began a decline thereafter. The past religious culture of Imet has started to come into greater clarity in the present day, thanks to finds like a green faience ushabti (a ceramic funerary figurine) from the 26th Dynasty, a stela (an upright stone slab with a relief design) of the god Harpocrates (the Greek name for Horus the Child) standing on two crocodiles while holding a snake, and a bronze sistrum musical instrument adorned with the twin heads of Hathor, goddess of music and joy. 'This discovery opens new doors to our understanding of daily life, spirituality, and urban planning in the Delta,' Nielsen said. 'Imet is emerging as a key site for rethinking the archaeology of Late Period Egypt.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Lost 2,400-year-old city uncovered by archaeologists with multi-storey buildings and temple dedicated to cobra goddess
Researchers said the city had a "complex urban infrastructure" ANCIENT SECRETS Lost 2,400-year-old city uncovered by archaeologists with multi-storey buildings and temple dedicated to cobra goddess Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A ONCE bustling city with multi-storey tower houses and a cobra goddess temple built 2,400 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists. The densely built city dates back to the 4th century BCE - and even used to have a thriving local economy and religious traditions, researchers said. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient lost city Credit: University of Manchester 5 The city of Imet existed around 2,400 years ago Credit: Dr Nicky Nielsen et al 5 Scientists found artefacts to prove the groundbreaking city was a bustling hub Credit: University of Manchester Buried under modern day Tell el-Fara'in, Egypt, state-of-the-art technology has been used to uncover the ancient city of Imet. Boffins from the University of Manchester and the University of Sadat City in Cairo made the groundbreaking discovery in the African nation's Nile Delta. A team of archaeologists led by Dr. Nicky Nielsen excavated an array of extraordinary artefacts - which point to the location's booming economy and religious practice. The team said: "The University of Manchester is bringing the ancient Delta back one discovery at a time." They said locating the forgotten city of Imet allowed them to have a greater understanding of "daily life, spirituality, and urban planning in the Delta". The incredible city dates back to the Late Period in Egypt - the final era of Egyptian rule which was killed off by Alexander the Great's conquest. Archaeologists used remote sensing including high-resolution satellite imagery. They first detected ancient mudbricks, which led them to discover 'dense architectural remains'. These included multi-storey buildings with "exceptionally thick foundation walls". The team dubbed these "tower houses". Mystery as body of footless Roman with KNIFE in back found at ancient fort The 4th-century Egyptians are understood to have built them to accommodate their soaring population. Imet, as well as the Delta region, became an urban center, the scientists said following their breakthrough finding. Leading researcher Dr Nielsen said: "These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt. "Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely built city with a complex urban infrastructure." In another shocking revelation, the scientists also discovered a large building dating to the mid-Ptolemaic Period - even older than the Late Period. This fascinating find meant that the city may have had even more ancient roots. The building, which is understood to be older than the rest of the city, had a limestone plaster floor and massive pilars. It was also built across a processional road that connected it to a temple dedicated to the city's patron deity, Wadjet, the cobra goddess. But it was abandoned around the mid-Ptolemaic era, sparking theories that religious beliefs may have changed at the time, the experts said. Archaeologists also uncovered a grain-processing area and animal pens - proof that Imet had a developed local economy and religious traditions. And they found artefacts which supported the idea that the Delta centre was once a thriving Ancient Egyptian community. Their most prized discoveries included a green faience ushabti from the 26th Dynasty, a stela of the god Harpocrates with protective iconography, and a bronze sistrum adorned with the twin heads of Hathor, goddess of music and joy. These finds have helped experts piece together one of Ancient Egypt's long-lost cities - shining new light on the empire's final days. 5 The scientists said the discovery will help them unearth more about the empire's final days Credit: University of Manchester
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Lost 2,400-year-old city uncovered by archaeologists with multi-storey buildings and temple dedicated to cobra goddess
A ONCE bustling city with multi-storey tower houses and a cobra goddess temple built 2,400 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists. The densely built city dates back to the 4th century BCE - and even used to have a thriving local economy and religious traditions, researchers said. Advertisement 5 Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient lost city Credit: University of Manchester 5 The city of Imet existed around 2,400 years ago Credit: Dr Nicky Nielsen et al 5 Scientists found artefacts to prove the groundbreaking city was a bustling hub Credit: University of Manchester Buried under modern day Tell el-Fara'in, Egypt, state-of-the-art technology has been used to uncover the ancient city of Imet. Boffins from the University of Manchester and the University of Sadat City in Cairo made the A team of The team said: "The University of Manchester is bringing the ancient Delta back Advertisement They said locating the The incredible city dates back to the Late Period in Egypt - the final era of Egyptian rule which was killed off by Alexander the Great's conquest. Archaeologists used remote sensing including high-resolution satellite imagery. They first Advertisement Most read in The US Sun These included multi-storey buildings with "exceptionally thick foundation walls". The team dubbed these "tower houses". Mystery as body of footless Roman with KNIFE in back found at ancient fort The 4th-century Egyptians are understood to have built them to accommodate their soaring population. Imet, as well as the Delta region, became an urban center, the scientists said following their breakthrough finding. Advertisement Leading researcher Dr Nielsen said: "These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt . "Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely built city with a complex urban infrastructure." In another shocking revelation, the scientists also discovered a large building dating to the mid-Ptolemaic Period - even older than the Late Period. This fascinating find meant that the city may have had even more ancient roots. Advertisement The building, which is understood to be older than the rest of the city, had a limestone plaster floor and massive pilars. It was also built across a processional road that connected it to a temple dedicated to the city's patron deity, Wadjet, the cobra goddess. But it was abandoned around the mid-Ptolemaic era, sparking theories that religious beliefs may have changed at the time, the experts said. Archaeologists also uncovered a grain-processing area and animal pens - proof that Imet had a developed local economy and religious traditions. Advertisement And they found artefacts which supported the idea that the Delta centre was once a thriving Ancient Egyptian community. Read more on the Irish Sun Their most prized discoveries included a green faience ushabti from the 26 th Dynasty, a stela of the god Harpocrates with protective iconography, and a bronze sistrum adorned with the twin heads of Hathor, goddess of music and joy. These finds have helped experts piece together one of Ancient Egypt's long-lost cities - shining new light on the empire's final days. 5 The scientists said the discovery will help them unearth more about the empire's final days Credit: University of Manchester Advertisement 5 They found a range of stunning artefacts Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Thriving and densely-built': Archaeologists unearth 'tower' houses and ceremonial building in ancient Egyptian city of Imet
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of multistory houses and a ceremonial building linked to the cobra-headed goddess Wadjet in the ancient Egyptian city of Imet. Dense architectural remains indicate that Imet was a bustling urban center during Egypt's Late Period (circa 664 to 332 B.C.), or the last period of Egyptian rule before Alexander the Great and his general Ptolemy I Soter took over, according to a statement describing recent excavations in what is now Tell Nabasha (also spelled Tell Nebesha) — an archaeological site in the eastern Nile Delta. "Imet is emerging as a key site for rethinking the archaeology of Late Period Egypt," Nicky Nielsen, a senior lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Manchester in the U.K. who directed the excavations, said in the statement. The newly discovered multistory houses, or tower houses, were likely designed to accommodate a growing population in what was a prominent city in ancient times, particularly in the fourth century B.C., Nielsen said. "These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt," he said. "Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely-built city with a complex urban infrastructure." Nielsen and his team first spotted the tower-house remains on high-resolution satellite images, which revealed clusters of ancient mudbrick in Imet. The researchers traveled to the ancient city to excavate these structures, as well as the ruins of a paved area for grain processing and animal enclosures, which together point to an active local economy, according to the statement. Related: 'Major' ancient Egyptian town discovered — and it has a jug stamped with the name of Nefertiti's daughter Together with Egyptian archaeologists, the researchers also unearthed a large building with a limestone plaster floor and huge pillars dating to the Ptolemaic period (332 to 30 B.C.), when Ptolemy I Soter's dynasty ruled Egypt. The building sits on the ancient processional road to the temple of Wadjet — the patron goddess and protector of Lower Egypt, traditionally depicted as a winged cobra or as a woman with the head of a cobra — suggesting the building itself also held spiritual significance. Evidence suggests the processional road fell out of use in the mid-Ptolemaic period, indicating a shift in religious culture, according to the statement. RELATED STORIES —Ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria — the birthplace of Cleopatra — is crumbling into the sea at an unprecedented rate —Archaeologists unearth tree-lined walkway that led to ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai Desert —2,100-year-old temple from ancient Egypt discovered hidden in cliff face In the ruins of buildings, the researchers found various stunning artifacts, including a green faience ushabti — or glazed ceramic funerary figurine — from the 26th dynasty (Late Period), a stone slab with engravings of the god Harpocrates and protective symbols and a musical instrument featuring the goddess of music and joy, Hathor. The discovery of complex infrastructure and ancient religious artifacts from Imet "opens new doors to our understanding of daily life, spirituality and urban planning in the Delta," Nielsen said.
Egypt Today
24-06-2025
- Egypt Today
New Archaeological Discovery in Sharqiya Reveals Lost City of 'Emet'
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced a groundbreaking discovery at Tell El-Fara'in (Tell Nebesha) in Sharqiya Governorate. A British archaeological team from the University of Manchester uncovered the ruins of the ancient city of 'Emet,' dating back to the early or mid-4th century BC. Among the findings, multi-story residential buildings ('tower houses'), known for their thick foundations, storage facilities for grain and animal shelters, structures once part of a ceremonial processional route, a limestone temple floor, and remains of mudbrick columns likely covered in plaster. A bronze sistrum (musical instrument) adorned with Hathor heads, a finely crafted green faience ushabti figurine from the 26th Dynasty, and a rare stela depicting Horus standing on crocodiles, holding serpents, topped by the god Bes were also uncovered. In the temple area, archaeologists also found signs that the processional road connecting Late Period monuments to the Temple of Wadjet was decommissioned by the mid-Ptolemaic era. The temple was rebuilt during the reigns of Ramesses II and Ahmose II, and later repurposed as a quarry during the Achaemenid period. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the discovery as a major step toward enriching Egypt's cultural heritage and deepening understanding of daily life and religious practices during the Late and early Ptolemaic periods. According to Dr. Nicky Nielsen, the mission's director, the city of Emet once stood as a key population center in Lower Egypt, especially during the New Kingdom and Late Period, and was home to a significant temple dedicated to the goddess Wadjet, whose ruins still dominate the western part of the site. This discovery opens new doors for research into one of the Delta's most important ancient cities.
