Archaeologists Discover Ancient Structure in the Nile Delta
A team of archaeologists led by Mohamed Abu Arab from Kafr El Sheikh University has made a significant discovery in the northwestern part of the Nile Delta, uncovering a mysterious structure hidden beneath the ruins of the ancient city of Buto, known today as Tell el-Fara'in.
The ancient city of Buto, which has been regarded as a sacred site for the snake goddess Wadjet for over 6,000 years, concealed an architectural object measuring approximately 25 by 20 meters beneath layers of silt and groundwater. The importance of this discovery lies not only in its size but also in its potential to illuminate religious practices and architecture of ancient Egypt.
Traditional excavations in this region have been complicated by deep deposits of silt, prompting researchers to employ cutting-edge technologies. They utilized the Sentinel-1 satellite radar and electrical resistivity tomography to conduct a detailed scan of the area. By establishing 24 electrodes along a 69-meter cable, physicists were able to scan the ground and detect walls made of mudbrick at depths ranging from 3 to 6 meters.
Further investigations confirmed that the age of this find is approximately 2,600 years, corresponding to the Saite period—the last dynasty of Egyptian rule before the Persian conquest. This discovery not only expands knowledge of the architectural achievements of ancient Egypt but also provides a better understanding of the cultural and religious aspects of that era.
Inside the structure, archaeologists uncovered a unique collection of artifacts, including amulets depicting the gods Isis, Horus, and Wadjet, as well as a rare figurine that combines features of a baboon, a falcon, and the deity Patikos. The presence of an altar and ritual objects indicates that this building likely served as a temple, a priest's residence, or even part of a larger religious complex.
Researchers plan to continue their investigations of this find, as preliminary data suggest the possibility of another large temple that may be hidden deeper beneath layers of clay. This discovery could represent a significant step in the study of ancient Egyptian civilization and its religious practices.
The results of this work have already been published in the scientific journal Acta Geophysica, underscoring the significance of this research for the archaeological community.