January 10, 2023
An Egyptian archaeological mission working at the Temple of Khnum in Esna found ruins of a chapel dating to the Ptolemaic Period and a Roman bath, in addition to other archaeological material dated to different historical periods. The site of Esna is located in Upper Egypt and contains a temple dedicated to the god Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation. The temple construction started during the New Kingdom and continued during the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods.
The mission has been working at the area behind the temple and unearthed a chapel made of sandstone, which was built as part of an extension for the temple during the Ptolemaic Period. The team also found remains of circular building made of mudbrick, foundations of other structures, and architectural features of small columns related to a gate or entrance. Various collections of pottery were also found.
The team uncovered a Roman bathhouse, along with the water channels and a central heating system to produce and circulate hot air below the bath floor. Interestingly, the team found remains of a weapon storage from the reign of Muhammed Ali Pasha, dated to the 19th century AD.
