At
least one of the pieces uncovered in Kafr El-Sheikh dates to the reign of King
Psamtik I. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.
An
Egyptian excavation mission has discovered remains of mud-brick walls and
several artefacts that can be dated to different periods of the ancient
Egyptian era as well as four furnaces from the Late Period (664-332 BCE) during
excavation work carried out in Tel Al-Pharaeen archeological site known as
“ancient Buto” in the Kafr Al-Sheikh Governorate.
Ayman
Ashmawy, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at Egypt's Ministry of
Antiquities, told Ahram Online that studies on the walls' remains suggested
that it could possibly represent the main ancient axis of the Buto temple, and
the furnaces may have been used for the preparation of the offerings presented
to deities inside the temple.
He
continued that the mission has also uncovered the foundation of two limestone
columns that may had once have been part of the temple’s hall of pillars, in
addition to a limestone statue of King Psamtik I seated on the throne and
holding the royal handkerchief in his right hand. The upper part of the statue
is damaged, Ashmawy noted.
A
part of a yet unidentified royal statue has also been found but preliminary
examination suggests that it too could belong to King Psamtik I. The
statue is skillfully carved in black granite. It is missing the head, neck, and
a segment below the knee, as well as the base and parts of the arms. It depicts
the king wearing the Shendit (royal kilt). Both statues and their fragments
were transferred to the stores of the ministry for conservation and
restoration.
On
his part, Hossam Ghoneim, head of the excavation mission, said that the mission
uncovered the upper part of a statue of the god Hur engraved in quartzite,
remains of an inscription bearing the name of the Buto, part of a granite royal
hand with the remains of a royal cartouche of King Psamtik I, part of a Menit
Necklace (the symbol of goddess Hathor), as well as a collection of pottery.
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