Ruins of unknown Roman city found in Egypt
(ORDO NEWS) — In Egypt, the archaeological mission of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, during excavations in the city of Luxor, unexpectedly discovered the remains of a Roman city that was previously unknown to Egyptologists.
According to Heritage Daily, the discovery was made by a team of archaeologists led by Dr. Mustafa Waziri, secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The group was not looking for a city at all, it was digging up an area located next to the famous ancient Egyptian temple of Luxor.
During these excavations, unexpectedly, unknown ruins of an entire city were discovered, which, according to preliminary dating, belongs to the Roman period – it was built around the second or third centuries of our era.
This discovery will force scientists to reconsider the history of Luxor itself.
Many history buffs also know Luxor as the ancient city of Thebes, which was the great capital of Upper Egypt during the New Kingdom.
The ancient Greeks called it Thebai, but the Romans after the conquest of Egypt adapted the name to their language, so the city became Thebes.
Probably, in the Roman period, in the vicinity of the ancient Egyptian temple, the Romans built a fortress to accommodate legionnaires, which also housed the residence of the Roman administration of the region.
Gradually, this fortress grew into a small town. So, during the excavations, the remains of several Roman houses and the foundations of two towers were discovered.
The latter, according to researchers, were built to keep carrier pigeons.
In these towers, as shown by related finds, there were many ceramic vessels, which, according to Dr. Fati Yasin, director general of the Antiquities Authority of Upper Egypt, were used specifically for nesting pigeons.
In addition, archaeologists have discovered Roman workshops for the production and smelting of metals in an unknown city.
In particular, numerous pots, grinding tools, earthenware, and copper and bronze coins were found there.
By the way, in this area, archaeologists have previously found the remains of Roman structures, including part of the wall and a warehouse of the Roman period, amphorae and several other artifacts.
But only new excavations have shown that a whole Roman city was located here.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.
