{"id":12080,"date":"2026-06-04T04:03:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T04:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=12080"},"modified":"2026-06-04T04:03:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T04:03:09","slug":"egypt-unveils-a-striking-trove-of-ancient-artifacts-as-the-country-tries-to-boost-tourism-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=12080","title":{"rendered":"Egypt unveils a striking trove of ancient artifacts as the country tries to boost tourism industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

By SAMY MAGDY<\/strong><\/p>\n

CAIRO (AP) \u2014 Archaeologists unearthed a set of ancient artifacts in Egypt including Pharaonic funerary furniture, remains of a Roman basilica and a marble head of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty.<\/p>

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The discoveries, announced Sunday, are part of the Egyptian government\u2019s efforts to boost the country\u2019s tourism industry and bring cash to the troubled economy. At the center of these efforts was the November inauguration of the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum, a megaproject located near the famed Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.<\/p>\n

An active economic and commercial hub<\/h4>\n

The remains of the basilica and Aphrodite\u2019s head were found in an ancient necropolis in the province of Beni Suef, 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Cairo, the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said.<\/p>\n

The Ehnasiya necropolis, which is also known by its ancient Roman name, Heracle\u00f3polis Magna, was one of the most significant cities of ancient Egypt.<\/p>\n

Archaeologist Mohammed Abdel-Badei, head of the antiquities department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that they found large stone blocks supporting columns, weighing up to 45 tons, that had been used in building the basilica. Three of the blocks remain standing in their original positions, he said.<\/p>\n

Aphrodite\u2019s head, measuring about 24 centimeters by 25 centimeters (9\u00bd inches by nearly 10 inches), includes detailed features of the goddess\u2019 face and curly hair, reflecting the classical artistic traditions of the Greek and Roman periods, he said.<\/p>\n

Archaeologists found inscriptions linked to Senusret III, who ruled between 1837 B.C. and 1819 B.C. during the ancient 12th Dynasty. The inscriptions include his throne, birth names of the Pharaoh, who is also known as Sesostris III, and was one of the most prominent rulers of Egypt\u2019s Middle Kingdom.<\/p>

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Also unearthed were fragments of wall statues and terracotta molds, believed to have been used in coin crafting during the Roman period. The findings show that Ehnasiya had been an active economic and commercial hub when Egypt was part of the Roman Empire between 30 B.C. and A.D. 395, Abdel-Badei said.<\/p>

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