Two 4,000-Year-Old Reliefs Discovered in Egypt

The pieces date to Ancient Egypt’s so-called Middle Kingdom (2050-1750 BC) and the Second Intermediate Period (1650-1550 BC), epochs long before the temple’s construction date.

The first relief has a cartouche containing the name of the Pharaoh Amenemhat IV – the seventh and next-to-last pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty – whose reign was characterized by exploration expeditions for precious turquoise and amethyst, while the second relief, quite damaged, requires restoration.

The archaeologists also found a number of blocks of stone, which served as bases for the temple’s statues and are engraved with lotus and papyrus flowers and a goddess, as well as with writing in Greek.

Other finds by the team include three burials from the Roman epoch, as well as parts of the facade of the temple to Queen Berenice.

The Polish scientific mission, after analyzing satellite photography of the area, uncovered the existence of a new archaeological site near the seaport of Berenice containing the remains of the base of a long and narrow building with three platforms.

Port Berenice was established at the beginning of the 3rd century AD by Ptolemy II, who ordered campaigns to the East African coast to capture elephants to be used in battle.