More discoveries beneath the Nile in Aswan

Archaeologists have discovered a portico, or covered entryway that once led to the temple of the ram-headed fertility god Khnum, beneath the surface of the Nile River.

A team of Egyptian archaeologist-divers found the portico in Aswan while conducting the first-ever underwater surveys of the Nile, which began earlier this year.

The temple of Khnum was first erected in the 12th dynasty (1985-1773 B.C.) or 13th dynasty (1773-1650 B.C.) and was later rebuilt and expanded under subsequent regimes, including by the “female pharaoh” Hatshepsut (1473-1458 B.C.).

Two large columns and more stones of the temple will be removed from the river when excavations resume later this year.

National Geographic

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2. Spectacular discoveries in Upper Egypt
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4. Archaeologists go in the Nile
5. First Crocodile Museum opens in Aswan

Tags: Aswan, hatshepsut, Khnum, Nile, Nile River

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 7:36 am and is filed under Egyptology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.