New discoveries at Roman Period Temple of Esna

An Egyptian team has discovered a cache containing a number of coins from different historical eras

Ongoing restoration work at the Roman Period temple at Esna has revealed further scenes in the southwestern part of the ceiling that were previously hidden by soot and bird faeces.

top left Conservators at work on ceiling scenes in Esna Temple. top Detail of a newly restored scene at the Temple of Esna. above Another detail of a newly restored scene at the Temple of Esna. left Gold coins from the cache of Islamic coins discovered behind Esna Temple. below Silver coins from the cache of Islamic coins discovered behind Esna Temple.
Conservators at work on ceiling scenes in Esna Temple.

The joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission has discovered depictions of the cycles of the sun- and moon-gods at night and during their journey in the Afterlife, including scenes of the sun-god battling his enemies, an old man symbolising the sun at sunset, and other deities including Geb and Nut. [Read more about this work in AE 125.]

Detail of a newly restored scene at the Temple of Esna.
Another detail of a newly restored scene at the Temple of Esna.

Also at Esna, another Egyptian team has discovered a cache containing a number of coins from different historical eras together with coin moulds and weights, suggesting a coin mint and weighing house once existed in the city.

Gold coins from the cache of Islamic coins discovered behind Esna Temple.
Silver coins from the cache of Islamic coins discovered behind Esna Temple.

The cache was found behind the temple, and included about 286 coins dating to the reigns of 19 different rulers of the Islamic Period, as well as foreign coins from Armenia dating to the reign of Leon II (c. AD 1236-1289).

All images: copyright of the Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities

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