Egypt - Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesPress release


March 19, 2023
- Revealing the full zodiac for the first time on the Esna temple roof
A team from the Supreme Council of Archeology Restorers has succeeded for the first time in discovering a view of the zodiac on the roof of the southern pillared hall of the Esna Temple, as well as views of gods and animals appearing for the first time, during the project of recording, documenting, restoring and displaying its original colors performed by the Egyptian Archaeological Mission Joint German Egyptian Archeology Center and Topengen University.
Suffice it to say Dr. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Archaeology, pointed out that these views were not present in the temple's only previous scientific publication by French Egyptian scientist Serge Sonron, which adds new importance to the temple and its unique sculpture.
And added Dr. Mustafa Waziri said that this discovery will greatly help to increase the flow of visitors from Egyptians and tourists and encourage them to visit the temple to enjoy these unique astronomical sights, especially since there is no complete representation of the view of the towers in the ancient Egypt except two examples in the temple of Dandra in the governorate of Qena.
And from his side said Dr. Hisham El-Lithy, head of the Egyptian mission and head of central administration of the Egyptian Archeology Center, the revealed zodiacal vision depicts the twelve astrological signs from Aries to Pisces, as well as the representation of the outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars and depicts the so-called seven arrows and some stars or the towers used by the ancient Egyptians to measure time.
And added Dr. Christian Litz, head of the German-side mission, said a series of views depicting a number of Egyptian gods and animals, including snakes and crocodiles, as well as views of automotive creatures such as a ram-headed snake or a of crocodile, a serpent's tail and a four-winged serpent, like and additional black ink inscriptions with names The Divine Creatures.
Note that the Esna Temple Registration, Documentation and Restoration Project involves authenticating, restoring and cleaning the walls inside the temple as well as fixing the colors and removing the carpets in various booths and walls, cleaning the layers of the faucets and the dirt , removing the salts from the walls and ceiling of the temple and exposing the original colors of the patterns especially the astronomical patterns that decorate the ceiling of the temple, which have been previously and enabled. The restoration team crafted a large portion of it during previous seasons of the project, where, over centuries, the temple's colorful inscriptions suffered from thick layers of snails, dirt, grime, bird debris and croquettes, bird nests, spider as well as salt scuffs, which required the preparation of the restoration and development project of the temple to maintain it and its unique and distinctive patterns, and to conserve this unique Roman-era monument.
The temple dates back to Roman times, construction started in 186 BC. It took about 400 years to complete its carvings in AD 250, and the temple consists of a 24-column pillared hall with inscriptions and views of Roman kings and emperors.
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Ministry of Tourism and Monuments

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