Archaeologists discover rare Zodiac imagery in Egyptian Esna temple

• Published date: 23 March 2023
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

In addition to the depictions of celestial bodies, the researchers, with Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry and the University of Tübingen in Germany and led by Ahmed Emam, also found previously unknown inscriptions and colorful images of crocodiles, snakes and mythical beasts, including a snake with the head of a ram and a bird with the head of a crocodile, the tail of a snake and four wings

The team made the discoveries during excavations at the temple of Esna, where they had been preserved by a layer of dirt and soot for almost 2,000 years.

The only part that still remains of the temple, located 60km south of the city of Luxor, is a sandstone structure measuring 37 meters long, 20 meters wide and 15 meters high that was placed in front of the temple building itself during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius between 41 and 54 CE.

The fact that the structure was located in the city center likely contributed to its preservation, as other ancient edifices were often used as quarries for building materials during the industrialization of Egypt.

Researchers uncover additional structures next to the temple

"Representations of the zodiac are very rare in Egyptian temples."

Professor Christian Leitz, University of Tübingen

The researchers also discovered the remains of a 1,400-year-old Roman bathroom with bathtubs, part of a cabin and a storehouse adjacent to the temple.

"Representations of the zodiac are very...