Archaeologists said Wednesday they have discovered ancient stone carvings of pharaohs beneath the surface of the Nile River near Aswan, Egypt.
A French and Egyptian diving team discovered ancient Egyptian carvings and hieroglyphics in the South Aswan area, which was flooded during the construction of the Aswan High Dam between 1960 and 1970, LiveScience reported. ExplainedMany of the antiquities were removed before the Nile was dammed, but many remain below water level.
The sculptures are thought to date to “modern and late kings” and provide new information about the reigns of Tatmas IV and Amenhotaba III. according to Commenting on a post shared by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, LiveScience reported that statues of pharaohs Thutmose IV, Psamtik II and Apries, rulers from the 18th to 26th dynasties (roughly 1390 B.C. to 570 B.C.), were also found.
This is the first time the site has been explored since the construction of the dam, and the carvings are still in good condition, allowing the team to document the inscriptions in their entirety. (Related: 5,000-year-old discovery overturns ancient Egyptian story)
It is unclear whether these carvings were destined for other locations, as they were part of a quarry in the Aswan region. They could also be part of temple architecture in the region. With further research, we hope to develop a 3D model that will reveal more about this fascinating period in human history.
