Undated photo shows a limestone lintel with hieroglyphic texts unearthed at a temple site in Kafr el-Sheikh province, Egypt. (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua)
Some ancient tools used in religious rituals were discovered at a temple site in Kafr el-Sheikh province, Egypt.
CAIRO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian archaeologists unearthed ancient tools once used in religious rituals at a temple site in Kafr el-Sheikh province north of the capital Cairo, said the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in a statement on Saturday.
The discovered objects include part of a limestone pillar in the form of goddess Hathor, a group of faience incense burners, a set of clay pots, a collection of statuettes, a purely golden Udjat eye and remains of golden scales.
Undated combo photo shows part of a limestone pillar in the form of goddess Hathor, seen from three different angles, which is unearthed at a temple site in Kafr el-Sheikh province, Egypt. (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua)
"It is one of the important discoveries because it includes the tools that were actually used in performing the daily religious rituals for goddess Hathor," said Mostafa Waziri, head of the ministry's Supreme Council of Antiquities.
They also unearthed ivory reliefs depicting daily life including women carrying offerings, as well as plants, birds and animals, in addition to a large limestone lintel with hieroglyphic texts and part of a painting of a king performing rituals in the temple, according to Ayman Ashmawy, head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the ministry.
Undated combo photo shows a God Horus-headed ritual tool, seen from four different angles, which is unearthed at a temple site in Kafr el-Sheikh province, Egypt. (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua)
Ashmawy added that they found hieroglyphic inscriptions bearing names and titles of Ancient Egyptian kings dating back to over 2,500 years ago.
For his part, Hossam Ghoneim, director general of Kafr el-Sheikh antiquities and head of the archeological mission, said that a large limestone well and a mud brick bath were also discovered. ■
