ANCIENT TEMPLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1938, Page 10

ANCIENT TEMPLES

INTERESTING DISCOVERIES IN EGYPT. Interesting discoveries have been made at the Baharia Oasis, Egypt, which Fakhry Effendi, Chief Inspector of the Middle Egypt has been investigating on behalf of the Egyptian Government. Three temples of the time of Amasis 11—569-525 B.C.—have been discovered. Amasis 11. was the sth King of the 26th dynasty. In one of the temples there are two big halls, the walls of which contain drawings showing the King, accompanied by his priests, making offerings to the' gods, and other ceremonies. The inscriptions throw an important new light on the oasis as it was in those times and on the gods worshipped. The temple doors were closed with stones and mud. The indications are that the temples were closed during the Roman period, probably after the arrival of Christianity in Egypt, since the statuary and the vases are in many cases disfigured. Among the statues is one in limestone of the cat-headed goddess. Bast. The head of this is broken. Another is of King Amasis 11. in copper, the head being covered with gold. The other two temples, although built by members of the same dynasty, differ greatly in design and decoration. One shows on its walls scenes of more important religious rites, including the legendary resurrection of Osiris. All the inscriptions are notable for their excellent workmanship, and most of the colours are well-pre-served.

In an adjacent village there are remains of tombs of the 19th as well as the 26th dynasties.