New archaeological discoveries at Heracleopolis Magna reveal insights into Egypt's religious and cultural legacy

The Egyptian archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities at Ihnasya El-Medina in Beni Suef Governorate, led by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Director General of the Beni Suef Antiquities Region, has made significant discoveries. These finds offer new insights into the city’s religious and cultural importance during the Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman periods. Discoveries include a reused stone block with King Senusret III’s name and the deity “Osiris-Neref,” extensions of a Roman basilica, remains of an ancient Doric temple, and a rare marble head of Aphrodite. Additional finds include fragments of wall statues and clay coin-minting molds from the Roman period. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, highlighted the discoveries as an important scientific and archaeological addition that underscores Ihnasya El-Medina's historical significance and Egypt's rich cultural diversity. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted the significance of the Senusret III cartouche, connecting the king to important monuments in Ihnasya and emphasizing the city's sacred status. Mohamed Abdel Badi, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, explained that preliminary studies suggest the Doric temple's architectural elements were reused in the 6th century AD as foundations for the basilica's columns. Dr. Sami Dardiri, Head of the Central Administration for Middle Egypt Antiquities, stated that the discovered wall-statue fragments