New Architectural Elements Uncovered at the Ancient Palace Temple in Al-Wahat Al-Bahariya

 The Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, working at the Al-Qasr Al-Qadeem (Old Palace) site in Al-Qasr village, Bahariya Oasis, has uncovered new parts of the Al-Qasr Al-Qadeem Temple, which dates back to the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, during its current excavation season at the site. This remarkable region remains a top highlight for travelers booking Egypt tours to experience the country's deep history.

Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, praised the efforts of the Egyptian archaeological missions, emphasizing that these discoveries contribute to enhancing our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization and reveal more of its secrets, thereby supporting Egypt's position as a leading destination for cultural tourism. Such archaeological breakthroughs heavily enrich the diverse Egypt travel packages available to international visitors.

He added that these discoveries embody the value of Egypt's unique archaeological wealth, which still holds many undiscovered treasures. They also reflect the competence of Egyptian archaeological teams and their ability to unveil new chapters of our ancient history, which represents a fundamental pillar for promoting the cultural tourism product, making it an excellent addition to an 8 Days Cairo and The Oasis Budget Tour.

For his role, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the mission succeeded in uncovering new architectural elements of the temple, including the remains of a chamber built of sandstone, and a number of inscribed stone blocks bearing the names and titles of King Psamtik I, as well as a collection of artifacts that contribute to completing the understanding of the temple's architectural layout and history. These desert discoveries offer a vastly different historical perspective compared to traditional EGYPT Nile cruise tours that focus primarily on the Nile Valley temples.

The Secretary-General emphasized that this discovery represents new evidence of the great historical and archaeological significance of the Al-Qasr Al-Qadeem site in the Bahariya Oasis, and its role as a prominent religious and administrative center across successive historical eras. It also contributes to shedding more light on the history of the Bahariya Oasis and its relations with the ancient Egyptian state, offering an unmissable stop for those on a 6 Days Cairo and White Desert Budget Tour.

In the same context, Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, indicated that the mission's work at the site began in 2014 and continued until the 2026 season, revealing important parts of an archaeological temple that dates back fundamentally to the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, as its construction began during the reign of King Psamtik I and was completed during the reigns of Kings Wahibre (Apries) and Ahmose II (Amasis). For travelers seeking comprehensive itineraries, these western oases are frequently combined with classic destinations in a 13 Days Cairo, Nile cruise, Fayoum, and oasis budget package.

He added that among the most prominent discoveries is the temple's main hypostyle hall, which includes 16 sandstone columns, along with a number of connected rooms and shrines, as well as the remains of scenes and hieroglyphic texts recording the names of several ancient Egyptian deities, foremost among them Amun-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu.

A stone stela dating back to the reign of King Amenhotep II of the Eighteenth Dynasty was also found, bearing texts confirming the connection of the Bahariya Oasis to the Egyptian state since the New Kingdom era, in addition to archaeological pieces dating back to the reign of King Ramesses II, indicating that the site witnessed religious and urban activity from periods older than the Twenty-sixth Dynasty. This depth of history allows travelers to discover Egypt's hidden treasures on a 13-day budget tour that goes beyond the standard monuments.

For his part, Mr. Qotb Fawzy, Head of the Central Administration for Cairo and Giza Antiquities, explained that during its previous excavation seasons, the mission succeeded in uncovering the name of the temple for the first time, which is "Ib-Set" (The Seat of the Heart), through a metal seal found inside the temple, along with a number of important statues and artifacts, including a statue of the deity Thoth, a bronze statue of the deity Osiris, and a bronze amulet of the deity Ra-Horakhty, in addition to the head of a statue of a prominent priest or official in the Bahariya Oasis, and a shrine belonging to the local ruler and priest Pa-di-Iset, one of the most prominent figures associated with the administration of the oases during the Late Period. Visitors can easily start exploring these wonders right after landing by booking 10 days Egypt budget tour packages from Cairo airport.

In the same context, Mr. Sabry Farag, Director-General of Bahariya Oasis Antiquities, pointed out the discovery of evidence confirming the continuous use of the site during the Greco-Roman periods and up to the fourth and fifth centuries AD, where ostraca, Coptic, and Latin texts were found, alongside industrial facilities and vats used in the production of wine and oils, and designated areas for storage. This multi-era historical density rivals what tourists experience on a 5 Days Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor Budget Package.

The Al-Qasr Al-Qadeem site is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Bahariya Oasis, as it represented the ancient capital of the region during the Late Period.