CAIRO - (Xinhua) - The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced today (Monday) the discovery of stone blocks from the era of King Khufu , east of Cairo.

The ministry said, in a statement, that the joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission operating in the Matareya (Heliopolis) area succeeded in uncovering granite stone blocks from the era of King Khufu in the Temple of the Sun, in addition to the foundations of the temple’s courtyard, which dates back to the era of the New Kingdom, and a number of statues and altars. During the completion of its excavations on the western side of the open museum with the obelisk of King Senusret the First in El Matareya.

Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, stressed the importance of this discovery, as it is the first time that antiquities from the era of King Khufu have been discovered in Ain Shams.

Waziri indicated that they may have been parts of an unknown building, or they may have been transferred from the Giza pyramids area to be used as building materials in the Ramesside era, which is the period when stones from historically older buildings were commonly used.

Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities and head of the mission from the Egyptian side, added that the mission also succeeded in uncovering some evidence of the early presence of this region, as many archaeological layers dating back to the Zero Dynasty (Naqada III period) were discovered. ), in addition to layers of pottery rubble, which indicates religious and ritual activity in the third millennium BC at the site.

Ashmawy indicated that there is evidence indicating a large presence during the era of the Third and Fourth Dynasties, as the mission found a piece of granite belonging to King Pepi I (2280 BC) with an inscription in relief of the Falcon Horus, pointing out that the mission will continue its excavation work to uncover more.

He noted that the base of a statue of King Amasis (Ahmose II) was also uncovered, in addition to many altars from the late era, on which sacrifices from the late era were offered.

Many parts of the statues in the form of the Sphinx were also revealed, which are evidence of the use and royal presence in the temple, as well as many additions from the era of a number of kings, including Kings Amenemhat II, Senusret III, Amenemhat III, Amenemhat V, Thutmose III, Amenhotep II and III, Horemheb, Ramses II, and King Seti II.

In turn, Dr. Dietrich Rau, head of the mission from the German side, explained that the mission also succeeded in uncovering parts of sarcophagi and altars from the era of kings Amenemhat IV, Sobekhotep IV, Seti I, Osorkon I, Tekelot I, and Psamtik I.

Rao added that a quartz sculptural model in the form of the Sphinx of King Amenhotep II and the base of a huge pink granite monkey statue of a baboon were also uncovered.