An Egyptian archaeological mission working in the mid-Delta region of Gharbiya, at the site of San al-Hagar, has discovered the remains of a huge mud-brick building that goes back to Roman times. According to Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, the building may have possibly been part of a public bath measuring some 16 x 3.5 sq.m. in area, and 1.8 m high.
Archaeologists also found a collection of pottery vessels, terracotta statues, bronze tools, a stone fragment engraved with hieroglyphs, and a small statue of a ram. The most fascinating find, however, according to Dr Ashmawy, is a gold coin of Ptolemy III. It was made during the reign of Ptolemy IV (also known as Ptolemy IV Philopator), circa late 3rd century BC, in memory of his father. The diameter of the 28gm coin is 2.6cm; on one face it holds a portrait of King Ptolemy III wearing the crown and on the other the inscription Land of Prosperity and the name of the king.
Watani International
29 May 2018