Lost Ancient Egyptian City Discovered by Archaeologists Anton Petrus – Getty ImagesKey Points:Archaeologists have unearthed the long-lost ancient city of Imet in the eastern Nile Delta of modern-day Egypt.The excavation revealed multi-story “tower” homes that showcase the urban development of the region.Evidence suggests a decline in the worship of the city’s patron deity, the cobra goddess Wadjet, over time.The recent discovery of the ancient city Imet in Egypt’s eastern Nile Delta sheds light on its architectural urbanization before the Roman era, as well as the religious practices centered around the cobra goddess Wadjet.Excavations at Tell el-Fara’in have unveiled cultural norms dating back to the early- to middle-fourth century B.C., showcasing intricate urbanization featuring “substantial tower houses.” These structures, characterized by multi-story buildings supported by thick foundation walls, were mainly unique to the Nile Delta region between the Late Period and the Roman era.”The existence of these tower houses in Imet indicates a bustling city with a sophisticated urban layout,” explained Nicky Nielsen, a researcher from the University of Manchester.Made to support the weight of the tall buildings, the thick foundation walls were constructed to accommodate the densely populated houses. These homes were designed to house numerous individuals, as mentioned by Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.The discovery of Imet was made possible through remote sensing using high-resolution satellite imagery, which identified clusters of ancient mudbricks that guided the excavation team to the site. Besides the tower houses, the researchers also uncovered a grain processing center with paved areas and animal enclosures, shedding light on the city’s economy and religious practices.The city’s prominence during the New Kingdom era, between 1550 and 1069 B.C., was attributed to its strategic location along trade routes, attracting pilgrims and merchants devoted to Wadjet. A new finding dating to around 200 B.C. revealed a grand structure with limestone floors and stucco-wrapped pillars, constructed over a processional road leading to the temple of Wadjet. This construction shift suggests a decline in the worship of Wadjet during that period, providing insights into the evolving religious landscape in ancient Egypt.The reconstruction efforts on the temple of Wadjet, undertaken by Ramses II in the mid-1200s B.C. and later by Ahmose II in the mid-500s B.C., signify its gradual decline in subsequent years. Recent discoveries including a green faience ushabti from the 26th Dynasty, a stela featuring the god Harpocrates standing on crocodiles, and a bronze sistrum musical instrument adorned with the likeness of Hathor, offer valuable clues into the religious and cultural practices of Imet.”This significant find enriches our understanding of daily life, spirituality, and urban development in the ancient city,” concluded the researchers.
“Exploration in the Delta,” stated Nielsen, “Imet is becoming increasingly important for reevaluating the archaeological understanding of Late Period Egypt.”
