An has done what the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt has described as “The most significant discovery of its kind in more than 150 years”. This is the finding of a new full version of the Canopo Decreea real registration issued in 238 BC during the reign of the Pharaoh Greco-Gipcio Ptolemy III.
The discovery occurred in the archaeological site of Tell el-Pharaonin the El Husseiniya Cityof the Al-Sharqia governorate. The stone wake found, completely written in hieroglyphs, represents a variant so far unknown of the famous decree, which was originally written by high priests gathered in the city of Canopoto the east of Alexandria, to honor Ptolemy III, his wife Berenice and his daughter.
To date, only six versions of the text were knownmost Trilingual (hieroglyph, demotic and Greek), so this finding offers a Exceptional opportunity to deepen the study of the ancient Egyptian language and of the religious practices of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
The wake, made of sandstonestomach 127.5 cm high, 83 cm wide and 48 cm thick. Is topped with a Winged solar disc flanked by real cobras that carry white and red crowns of the high and bass Egypt, and an inscription that says “DI-ANKH “(” Vida Dada “). The central part contains 30 hieroglyphic lines, carved in sunken relief.
The content of the decree, explains Dr. Hisham Husseinhead of the central administration for bass Egypt, details the Ptolemy III works and his wife Bereniceknown as “The beneficial gods”.
Among them is the Tax reduction during the low floods of the Nile, the Creation of a new priestly rangethe INTRODUCTION OF THE BEVIESTO SYSTEM and the institution of a New religious festival linked to the Syrian star. It was also established that the decree was registered in the three languages and distributed in the most important temples in the country.
A window to the past
Sherif FathyMinister of Tourism and Antiques, emphasizes that this finding “adds New chapters to the history of our civilization“And demonstrates the Sharqia archaeological value“whose treasures continue to fascinate the world.”
For its part, Mohamed Ismail Khaledgeneral secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiques, points out that this new version of the decree “It is a significant addition that deepens our knowledge of the real and religious texts of the Ptolemaic era”. In addition, “opens new horizons to understand the ancient Egyptian language” and provides key information about state ceremonies and cult systems.
Tell el-Pharaonknown in antiquity as WondersIt was a important urban center of the Eastern Delta from the Middle KingdomRemember the ministry. The previous excavations had already revealed temples and buildings of the Ptolemaic period, including one dedicated to the goddess Wadjet.
