Perfectly circular ancient Egyptian temple discovered. It may have been used in rituals with sacred water

The sanctuary was used for water rituals in honor of Pelusius, a deity whose name derives from the Greek word for “mud” or “silt”.

Archaeologists discovered a rare and remarkable ancient sanctuary in the Nile Deltain Egypt, shedding new light on religious practices and cultural exchange in the region for more than two millennia. The discovery, announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, centers on a circular temple dedicated to a little-known local deity called Pelusium.

The archaeological site is in Pelusium, located in Tell el-Farama, at the eastern end of the Nile Delta. This ancient city had strategic importance as a military fortress during the Pharaonic period and, later, as a customs center under Roman rule. Its position near the mouth of the Nile River made it a fundamental entrance door between Egypt and the rest of the Mediterranean world.

Initially discovered in 2019, the structure intrigued archaeologists. The first excavations revealed only part of a circular red brick buildingwhich investigators initially believed to be a senatorial house. However, as excavations progressed and the entire structure was discovered, this interpretation changed drastically. The building was identified as a religious sanctuarynotable for its unusual circular shape.

At the heart of the complex is a large circular basin approximately 35 meters in diameter, with a square pedestal in its center. Experts believe that this pedestal once supported a massive statue of Pelusiuma deity whose name derives from the Greek word for “mud” or “silt”. Around the basin, there are intricate channels and water reservoirs, indicating that the temple played a role in ritual practices involving water, says the .

Evidence suggests that the basin was directly connected to a branch of the Nile. Archaeologists found traces of water and silt from the Nile inside, reinforcing the idea that the sanctuary was used for sacred ceremonies with waterlinked to the symbolic identity of the god.

Dating analyzes indicate that the temple was built in the 2nd century BC and remained in use until the 6th century AD, covering several important historical periods. Its architectural style mixes Egyptian, Greek and Roman elements, reflecting the diverse cultural influences present in the region at the time.