A team of Egyptian archaeologists working at the site of Hisn Shiha in Aswan, discovered the remains of a Roman fortress, the remains of a Coptic church and the remains of Ptolemaic temple.
Dr. Mostafs Waziry said that the team discovered a group of architectural elements of a Ptolemaic temple inside the fortress, unfinished sandstone stele showing a depiction of the temple entrance and a Roman emperor standing next to an alter with a part of a deity on top of the alter.
4 blocks of sandstone bears depictions of palm tree leaves, cartouches for Ptolemaic kings and late hieratic inscription as well as one Roman emperor.
At the site there is also a part of red brick dome dated to Coptic period and pottery pots.
Mr. Mohamed Abd ElBadiea (Head of central administration of Upper Egypt antiquities) said “The mission continued the excavation work to unearth the remains of the church and monastery which was built on the fortress remains which was excavated previously by German archaeologist Hermann Junker between 1920-1922.â€
He added “The team discovered the extension of the remains of Shiha church’s mud brick enclosure wall to the west with a width of about 2.1 meters.
In the northern side of the church, there are 4 rooms and court yard with a staircase. The southern side contains pottery ovens. The eastern side had stone tiles in two levels under the church.
