Restoration of Edfu Temple reveals rare colored inscriptions
A joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission has made a significant discovery at the Temple of Edfu during restoration work on the temple’s roof, funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation, having uncovered the original colors of the temple’s walls and inscriptions that had been hidden for centuries.
The Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities praised the efforts of the restorers involved in the project, highlighting their dedication to preserving Egypt’s cultural heritage.
He emphasized the importance of restoring the temple’s original colors and urged the team to expedite the work to prepare for the upcoming winter tourism season.
The project includes cleaning the temple walls, documenting its texts and scenes, and restoring its interior. These efforts will not only enhance the temple’s appearance but also provide valuable insights into ancient Egyptian culture and history.
New discoveries
During restoration work at the Temple of Edfu, archaeologists have made various significant discoveries.
The team uncovered remnants of colorful scenes and inscriptions written in Demotic script, a type of ancient Egyptian writing.
They also found traces of gold that was used to gild the temple’s carvings and adornments.
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities praised the efforts of the archaeologists and restoration team. He emphasized that these discoveries will help to restore the temple to its original state, preserving its historical and cultural significance.
The project also aims to improve the tourist experience for visitors to the temple.
The gead of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, Ayman Ashmawy, revealed that some buildings within the temple were once covered in thick layers of gilded copper, which the team successfully uncovered in several areas of the temple.
The restoration team has worked to remove dirt, debris, and salt deposits from the temple’s surfaces. This process has revealed the original colors that once adorned the relief carvings.
The team is now analyzing and restoring these colors to their former glory.