In Pictures: New Egyptian Expedition Discovers Roman Artifacts in Aswan
By Aya Elhelw
An Egyptian archaeological expedition was pulling groundwater around the Kom Ombo temple in Aswan, to reduce its level, when they came across one of the most iconic discoveries in the world of Egyptian archaeology, according to Egyptian Independent.
The team has discovered a marble head of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, which according to Wikipedia, Roman emperor from 161 to 180, ruling jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, until Verus’ death in 169, and jointly with his son, Commodus, from 177 till Aurelius’ own death.
According to the Chief of the Aswan and Nubia Archaeological site, Abdel Moniem Saied, in a press statement, the head of the statue dates back to 160 to 182 AD and remain clear features of the emperor, such as his beard and his hair. The head’s dimensions are 40 cm, 33 cm with a thickness of 34 cm.
Ayman Ashmawy, Chief of the Ancient Egyptian Monuments Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, also said in a press statement that the head is a unique piece of the emperor. It’s also believed to has been used in measuring the height of the Nile River in ancient times.
The head was found during the cleaning of a 15-meter-high well close to the temple. The same mission discovered a part of another statue missing its head and lower parts of its feet, that is yet to be identified.
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