Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – The Egyptian Archaeological Mission of the Supreme Council for Archaeological and Workers at the site of the Pharaoh Hill in Husseinia in the Eastern Province, has revealed a new and complete version of the Canopus Decree of King Ptolemy III. This decree is considered one of the most important royal texts from the Ptolemaic period, offering valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of that era.
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A significant archaeological discovery has been made at the site of Tell El-Faraun in Husseiniya, Sharqiya Governorate: a sandstone stela entirely inscribed with hieroglyphs. This artifact, dating back to 238 BC, details a decree issued by priests in Canopus to honor King Ptolemy III, his wife Berenice, and their daughter. This find is considered the most important of its kind in over 150 years. Previously, only six versions of the Canopus Decree were known—some complete and others fragmentary—found at locations such as Kom El-Hisn, Tanis, and Tell Basta.
The importance of the disclosure of being a new complete copy of the Decree of Canope comes in addition to six previously known copies, one complete and another incomplete, which were discovered at the sites of Fortress Kom, San Stone, and Basta, in hieroglyphic writing only, unlike the other copies which were triloglyphic, Demotic, and Greek.
, unlike earlier examples that were inscribed in three scripts—hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Greek—is written exclusively in hieroglyphs. This provides scholars with a unique opportunity to examine the decree in its most elevated and sacred form.
Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, stated that this discovery significantly enhances our comprehension of Egypt’s history and heritage. Furthermore, it underscores the archaeological significance of Sharqiya, a governorate known for its potential to reveal remarkable treasures to the world.
“To uncover a complete and new version of the Canopus Decree after more than a century and a half is remarkable,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. “It will deepen our knowledge of royal and religious texts from the Ptolemaic era and enrich our understanding of the Egyptian language and culture of the time.”
This significant artifact, measures 127.5 cm in height, 83 cm in width, and about 48 cm in thickness.
Its top is rounded abd adorned with a winged sun disk, accompanied by two cobras that are depicted wearing Egypt’s White and Red Crowns.
Between these symbols is the inscription “Di-Ankh,” which translates to “given life.” The central panel of the stela contains 30 lines of hieroglyphic text that are intricately carved in sunk relief, offering valuable insights into its historical context.
The text highlights the religious and political accomplishments of King Ptolemy III.
These achievements include making donations to temples, ensuring domestic stability, lowering taxes during years when the Nile experienced poor floods, establishing a new priestly rank in honor of himself and Berenice, and initiating a festival to commemorate the heliacal rising of the star Sirius. Furthermore, the discovery highlights the significance of Tell El-Pharaeen—ancient Imet—as a pivotal urban center in the Nile Delta, especially, during the Middle Kingdom and later in the Ptolemaic period.
Previous excavations at the site have revealed monumental temples and luxurious residential buildings, including one dedicated to the cobra goddess Wadjet, protector of Lower Egypt.
Previous excavations at this site have uncovered temples, elite residences, and a sanctuary devoted to the goddess Wadjet, underscoring its historical and cultural importance.
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Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
