Assouan (Egypte): New Discoveries in Elephantine Island

Ministry of Antiquities

Source - https://www.facebook.com/Ministry-of-Antiquities-336764893195328/

The Swiss mission working at Elephantine Island, under the leadership of Dr. C. von Pilgrim,has succeeded in finding two statues, one of them for prince "Heqaib" from the Old Kingdom, and the other one for an anonymous person, in addition to an Offering Stela that dates back to the New Kingdom (18th dynasty)… Declared Dr. Mahmoud Afify, head of the Ancient 
Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities.

Haqa Ib statue (Courtesy of the Swiss Institute)

(Courtesy of the Swiss Institute)

(Courtesy of the Swiss Institute)

Afify has clarified that the discovery of the statue of prince "Heqaib" the governor of Elephantine Island during the Old Kingdom _ after 80 years of the discovery of his chapel _ emphasizes the great holiness of this person, who is known as the defender of south expeditions.

Afify pointed out that these two statues were discovered near the temple of "Khnum", which suggests that the worship of "Heqaib" was performed not only at his chapel which was built by the order of King "Intef III" during the Middle Kingdom, but his worship extended to reach the temple of "Khnum".

Nasr Salama the general director of Aswan and Nubia Antiquities said, the two statues missed the upper part, one of them represents "Heqaib" sitting with an inscription of his name, whereas the other one without any inscriptions, Salama emphasized that the discovered sand stone Stela is considered to be one of the best stelas ever discovered during the last 30 years, it presents offerings.

Dr. Pilgrim expressed his highly appreciation for the great support of the ministry of Antiquities for the mission, expressing his hope to find more discoveries at the next excavation seasons.