Officials have issued only minimal information regarding ongoing excavations at two small sites approximately 1/2 mile north of the Sun God Re Temple and the obelisk to Senusert I.
Ring of Pharaonic Antiquities in Mataria May Surround Temple to Sun God Re
What is understood, though, is that apartment construction in the immediate area revealed several interesting antiquities, including two or more busts of Ramses II and two sphinx replicas about 2-1/2 tons each. One was found on a site believed to be dedicated to Merenptah and another located some 300 to 400 yards to the east. The site is but one of many antiquities in the area that date back to the foundation period of the peoples dubbed 'Coptic' by later visitors.
Side note: One of the statues observed consisted of a typical Ramesses II head and trunk, with hands positioned about waist high, palm-down, a profile of a lion's head at abdomen level, and the legs of a cat extending down to the earth. One possibility is that the lion's head might indicate noon or mid-day, but why is open to speculation. Unlike the other statue this one was cut from red granite.
An archaeologist on site, under conditions of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak officially, through an interpreter acknowledged that both excavations and the Virgin Mary's Tree all are approximately the same distance from the temple to the sun god Re, or Ra, and the obelisk commemorating Senusert I.
If one were to draw a circle of one kilometer (.65 miles) radius from the obelisk, it would enclose three significant sites of ancient Egypt that, when current excavation is completed and studied, could yield important clues for historians and religious scholars.
Site May Have Clues to Prove or Refute Exodus & is First Mention of Israel
Merenptah was the fourth king of Egypt's 19th Dynasty and served for only nine or ten years. His primary significance, to date, concerns a victory stele presumed to have been written by him in 1207 BC to list his military victories. In it Merenptah makes the first known non-biblical reference to Israel. As reported by touregypt the victory stele states,
"The princes are prostrate saying: "Shalom!"
Not one of the Nine Bows lifts his head:
Tjehenu is vanquished, Khatti at peace,
Canaan is captive with all woe.
Ashkelon is conquered, Gezer seized,
Yanoam made nonexistent;
Israel is wasted..."
Although some historians did, for a time, believe this may have helped establish Merenptah as the pharaoh of Exodus, primarily because his mummy seemed to be missing, most historians now are convinced otherwise. One reason often cited is that his mummy was discovered in 1898, indicating that he could not have vanished in the Red Sea. The stele's mention of Israel, however, might indicate that the exodus must have occurred at some earlier date, perhaps even before Ramsses II took the throne.
Merenptah's reign was beset with many insurrections and rebellions to the west and south, and by an encroachment by sea peoples on the north coast.
As With Many Ancient Figures, Many Spelling Variations can Confound Google Searches
The many names or spellings of the fourth king of Egypt's 19th Dynasty:
- Merneptah also spelled merenptah
- hetep-her-maat, meaning Beloved of Ptah, Joyous of Truth, his birth name
- ba-en-re-Merynetjeru, meaning The Soul of Re, Beloved of the Gods, his throne name
Merenptah was the 13th son of Ramesses II, also commonly spelled Rameses II, and the fourth son of Queen Istnofret (sometimes spelled Isisnofret).
Each Discovery Gives Clues for Archaeologists, Historians, & Religious Scholars
It may be several years before any official discussion or before the site is opened to public viewing. Still, once such pronouncements come it is likely the Mataria area will become a significant tourist destination due to the presence of new discoveries so near the oldest obelisk still standing in its original location and to the nearby presence of the Virgin Mary Tree that is thought as proof of the Holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, exile in Egypt. Only time will disclose if still more discoveries come from investigating additional areas on a perimeter boundary of one kilometer around the existing obelisk or temple to Re.
More articles by Charles Anderson
Coptic Christianity, Virgin Mary's Tree in Egypt - a discussion of Jesus, Mary and Joseph's exile to a sycamore tree in Cairo's Mataria district near ancient Heliopolis. Includes a brief note regarding Virgin Mary's apparaitions in Egypt during 2009 and before.
What Does Coptic Mean? - Term's Link to Pharaohs - a detailed explanation of how the term came into use and its present-day meaning to Egypt's Christian community.
Apparition of Virgin Mary Appears in Cairo Egypt - chronicles several reported visits of holy mother of Jesus to sites in the country of exile by the Holy Family. Includes a discussion of Virgin Mary appearance to el-Warraq church in Cairo.
A feature story by Jimmy Dunn posted at touregypt.net titled Merenptah, The 4th King of Egypt's 19th Dynasty was consulted for this article.
C. William Anderson - C. William Anderson is a lover of travel adventure and history who has lived and worked in Botswana, Egypt, Libya and the Middle East. He ...
