The Egyptian archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities discovered on Wednesday the front section of the Greco-Roman temple in the archaeological site of Salam, 50 kilometers east of Siwa Oasis.
Chief of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector Ayman Ashmawy clarified that the front section was the foundation of the temple’s exterior stone wall, which is approximately one meter thick, and is the main entrance which leads to the front courtyard.
Ashmawy added that the mission expects to discover the remaining part of the temple with the completion of excavation works in 2018 after the Ministry of Antiquities allocated a budget for it.
Chief of the mission Abdel al-Aziz al-Damiri said that many stones and architectural elements of the destroyed walls were discovered, while the mission’s workers were clearing the rubble from the site.
The stones included an upper threshold containing decorations, as well as parts of corner columns embodied with egg, arrow, and tongue decorations.
Damiri added that the mission discovered remains of pottery vessels, amphorae, and coins, as well as a statue of unknown people with Greek facial features and two limestone statues of two lions.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
