Unique circular temple found in Egypt

Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of an extraordinary circular temple dedicated to local god Pelusium at Tell el-Farma, North Sinai. The design of the temple is unique, combining influences of pharaonic Egyptian, Hellenistic and Roman architecture. The structure was built in the 2nd century, and archaeological layers indicate it was in continuous use into the 6th century A.D., with only minor modifications.

The ancient city of Pelusium was located on the Mediterranean at the eastern Nile Delta. It stood on the frontier between Egypt and Syria and was the first line of defense against invaders from the East. It was heavily fortified and saw many sieges and battles over the thousand years from the 8th century B.C. and the 8th century A.D. It was also a major trading port, exporting its own flax and beer. As a fulcrum of trade and defense for centuries, Pelusium played a vital role in the cultural exchange between Egypt and the rest of the ancient world.

The temple is centered around a monumental circular basin 35 meters (115 feet) in diameter. A waterway connected the temple to the Ostium Pelusiacum, the easternmost bank of the Nile, so that the basin could be filled with the river’s richly silted water. A square base in the center of basin likely supported a monumental cult statue. The basin is surrounded by a system of drainage channels and cisterns. There are multiple entrance/exit points that gave access to the central basin from the east, west, south and north, although the northern side has suffered significant damage.

The remains were first uncovered in a 2019 when archaeologists found part of a red brick circular structure that turned out to be the basin walls. At first archaeologists thought it might be the city’s council chamber or other civic building, but as excavations continued over the next six years, it became clear that it was a sacred basin associated with water-based religious rituals.

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