Archaeologists have discovered a 2,100-year-old temple carved into a cliff near Athribis, about 200 kilometers north of Luxor, the journal Live Science reports. Dating to the reign of Ptolemy VIII (circa 170–116 B.C.), the temple may have been dedicated to Repit, a lion-headed goddess associated with fertility, though its original name remains unknown.
Reliefs depict Ptolemy VIII making offerings to Repit and her son, Kolanthes, as well as scenes of the god Min-Ra accompanied by "decans"—celestial figures with animal heads used to track time at night. The discovery also included a chamber likely used for temple utensils and later for storing amphorae.
Excavations, led by Christian Leitz of the University of Tübingen, began in 2022 and are part of a broader project exploring Athribis’ ancient temple district. The site promises to reveal more about Ptolemaic-era religious practices as work continues.
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