Ehnasya El Medina Beni Suef Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews
Ehnasya El Medina Beni Suef located near to the entrance of Fayoum oasis, Egypt. In fact, Ehnasya El Medina is the modern village which perched on a hill. The hill is above the site of ancient Henen-nesw, the capital of the 20th Upper Egyptian nome. In fact, the Greeks named Herakleopolis Magna. The extensive remains of the ancient city covers an area of 67 hectares. Moreover, the remains incorporates many of cemeteries and temples. They spanning the Middle Kingdom to Roman periods. The modern names of the site include Ihnasya El Medina and Ahnas El Medina. In fact, Henen-Nesw was the cult center of the ram-headed god Herishef (Harsaphes).
The Greeks identified with their Herakles, gave the town its classical name. In fact, it was during pharaonic times. Herishef was a local fertility deity and considered as a creator god. In fact, his name means “he who is upon his lake”. At different times, he associated with the sun god Re, wearing the sun disc. Moreover, he also associated and with Osiris, wearing the crown. He usually depicted as a ram headed human. There is a temple located on the south western side of Ehnasya El Medina. In fact, the temple founded at least as early as the Middle Kingdom and . The temple dedicated to Herishef. Moreover, the temple first excavated in 1891 by Naville and D’Hulst. They found only Ramesside remains.
Further details about Ehnasya El Medina Beni Suef Egypt:
Afterwards the site re-dug by Petrie in 1904 who found a superb gold statue of Herishef. On the base of the statue the hieroglyphic inscription names the Dynasty XXIII King. In fact, the king is Neferkare Peftjauaybast. This king mentioned on the victory stela of the Nubian king, Piye. The Temple of Herishef consisted of a forecourt with side-chambers. They depict colossal statues of Ramses II in front of columns. The lower part of one of these statues recently uncovered. Beyond the forecourt was an entrance hall. The hall contains a double row of eight palm columns. In fact, they date back to the Old or Middle Kingdom. Behind this a hall with six pillars led to the inner chambers of the temple.
The temple served during the Third Intermediate Period and into the Late Period. Ehnasya El Medina also has many column bases and fine Ramesside reliefs. In fact, they are on the remaining scattered blocks. The temple complex once contained a small sacred lake. To the south east of the Herishef temple at Kom el-Aqarib a second smaller temple. The temple constructed during the reign of Ramses II. Excavations of the site conducted during the 1960 and 1970. In fact, it was by the Archaeological Spanish Mission in Egypt. Since 1984, the Excavations of the site are under the direction of another team. In fact, it is Archaeological National Museum of Madrid.
More details about Ehnasya El Medina Beni Suef Egypt:
The recent work concentrated on the necropolis areas. Furthermore, it also brought a great deal of insight into the occupation periods. In fact, the periods are of the First and Third Intermediate Periods. The First Intermediate Period cemetery is of great importance. In fact, it is since Ehnasya El Medina site of this era not uncovered. The necropolis of 1968, situated close to the southern wall of the city, near the modern village. Here a series of tombs uncovered which revealed on one wall. In fact, the site’s tombs lined up in “streets”. Moreover, they constructed from stone and mud brick.
Furthermore, they jumbled when they found. Some still contained fallen false-door stalae and offering tables. They also contain many artifacts and wall reliefs. Inscriptions on the stelae gave important information about the tomb-owners. Later, the epigraphic studies allowed the Spanish team to give names and titles. In fact, the names and tiles were to prominent figures of the period. Moreover, they linked them to the royal Herakleopolitan court. The tomb of a high official named as Wadjt-hetep found. It was In the excavation season of the year 2000. In fact, the tomb contains painted scenes of the funerary feast. Ehnasya El Medina existed into the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic Periods.
How to Get to Ehnasya El Medina Beni Suef:
The site located on the west bank of the Nile in Fayoum, Egypt. Moreover, the site is only about 15 km west of Beni Suef. In fact, there is a guard at the site. The entrance to the site allowed with permission from the Egyptian Antiquities Organization. A police escort currently required to visit Ehnasya El Medina.
