Archaeologists have uncovered the head of a Ptolemaic period Greek statue at the ruins of a 7th-century AD house in Taposiris Magna, located 45 km (approximately 28 miles) west of Alexandria, Daily News Egypt reports.
The French archaeological mission, directed by Joachim le Bomin, is excavating in collaboration with Lyon University and the French Institute of Eastern Archaeology in Cairo. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, announced the marble statue head’s remarkable discovery.
The statue’s head, exceeding life-size proportions, stands at approximately 38 cm (Approximately 15 inches) in height. It likely belonged to a larger statue initially located in an important political setting rather than a private home. This suggests the statue once stood in a prominent public building, likely during the Ptolemaic era, a period when realistic portraiture was flourishing.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), emphasized that the size of the head points to its important role in public or political life. Mohamed Abdel Badie, Director of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), remarked that the head exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship, showcasing the realistic style characteristic of the late Hellenistic period.
Initial analysis of the Greek statue’s features suggests that it depicts an elderly man with a shaved head, a stern expression, and signs of illness, indicative of his prominent status. While it is clear the figure was important, preliminary studies suggest he was not a king, but a notable public figure—a finding that underscores the significance of Taposiris Magna from the time of Ptolemy IV onward.
The team will thoroughly investigate why an ancient head was found in a house built centuries later. They will also conduct further studies to uncover the figure’s identity.
The Ptolemaic Dynasty
The head of the Greek statue belongs to the Ptolemaic Dynasty, a Macedonian dynasty founded by Ptolemy I Soter when Alexander the Great’s generals divided his vast empire after he died in 323 BC.
Ptolemy I openly assumed the kingship of Egypt on November 7, 305 BC. His descendants ruled Egypt until the death of Cleopatra VII on August 12, 30 BC.
Ptolemaic Egypt stood as the most affluent among the kingdoms formed after the Diadochi wars and often held the greatest political and cultural influence. It was also the last to fall under direct Roman dominion.
In many respects, the character of the Ptolemaic monarchy in Egypt set a style for other Hellenistic kingdoms. This style emerged from the Greeks’ awareness of the need to dominate Egypt, its resources, and its people.
The dynasty concurrently established Egypt’s trajectory towards integrating its authority into the increasingly Hellenized Mediterranean world.
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