25/01/2026
Egyptian-Chinese archaeological team unearthed an ancient sacred lake in Luxor, Egypt
In January 2026, a joint Egyptian-Chinese archaeological mission announced the discovery of an ancient sacred lake at the Montu Temple precinct within the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor. This find is considered a landmark achievement of the first official collaboration between the two nations, which began in 2018.
Key Details of the Discovery
Location: The lake is situated within the enclosure of the Montu Temple, specifically west of the Maat Temple.
Significance: It is the first sacred lake in Egyptian archaeological history to be uncovered through systematic, scientific excavation rather than being found in early archives.
Dimensions & Structure: The lake covers more than 50 square meters and features an entrance made of mud bricks and reused sandstone. Sandstone stairs along the eastern wall were likely used by ancient priests to collect water for ritual use.
Dedication: The lake was dedicated to Maat, the goddess representing truth, justice, and harmony.
Additional Findings at the Site
Beyond the sacred lake, the joint mission unearthed several significant artifacts and structures:
Osirian Chapels: Three chapels dedicated to the god Osiris were found, containing dozens of statuettes of various sizes and materials.
Late Period Relics: Archaeologists discovered dozens of cow jaw remains and reused stone blocks from the Late Period (747–332 BC), some of which are associated with the Divine Adoratrice of Amun.
Historical Reconstruction: The discovery provides new evidence to help reconstruct the history of Thebes under the rule of the 25th and 26th Dynasties.
The team plans to continue work at the site, with upcoming tasks focused on the excavation of a second "Northern" sacred lake and advanced 3D modeling of the findings.