A joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission has unearthed the foundations of a significant sanctuary dedicated to the lion-headed god Maahes in the ancient city of Leontopolis. The temple, which reached its peak during the Late Period, contains a series of subterranean vaults that served as a burial ground for sacred felines, many of which were found with bronze and gold-leaf amulets.
Crucially, the mission discovered three monumental limestone statues of the deity in a seated position, marking one of the most significant iconographic finds in the Delta in decades. Researchers believe the site also served as a fortified ritual space, as evidenced by the massive mud-brick enclosure walls and the presence of ceremonial weaponry offered to the war-like deity during the 30th Dynasty.