In a groundbreaking find near Luxor, an Egyptian-led mission has unearthed the ruins of a 2,400-year-old temple dedicated to Bastet, the ancient feline goddess. The most significant feature of this discovery is a previously unknown network of subterranean passages that connect the main altar directly to a large catacombs system used for ritual offerings and priestly burials.
The temple walls retain fragments of vibrant blue and ochre pigments, depicting scenes of communal celebrations and the annual flooding of the Nile. Archaeologists believe the site reached its zenith during the Late Period, serving as a hub for both local worship and pilgrimage from across Upper Egypt. The find significantly expands the known religious footprint of Bastet cults beyond the Nile Delta.