The finds were made by an Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) during excavations at the ancient city, known in the Greco-Roman period as Herakleopolis Magna.
Among the most significant discoveries is a reused stone block bearing a raised-relief inscription of the name of Senusret III, one of the most prominent rulers of Egypt's Middle Kingdom. The inscription includes both the king's throne and birth names, alongside a cartouche carrying the name of the deity Osir-Naref, highlighting the importance of the cult in Ehnasiya during the Pharaonic and Ptolemaic periods.
Excavations also uncovered extensions of a Roman-era basilica and remains of an earlier Doric temple. Archaeologists found a marble head of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, as well as fragments of wall statues and terracotta moulds believed to have been used in coin production during the Roman period.
Sherif Fathy, Egypt's minister of tourism and antiquities, described the discoveries as an important addition to the understanding of Ehnasiya's historical significance and its role across different periods of Egyptian history.
Hesham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the SCA, said the Senusret III inscription reinforces evidence of the king's connection to monuments in Ehnasiya and highlights the city's religious importance during the Middle Kingdom.
He added that the newly uncovered sections of the basilica offer insights into the evolution of the building type. Basilicas served administrative, commercial and social functions during the Greek period before being adapted for Christian worship in later centuries.
Mohamed Abdel Badei, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the SCA, said preliminary analysis suggests that architectural elements from the Doric temple were reused in the sixth century AD as foundations for the basilica. Builders rearranged large stone blocks to support columns weighing up to 45 tonnes, three of which remain standing in their original positions.
Abdel Badei said the Aphrodite sculpture, measuring about 24 by 25 centimetres, is notable for the quality of its craftsmanship, particularly the detailed facial features and wavy hair that reflect classical artistic traditions.
The statue fragments and terracotta coin moulds indicate that Ehnasiya remained an active economic and cultural centre during the Roman era, he added.
Researchers are continuing scientific analysis and dating work on the newly discovered artefacts.
Ehnasiya Al-Medina is one of Egypt's most important archaeological sites. It served as the capital of Egypt during the Ninth and Tenth Dynasties and later remained a major religious and administrative centre through the Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period. The city experienced renewed prosperity under Greek and Roman rule, when it became known as Herakleopolis Magna, or City of Heracles the Great.
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