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Chinese team to delve into ancient history of Egypt’s Sekhmet Temple ruins
Shanghai Museum to help investigate origins of Egyptian writing, social structures and religion at the 5,100-year-old site
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A team led by the Shanghai Museum will embark on a joint archaeological research project with Egypt in October at the Sekhmet Temple ruins, a complex on the west bank of the Nile River.
The temple is part of the ancient Memphis archaeological site dating back over 5,100 years, at a site that was then the capital of ancient Egypt and the home of the god Ptah.
For Beijing, the cooperation represents both an academic pursuit and a strengthening of bilateral ties, but international experts say China’s involvement could offer new insights into Egyptian history and challenge the West’s long-standing dominance of Egyptology.
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Observers said the collaboration reflected deepening diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation beyond economics and politics.
The team selected the temple as the focus of the collaboration after surveying 10 sites during a research trip to Egypt in September last year.
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The Shanghai Museum, which described the move as a milestone in cultural heritage collaboration, has assembled a joint excavation team led by deputy director Chen Jie.
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