Egypt reveals the discovery of an ancient harbor used by builders of temples

A port, once used to transport stones for the construction of temples and obelisks, has been uncovered in Egypt, as reported by the Ministry of Antiquities.

The Ministry shared on Facebook that the primary port, which transported stones along the Nile from Gebel el-Silsila quarries, was found during an archaeological dig at the ruins of Kom Ombo, near Aswan.

The port, located on the west bank of the Nile, stretches over 100 meters (328 feet) and is roughly 200 meters from a large quarry, according to Mustafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Clearing away river silt and vegetation revealed ancient inscriptions and systems for securing boats.

Gebel el-Silsila has long been a key source of sandstone in Egypt. Abdul Mouneim Saeed, director of the Aswan and Nubia Antiquities Council, stated that it has been in use since the 18th dynasty and continues into modern times.

According to Saeed's statement, most of the stone used for the construction of temples like Al Karnak, Habu, Kom Ombo, and Dendera was extracted from the region’s quarries.

The discovery of the port is the latest in a string of recent archaeological revelations. Egypt is aiming to boost tourism to a destination that struggled following the 2011 uprising.