ancient Egyptian City of Imet Reveals Multistory Houses, Religious​ Artifacts

Updated June​ 26,‍ 2025

Archaeological excavations ‍in Tell Nabasha, the site of the ancient‍ Egyptian city of Imet, have​ unearthed significant remains, ⁣including multistory houses and ‍a ceremonial building associated with the cobra-headed goddess Wadjet.

nicky Nielsen,a senior lecturer in Egyptology‍ at‍ the University of⁤ Manchester,who led the ⁣excavations,said Imet is emerging as a key site for⁢ understanding Late‍ Period​ Egypt. The Late Period spanned from approximately 664 to 332 B.C., before Alexander the Great’s conquest.

The multistory houses, also known as tower houses, suggest a⁤ growing population in Imet, particularly during the fourth century⁢ B.C. Nielsen ⁤noted that these types of houses are primarily found in the Nile Delta and indicate a thriving, densely built city with a complex urban infrastructure.

Satellite images ⁤initially revealed ‌clusters of ancient ‍mudbrick, prompting the excavation of these structures. The team ‌also uncovered a paved ⁣area​ used for grain processing ‍and ⁣animal enclosures, indicating​ a​ vibrant local economy.

A stone ⁢relief from the ancient ⁣Egyptian​ city of Imet.

A stone relief from ⁣the ancient Egyptian city of ⁣Imet.
(Image ‍credit: University of Manchester)

The⁤ archaeologists also discovered ⁣a large building with limestone plaster flooring and significant pillars, dating​ back to the Ptolemaic period (332 to 30 B.C.). This building,located on ⁤the processional‍ road to the temple of Wadjet,likely held religious ​importance.

A musical ⁤instrument shaped like a rattle ⁢dating to Egypt's Late ⁣Period.

Archaeologists unearthed a​ sistrum, a hand-held percussion instrument similar to a ‍rattle used in ancient Egypt.
(Image credit: ⁣University ⁢of Manchester)

Artifacts⁤ found within the building ruins include a green⁣ faience ushabti from ⁤the ⁢26th dynasty,‌ a stone slab with engravings of Harpocrates and protective symbols,⁤ and a musical instrument featuring⁤ Hathor,‍ the goddess of music and joy.

Evidence suggests the processional road was abandoned ⁤in⁣ the mid-Ptolemaic period, indicating a change in religious practices.

Nielsen stated that the discovery of complex infrastructure and religious artifacts provides‍ new insights into daily ⁤life,spirituality,and urban planning in the Nile delta.

What’s next

Further research ‌will⁤ focus on analyzing the artifacts ⁤and architectural remains to gain a deeper understanding of Imet’s role ⁢in ancient Egypt and the broader Nile Delta​ region.