Opet temple

Le site de Karnak n'en finit pas de livrer ses secrets. Lors de la restauration d'un temple du IIe siècle av. J.-C. dédié à Opet, dieu de la Maternité, une mission franco-égyptienne a lancé une campagne de fouille à l'intérieur du bâtiment. Des vestiges vieux de 4 000 ans ont été mis au jour, racontant la vie quotidienne notamment au travers de centaines d'empreintes de sceaux.

The archaeological excavations undertaken in 2006 and 2007 in the courtyard of the Opet Temple at Karnak (Luxor, Egypt) revealed, in twelve soundings, nine phases of occupation and/or construction dating from the end of the third millennium B.C. to present. In addition to an abundance of artifacts (ceramics, stone tools, seal impressions, shells, etc.) more than 5000 faunal remains were recovered belonging for the most part to the classic triad of domestic animals (sheep / goat, cattle and pig) in addition to Nile fishes. Zooarchaeological analysis shows that the majority of bones are burned and that the Egyptians preferentially consumed young animals, lambs / kids, calves and piglets. This study offers a rare insight into the fauna of Karnak, and allows us to give a first glimpse on the life and the behavior of Thebans at the time of the emergence of the Amun cult.