Tell el-Muqdam South Suburb (Leontopolis South)
Tell el-Muqdam South · Leontopolis Suburb · South Tell el-Muqdam
Hyksos to Saite-Persian (1700–343 BCE)·Hyksos / Egyptian (Leontopolite nome)·🇪🇬 Dakahlia Governorate, Tell el-Muqdam (Leontopolis/Taremu) south suburb 600 m south of main tell (lion necropolis), Egypt
About
About Tell el-Muqdam South Suburb (Leontopolis South)
South suburb of Leontopolis (Taremu/Egyptian Taremou) lion-city, this 4 ha annex shows dense housing insulae (mudbrick 2 storeys, bread ovens), lion necropolis extension (2 bronze lion statues base), Hyksos layer (Tell el Yahudiyeh ware), and canal pier (timber) to Bahr Saghier branch. Provincial Hyksos–Saite continuity. Lion pit of Bastet.
Why it mattersHyksos–Saite suburban continuity and lion (Bastet/Sekhmet) cult anatomy in Delta.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Lion pit dating — New Kingdom vs Late
- 02Hyksos ware vs local
Theories
- 01Redmount Delta hyksos
- 02Bietak Yahudiyeh
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Hyksos settlement c.1700 BCE; New Kingdom lion cult; Saite walls 600 BCE
- Period
- Hyksos to Saite-Persian (1700–343 BCE)
- Culture
- Hyksos / Egyptian (Leontopolite nome)
- Builders
- Hyksos / Egyptian (11th Lower nome)
- Purpose
- Suburban craft and lion cult annex of Lower Egyptian nome capital
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1700 BCE
Hyksos trade suburb
1400 BCE
Lion pit and Taremu shrine
600 BCE
Saite enclosure and canal pier
On the ground
Structures & features
30.6780° N · 31.3420° E · 12 m · 2 mapped features
Lion Pit of Bastet
pit8×6 m pit with 2 bronze lion statue bases and offering bones
30.6790° N · 31.3430° ECanal Timber Pier
canal4 m wide canal pier timber revetment to Bahr Saghier branch
30.6770° N · 31.3410° E
Gallery