Major 5th Dynasty Sun Temple Complex Unearthed at Abusir

A joint Egyptian–Italian archaeological mission working at Abu Ghurab in the Abusir necropolis has uncovered extensive remains of the Valley Temple linked to King Nyuserre’s sun complex from Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty. The mission is co-led by Massimiliano Nuzzolo and Rosanna Pirelli from the Universities of Turin and Naples, and the newly exposed remains indicate a monumental structure exceeding 1,000 square metres. The discovery follows more than a century of stalled investigation at the site. German Egyptologist Ludwig Borchardt identified the location in 1901, but excavation was long prevented by high groundwater. Recent work has now revealed the temple entrance beneath around 1.2 metres of Nile silt, exposing the original flooring, the base of a limestone column and parts of a circular granite column believed to belong to the main entrance portico. Archaeologists also uncovered sections of original stone casing along the corridor between the entrance and the causeway, plus granite lintels and doorways found in situ. Nuzzolo said earlier seasons produced a complete quartzite gateway and evidence of an internal staircase leading to the roof, pointing to a secondary entrance in the northwestern sector. A sloping ramp thought to connect the complex to the Nile or an ancient branch was also identified, with early indicators suggesting the temple extends northward in line with Fifth Dynasty layouts such as King Sahure’s valley temple nearby. Among the smaller finds, the team reported two wooden pieces from the ancient game Senet, along with large quantities of pottery. Pirelli also pointed to a massive stone threshold or lintel inscribed with a hieroglyphic calendar of religious festivals and references to King Nyuserre. The pottery spans from the end of the Old Kingdom into the early Middle Kingdom, with many pieces dated to the First Intermediate Period, supporting preliminary research that the site was later reused as a settlement after its royal cult function ended.