EGYPTIAN EXCAVATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 5

EGYPTIAN EXCAVATIONS

CROCODILE GOD DISCOVERED ■ United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. 18th February. Vlie Cairo correspondent of ‘‘The 'limes” says that for the first time in the history of Egyptian excavation a complete sanctuary of the crocodile god Sokonfis has been discovered. An Italian archaeological expedition has unearthed a temple at Tebtinis in the Fayum district, which will enable a reconstruction of the weird practices of this strange cult,''■’which Greek and Roman tourists paid special visits to observe. The expedition found a paved court flanked by four buildings, probably chambers in which priests awaited the divine inspiration which was the main concern of the Crocodile God’s servants. The entrances are decorated with Values of lions and sphinxes. At the end of tlie sacred way is the main limestone temple, the portals of which are flanked with the statue of Pharaoh as a sleeping lion. The walls are copiously adorned with paintings and sunk reliefs.