DIMEH AL-SIBA

Dimeh al-Siba (Dime, Dimia, and nearby Qasr al-Sangha) on the northern side of Lake Qaroun is one of the most interesting in the Fayoum,Dimeh al-Siba, Dimeh of the Lions, was a Ptolemaic city believed to be founded by Ptolemy II in the third century BC, on a site that shows evidence of habitation from the Neolithic period. Today, it is more isolated, but during Ptolemaic times it was at the shore of the much larger lake, situated at the edge of Moeris Bay and the beginning of the caravan routes into the Western Desert, The ruins of Dimeh al-Siba contain the two temples, houses, underground chambers, streets and ten-meter high walls that are sometimes up to five meters thick. The walls themselves are a testament to the survivability of mudbrick in the desert environment. The ground is strewn with debris. An uncountable number of shards cover the entire temple mound. 

DIMEH AL-SIBA

Ancient Town in Lower Egypt (North)


The Italian archaeological mission of Salento-Litchi University has found a pair of gigantic seated lion statues on Monday. They were found erected at the entrance of Soknopaios Temple at the Ptolemaic town, Dimeh Al-Siba, in Fayoum.Dimeh Al-Siba, which means ‘Island of the Crocodile god,’ is located eleven kilometres to the north of Qarun Lake. It was founded by Ptolemy II on top of a Neolithic residential area.The Ptolemaic-era town contains a collection of residential houses, a large temple to worship Sknopaios, in ancient Egypt Sobek-en-Pai (crocodile), a bakery and a market.
During excavation work carried out by archaeologist and director of the Italian mission, Mario Capasso, a pair of lion statues appeared on the sand surface.The lion statues are skillfully carved of limestone and were presumably used to decorate the entrance gate of the temple. Mohamed Ibrahim, Antiquities Minister, describes the discovery as interesting, as it confirm that the temple was constructed according to an architectural plan used in main temples in large cities and capital.
“It is also the first time that the gigantic lion shaped statues have been unearthed in a small Greco-Roman settlement in Fayoum,” said Ibrahim Both statues are in a very well-preserved condition and are now at the Fayoum storehouse for restoration.

Ancient Town in Lower Egypt (North)