Egypt-China archaeological mission uncovers sacred lakes at Karnak

An Egyptian-Chinese archaeological mission has discovered the remains of two sacred lakes at the Temple of Montu within the Karnak complex in Luxor. This find represents the first known instance of two sacred lakes being located within a single ancient Egyptian temple precinct. The site dates back more than 3,000 years to the New Kingdom, specifically the 18th Dynasty during the reign of Amenhotep III.

Archaeologists also identified evidence of cultivated beds and plants near the lakes, suggesting agricultural activity occurred within or around the temple complex. Dr. Salah El-Masekh, director general of the Karnak temples, noted that efforts are ongoing to remove silt caused by rising groundwater to reach the bottom of the lakes.

This discovery occurs amid the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt. The joint mission, which began in 2018, follows a recent state visit to Egypt by Chinese President Xi Jinping. At the 2026 Yangtze River Civilization Forum in Chongqing, scholar Alaa Hussein Mahmoud Menshawy highlighted that archaeology and cultural heritage protection are becoming increasingly central to the practical cooperation between the two nations.