In Luxor, within the territory of the ancient Karnak temple complex, a joint Chinese-Egyptian archaeological mission has made a discovery that forces a reconsideration of established ideas about the layout of Egyptian sanctuaries. Since 2018, the expedition has been clearing the zone of the temple of Montu — the god of war and the sun — and has already completed the study of five of the six known sanctuaries of Osiris. Among the finds are reliefs depicting the god Hapi, inscriptions listing sacrifices, and fragments of scenes in which priestesses perform rites. But the most unexpected was the southern "sacred reservoir," of whose existence there had previously not been a single mention in the texts.
Until now, Egyptologists believed that each temple complex possessed only one ritual lake — the northern one. Chinese and Egyptian specialists, working side by side, systematically investigated the southern part of the site and discovered a stone basin with an area of about 50 square meters and a depth of five meters. Its walls are built of blocks, steps for descending to the water have survived, and even a stele bearing the name of an ancient official who brought offerings. The Egyptian colleagues were at first doubtful: the two-hundred-year tradition of excavation did not envisage such a configuration. Now, however, the temple of Montu appears as a rare example of a symmetrical north-south arrangement of sacred reservoirs.
The discovery directly affects the understanding of ancient Egyptian ritual practice. The water in sanctuaries symbolized the primordial ocean Nun, and priests daily performed ablutions and libations in order to maintain the cosmic order. The presence of two lakes could have meant a division of functions: one for morning ceremonies, the other for evening ones, or else it reflected the dual nature of Montu himself as a warrior god and the solar disk. Near the new reservoir, remains of the "garden of Amun" were found, which confirms the written sources about sacred groves at temples.
The project has become a vivid example of how modern states use archaeology to strengthen cultural ties. The Chinese side provided equipment and methods, the Egyptian side — access to the monument and a deep knowledge of the local stratigraphy. The heads of both teams emphasize: the joint work not only brings new artifacts but also conveys a message about the dialogue of civilizations. For Egyptology, this means an influx of fresh data on the late period — the XXV–XXVI dynasties, when priestesses played a notable political role.
Every new block lifted from beneath the sand reminds us that even well-studied monuments hold hidden layers. The double lake of the temple of Montu is not merely a geographical detail but evidence of how flexible and multilayered the religious geography of the ancient Egyptians was. Such finds compel historians to ask questions not only about rituals but also about how the societies of the past organized space in order to maintain the connection between the earthly and the divine.
For the modern reader, this episode serves as an instructive lesson: the most enduring knowledge is born at the intersection of cultures and disciplines, when familiar schemes give way to facts dug up by joint efforts.
