Ancient Egyptian City Imet Reveals Multistory Tower Houses in Nile Delta Dig

In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, researchers have unearthed multistory buildings in the ancient Egyptian city of Imet, also known as Buto, located at Tell el-Fara’in in the Nile Delta. This discovery, driven by cutting-edge remote sensing and satellite imagery, offers a vivid glimpse into the bustling urban life of antiquity during the Ptolemaic Period (332 B.C. to 30 B.C.).

The excavation, led by the University of Manchester alongside experts from the University of Sadat City in Cairo, revealed dense clusters of tower houses—impressive multistory structures with thick foundation walls designed to support a growing population in an increasingly urbanized region. These architectural marvels, rare outside the Delta, paint a picture of Imet as a thriving hub with sophisticated infrastructure.

Beyond the towering residences, the team uncovered granaries, animal enclosures, and a ceremonial road linked to the cult of Wadjet, the revered cobra goddess of Ancient Egypt. Intriguingly, a large mid-Ptolemaic building with limestone floors and massive pillars was found obstructing this sacred route, suggesting a shift in religious practices over time. Smaller treasures, like an ushabti figurine, a depiction of the god Harpocrates, and a bronze sistrum tied to Hathor, goddess of music and joy, add layers of cultural richness to the find.

This excavation isn’t just about unearthing bricks and artifacts; it’s about rewriting our understanding of urban planning, spirituality, and economic life in the Nile Delta during the 4th century B.C. Imet is stepping out of the shadows as a pivotal site for rethinking Egypt’s Late Period, reminding us that even in the sands of time, stories of human ingenuity and devotion still wait to be told.