Last Update: April 28, 2023, 00:33 AM IST
The statue, which is missing part of its right side and its right leg, measures 71 centimeters (28 in) in height and depicts the Buddha with a halo around his head and a lotus flower beside him. (AFP Photo/Ho/Egyptian Antiquities Ministry)
A Polish-American mission discovered a “Roman period statue” while excavating an ancient temple in Berenice.
A Buddha statue has been discovered in the ancient port of Berenice in Egypt on the Red Sea, shedding light on trade relations with India under the Roman Empire.
A statement from the antiquities ministry said on Wednesday that the Polish-American mission discovered a “Roman period statue” during excavations of an ancient temple in Bernice.
“This discovery provides important indications of the existence of trade relations between Egypt and India during the Roman era,” said Mustafa al-Waziri, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The statue, which is missing part of its right side and its right leg, measures 71 centimeters (28 in) in height and depicts the Buddha with a halo around his head and a lotus flower beside him.
Waziri states that Berenice was one of the largest ports in Roman-era Egypt, and was often the destination for ships from India laden with spices, semi-precious stones, textiles and ivory.
Egypt has unveiled several major archaeological discoveries in recent years amid efforts to revive its vital tourism industry after years of political unrest and the COVID pandemic.
However, critics say the flurry of excavations has prioritized media attention over hard academic research.
The crown jewel in the government’s plans is the long-delayed opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the pyramids at Giza.
The government plans to attract 30 million tourists per year by 2028, up from 13 million before the pandemic.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
