埃及尼罗河两岸及三角洲，骄阳似火、晴热干燥。这里遍布孟菲斯遗址区、卢克索神庙建筑遗址群等考古“圣地”，是多国尖端考古团队相继奔赴的“世界考古C位”。

在2025年10月至12月的第一阶段考古工作中，由山东省文物考古研究院与北京大学考古文博学院、埃及最高文物委员会组成的中埃联合考古队，首次于孟菲斯遗址区北部的阿齐兹遗址发现了古埃及第26王朝法老阿普里斯所建卜塔神庙的关键线索，并有迹象表明在更大范围内可能存在神庙建筑群。

各国考古队苦寻百年而无果的阿普里斯神庙遗迹，终于在中埃考古人员的努力下即将破土而出，重见天日！

“非常出人意料！”山东省文物考古研究院首次“出海”开展田野考古工作，就在全球瞩目的考古遗址取得重大发现。采访中，考古工作者讲述了他们如何远赴埃及考古，以及在尼罗河畔拂去堆积数千年的黄沙唤醒文物和遗迹的故事。

梦幻之旅——

走进“世界考古C位”

埃及是文化遗产最为丰富的国家之一，是全球考古天团的“必争之地”，高峰时期有数百支各国考古队同时作业。

近年来，埃及考古新发现不断震惊世界。多座法老陵墓惊艳现世，古神庙再现风华，更多古文明的神秘面纱被揭开。

在埃及获得一个考古项目，无疑是考古实力的展示和证明。中埃孟菲斯联合考古项目的达成，历经重重“闯关”，可谓好事多磨。

早在2019年，北京大学考古文博学院长聘副教授、中埃孟菲斯联合考古项目中方负责人张海便开始积极与埃及沟通，并赶赴尼罗河三角洲实地考察遗址。但由于疫情原因，此事搁置多年。

得益于双方长期深入的合作，山东省文物考古研究院与北京大学考古文博学院于2024年达成“出海”考古的合作意向，并积极与埃及最高文物委员会展开洽谈。不久后，对方便提供了多处遗址供中方团队筛选。张海再次带队奔赴埃及，经过对六七处遗址进行地表勘探与综合研判后，最终敲定孟菲斯遗址区的阿齐兹遗址。

2025年上半年，考古队申报的考古项目顺利获得审批。2025年10月20日，中方6人考古队员抵达埃及开罗。10月底，中埃孟菲斯联合考古项目（阿齐兹遗址）正式启动。

“埃及考古无疑是全球考古界向往的热点领域，多次埃及之行中，我们更深深感受到与这片承载着千年文明的土地有着特殊缘分。”山东省文物考古研究院专职副书记孔胜利坦言，这份缘分以及诚意，成为推动山东考古深度参与埃及考古的重要动力。

“缘分”来之不易，实力也不容忽视。

山东省文物考古研究院人才济济，且在田野发掘、科技考古、基建考古等领域成果丰硕。此次派出的业务骨干拥有丰富的田野考古经验，能够充分发挥其专业优势。北大考古队里，张海是田野考古领域的权威专家，队中还不乏主攻阿拉伯语及埃及学的青年人才。

顶尖学府与专业省级文物考古研究院牵手，无疑打造了一支“经验+技术+多学科融合”的出海精干小队。

山东省文物考古研究院商周研究室副主任、联合考古队队员徐深把这次埃及考古之行称作“梦幻之旅”。作为四大文明古国之一，古埃及有着灿烂辉煌的文明和星罗棋布的遗迹遗址，其古老文明令人向往。回溯考古史，著名考古学家、“埃及考古之父”弗林德斯·皮特里早在19世纪末至20世纪初便在埃及孟菲斯遗址上践行科学考古理论，为世界考古学发展提供了宝贵经验，这种跨越时空与历史的对话，更让人心潮澎湃。

“此后的一百多年间，世界各地的考古学家纷纷奔赴此地开展工作，收获了丰硕的成果。对一名考古人来说，能前往埃及考古，无疑能帮助其汲取丰富的专业养分，提升专业能力。”徐深说道。

黄沙下的文明密码——

唤醒沉睡2600年的卜塔神庙

之所以在10月底启动考古项目，是因为在埃及考古的“时间节点”很重要。

埃及大部分国土位于非洲东北部，属热带沙漠气候，多数时候高温干燥。酷热炙烤的天气，不利于考古人员的身体健康和生命安全。每年10月底开始至年底，气温降至二三十摄氏度，此时便迎来考古发掘的“黄金时间”。

沙漠干燥的风，掠过孟菲斯遗址的每一寸沙砾。2025年10月26日，考古队员做好防晒防护，带着国产三维扫描仪、探测雷达、探铲、手铲、铁锹等工具进入遗址，正式开启首日考古作业。

孟菲斯位于尼罗河河谷与三角洲的交汇点，是古埃及最古老且最重要的都城之一，相传公元前3100年左右由第一王朝法老所建。在长达三千年的历史中，孟菲斯始终扮演着国家行政、经济与宗教中心的核心角色。该城在7世纪逐渐被废弃，经过漫长岁月，其核心区域最终被深埋于地下。

目前发现有关孟菲斯的大量考古遗迹主要分布在今开罗以南紧邻萨卡拉墓地的Mit Rahina村。阿齐兹遗址即位于其东北部的一处岗丘之上。

张海介绍，1907年，弗林德斯·皮特里就在阿齐兹遗址北区发现了国王阿普里斯的宫殿及周边驻兵军营，此后一百多年里，英国、美国、葡萄牙等多国考古队、著名考古人到这里开展工作。“然而，孟菲斯遗址的考古条件非常有限。受河流改道、地下水位抬升、现代城镇建设及盗掘扰动等因素影响，相关考古成果一直相对零散，至今仍未发现阿普里斯修建的神庙。”

在古埃及的各个时期，若国力比较强盛，法老通常会主持修建或扩建宫殿、神庙，并修建专属陵墓。阿普里斯是古埃及王国晚期第26王朝的第四任法老，统治时间为公元前589年至公元前570年。得益于对外贸易等一系列举措，王国晚期的埃及曾一度复兴。阿普里斯修建的宫殿已被发现，同时期集宗教祭祀、王权象征与文化中心的卜塔神庙大概率存在。

黄沙之下，真有神庙等重要遗迹等待被揭开面纱吗？

孟菲斯会成为中国考古队出海考古的“福地”吗？

面对不利的考古条件，以及有可能的考古发现，张海、徐深以及各位队员内心既忐忑又充满期待。

张海当时心中思忖：各国考古队的作业方法、理念不尽相同，他真切地期盼中国考古人探索出来的田野考古理念和方法，以及掌握的前沿考古技术，能在埃及这片世界考古热土、在脚下的遗址上，展示出应有的硬核实力，让中国考古学真正走出国门，走向世界。

队员们在阿齐兹遗址南区低阶地位置布设了多个探方，着手进行系统性发掘工作。发掘从逐层清理填土开始，每当遇到掩埋物，大家用手铲小心翼翼地一铲一铲精细刮除浮土，生怕遗漏任何关键信息。

最先露面的是石头，随即大家意识到这是一段石质的墙体。随着发掘工作的推进，5尊斯芬克斯雕像、一块同时刻有孟菲斯主神卜塔之名象形文字和罗马数字的石构件相继出土。罗马数字编号刻在构件侧方未经打磨处理的角落，为后期添加。考古队员推测，此地先存在早期的法老时期卜塔神庙，后来神庙被废弃，罗马人管理此地时利用和改造了早期神庙的墙体构件，作为自己神庙的建材来使用。

“从一开始的期待、忐忑，到不断有文物出土，考古工作面临的常态就是不确定性，每天感觉都不一样，心情就像坐过山车。”徐深说。

转折发生在11月中旬——正当考古队员细细打磨一处墙体表面之际，阿普里斯的王名圈赫然跳了出来。

王名圈是古埃及法老的专属名字符号，是法老权威的视觉象征。其固定写作规范，是在一个圈内用象形文字书写法老王名。“阿普里斯的古埃及王名是‘为拉神的意志欢呼之人’。只要法老王名圈出现，就能确定神庙建筑所处的年代。”徐深解释道，这些信息大概能断定，这座神庙祭祀的是古埃及主神卜塔，供奉者是法老阿普里斯。

考古队继续发掘。一个由长方形房间、石砖铺砌地面、外围台阶等组成的结构相对完整的神庙建筑遗迹清晰浮现。更令人惊讶的是，这处建筑下面更深处，还有建筑遗迹！

考古队员们继续勘探，并结合建筑结构特点与地层堆积序列判定，这一建筑群是一处历经了至少两个阶段营建、使用与废弃的神庙遗迹——上部晚期残存是罗马统治时期的神庙基础，且使用了曾属于古埃及阿普里斯统治时期的卜塔神庙建筑构件；下部存在更规整的石质建筑结构，推测就是阿普里斯时期的卜塔神庙，但具体确认还有待地下水位降低后进一步发掘。

“罗马人征服古埃及后建立新政权，但会在很长一段时间里延续当地宗教传统，继续发挥神庙功能，以维护统治秩序。这个过程中，人们或许会在被战争毁坏的神庙废墟上新建神庙；也有可能早期神庙因河水带来的泛滥沉积被淹没，后人便从前人建筑中取材，另行修建新的神庙。”徐深说，在古埃及漫长历史中，每一座神庙都是被长期沿用的神圣空间，其核心建筑的使用、废弃、损毁、重建的过程本身极为复杂，再加上数千年的河水冲刷、地貌变迁，神庙遗址的复杂程度或远超想象，给考古工作增添了不少难度。

去年12月底，第一阶段考古工作结束时，联合考古队只发掘了新发现建筑遗迹很小的一小部分。很多谜题，还需在后续工作中一一解开。

考古与文明的交流对话——

推动山东考古力量走出国门

此次“出海”考古，联合考古队能迅速且精准地发现阿普里斯修建的卜塔神庙线索，被认为是“运气足够好”。然而，回头看，中方团队在与埃方队员保持密切友好协作的同时，全程践行了中国考古学成熟的田野工作理念、方法和技术。张海此前的期待得到很好印证——这是中国田野考古学在海外的一次实力展示和成功实践。

徐深告诉记者，各国考古队更多聚焦于阿普里斯宫殿内部的考古，鲜少对遗址区域展开整体性工作；而我们拥有非常丰富的大遗址考古、聚落考古经验，习惯于从古代聚落整体发展演进的宏观视野看问题，注重探索大型聚落各功能区的布局，及其之间的功能关联。“此次我们贴着阿普里斯宫殿城墙向外勘探和发掘。这个区域与宫殿相连，又面对着尼罗河河道，理应是一个重要的功能区。果然，这里正是神庙所在地！”

在中国田野考古学独具特色的方法体系中，还包括信息提取、文物保护、系统性学术研究等更深入的环节。考古队员们每天清晨7点至下午2点，在考古现场忙碌地发掘、录入数据、保护文物，返回驻地后继续进行资料整理、学术研讨和交流等工作。大家分工明确，有条不紊。

根据埃及当地文物管理与保护的相关规定，发掘出土的遗物在工作期间不能带离遗址保护区域。考古队员在发掘现场，便已提前介入文物保护工作。

阿齐兹遗址紧挨尼罗河，相关遗迹又临近地下水位，出土文物湿度非常高。但埃及气候干燥，数千年前的建筑构件，从湿润环境突然暴露于昼夜温差悬殊的干燥环境中，需要出土瞬间就做好保护措施。

“比如构成墙体的方形石块，出土暴露在空气中后，会在每天清晨于表面形成一层器体腐化而产生的‘白霜’，石块本体也随之变得脆弱易碎。在出土之时，我们尽量做好现场试剂封护，隔绝文物和空气的接触，避免石头变脆弱。”徐深表示，出土文物保护比较棘手，在发掘过程中，中方考古队员与埃及文物保护专家通力协商合作，最大程度守护好每一件文物。

在现场信息提取和数字化工作方面，张海称此次考古携带了全国产三维扫描设备“文保一号”，在不被允许使用无人机的情况下，保障并提升了考古工作的质量。该设备能够采集高精度全景影像数据，能系统提取多维度遗迹遗物信息，为后期数字化记录、模拟拼对修复、线上呈现展出等工作提供便利……

根据勘探，下部建筑遗迹的石墙还在往更远处延伸，徐深推测除神庙单体建筑外，或许还有更多附属建筑或设施，一个完整的神庙建筑群，往往还包含有围墙、斯芬克斯大道、大门、靠近尼罗河的码头等。如今泥坯砖所搭构的外围墙体、成组的斯芬克斯雕像已经发现。在更深的地下几米至十数米的地方，或许藏着一个完整神庙建筑群落。

然而，阿齐兹遗址合作项目目前发掘最深仅达地下3米，后续仍有大量工作待开展。这无疑是一场无法在短时间内完成的考古工程。

1月至5月为尼罗河低水位期。考古队员们回国休整一段时间后，将于3月下旬重返埃及，继续开展工作。

有了去年的工作经历，再赴埃及，张海考虑扩大队伍，增加擅长绘图、文物修复与报告编写的人员，尽可能地高效开展更多工作。下一步的发掘中，将在遗址内新布设探方，力争将整个合作项目区域中的遗迹摸清楚。“往更远大的目标考虑，我们打算运用中国大遗址考古理念、中国的技术，将孟菲斯遗址区上百年来几十支考古队所做的工作，进行系统、全面的数字化呈现……”

张海说，埃及对此次考古新发现也倍感意外，评价很好，此次合作项目的成功开展，得益于中埃联合考古队双方互相的信任，也源于埃及对中国田野考古工作方法的认可，以及大家文物保护理念的契合。

中埃孟菲斯联合考古项目（阿齐兹遗址）的考古成果在马年春节期间对外公布。埃及旅游和文物部于今年2月19日也宣布了这一新发现。

在接受新华社采访时，埃及最高文物委员会秘书长希沙姆·莱西说，阿齐兹遗址南部属于孟菲斯遗址的核心区域。中埃联合考古队的发现将深化对孟菲斯城市布局的认识，并为了解该城从古埃及后期至古希腊罗马时期的宗教实践提供重要线索。

对于此次赴埃及考古的深层意义，山东省文化和旅游厅副厅长、山东省文物局副局长孙波告诉记者，长期以来，西方考古学界对埃及文明的研究多聚焦于神庙、陵墓等标志性遗存，对遗址的发掘并不系统和全面，这与大家了解的中华文明清晰的文明演进轨迹形成了鲜明对比。作为四大文明古国，中国和埃及的文明区别很大，但也有共性的部分。如果开展文明交流互鉴，首先需要对其有基本的了解。“孟菲斯遗址的考古工作正成为破解认知谜题的关键。联合考古队队员正通过系统发掘，为深化埃及文明认知提供了珍贵实物史料。这些发现将推动两国学者从文明起源、社会演进、技术发展等维度，开展更系统的对比研究，探寻两大文明的共性特质与独特路径。”

孙波认为，中埃联合考古本质上是一场跨越时空的文明对话，其价值不仅在于发掘文物、还原历史，更在于为当今国际文化交流与人类社会共存提供源自祖先的智慧借鉴。“跳出中国看中国、跳出亚洲看中国，已成为当代文明研究的重要课题。中埃联合考古不仅是学术理念交流的生动实践，更开启了一项意义深远的百年大计。从当下的年轻学者到未来的数代学者，将会持续不断地深耕对两大文明的认知，让文明互鉴的力量为构建人类命运共同体注入持久动能。”

在孙波看来，山东凭借国家政策的有力引导与资金的持续投入，以及深厚扎实的考古学科积淀，积极参与国际考古合作，不仅是满足自身学术发展需求的必然选择，更是推动中华文化走向世界舞台、促进不同文明交流互鉴的关键实践。

采访接近尾声，又传来好消息。

孔胜利告诉记者，中埃联合考古工作队正计划在埃及设立工作站，目前正在积极选址。未来联合考古队将继续申请新遗址，继续考古发掘工作。山东省文物考古研究院还将与埃及展开展览、学术交流等合作。

不只是埃及，孔胜利表示，今年山东考古队员将前往塞尔维亚启动中塞联合考古工作。这将是我省开展的首个海外基建考古项目。

Along the banks of the Nile and its delta in Egypt, the sun blazes in a scorching, arid climate. Home to such archaeological landmarks as the Memphis archaeological site and the Luxor Temple complex, this region stands as the world’s epicenter of archaeology, drawing leading archaeological teams from across the globe.

During the first phase of excavations from October to December 2025, the China-Egypt Joint Archaeological Team—comprising Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University, and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt—uncovered for the first time key evidence of the Temple of Ptah built by Pharaoh Apries of the 26th Dynasty of ancient Egypt at Tell Aziz, in the northern part of the Memphis archaeological site. Findings also indicate that a larger temple complex may exist in the surrounding area.

The ruins of the Temple of Apries, which had eluded researchers worldwide for a century, are finally emerging into the light thanks to the joint efforts of Chinese and Egyptian archaeologists!

“What an extraordinary surprise!” In its first overseas field archaeology project, Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology has made a major discovery at one of the world’s most high-profile archaeological sites. In an interview, the archaeologists recounted their expedition to Egypt and how they brushed away thousands of years of sand along the Nile to uncover and restore ancient artifacts and ruins.

A Dream Journey

Stepping into the “Center of World Archaeology”

Egypt is one of the world’s richest countries in cultural heritage and a highly sought-after destination for leading archaeological teams from across the globe. At its peak, hundreds of international archaeological missions are active here at the same time.

In recent years, new archaeological discoveries in Egypt have continued to astound the world. A host of pharaonic tombs have been unearthed, ancient temples have been restored to their former glory, and more mysteries of this ancient civilization have been unveiled.

Securing an archaeological project in Egypt is a clear testament to archaeological strength. The China-Egypt joint archaeological project in Memphis was realized only after overcoming numerous hurdles and challenges, a true mark of perseverance and dedication.

As early as 2019, Dr. Zhang Hai, a tenured associate professor at the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University and the Chinese director of the China-Egypt Memphis Joint Archaeological Project, began active communication with the Egyptian side and traveled to the Nile Delta to conduct field surveys of potential sites. However, the initiative was put on hold for years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to the longstanding and in-depth cooperation between the two sides, the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University reached an agreement in 2024 to carry out joint overseas archaeological excavations. They promptly engaged in negotiations with the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, which soon offered a number of sites for the Chinese team to evaluate. Zhang Hai led another expedition to Egypt, and after conducting surface surveys and comprehensive assessments of six or seven sites, the team finally selected Tell Aziz in the Memphis archaeological area.

In the first half of 2025, the archaeological project proposed by the team was successfully approved. On October 20, 2025, six Chinese archaeologists arrived in Cairo, Egypt. By the end of October, the China-Egypt Joint Archaeological Mission at Memphis (Tell Aziz site)was officially launched.

“Egyptian archaeology is undoubtedly a highly sought-after field within the global archaeological community. During our many trips to Egypt, we have developed a profound bond with this land of millennia-old civilization,”said Kong Shengli, Full-time Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.He added that this connection and sincerity have been key driving forces behind Shandong’s in-depth participation in archaeological endeavors in Egypt.

Such a valuable partnership is hard to come by, and strength speaks for itself.

Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology boasts a strong team of professionals with remarkable achievements in field excavation, technological archaeology, and infrastructure-related archaeology. The core team members dispatched possess extensive field archaeology experience and can give full play to their professional strengths. From Peking University’s archaeological team, Zhang Hai is an authoritative expert in field archaeology, and the team also includes young talents specializing in Arabic and Egyptology.

The collaboration between a top university and a leading provincial cultural relics and archaeology institute has forged a highly capable overseas team that combines experience, technology and interdisciplinary integration.

Xu Shen, Deputy Director of the Shang and Zhou Archaeology Research Office, Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and a member of the joint archaeological team, described this archaeological expedition to Egypt as a “dream journey.”As one of the Four Great Ancient Civilizations, ancient Egypt boasted a splendid civilization and numerous sites and relics scattered across its land, making it a source of endless fascination.In the history of archaeology, the renowned archaeologist Flinders Petrie, known as “the Father of Egyptian Archaeology”, pioneered scientific archaeological methods at the Memphis site in Egypt from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, providing invaluable experience for the development of world archaeology. This dialogue across time and history is truly inspiring.

“Over the more than 100 years since, archaeologists from all over the world have come to work here and achieved fruitful results. For an archaeologist, being able to work in Egypt is undoubtedly an opportunity to gain rich professional experience and enhance professional capabilities,” Xu Shen said.

Civilization Code Beneath the Yellow Sand

Awakening the Temple of Ptah After 2,600 Years

The reason for launching the excavation project at the end of October is that timing is critical for archaeological work in Egypt.

Most of Egypt lies in northeastern Africa and has a tropical desert climate that is hot and dry for much of the year. Extreme heat poses risks to the health and safety of archaeologists. From late October to the end of each year, temperatures drop to 20–30 degrees Celsius, marking the golden season for archaeological excavation.

The dry desert wind sweeps over every grain of sand at the Memphis site.On October 26, 2025, fully protected from the sun, the archaeological team entered the site equipped with Chinese-made 3D scanners, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), exploration shovels, hand trowels, spades and other tools, officially beginning their first day of fieldwork.

Memphis lies at the intersection of the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. It was one of the oldest and most important capitals of ancient Egypt, traditionally founded around 3100 BCE by the pharaohs of the First Dynasty. For three millennia, Memphis served as the nation’s administrative, economic, and religious center. The city was gradually abandoned in the 7th century CE, and over time its core area became deeply buried underground.

Most of the extensive archaeological remains of Memphis discovered so far are concentrated in the modern village of Mit Rahina, just south of Cairo and adjacent to the Saqqara Necropolis. The Tell Aziz site occupies a low hill to its northeast.

According to Zhang Hai, in 1907, Flinders Petrie uncovered the palace of King Apries and nearby military barracks in the northern part of the Tell Aziz site. Over the following century, archaeological teams and prominent archaeologists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Portugal, and other countries conducted work here.“However, archaeological conditions at the Memphis site are severely limited. Affected by shifts in the course of the Nile, rising groundwater levels, modern urban development, and looting, archaeological findings have remained fragmented. To this day, the temple built by Apries has yet to be discovered,” he noted.

In various periods of ancient Egypt, when the kingdom was strong and prosperous, pharaohs would usually commission the construction or expansion of palaces and temples, as well as build their own royal tombs.Apries was the fourth pharaoh of the 26th Dynasty during the Late Period of ancient Egypt, ruling from 589 BCE to 570 BCE. Thanks to a series of policies including foreign trade, Egypt experienced a period of revival in the Late Period.His palace has already been discovered, and it is highly likely that the Temple of Ptah—which served as a center for religious worship, a symbol of royal authority, and a cultural hub—was built at the same time.

Beneath the yellow sand, do important ruins such as a temple await discovery?

Will Memphis become a “land of opportunity” for Chinese archaeological teams working overseas?

Faced with challenging archaeological conditions and the promise of potential discoveries, Zhang Hai, Xu Shen, and their fellow team members felt both anxious and full of anticipation.

Zhang Hai reflected at the time:Different countries’ archaeological teams employ different methods and working philosophies. He sincerely hoped that the field archaeology concepts and approaches developed by Chinese archaeologists, as well as the cutting-edge technologies they command, could demonstrate their due strength on this world-renowned archaeological land of Egypt and at the site beneath their feet. His aspiration was to enable Chinese archaeology to truly go global and reach the wider world.

At the Tell Aziz site, the team set up multiple excavation units in the lower terrace of the southern area and began systematic excavation work.Digging started with the layer-by-layer removal of fill deposits. Whenever buried remains were encountered, the team carefully scraped away the overlying soil inch by inch with hand trowels, fearful of missing any critical information.

Stone was the first to emerge, and the team immediately recognized it as a section of a stone wall. As excavation progressed, five sphinx statues and a stone block inscribed with both hieroglyphs of Ptah, the chief god of Memphis, and Roman numerals were successively unearthed. The Roman numeral designation was carved into an unpolished corner on the side of the block, added at a later date.Archaeologists hypothesize that an early Pharaonic-period Temple of Ptah originally stood on the site. After the temple fell into disuse, the Romans, who later administered the area, repurposed its stone wall blocks as building materials for their own temple.

“From the initial anticipation and anxiety to the continuous discovery of artifacts, uncertainty is the norm in archaeology. Every day feels different, and the mood is like a roller coaster,” said Xu Shen.

The turning point came in mid-November. As the archaeologists were carefully cleaning the surface of a wall, the cartouche of Apries suddenly came into view.

A cartouche is an exclusive royal name symbol of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and a visual emblem of their authority. Following a fixed writing convention, it encloses the pharaoh’s name in hieroglyphs within an oval frame. “Apries’ ancient Egyptian royal name means ‘He who rejoices in the will of Ra’,” explained Xu Shen. “The presence of a pharaoh’s cartouche allows us to precisely date the temple structure. This evidence strongly indicates that the temple was dedicated to Ptah, the chief god of Memphis, and was commissioned by Pharaoh Apries.”

The team continued their excavation. A relatively complete temple complex then emerged clearly, consisting of rectangular chambers, stone-paved floors, and outer steps. Even more astonishingly, additional architectural remains were found deeper beneath this structure.

The archaeological team continued their exploration. Based on the architectural features and stratigraphic sequence, they determined that the complex was a temple ruin constructed, used, and abandoned in at least two phases.The upper, later remains represented the foundation of a temple from the Roman period, which reused architectural elements from the Temple of Ptah built during the reign of Pharaoh Apries in ancient Egypt. Below these lay a more regular stone structure, presumed to be the original Temple of Ptah from Apries’ era, although final confirmation awaited further excavation once groundwater levels dropped.

“After conquering ancient Egypt and establishing a new regime, the Romans maintained local religious traditions for a long time and kept temples in operation to consolidate their rule. During this period, new temples might have been built on the ruins of those damaged by war; alternatively, early temples could have been buried by flood deposits from the river, and later generations reused materials from earlier structures to build new ones,” said Xu Shen.In the long history of ancient Egypt, every temple was a sacred space used over an extended period. The processes of use, abandonment, destruction, and reconstruction of their core structures were highly complex. Coupled with thousands of years of river erosion and topographic changes, the temple remains are far more complicated than imagined, adding considerable difficulty to archaeological work.

By the end of December last year, when the first phase of archaeological work concluded, the joint archaeological team had excavated only a tiny fraction of the newly discovered architectural remains. Many questions still await answers in subsequent fieldwork.

Dialogue between Archaeology and Civilization: Advancing Shandong's Archaeological Efforts onto the Global Stage

In this overseas archaeological endeavor, the joint archaeological team's ability to swiftly and precisely identify clues pointing to the Temple of Ptah constructed by Apries is regarded as "considerably fortunate." However, in retrospect, the Chinese team, while maintaining close and friendly cooperation with their Egyptian counterparts, fully implemented the mature principles, methods, and techniques of Chinese fieldwork archaeology throughout the process. Zhang Hai's earlier expectations were well validated—it represents a powerful demonstration of Chinese field archaeology's capabilities and a successful practice on foreign soil.

Xu Shen told the reporter that archaeological teams from various countries have primarily focused on excavations within the Apries palace itself, rarely conducting comprehensive work on the site as a whole. In contrast, the Chinese team possesses extensive experience in large-scale site archaeology and settlement archaeology, accustomed to examining issues from a macroscopic perspective of the overall development and evolution of ancient settlements. They emphasize exploring the layout of functional zones within large settlements and the functional relationships between them. "This time, we conducted surveys and excavations outward from the walls of the Apries palace. This area connects to the palace and faces the Nile River channel, which logically should constitute an important functional zone. Indeed, this is precisely where the temple was located!"

Within the distinctive methodological system of Chinese field archaeology, more advanced components also include information extraction, cultural heritage conservation, and systematic academic research. Each day, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the archaeological team members are busily engaged at the excavation site—digging, recording data, and protecting cultural relics. Upon returning to their base, they continue with data organization, academic seminars, and exchange activities. Everyone has clearly defined responsibilities, proceeding in an orderly and methodical manner.

According to local Egyptian regulations on cultural heritage management and protection, excavated artifacts cannot be removed from the site protection area during the working period. Archaeological team members therefore intervene in conservation work at the excavation site itself.

The Tell Aziz site lies adjacent to the Nile River, and the associated remains are located near the groundwater table, resulting in extremely high humidity levels for excavated artifacts. However, given Egypt's arid climate, architectural components thousands of years old—when suddenly exposed from a moist environment to a dry environment with extreme diurnal temperature variations—require immediate conservation measures at the moment of excavation.

"For instance, the square stone blocks that form the walls, after being exposed to the air after excavation, develop a layer of ‘white efflorescence' on their surfaces every morning due to the deterioration of the stone body itself, while the blocks simultaneously become fragile and friable. At the time of excavation, we strive to conduct on-site reagent sealing to isolate the artifacts from contact with air, preventing the stones from becoming brittle,"explained Xu Shen. He noted that the conservation of excavated artifacts presents considerable challenges. Throughout the excavation process, Chinese team members have engaged in full consultation and cooperation with Egyptian conservation specialists to safeguard every artifact to the greatest extent possible.

Regarding on-site information extraction and digital documentation, Zhang Hai stated that the team brought the domestically produced 3D scanning device "Wenbao-1" (literally "Cultural Heritage No. 1"). In situations where drone use was prohibited, this equipment ensured and enhanced the quality of archaeological work. The device is capable of collecting high-precision panoramic imagery data and systematically extracting multi-dimensional information about relics and remains, facilitating subsequent digital recording, simulated reconstruction and restoration, and online exhibition.

According to the survey, the stone walls of the lower architectural remains continue to extend further. Xu Shen speculated that beyond the temple structure itself, there may be additional ancillary buildings or facilities. A complete temple complex typically includes enclosure walls, a Sphinx Avenue, gates, and a riverside quay near the Nile. To date, the outer walls constructed of mud bricks and groups of sphinx statues have been discovered. Several meters to more than ten meters deeper underground, a complete temple complex may lie hidden.

However, the Tell Aziz collaborative project has reached a maximum depth of only 3 meters; substantial work remains to be carried out. This is undoubtedly an archaeological endeavor that cannot be completed in a short time.

January to May marks the Nile's low-water season. After a period of rest and recuperation back in China, the team will return to Egypt in late March to continue their work.

Drawing on last year's work experience, Zhang Hai is considering expanding the team for his return to Egypt by adding personnel skilled in technical drawing, artifact restoration, and report compilation, so as to carry out more work as efficiently as possible. In the next phase of excavation, new trial trenches will be laid out within the site, with the goal of thoroughly documenting all remains in the cooperative project area. "Looking toward broader objectives, we intend to apply China's large-site archaeology concepts and technologies to systematically and comprehensively digitize the work conducted by dozens of archaeological teams at the Memphis site area over the past century," Zhang said.

Zhang Hai noted that Egyptian authorities were also pleasantly surprised by these new discoveries and have given highly positive evaluations. The successful implementation of this cooperative project, he said, stems from the mutual trust between the Chinese and Egyptian sides of the joint archaeological team, as well as Egypt's recognition of Chinese field archaeology methodologies and the alignment of both sides' cultural heritage conservation philosophies.

The archaeological results of the China-Egypt Joint Archaeological Mission at Memphis (Tell Aziz site) were announced during the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities also announced this discovery on February 19 this year.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that the southern part of Tell Aziz belongs to the core area of the ancient city of Memphis. The discoveries by the China-Egypt joint archaeological team will deepen understanding of Memphis's urban layout and provide crucial clues for understanding the city's religious practices from the Late Period of ancient Egypt through the Greco-Roman period.

Regarding the deeper significance of this archaeological mission to Egypt, Sun Bo, Vice Director of Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and Deputy Director of Shandong Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, told reporters that Western archaeology has long focused on iconic remains such as temples and tombs, without systematic and comprehensive excavation of sites—a sharp contrast to the clear trajectory of civilization evolution familiar in Chinese archaeology. As two of the world's four great ancient civilizations, China and Egypt have vastly different civilizations, yet share commonalities. "If we are to conduct exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, we must first have a basic understanding of each other. The archaeological work at the Memphis site is becoming key to unlocking this cognitive puzzle. Through systematic excavation, team members are providing precious physical materials for deepening the understanding of Egyptian civilization. These discoveries will promote more systematic comparative research between scholars of both countries on dimensions such as the origins of civilization, social evolution, and technological development, exploring the shared characteristics and unique paths of the two great civilizations."

Sun Bo believes that the China-Egypt joint archaeology is essentially a dialogue between civilizations across time and space. Its value lies not only in excavating artifacts and reconstructing history, but also in providing wisdom inherited from our ancestors for today's international cultural exchanges and the coexistence of human societies. "Viewing China from beyond China, viewing China from beyond Asia has become an important subject in contemporary civilization studies. The China-Egypt joint archaeology is not only a vivid practice of academic exchange, but also initiates a project of vital and lasting importance. From the young scholars of today to generations of scholars in the future, we will continue to deepen our understanding of these two great civilizations, allowing the power of mutual learning between civilizations to inject lasting momentum into building a community with a shared future for mankind."

In Sun Bo's view, with strong policy guidance and sustained funding from the state, as well as its profound and solid academic foundation in archaeology, Shandong's active participation in international archaeological cooperation is not only an inevitable choice for meeting its own academic development needs, but also a crucial practice for promoting Chinese culture onto the world stage and fostering mutual learning between civilizations.

As the interview drew to a close, more good news arrived.

Kong Shengli told reporters that the China-Egypt joint archaeological team is planning to establish an archaeological workstation in Egypt and is currently actively selecting a site. In the future, the joint team will continue to apply for new sites and carry out archaeological excavation work. The SShandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology will also cooperate with Egypt on exhibitions and academic exchanges.

Egypt is not the only focus, Kong Shenglinoted.Shandong archaeologists will travel to Serbia this year to launch a China-Serbia joint archaeological project, which will be the province's first overseas infrastructure-related archaeological initiative.

统筹：朱德蒙 武玮佳

文案：师文静 朱德蒙

翻译：武玮佳 徐明业

配音：武玮佳

剪辑：郭笃帅

设计：李文俊