Egypt discovers 2,000-year-old bronze coins
By IANSThursday, April 22, 2010
CAIRO - Archaeologists have discovered bronze coins dating back to the era of King Ptolemy III Euergetes who ruled Egypt in the 3rd century B.C., a media report said.
An Egyptian archaeological team has found 383 bronze coins in northern Qaroun Lake in Fayoum, 80 km southwest of Cairo, Xinhua reported Thursday citing Egypt’s state-run MENA news agency.
Egyptian Culture Minister Farouq Hosni said the bronze coins are in good condition and were unearthed by a team of the Egyptian Supreme Council for Antiquities.
Zahi Hawwas, the council’s secretary-general, said the coins, each weighing 32 grams, represent Ptolemy III Euergetes, who was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt.
The Ptolemaic Dynasty was founded by one of Alexander the Great’s generals and ruled Egypt for some 300 years, fusing Greek and ancient Egyptian cultures.
The team also discovered three necklaces made of ostrich eggshells, which are all in good condition, and a pot of kohl eyeliner from the Ottoman Empire.
Khaled Saad, head of the team, said this discovery is the first of its kind, adding that the remains of an ancient prehistoric whale were also found.
