Culture

Egypt archaeologists discover ‘complete’ ancient Roman city

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2023

Egyptian archaeologists say they have discovered a 1,800-year-old “complete residential city from the Roman-era” in the heart of the southern city of Luxor.

The head of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, who confirmed the discovery in a statement on Wednesday, said the city, dating back to the second and third centuries, is the “oldest and most important city found on the eastern bank of Luxor.”

According to Waziri, the archaeologists discovered “a number of residential buildings, as well as two pigeon towers, a structure used to house pigeons or doves, and a “number of metal workshops.”

“Inside the workshops, researchers found a collection of pots, tools and bronze and copper Roman coins,” he said.

“It is a rare archaeological find in Egypt, where excavations, including on Luxor’s west bank, where the famous Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Kings lie, are most commonly of temples and tombs,” Waziri said.

The discovery of the Roman City is coming after Egyptian authorities announced the discovery of a 3, 000-year-old “lost golden city” on Luxor’s west bank in April 2021, which the archaeological team called the largest ancient city ever uncovered in Egypt.

In recent years, Egypt has unveiled several major archaeological discoveries in recent years and though critics say the flurry of excavations has prioritised finds shown to grab media attention over hard academic research, the government say the discoveries have been a key component of country’s attempts to revive its vital tourism industry after years of political unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Topics:Archeologists Discovery Egypt Featured Roman City

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Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.

Culture

Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.