U.S. Embassy congratulates Egypt on Watfa discovery

CAIRO – 7 November 2017: “Congratulations to Egypt on the exciting discovery of an ancient gymnasium,” stated the U.S. Embassy in Cairo on its Facebook page, adding, “No excuses not to visit this gym.”


U.S. Embassy to Cairo congratulations Egypt on the exciting discovery of an ancient gymnasium

Egypt's antiquities ministry says archaeologists have discovered remnants of an ancient gymnasium dating back about 2,300 years from the Hellenistic period.

The discovery was made by a German-Egyptian mission at the site of Watfa in Fayoum governorate, about 50 miles southwest of the capital.


Discovery of an ancient gymnasium in Watfa

Watfa is one of the old villages that was established by Ptolemies and featured 1,200 inhabitants, one third of which were Greek-speaking residents.

Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, says the gymnasium consists of a large meeting hall once adorned with statues, a dining hall, a courtyard and a nearly 200-meter-long racetrack.

Cornelia Roemer, head of the mission, says the discovery clearly shows the impact of Greek life in Egypt, not only in Alexandria, but also in the countryside.


Discovery of an ancient gymnasium in Watfa

Cornelia Römer led the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) on the mission. She explained in a released statement from the Ministry of Antiquities that the gymnasium was a private place established by rich people who wanted their villages to feature Greek architecture.

She added that the upper class of that community at the time who spoke Greek were trained in sports and engaged in philosophical discussions in the gymnasium. These gymnasiums were also found throughout the entire Hellenistic world, such as Athens in Greece, Pergamon and Miletus in Asia Minor, and Pompeii in Italy.

According to Römer, Alexander the Great made Egypt part of the Hellenistic world.
The area of Watfa has been witnessing excavations and surveys conducted by the German Archaeological Institute since 2010.