El Osireion de Oxirrinco (El Bahnasa, Egipto)

Abstract

En el año 2000 se descubrió, al oeste de la ciudad grecorromana de Oxirrinco, una serie de estructuras subterráneas consagradas a Osiris. Bajo una elevación natural del terreno se ha iniciado la excavación de un recinto cultual presidido por una estatua colosal del dios y, adyacente a esta sala, un pasillo donde se enterraban los simulacros de Osiris que se realizaban con motivo del ritual de los misterios del mes de Khoiak. En las dos últimas campañas los trabajos se han centrado en la superestructura del monumento. Se ha localizado el témenos, pudiendo, así, delimitar toda el área del recinto sagrado. Se ha excavado, también, la entrada monumental por la que se accedía al interior de la catacumba. Delante de la entrada, una serie de estructuras nos revelan una zona donde se realizaban las ofrendas diarias a la divinidad. Hasta el momento, podemos fechar el conjunto en época ptolemaica

In the year 2000, a series of underground structures dedicated to Osiris were discovered to the west of the Graeco-Roman city of Oxyrhynchus. Beneath a natural slope in the land, excavation was started of an enclosure used for worship, presided over by a colossal statue of the god. Next to this chamber was a passage where the figurines of Osiris that were made to be used in the ritual mysteries of the month of Khoiak were buried. In the last two campaigns, work has concentrated on the superstructure of the monument. The temenos had been located thus allowing the limits of the area used for worship to be delineated. The monumental entrance which gave access to the interior of the catacomb has also been excavated. In front of the entrance there is a series of structures that reveal an area where daily offerings were made to the divinity. So far we can date the complex to the Ptolemaic period.