Ancient Ritual Complex Unearthed at Site Tied to Biblical City in Ezekiel

Officials recently unveiled the remains of an ancient religious complex at a site often identified with a biblical city cited in the Old Testament.

The ritual complex, dedicated to the local deity Pelusios, was found at Tell el-Farama in North Sinai.

Tell el-Farama was once the ancient city of Pelusium — and is sometimes identified with a biblical city called "Sin," mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel.

The recent excavation revealed a massive basin with a diameter of 115 feet, which was once filled with water from the Nile River.

Archaeologists believe the basin was used continuously from the second century B.C. to the sixth century A.D.

"It was filled with water mixed with Nile silt, symbolizing a connection to the god Pelusios, whose name is derived from the Greek word 'pelos,' meaning 'mud,'" officials said in a translated statement.

The basin was "surrounded by channels and water reservoirs, with multiple entrances on the eastern, southern, and western sides, while the northern side suffered significant destruction," the statement also noted.