CAIRO — The Arab Al Hosn area in el-Matariya, in the northern region of Greater Cairo, is an archaeological site that includes the ruins of a temple of the New Kingdom that dates back to the era of the Ramesses kings. The temple was rebuilt by King Ramesses II from the 19th dynasty. Ramesses III, IV, IX and even XI also contributed to the temple.

The temple contains the remains of gates, columns made of papyrus and mud bricks, as well as a fixed gate that belonged to the high priest who was in charge of the temple of the sun in the city of Heliopolis. In addition, the painting of Neb-Ma'at-Ra, the son of King Ramesses IX, with its brightly colored carvings that remain still, is found here.

Despite the historical value of these antiquities, the state is neglecting the site and leaving it at the mercy of drug dealers, thieves and vandalism, as public drilling and excavation works are carried out underneath and in the vicinity of homes in the area.

The obelisk of Senusret I, which dates back to the 12th dynasty, is surrounded by garbage and the slums of the poor, hiding its archaeological features, as dust covers the Pharaonic inscriptions.