The site also included a temple dedicated to Amenhotep III's Great Royal Wife, Tiy, which honors Sobek, the crocodile deity.

The palace area was connected to the Nile through a system of canals, which end in a large harbour or quay, now called Birket Habu (Hapu's Lake).

These fragments of painted decoration are significant as their artistic style closely resembled that of the Minoan civilization, similar to those found at the earlier Thutmosid palace of Tell el-Dab’a in the Delta.

[2] Birket Habu was used as an important feature of Amenhotep III's heb-sed festival in year 30 of his reign; it was also used as a super highway as it was connected to the Nile.

The harbor and canal connected the palace with the Nile, allowing easy travel across the river to the city of Thebes, which was situated on the eastern bank.

The royal apartment featured a bedroom, a dressing room, a private audience chamber, and a harem, which, after the reign of Amenhotep III, was used simply for storage.

The walls, ceiling, and floors were painted with scenes of wildlife - flowers, reeds, and animals in the marshes, as well as geometric designs, complete with rosettes.

Malkata was abandoned by Akhenaten, Amenhotep III's son and successor when he moved the capital to his new city at Amarna, perhaps in order to break the influence of the powerful priests of the Temple of Amun.

Tutankhamen's successor, Ay, probably inhabited the palace briefly, and pharaoh Horemheb after him as well, but by the ascension of Ramesses II, it was simply a minor residence, as the capital was moved to Pi-Ramesses in the far north.

Here there is a tiny church and monastery dedicated to Saint Theodore Stratelates, also called Tawdros (or Tadros) of Shotep (AD 281-319).