Egyptian archaeologists discover massive New Kingdom military fortress
Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a new military fortress, which according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is described as “one of the largest and most important citadels ever discovered on the Horus War Route, located on the Mediterranean coast.”
Located in the Sheikh Zayed region of North Sinai, the military fortress dates back to the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BC) and measures approximately 8,000 square meters, roughly three times the size of a citadel discovered in the 1980s at the same Tel Karuba archaeological site. The location of the previously discovered fort was approximately 700 meters (765 yd) southwest of the newest fort.
according to journal of archeologythe fortress was “part of a series of forts built to secure the borders and protect the main routes between Egypt, Palestine and the Levant”.
Excavations by archaeologists revealed a section of the southern wall, approximately 105 meters (345 feet) long and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide, with a secondary entrance 2.20 meters (7.2 feet) wide, and 11 defensive towers. The northwest tower of the fortress was also discovered, as well as parts of the northern and western walls.
On the west side of the fortress, archaeologists also discovered a 75-meter-long glass wall that “separates it from north to south and surrounds the residential area reserved for soldiers. This is a unique architectural design of the modern state era and reflects the ability of ancient Egyptian architecture to adapt to harsh environments.”
In terms of artifacts, archaeologists found “foundation deposits under one of the towers dating to the first half of the 18th Dynasty, as well as a vase hand-printed with the name of King Tams I.” There was also volcanic rock that may have come from the Greek island volcano, as well as a large bread oven and a large amount of petrified dough, “confirming that the fortress was an integral center of the soldiers’ daily life.”
Preliminary research also shows that the fort went through multiple stages of restoration, restoration and redesign over time, including multiple revisions to the design of its southern entrance.
