Archaeologists have discovered a large ancient Egyptian fortress in the north of Sinai

Ancient Egypt is associated with huge pyramids, majestic temples and the noseless Great Sphinx. However, civilization left not only these famous monuments, but also many other architectural wonders, one of which was recently discovered in the sands of the Sinai Peninsula. This is reported by Popular Science magazine.

Archaeologists working in the north of Sinai have discovered a military fortress dating back to the era of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt (1550-1077 BC), located along the military road of the Mountain. This road, also known as the "Way of Horus", was a network of ancient Egyptian fortifications in the north of the peninsula, built during the New Kingdom. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on social media, the discovered fortress is one of the largest and most important among them.

"These fortresses probably served as resting places for merchant caravans en route to Egypt, as well as resupply points for the Egyptian army when it went on campaigns in the Middle East," said Nicky Nielson, an Egyptologist at the University of Manchester.

During the excavations, it was possible to discover defensive towers, parts of the northern, western and southern walls, a characteristic wall of the New Kingdom era surrounding a residential area for soldiers, as well as fragments of ceramics and vessels, including a pen with the name of Thutmose I, Pharaoh of the XVIII dynasty (about 1539-1292 BC). A large bakery oven and petrified dough were also found, which confirms that the soldiers led a daily life in this fortress.

Nilsson explained that bread and beer were the main products for the Egyptians. According to him, some writings from the reign of Ramesses II speak about the supply of the army. Bread, as specified, is mentioned as a key food product.

The study showed that the fortress probably underwent several restorations and changes. Archaeologists expect to find a military port serving it near the coast. It is emphasized that the area of the fortress is about 8 thousand square meters, which is three times the size of another fortress discovered about 700 m from this place in the 1980s.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the discovery provides an important insight into the fortresses on the eastern borders of Egypt at that time. He added that each new fortress found highlights not only the greatness of Egypt, but also its ability to defend itself.

"This place is important for understanding not only how the Egyptian state defended the newly conquered territories in Sinai at the beginning of the New Kingdom era, but also how it organized its occupation and served as an intermediary in relations with the local population and foreign powers," said an archaeologist from Swansea University in the UK, an expert on Ancient Egypt. and Nubian Christian Knoblauch.

According to him, on the one hand, this demonstrates the enormous material and human resources that were required for the occupation of this territory, but he also pointed out the possible economic and political benefits that were obtained during that period. The team of archaeologists, in turn, hopes to find the remaining parts of the walls and related structures in the future.

Earlier, on October 6, Science Daily magazine reported that archaeologists from the University of Southampton had uncovered the mystery of the founding of the Karnak Temple in Egypt. Co—author of the study, Dr. Ben Pennington, clarified that the structure "grew" from a small hill surrounded by water, and over time the territory became a symbol of the cosmogonic myth - the earth arising from pristine waters.

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