The Egyptian archaeological mission at the ancient site of Tell el-Kharrouba, in the Sheikh Zayed area of North Sinai, has unveiled a significant military fortress from the New Kingdom era. This discovery marks one of the largest and most crucial fortresses found along Horus’s Military Road, situated near the Mediterranean coast.
This archaeological revelation offers fresh insight into the sophisticated military planning of the New Kingdom pharaohs, who established a series of defensive fortresses and fortifications. These structures were strategically designed to protect Egypt’s eastern borders and secure vital routes that connected ancient Egypt with Palestine.
Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, highlighted that this discovery is a tangible testament to the genius of the ancient Egyptians in constructing an integrated defensive system to protect their land. He added that it unveils new chapters of Egypt’s venerable military history and reinforces Sinai’s standing as a land rich with unique civilisational evidence throughout the ages.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasised that the unearthing of this colossal fortress represents a pivotal step in reconstructing the complete picture of Egyptian fortifications on the eastern frontier during the New Kingdom. He further explained that each fortress discovered adds another layer to our understanding of the military and defensive organisation of Pharaonic Egypt, confirming that Egyptian civilisation was not merely confined to temples and tombs, but was a powerful state capable of protecting its land and borders.
He added that excavation work has revealed a section of the fortress’s southern wall, approximately 105 metres long and 2.5 metres wide, featuring a secondary entrance measuring 2.20 metres in width. Additionally, eleven defensive towers have been uncovered to date. The north-western tower and parts of the northern and western walls have also been brought to light, despite significant challenges posed by shifting sand dunes that covered extensive sections of the site.
Mohamed Abdel Badea, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, noted that the mission also unearthed a 75-metre-long zigzag wall on the western side of the fortress. This wall divides the fortress from north to south and encloses a residential area designated for soldiers—a distinctive architectural design of the New Kingdom that reflects the ancient Egyptian architect’s ability to adapt to a harsh environment.
Further finds include various pottery fragments and vessels, among which were foundation deposits beneath one of the towers, dating back to the first half of the Eighteenth Dynasty. A vessel handle sealed with the name of King Thutmose I was also discovered. Significant quantities of volcanic stones, believed to have been transported across the sea from the volcanoes of the Greek islands, were found alongside a large oven for baking bread, next to which were quantities of petrified dough. These discoveries confirm that the fortress functioned as a comprehensive centre for the daily life of the soldiers.
Hisham Hussein, Head of the Central Administration for Lower Egypt Antiquities, explained that preliminary studies have shown the fortress underwent several phases of restoration and modification throughout its history, including alterations to the design of the southern entrance on multiple occasions. The mission hopes to continue excavation work to uncover the remaining walls and associated structures, with expectations of finding the military harbour that served the fortress in the nearby coastal area.
He added that the new fortress covers an area of approximately 8,000 square metres, which is three times the size of the fortress discovered at the same site in the 1980s, located about 700 metres south-west of the current discovery. This fortress represents a further addition to the series of military fortresses found along Horus’s Military Road, most notably Tell Habua, Tell el-Borg, and Tell el-Abyad, all dating back to the New Kingdom era.
