A team of archaeologists has unearthed a massive ancient Egyptian fortress in the Sinai Peninsula, shedding new light on the military might and defensive strategies employed by pharaohs during Egypt's New Kingdom era. The fort, situated along the Horus Military Road, is one of the largest and most significant discoveries in the region.
Dating back to around 1550-1077 BCE, the fortress features impressive defensive towers, sections of its northern, western, and southern walls, a distinctive New Kingdom wall surrounding a residential area for soldiers, and various artifacts such as pottery shards and vessels featuring the name of Pharaoh Thutmose I. The site also boasts a large bread oven and fossilized dough, indicating that soldiers lived on-site.
The discovery is significant not only because of its size but also due to its location, which provides insights into ancient Egypt's eastern borders during this period. According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, "the site is important for understanding how the Egyptian state defended newly won territories in Sinai at the start of the New Kingdom."
The fort's strategic importance was likely linked to its role as a rest stop for trade caravans and a place for the Egyptian army to reprovision when on campaign. Christian Knoblauch, an archaeologist specializing in ancient Egypt and Nubia, notes that "the massive investment of material and human resources required to occupy this territory probably also brought economic and political rewards."
The team plans to continue excavating the site, aiming to reveal more of its walls and related structures.
Dating back to around 1550-1077 BCE, the fortress features impressive defensive towers, sections of its northern, western, and southern walls, a distinctive New Kingdom wall surrounding a residential area for soldiers, and various artifacts such as pottery shards and vessels featuring the name of Pharaoh Thutmose I. The site also boasts a large bread oven and fossilized dough, indicating that soldiers lived on-site.
The discovery is significant not only because of its size but also due to its location, which provides insights into ancient Egypt's eastern borders during this period. According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, "the site is important for understanding how the Egyptian state defended newly won territories in Sinai at the start of the New Kingdom."
The fort's strategic importance was likely linked to its role as a rest stop for trade caravans and a place for the Egyptian army to reprovision when on campaign. Christian Knoblauch, an archaeologist specializing in ancient Egypt and Nubia, notes that "the massive investment of material and human resources required to occupy this territory probably also brought economic and political rewards."
The team plans to continue excavating the site, aiming to reveal more of its walls and related structures.
, it's crazy to think that soldiers lived in there with bread ovens and all 
! The fact that they had a large wall surrounding a residential area for soldiers just shows how important it was for them to defend their borders 
. I'm also fascinated by the fossils of dough that were found, it's like archaeologists stumbled upon ancient history in the oven 
!
It's like stepping into a time machine 
. The fact that they found pottery shards with Pharaoh Thutmose I's name on them just makes it even more epic 
. Can't wait for the team to keep excavating and sharing their findings 
!
They've found an ancient Egyptian fortress that's literally massive. I mean, can you imagine living in a place with walls as old as 3,800 years? It's mind-blowing to think about how the pharaohs and their soldiers lived on-site with all sorts of cool stuff like bread ovens and pottery. And the fact that it was like a rest stop for trade caravans and the army is crazy - I wish I could've seen it back in the day! 
. I mean, it's just a bunch of old stones and some artifacts, right? It's not like they've actually found anything groundbreaking or new. The fact that it's been buried for thousands of years doesn't exactly make it a shocking revelation.
. I'm sure anyone who's even remotely familiar with ancient Egypt already knows this stuff. It's not like it's some earth-shattering discovery or anything.
. "Defensive strategies employed by pharaohs" sounds like just a fancy way of saying they had to throw a lot of money at it to keep people out. I'm not saying it wasn't cool, but $1 billion on a bread oven and fossilized dough? Get real 
. And what's up with the name Thutmose I? Sounds like something from a Marvel movie 
. Anyway, I guess it's good for the history books or whatever...
. I mean, it's been ages since that area was even checked out properly... think about all the secrets that must be buried there 
. And can we talk about how ancient Egypt was basically a 3D movie set for pharaohs? All those pyramids and temples... what even is the budget on this place?! 
! they're literally shedding new light on how pharaohs protected their empire back in the day, it's so cool 
. btw, whoever made the Horus Military Road must've been total geniuses or something 
. and can you believe how strategic this place must've been for the pharaohs? like, trade caravans and army rest stops all in one 
. has anyone else heard about this?
they really knew how to build for defense. and can you imagine living in a bread oven? 
with a bread oven 
! The location is also super interesting 
because it tells us about ancient Egypt's eastern borders during that time.
. Maybe we'll find more secrets about trade caravans 
or the Egyptian army's strategy 
. Can't wait to learn more 
!
. gotta love how this discovery is helping us understand more about ancient Egypt's eastern borders and their military strategies 
like i cant even believe what im reading!! ancient egyptian fortress is HUGE 
. I cant wait to see what more they uncover! 
? 
it's just an old wall and some pots. don't get me wrong, i'm sure it's super interesting for historians and archaeology nerds, but is it really worth all the hype? 
the fact that they had a whole residential area for soldiers is wild too 
I mean, can you even imagine living in a place like this? 
it's so cool that we get to learn more about it now 
️