This article is from Ancient Egypt issue 152
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A well-preserved military fortress dating to the New Kingdom has been discovered by an Egyptian team at the site of Tell el-Kharouba, near to the coast in Sinai. Constructed close to the ancient ‘Way of Horus’ military road (connecting Egypt to the Near East), the structure covered an area of about 0.8 hectares, and was protected by a zigzag wall and at least 11 defensive towers. Inside, the team discovered the remains of storerooms and barracks for around 500 soldiers, and a large bread oven with the remains of petrified dough. Some of the pottery unearthed in the foundation deposits was inscribed for Thutmose I, suggesting that the fort’s construction began during his reign (c.1504-1492 BC).
Text: Sarah Griffiths / Image: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
