This article is from Ancient Egypt issue 137
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The ancient East Delta city of Pithom mentioned in the Bible was an important hub for international trade according to new discoveries made at Tell el-Maskhuta (Ismailia Province). The Italian-Egyptian mission excavating there has uncovered a large collection of pottery vessels and other items of trade dating to the Late and Graeco-Roman Periods. The city was connected to the Mediterranean via a tributary of the Nile, and to the Red Sea by the ‘Canal of the Pharaohs’.
Above: The Italian-Egyptian team excavating at Tell el-Maskhuta.
Below: Commercial pottery found atTell el-Maskhuta indicates a thriving trade at the ancient city of Pithom.
All images: copyright of the Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities,
