Egypt is known for its discoveries. Earlier this month, archaeologists uncovered clues to the origins of one of the world’s largest religious complexes. Now, archaeologists are celebrating a discovery in the Sinai Desert that could change what historians know about the early days of Egypt’s empire.
The excavation has already revealed much about how Egyptians defended their borders in one of the most strategically important regions of the ancient world. But it has also provided new insights into what everyday life may have looked like during the height of the New Kingdom.
Archaeologists In Egypt Have Discovered A 3,500-year-old Military Fortress With Fossilized Dough Inside
Earlier this month, archaeologists uncovered a well-preserved 3,500-year-old military fortress in Egypt’s northern Sinai Desert, located near the Mediterranean coast. The two-acre site includes:
- 11 defensive towers
- A 344-foot-long southern wall measuring about eight feet wide
- A seven-foot-wide sub-entrance
- A northeast tower
- Remnants of the northern and western walls
A distinctive zigzag wall also divides the fortress’s western section from north to south—a design that helped stabilize the structure and shield it from wind and sand erosion.
The area of the newly discovered fortress is about 86,000 square feet, or three times the size of the fortress found nearby during the 1980s.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the fortress dates back to the reign of Thutmose I, an 18th-dynasty ruler known for expanding Egypt’s empire into what is now Sudan and Syria. Artifacts stamped with Thutmose I’s name that were found buried in ritual “foundation deposits” confirmed the pharaoh’s connection to the site.
Archaeologists say they discovered the fortress at Tell el-Kharouba, a separate site near the “Way of Horus,” a military road once dedicated to the ancient Egyptian falcon-headed god.
The site is believed to have accommodated hundreds of soldiers, with storerooms, courtyards, and living quarters for extended stays. Archaeologists also discovered several ancient ovens at the site that were once used for baking large quantities of bread, and they contained fossilized dough left behind by soldiers.
“Taking into account storerooms, courtyards, and other facilities, we estimate that the garrison likely ranged between 400 and 700 soldiers, with a reasonable average of around 500 soldiers,” Excavation leader and undersecretary for Lower Egypt and Sinai Archaeology with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Hesham Hussein, told Live Science.
Additionally, fragments of volcanic rock imported from the Aegean Islands were found within the fortress, suggesting that building materials and supplies may have arrived through a nearby port.
In addition to this most recent discovery, archaeologists have identified multiple fortresses along this ancient “Way of Horus” route. Experts believe these strongholds once worked together as a defense system that helped Egypt control the eastern Mediterranean coast for centuries.
This Discovery Supports The Theory That Thutmose I Began Egypt’s Desert Defense Network
Born to a mother who wasn’t of royal descent, Thutmose I ascended the throne through his marriage to Ahmose, who was most likely a relative of his predecessor. Just two years into his reign, he led a river expedition into Nubia (present-day Sudan) and established a new boundary at Kurgus, beyond where his predecessor had gone.
About Pharaoh Thutmose I:
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Years Ruled: |
1493 BC to 1482 BC |
|---|---|
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Dynasty: |
18th Dynasty |
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Children: |
Hatshepsut, Thutmose II |
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Tomb Location: |
The Valley of the Kings (KV 20) |
Thutmose I also penetrated into Syria, further cementing his pivotal role in Ancient Egypt’s military legacy. In fact, many researchers view him as the ruler who first recognized the importance of the Sinai Peninsula’s position on the Mediterranean coast.
This most recent fortress discovery validates this theory. It suggests that Thutmose I not only expanded Egypt’s territories but also laid the groundwork for a sophisticated military infrastructure that future pharaohs would continue to build on for centuries.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities:
“Mr. Sharif Fathi, Minister of Tourism and Archaeology, pointed out that this revelation is a concrete embodiment of the ancient Egyptian genius in building an integrated defense system to protect the land of Egypt, narrates new chapters of our ancient military history, and reinforces Sinai’s position as a land of unique civilizations throughout the ages.”
Although many artifacts have already been unearthed, archaeologists plan to continue excavations to locate the fortress’s remaining walls. They also hope to find clues that will help them gain a deeper understanding of how Ancient Egypt became one of the most powerful civilizations in history.
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