On Thursday, Egyptian archaeologists made a significant discovery at the archaeological site of Tell Habua (Tharo) in North Sinai, unearthing the remains of what appears to be a royal resthouse or palace dating back to the era of Pharaoh Thutmose III of the Eighteenth Dynasty during Egypt's New Kingdom period.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced that the findings were made at the Tell Habua (Tharo) site, located near the historic eastern gateway to Egypt. This discovery was part of a larger excavation project aimed at exploring Sinai's role in ancient Egypt’s military strategies and trade routes.
The structure, described in detail by Dr. Hisham Hussein, General Director of Sinai Antiquities and leader of the excavation team, featured two main rectangular halls connected by a series of rooms. The primary entrance, situated on the north side of the building, leads into the first hall, marked by three limestone column bases. This area transitions into a smaller hall, which then branches out into two rooms positioned to the east and west. These architectural elements highlight the strategic and functional design typical of royal military outposts.
Further explorations revealed stone thresholds at both the main and interior entrances, underscoring the meticulous construction techniques of the time. The team also found smaller external rooms on the eastern side of the structure, suggesting the building's expansive layout.
Based on pottery analysis and stratigraphy outside the building, coupled with the discovery of a scarab inscribed with King Thutmose III’s name, the site is believed to have served as a royal stopover during his expansive military campaigns to the east. Ramadan Helmy, Director of North Sinai Antiquities and head of the mission, noted that the resthouse was later fortified with an enclosing wall featuring an eastern-facing main gate, indicating its enduring strategic importance.
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