The Egyptian archaeological mission working at the Tell El-Kharouba site in Sheikh Zuweid, North Sinai, has uncovered a large military fortress dating back to the New Kingdom. This remarkable discovery marks one of the largest and most significant fortresses ever found along the ancient Horus Military Road, located near the Mediterranean coast.
This new archaeological find sheds light on the sophisticated military planning of the New Kingdom rulers, who built a series of fortresses and defensive structures to protect Egypt’s eastern borders and secure one of its most strategic routes connecting ancient Egypt with Palestine.
Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, described the discovery as a vivid testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians in establishing a comprehensive defensive system to safeguard Egypt’s territory. He emphasized that the find reveals new chapters in Egypt’s long military history and further enhances Sinai’s status as a land rich with unique cultural and historical heritage.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that uncovering this massive fortress represents an important step toward reconstructing the full picture of Egypt’s defensive network along its eastern frontier during the New Kingdom. He added that each newly discovered fortress provides deeper insight into the ancient Egyptian military organization, underscoring that the greatness of Egyptian civilization extended beyond temples and tombs—it was also a civilization of strong institutions capable of protecting its land and borders.
Excavations revealed part of the southern wall of the fortress, measuring approximately 105 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width, featuring a secondary entrance about 2.2 meters wide. Eleven defensive towers have been uncovered so far, along with the northwestern tower and portions of the northern and western walls. The mission faced considerable challenges due to shifting sand dunes covering large parts of the site.
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Badi, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, explained that the team also discovered a zigzag wall about 75 meters long on the western side of the fortress, dividing it from north to south and enclosing a residential area designated for soldiers. This architectural design, typical of the New Kingdom, demonstrates the ancient Egyptians’ remarkable ability to adapt to harsh desert conditions.
Findings included fragments of various pottery vessels, foundation deposits beneath one of the towers dating to the early 18th Dynasty, and a jar handle stamped with the name of King Thutmose I. The mission also found quantities of volcanic stones believed to have been transported by sea from volcanic islands in Greece, as well as a large bread oven with remnants of petrified dough, indicating that the fortress served as a self-sufficient military settlement.
Dr. Hesham Hussein, Head of the Central Administration for Lower Egypt Antiquities, noted that initial studies show the fortress underwent several phases of restoration and modification throughout its history, including multiple changes to the southern gate. The mission aims to continue excavations to uncover the remaining parts of the walls and associated structures, with hopes of locating the nearby military harbor that once served the fortress.
Covering an area of approximately 8,000 square meters—three times larger than the fortress discovered at the same site in the 1980s, located about 700 meters southwest—the newly found fortress adds a significant chapter to Egypt’s chain of military strongholds along the Horus Military Road. Other notable fortresses along this route include Tell Heboua, Tell El-Borg, and Tell El-Abyad, all dating to the New Kingdom era.
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