Photography by Alaa Salah
The Egyptian archaeological mission operating at Tell El-Koua in Wadi Tumilat, Ismailia Governorate, has uncovered a collection of tombs, a residential area, kilns, and silos dating back to the Second Intermediate Period.
Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating that it provides a clearer picture of settlement dynamics in the eastern Nile Delta during this era. He described the site as an integrated community comprising residential quarters, storage areas, production facilities, and burial grounds, while praising the dedication of both Egyptian and foreign archaeological missions in uncovering the secrets of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the discovery underscores the historical prominence of Tell El-Koua as a key site along the Wadi Tumilat axis, which served as one of the most vital communication and trade routes linking the eastern Delta to Egypt’s eastern borders. Furthermore, the find enhances the understanding of the transition from the Second Intermediate Period to the early New Kingdom by facilitating the study of demographic continuity, commercial movement, and social transformations.
Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the mission uncovered ten mud-brick tombs of varying sizes and orientations. Among these are rectangular tombs resembling mastabas, while others feature distinct architectural facades and decorations, all dating back to the 15th Dynasty of the Second Intermediate Period.
Additionally, a residential sector measuring approximately 30 × 60 meters was unearthed. Enclosed by a 1.5-meter-wide mud-brick wall, the area consists of structured architectural units, including halls and rooms of diverse dimensions. A variety of kilns and storage silos were also found situated to the east of this residential complex.
For his part, Dr. Hisham Hussein, Head of the Central Administration of Lower Egypt Antiquities, revealed that the excavations yielded a rich collection of artifacts. These include scarabs, bronze tools, pottery vessels, alabaster kohl pots, and juglets featuring the distinctive "Tell el-Yahudiyeh" style, which characterizes the Second Intermediate Period. Skeletal remains were also recovered, with preliminary studies indicating diverse burial positions across various age groups, primarily ranging between 25 and 40 years old. Large quantities of animal bones, linked to both daily consumption and funerary offerings, were also documented.
In a first for the site, human burials were discovered outside the constructed mud-brick tombs. Some individuals were placed in a crouched (flexed) position—an unusual burial pattern that warrants further specialized research. Analysis of the excavated pottery indicates intense daily usage, dominated by tableware, followed by cooking vessels.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mostafa Hassan, Director of Ismailia Antiquities and Head of the Archaeological Mission, stated that archaeological evidence suggests the site remained active until the mid-18th Dynasty. This underscores settlement continuity during the transitional phase from Hyksos rule to the New Kingdom. Some pottery vessels bear production marks and stamps, pointing to extensive trade networks and suggesting that the site may have operated as a key distribution hub or commercial transit point.
Tell El-Koua is situated on the southern edge of the historic Wadi Tumilat in the New Kassassin district of Ismailia Governorate, and stands as one of the most significant Second Intermediate Period sites in the eastern Delta. Spanning an area of approximately 55 acres, previous and ongoing excavations at the tell have continuously brought to light numerous architectural units and tombs from this pivotal era of ancient Egyptian history.
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