CAIRO, EGYPT—Ahram Online reports that a fortified royal retreat has been uncovered at the Tel Hebwa site, which is located in North Sinai. Mohamed Ismail Khaled of the Supreme Council of Antiquities said that the mudbrick structure was likely used during the 18th Dynasty reign of Thutmose III (ca. 1479–1425 B.C.). The structure’s entrance, located on its northern side, led to a large hall with three columns, added Hisham Hussein of Sinai Antiquities. This room connected to a smaller hall with entrances flanked by columns. The thresholds of entrances to these rooms were also uncovered, along with the thresholds for small rooms that had been built adjacent to the main house. Hussein explained that the site was later used as a cemetery from about 1070 to 713 B.C. To read about a memorial to an official under Thutmose III, go to "Egypt's Immigrant Elite."
