BEHEIRA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT—Ahram Online reports that archaeologist Ahmed Said El-Kharadly of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and his colleagues are excavating the military site of Tell Al-Abqain, which is located near the coast of northern Egypt. They have uncovered mudbrick barracks structures dated to the New Kingdom period, between about 1550 and 1070 B.C. “It is an important discovery highlighting the strategic role of [the] Tell Al-Abqain area as a crucial military outpost on the Western military road, protecting Egypt’s northwestern borders from potential invasions by Libyan tribes and Sea Peoples,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the SCA. The well-designed structures would have housed soldiers and stored weapons and provisions, he explained. The titles of Ramesses II (reigned ca. 1279–1213 b.c.) were found engraved on one limestone block, and the titles of an official named “Bay” were found on another. Fish and animal bones were found in some of the pottery vessels. A bronze sword engraved with the cartouche of Ramesses II was one of the weapons recovered at the site. Personal objects such as tools, jewelry, scarabs, kohl applicators made of ivory, carnelian and faience beads, and protective amulets were also uncovered. The remains of an intact cow that had been buried at the fort is thought to have symbolized strength, abundance, and prosperity, added Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at SCA. To read about the burial of Ramesses' economic minister, go to "The Treasurer's Tomb."
