An Egyptian archaeological mission unearthed the remains of a fortified mud-brick royal rest house at Tel Hebwa (Tharu) site in North Sinai early this week during archaeological excavations, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced Thursday 26/4/2024.

The discovery offers valuable insights into ancient Egyptian history.

Preliminary studies suggest that the findings likely originate from the New Kingdom era during the reign of 18th Dynasty King Thutmose III, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said.

The architectural layout and scarcity of pottery shards found within the rest house indicate it was likely used as a royal retreat, Khaled pointed out.

“This discovery is pivotal,” emphasized Khaled, “as it illuminates crucial aspects of Egypt’s military history, particularly in the Sinai region, during the New Kingdom era.”

He asserted that work will continue to reveal more of these remains.

The rest house comprises two interconnected recta
ngular halls with additional rooms, Hisham Hussein, General Director of Sinai Antiquities and head of the archaeological mission, pointed out.

The main entrance, located centrally on the northern side, leads to a larger hall adorned with three limestone column bases, Hussein added.

Connecting to this is a smaller hall with east and west entrances, flanked by two-metre diameter limestone column bases, Hussein noted.

Stone thresholds of these entrances were among the uncovered artefacts, he continued.

Furthermore, the mission uncovered stone thresholds of room entrances and a cluster of small rooms adjacent to the rest house, extending eastward.

‘Significantly, the site served as a cemetery (Hebwa 2) during the Third Intermediate Period, housing locally made amphorae used in child burials from the 21st to the 25th Dynasties,’ the statement quoted Hussein as saying.

Source: State Information Service Egypt