Archaeologists unearth ancient Egyptian military barracks and artifacts at Tell Al-Abqain

An Egyptian archaeological mission, led by Dr. Ahmed Said El-Kharadly of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has discovered a series of mudbrick architectural units, including military barracks for soldiers and storage rooms for weapons, food, and provisions from the New Kingdom era.

According to Report, which cites foreign media, these findings were made during ongoing excavations at the site of Tell Al-Abqain, in the Hosh Issa district of the Beheira Governorate.

In addition to the barracks, numerous artifacts and personal belongings of the soldiers were unearthed. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the importance of this discovery, as it confirms the historical and archaeological significance of the Abqain Fort.

This fort served as one of the key military posts of the ancient Egyptian army along the western military road, protecting Egypt’s northwestern borders from invasions by Libyan tribes and the Sea Peoples.

Khaled noted that the architectural units are meticulously designed, divided into two identical groups separated by a narrow passage. This regular design demonstrates the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian engineers in adapting their environment to serve various practical purposes.

Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that preliminary studies of the discovered artifacts suggest that some of the architectural units were used as warehouses to provide daily provisions to the soldiers.

Inside these warehouses, large individual granaries were found, along with sizable ceramic storage jars containing remains of fish bones, animal bones, and fragments of broken pottery. Cylindrical ceramic ovens used for cooking were also discovered at the site.

Among the findings, the mission discovered a long bronze sword decorated with the cartouche of Ramesses II (of which the ministry has not provided images at the time of writing this article). Other artifacts provide insight into the daily life, religious beliefs, and military activities of the fort’s occupants.

These include weapons used in battle, hunting tools, personal ornaments, and hygiene items such as ivory kohl applicators, carnelian and faience beads, scarabs, and protective amulets.

One of the most notable discoveries is the burial of a cow, symbolizing strength, abundance, and prosperity, as cows were revered as celestial deities.

Additionally, two limestone blocks were found, one inscribed with hieroglyphs detailing the titles of King Ramses II, and the other belonging to an official named Bay.

Other findings include a faience scarab engraved with the inscription Amun – Lord of the Sky crowned by a lotus flower, another scarab with the image of the deity Ptah, half of a bronze ring inscribed with the inscription Amun Horakhty, and two necklaces made of faience and carnelian in the shape of pomegranate flowers.