Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Egyptian settlement beneath Hellenistic ruins in the north-western Nile delta that may be as many as 3500 years old. The find provides new evidence of Egyptian expansion during the New Kingdom, a thriving period that lasted from 1550 to 1069 BC.
鈥淭hese periods are well-known for being very rich,鈥� says at the University of Lyon, France, a member of the team that made the discovery. Some of the most powerful and notable pharaohs, including Akhenaten, Tutankhamun and Ramesses II, lived at this time.
The site, called Kom el-Nugus, is located on a rock ridge sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariout, close to the modern city of Alexandria. Until now, it was known as a Hellenistic settlement occupied by Greeks from 332 to 31 BC sometime after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt.
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鈥淭he discovery of New Kingdom remains at the site was a great surprise,鈥� says Dhennin. 鈥淭his discovery completely revises the history of Egypt鈥檚 western frontier in the New Kingdom.鈥�
Excavations revealed a temple, various artefacts and several mud-brick buildings. The team even found a grape crusher, suggesting the area might have been involved in wine production.
An amphora unearthed at the site bears the name of Meritaten, the daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, which suggests the site was founded as early as the 18th dynasty, between 1550 and 1292 BC.
The most exciting discovery, says Dhennin, is probably a series of blocks etched with hieroglyphics that were part of a temple dedicated to Ramesses II.
Ramesses II was one of the most powerful pharaohs of the New Kingdom, reigning from 1279 to 1213 BC. He was instrumental in fighting off invasions from Libya, which may have been why some of the western settlements were established.
鈥淔rom an area thought to have been unoccupied, the image of a region where power was heavily involved emerges, enabling us to better understand the economic and territorial issues at stake in the New Kingdom,鈥� says Dhennin.
Based on the information reported so far, we cannot be certain about the dates the settlement was occupied, says at the University of Cambridge. 鈥淐ontinuing excavations will hopefully provide more details regarding the establishment of this settlement and its occupation phases,鈥� he says.
鈥淭he scientific potential of this site is far from being fully explored,鈥� says Dhennin. 鈥淔urther work will take place this spring.鈥�
Antiquity
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Egypt鈥檚 two most iconic cities, Cairo and Alexandria, where ancient history meets modern charm.
Scientific pioneers of the ancient world, Cairo and Alexandria: Egypt
