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Archeologists Discover Egyptian Pharaoh's Fortified Royal Retreat Used for Military Campaigns

Researchers detected a hieroglyphic inscription at the site, the details of which made them assume that the site was in use as a royal retreat during Thutmose III's rule.

BY SOMDATTA MAITY

UPDATED 5 DAYS AGO

Statue of Thutmose III (Cover Image Source: Wikimedia Commons| Photo by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE)

Egyptian royals lived a life to envy in ancient times, proof of which has now been unearthed by archaeologists. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA) revealed that researchers recently found a mud-brick rest house at the archeological site of Tel Hebwa in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, Newsweek reported. According to MTA's estimation, the structure in Egypt was used by past royal Pharaohs as a retreat.

Dusting Pottery at Archaeological Site - stock photo (Image Source: Getty Images/Photo by Richard T. Nowitz) — Dusting Pottery at Archaeological Site (Image Source: Getty Images/Photo by Richard T. Nowitz)

Mohamed Ismail Khaled of the Supreme Council of Antiquities claimed that the mud-brick resthouse likely functioned as a royal retreat during the 18th Dynasty reign of Thutmose III (ca. 1479–1425 B.C.), Archaeology Magazine reported. Later from 1070 to 713 B.C. the structure was used as a cemetery, according to researchers.

Researchers believe that the place was used as a royal retreat because of its layout and the lack of pottery shards in the area, Newsweek reported. Experts believe that there is a possibility that the pharaoh of the particular time himself frequented the place during his military campaigns to expand the Egyptian empire to the east.

Researchers detected a hieroglyphic inscription at the site, the details of which made them assume that the site was in use as a royal retreat during Thutmose III's rule, Live Science reported. Anthony Spalinger, a professor emeritus of classics and ancient history at the University of Auckland in New Zealand isn't completely sure about the assertion. He claimed that various features related to the structure do not go with the design popular from 1479 to 1425 B.C.

Pharaoh Thutmose III Egyptian Statue Bust in the British Museum—considered by some to be the pharaoh of the biblical exodus. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Photo by Nate Loper)

Spalinger specifically pointed out the stratigraphy around the resthouse and the cartouche at the site, both of which became popular later, Live Science reported. The professor, who wasn't involved with the project, wants more research to be done in the area before arriving at any conclusion about its origins.

Archeologists found that the structure's entrance was on the building's northern side, leading to a large hall with three columns, Archaeology Magazine reported. The hall was further joined to a small room with entrances flanked by columns. For examination, the thresholds of the room as well as the hall were uncovered.

Researchers consider the discovery to be pivotal because it reveals more aspects about the Egyptian military and society during the ancient times, Newsweek reported. "This discovery is pivotal as it illuminates crucial aspects of Egypt's military history, particularly in the Sinai region, during the New Kingdom era," Khaled said. Experts also found several burials at the site leading to their speculation that the place was later used as a cemetery.