Massive 3,000-year-old military fortress discovered in Egypt, photos show
For centuries, an ancient fortress lay buried beneath Egypt’s shifting sand dunes. But now, the historic site has been brought to light by archaeologists, who traced its origins to the era of King Tutankhamun.
The sprawling citadel — complete with towers, walls and barracks — was discovered at the Tel el-Kharouba archaeological site in the Sinai Peninsula, according to an Oct. 11 news release from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
It was found along the Horus War Road, a chain of strongholds in Sinai that served as a military and commercial artery connecting Egypt with Palestine.
The fortress was erected during the New Kingdom, which spanned from 1550 to 1070 B.C., making it at least 3,000 years old. Pharaohs in this period, considered to be the golden age of ancient Egypt, included Tutankhamun, Ramesses II and Hatshepsut.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized that this discovery confirms Egyptian pharaohs went beyond constructing temples and tombs — they also built formidable fortifications to protect their borders.
The complex covers roughly 86,000 square feet and features extensive walls, which measure about 8 feet in thickness. Eleven towers have also been uncovered.
Additionally, a zigzagging wall — spanning about 250 feet — was found near a residential area designated for soldiers. This distinctive architectural style showcases the ancient Egyptians’ ingenuity in adapting to harsh environments, officials said.
Initial examinations of the ruins reveal that the site experienced several distinct stages of construction and growth.
In addition to the fortress itself, a number of artifacts were also unearthed, including pottery shards adorned with bright colors. One vessel fragment was found inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Thutmose I, who reigned from 1493 to 1482 B.C.
Archaeologists discovered a sizable oven used for baking bread, complete with traces of ancient, fossilized dough, confirming the site was a center of daily life for soldiers.
Further, volcanic stones were uncovered, believed to have been transported over long distances, likely from Greek islands.
Archaeologists are still working on the excavation — complicated by large sand dunes — and they expect to uncover a military port nearby that would have serviced the region.
Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 10:09 AM with the headline "Massive 3,000-year-old military fortress discovered in Egypt, photos show."