Archaeologists have uncovered breathtaking findings regarding an ancient Egyptian fort in the Sinai Desert north of Egypt, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the industrial and military activity that once thrived there over 2,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations at Tell Abu Saifi, Egypt’s long-time “Fortress of the East,” have revealed a sophisticated system of fortifications, a tree-lined limestone road, soldiers’ quarters, large lime kilns, and the possible remnants of a much older fort.

This section reveals parts of the ancient fortress currently being excavated by archaeologists in Egypt’s Sinai Desert. Credit: PH๏τo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The archaeological mission, conducted by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, has focused on the site of two primary fortresses—one from the Ptolemaic period (circa 332–30 BCE) and the other from the Roman period (30 BCE–395 CE). Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sharif Fathi, said that the finds reveal the industrial and strategic importance of Tell Abu Saifi during various historical periods.

One of the most striking discoveries is a broad limestone-paved road, approximately 328 feet (100 meters) long and 36 feet (11 meters) wide, that led from the Roman fortress’s eastern gate deep into the heart of the site. According to archaeologists, this road was built atop an earlier Ptolemaic road and lined on both sides by over 500 planting circles. These circular structures likely held trees, so soldiers and commanders once pᴀssed along a shaded avenue as they approached the fortress—a rare architectural flourish in the Sinai Desert landscape.

According to archaeologists, planting circles surrounding the entrance road indicate that hundreds of trees had once been planted at the site. Credit: PH๏τo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Defensive features of the fortress include a deep trench, or moat, more than 6.6 feet (2 meters) deep, aimed at deterring attackers. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the trench could be temporarily disabled when required, suggesting an elaborate defensive strategy.

Accommodation for soldiers, and even for their families, was also discovered, giving a rare glimpse of everyday life in the fortress. These buildings, situated in layered patterns, seem to have been occupied over extended periods, especially during the reigns of Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian.

An overview of the sites at the “Fortress of the East” in the Sinai Desert. Credit: PH๏τo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The site also bears evidence of large-scale industrial activity. Four large lime kilns, used to make quicklime, indicate the fortress’s transformation into an industrial center in the late Roman era. This industrialization probably resulted in the gradual destruction of some of the original stone structures, the excavation team believes.

Most intriguingly, perhaps, the archaeologists discovered four corners of a building thought to be older than both known fortresses. This has led researchers to hypothesize that there was a third, older fortress.

Defensive features of the fortress include a deep trench, or moat, more than 6.6 feet (2 meters) deep. Credit: PH๏τo courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Greater strategic significance at Tell Abu Saifi may also be linked to shifting geography within Egypt. As the Nile River’s course shifted and the coastal site of Tell Hebua declined, Tell Abu Saifi became an increasingly significant site to defend Egypt’s eastern frontier.

The recent finds at Tell Abu Saifi not only validate the site’s historical military importance but also suggest a dynamic settlement that evolved to meet Egypt’s shifting political and environmental landscape.

Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities