Ptolemaic ship repair workshop uncovered in Sinai

Excavations carried out by an Egyptian mission at the Tel Abu Seify archaeological site in Northern Sinai uncovered the remains of a limestone building that was once a workshop for the construction and repair of boats and vessels during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The site is said to have been the location of the Roman fortress of Silla.

Credit: Egypt. Ministry of Antiquities

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the workshop includes two dry dockyards where ships were built or repaired.

Credit: Egypt. Ministry of Antiquities

But regretfully, along the span of time as the workshop lost its function, after the Nile branch passing across the area dried up, some blocks of the workshop were removed to be used in the construction of other buildings.

Credit: Egypt. Ministry of Antiquities

Remains of wooden beams, shipwrecks, bronze and iron nails of different sizes, fish bones and clay pots were found inside the workshop.

Author: Nevine El-Aref | Source: Ahram Online [February 13, 2019]