Remains of a military fortress discovered in Egypt's Al-Beheira

The Egyptian Archaeological Mission working in Abqa'in in the center of Hush Issa, Al-Beheira Governorate was able to trace the remains of two architectural units attached to a military fortress used as stores.

Credit: Egypt. Dept. of Antiquities

The mission was also able to discover a residential building from the era of King Ramses II during the mission's work in the north-west corner of the military fortress.

Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector Ayman Ashmawy stated that the two discovered units are complete and each is surrounded by the remains of a square-shaped brick wall, separated by a rectangular courtyard consisting of a controller room for silos and another for guards. Ashmawi added that the two discovered units are stores and silos that are round and come in the shape of a beehive.

Credit: Egypt. Dept. of Antiquities

During the cleaning work, animal and fish bones were found inside, indicating that these silos were also used to store foodstuff.

Head of the Central Department of Antiquities in the Nile Delta area Nadia Khadr added that a set of pottery kilns was also found which indicates that ancient Egyptian were guided to the idea of roasting grain to cleanse insects and rid them of moisture and the impact of heat, before storing grains in silos. The mission also found a collection of pottery vessels.

Credit: Egypt. Dept. of Antiquities

Director General of Al-Beheira province antiquities Khaled Abdul Ghani Farhat stated that during previous excavations, the mission revealed the external walls of the castle with its pillars and towers attached to it and the southern gate with the internal and external reinforcement as well as the protective courtyard in front of the gate that was used to deceive enemies with its western entrance.

Author: Mustafa Marie | Source: Egypt Today [June 11, 2019]