Quote from Alex bobby on April 22, 2025, 5:32 AM

Ancient Egyptian Town Dating Back 3,400 Years Unearthed Near Alexandria: A Landmark Discovery of the New Kingdom Era

A newly discovered archaeological site near Egypt’s north-western Nile Delta has revealed the remains of a 3,400-year-old settlement, shedding new light on Egypt’s New Kingdom era and altering long-held beliefs about the country’s ancient western frontier. Unearthed by a team of French archaeologists near modern-day Alexandria, the settlement — Kom el-Nugus — dates back to the 18th Dynasty (circa 1550–1292 BCE), a golden era in Egyptian history marked by wealth, innovation, and sweeping religious changes.

This discovery, detailed in the journal Antiquity, is being hailed as one of the most important archaeological breakthroughs in recent years, not only for its age and condition but also for the remarkable artefact’s it has yielded — including links to Pharaoh Ramesses II, Seti II, and the royal family of the heretic king Akhenaten.

A Settlement Hidden in Plain Sight

Kom el-Nugus is located roughly 27 miles west of Alexandria, between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariout, on a rocky outcrop that had previously been assumed to contain only Hellenistic remains from the time of Alexander the Great's conquest in 332 BCE.

However, excavations that began in 2013 have finally revealed the true age of the site. “The discovery of New Kingdom remains at the site was a great surprise,” said Sylvain Dhennin, lead archaeologist from the University of Lyon and CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). “This discovery completely revises the history of Egypt’s western frontier in the New Kingdom.”

Until now, historians believed this coastal region was not settled until much later. But Kom el-Nugus tells a different story — one that points to royal influence, military presence, and economic activity centuries earlier than previously thought.

Royal Names and Ancient Branding

One of the most intriguing finds from the site is a collection of amphora jar fragments stamped with the name Merytaton, the eldest daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, and sister or half-sister to Tutankhamun. The markings suggest the site may have been home to a wine production facility operated under royal authority.

“The presence of this stamp probably indicates the production of wine belonging to a royal estate,” Dhennin told Live Science. “The vineyards on the margins of Egypt were probably protected by the military and formed part of a pioneering front to occupy this region towards the desert.”

If true, this would imply a form of ancient branding — a royal endorsement of products tied directly to the pharaoh’s household, thousands of years before the modern concept of marketing.

A Temple for the Great Ramesses II?

Perhaps even more compelling is the discovery of architectural fragments linked to a temple honouring Ramesses II, one of Egypt’s most famous rulers. Often speculated to be the pharaoh off the biblical Exodus, Ramesses II ruled during the 19th Dynasty (1279–1213 BCE) and was known for his ambitious building projects and military campaigns.

Also uncovered were parts of a stele bearing the cartouches of Pharaoh Seti II (r. 1203–1197 BCE), further reinforcing the idea that this site played an important role during the New Kingdom. The existence of a meticulously constructed street, cleverly engineered to slope and drain rainwater, also indicates the settlement was sophisticated and possibly expansive.

A Landmark Year for Egyptology

This latest discovery comes on the heels of several other major finds in Egypt. Just days after the Kom el-Nugus announcement, the same archaeological team reported that they may have identified a second tomb belonging to Pharaoh Thutmose II, located 23 meters below a carefully disguised mound of rubble near Luxor. If confirmed, this could be the most significant royal tomb discovery since Tutankhamun’s in 1922.

Earlier this year, a French-Swiss archaeological team also uncovered the tomb of Tetinebefou, a high-ranking wizard-doctor who served during the reign of King Pepi II (circa 2305–2118 BCE). His tomb, adorned with inscriptions and intricate carvings, provides new insight into Egypt’s medical practices and the powerful status of temple physicians.

Rewriting the Map of Ancient Egypt

The discovery of Kom el-Nugus forces historians and Egyptologists to re-examine long-standing assumptions about ancient Egypt’s reach and influence. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, called it “one of the most significant archeological breakthroughs in recent years.”

With each artefact and newly uncovered structure, the ancient settlement paints a more detailed picture of how Egypt’s rulers expanded their territory, established royal estates, and interacted with the desert frontier. Whether as a wine-producing hub, a military outpost, or a royal temple site, Kom el-Nugus is poised to become one of the most important archaeological sites of the decade.

And for historians, archaeologists, and enthusiasts alike, the sands of Egypt continue to whisper secrets — many of which, as this year has shown, are only just beginning to be heard.