Preliminary scientific studies indicate that the building discovered dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1481-1425 BC) and may have been used as a lodge or royal palace.
According to a reporter in Cairo, on April 25, an Egyptian archaeological delegation uncovered the ruins of a mud-brick building at the archaeological site of Tell Habua (Tharo) in North Sinai province, which was utilized as a lodge or royal palace, located at the eastern gateway of ancient Egypt during the 18th Dynasty.
Ruins of an ancient royal lodge in North Sinai, Egypt. (Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities).
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, stated that preliminary scientific research suggests the building dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1481-1425 BC) and may have served as a lodge or royal palace due to its architectural design, as well as some rare ceramics unearthed at the site.
According to Khaled, this discovery is part of a larger excavation project aimed at developing and restoring archaeological sites in North Sinai, located in northeastern Egypt. It also highlights the role of the Sinai Peninsula in the military strategy and trade routes of ancient Egypt.
Archaeologists further revealed that the king may have resided in this building during military campaigns to expand the ancient Egyptian empire eastward.
This discovery sheds additional light on Egypt’s military history during the New Kingdom period, particularly in the Sinai region.
The Director-General of the Sinai Antiquities Authority and head of the excavation team, Dr. Hisham Hussein, noted that the structure features two main rectangular halls connected by a series of adjacent rooms.
These architectural elements highlight the strategic design and typical functions of royal military outposts.
The Director of the North Sinai Antiquities Authority, Ramadan Helmy, assessed that the royal lodge is surrounded by a wall with a main gate facing east. This indicates the long-term strategic importance of this structure.
