Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed the remains of a 3,200-year-old military camp containing a wealth of artifacts, including a long sword inscribed with hieroglyphs mentioning Ramesses II, the pharaoh of ancient Egypt.
This structure features a series of storage rooms used for grain and baking ovens. The research team also discovered remnants of pottery containing animal bones, including fish. Numerous cattle burials were also excavated at this site, according to Ahmed El Kharadly, an archaeologist from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, who is leading the excavation.
The long sword inscribed with hieroglyphs referring to Ramesses II. It was likely awarded to a high-ranking officer. (Photo: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt).
Cattle Symbolizing Strength, Prosperity, and Wealth
Cattle in ancient Egypt symbolized “strength, prosperity, and wealth, as they were revered like gods in the sky”, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities stated. However, El Kharadly suggested that in this case, the cattle would have been used for consumption. He noted that cattle bones were found in a silo area near the ovens, “confirming that they may have been divided into portions and then stored in the silo after being dried,” El Kharadly explained.
Additionally, archaeologists discovered weapons, including a bronze sword engraved with the name of King Ramesses II (who reigned circa 1279 to 1213 BC). The sword was found in a small room within the camp, near an area where enemies might have attempted to infiltrate, indicating that this sword was used for combat rather than merely for display, El Kharadly noted.
The Bronze Sword: A Symbol of the King’s Generosity
The ancient Egyptians established the military camp along a military road in the northwestern Nile Delta. Its location allowed the army to confront groups entering the Nile Delta from the western desert or the Mediterranean Sea, the statement indicated.
“This is an important discovery for understanding the strategy and especially the logistics of the Egyptian army during the time of Ramesses II”, said Peter Brand, a history professor and director of the Karnak Great Hypostyle Hall Project at the University of Memphis in Tennessee. Other military sites built by Ramesses II, such as forts, have been found in northwestern Egypt, but they are not as well-preserved as this one, Brand, who was not involved in the excavation, noted.
“The weapons demonstrate that this site was well-equipped and could even produce some weapons on-site,” Brand stated. The bronze sword was likely given to a high-ranking officer as a royal reward. The king’s name and titles inscribed on it enhanced the prestige of the owner and showcased the wealth, power, and generosity of the king.
