Archaeological Discoveries Unveil a 2000-Year-Old Tree-Lined Pathway to Ancient Egyptian Fortress in Sinai

Archaeologists associated with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities have uncovered new insights into the architecture and roles of a fortress located in the Sinai desert. This fortress, situated at the Tell Abu Saifi site, underwent various reconstructions and adaptations over many years. Recent discoveries indicate that approximately 2000 years ago, a meticulously planned landscape featuring 500 trees led to its entrance. These trees were likely arranged in clay-bordered circles flanking a roadway. The fortress was operational during the reign of Ptolemy I, an officer under Alexander the Great, and his heirs.

Tree Planting, Moats, and Defense

The recent discoveries reported by Sky News Arabia reveal that the fortress was encircled by a moat exceeding 6.6 feet (2 meters) in depth. This moat would have provided a strategic advantage for soldiers defending the structure. Throughout history, the Ptolemaic dynasty encountered various foes, such as the Seleucid Empire, the Roman Republic, and insurrectionists in Egypt.

According to Elizabeth Macaulay, a classics professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center, clay circles may have been utilized for tree planting during the Ptolemaic era, as noted in an email to Live Science. Supporting evidence from papyrus documents and archaeology indicates extensive cultivation of plants. Discovering tree roots could validate that these circles were indeed used for planting and assist in identifying the species of trees.

Additional Discoveries

Among other discoveries are living quarters for soldiers and possibly their families. Moreover, a roadway measuring 328 feet (100 m) in length and 36 feet (11 m) in width, paved with limestone slabs, was also found. This road likely facilitated military movements to the fortress. Archaeologists also uncovered four corners of a structure that might date back to an earlier period. It is conceivable that this structure served as another fortress, but the team has yet to determine its age or confirm its intended use.