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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered the remains of what they believe was a large 3,400-year-old town dating to the New Kingdom.
Why It Matters
The discovery sheds new light on a lesser-known region of Egypt, offering insight into the daily life and reach of royal influence beyond the Nile Valley., especially involving some of Ancient Egypt's iconic figures whose legacy still fascinates global audiences.
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What To Know
During an excavation at a site believed to date back to the Greek-era near Alexandria, archaeologists uncovered a stunning surprise: the remains of a 3,400-year-old Egyptian mudbrick town that may have once housed soldiers, priests—and winemakers.
A wine jar stamped with the name of Merytaton—daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, and sister of the famous boy king Tutankhamun—was among the finds, Live Science reported.
The discovery, indicating royal activity in the area during Egypt's New Kingdom (c. 1550–1069 B.C.), was first reported by archaeology journal Antiquity. Excavators found reused stone fragments, including a slab bearing markings for Seti II, blocks from a temple constructed by Ramses II, and remnants of private chapels from the same period.
The town at Kom el-Nugus, between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariout, is believed to have held military and religious significance, potentially representing the earliest known Egyptian settlement in this northern region.
Tutankhamun, the boy king whose tomb captured global attention, came from one of Egypt's most discussed dynasties. His father Akhenaten upended traditional religion and his mother Nefertiti became a symbol of royal power.
Seti II, mentioned in the recovered fragments, ruled during the 19th Dynasty (c. 1292–1189 B.C.), a time that also included powerful pharaohs such as Ramesses II.
Experts had previously believed the site was uninhabited until the Greeks settled there around 332 B.C. The new findings, uncovered by a French archaeological mission at Plinthine, are prompting a re-evaluation of northern Egypt's timeline.
What People Are Saying
Sylvain Dhennin, study author and archaeologist with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) told Live Science: "The presence of this stamp probably indicates the production of wine belonging to a royal estate. 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."
What Happens Next
Excavations are ongoing to determine the settlement's size, origins, and its original ancient Egyptian name.
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