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Ancient water reservoirs discovered at Red Sea's Port of Aydhab site near Egypt-Sudan border

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Ancient water reservoirs and service facilities have been discovered at the medieval Port of Aydhab on Egypt's Red Sea coast.
  • The reservoirs, constructed from sandstone and coral and sealed with limestone, highlight advanced infrastructure for managing water.
  • Artifacts including Fatimid-era pottery and Chinese porcelain indicate the port's historical significance as a hub for trade and pilgrims.

A collection of ancient water reservoirs and service facilities has been unearthed at the medieval Port of Aydhab, located on the west coast of the Red Sea near the Egypt-Sudan border. The Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced the discovery in late May. Aydhab, situated in the Halayeb region, was historically one of Egypt's most prominent ports.

These structures pointed to the existence of an “integrated system to manage the port and meet the needs of pilgrims and merchants who have come to it for centuries.”

— Dr. Zia ZahranDr. Zahran explained the function of the discovered structures at the Port of Aydhab.

One of the main reservoirs measures approximately 15.10 meters long, 3.15 meters wide, and 3 meters high. Constructed from sandstone and local coral, it was sealed with limestone to prevent leakage, a technique also employed at other reservoirs found at the site. Dr. Zia Zahran, head of Egypt’s Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Archaeological Sector, noted that these structures were part of an "integrated system to manage the port and meet the needs of pilgrims and merchants."

Archaeological surveys also revealed foundations of nearby residential buildings, watchtowers, and service facilities. The discovery of pottery fragments dating to the Fatimid Caliphate (10th to 12th centuries CE) and shards of imported Chinese porcelain underscores the ancient port's role as a significant center of international trade. Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy emphasized that the findings demonstrate the advanced infrastructure of ancient Egyptian ports, crucial for trade and serving pilgrims.

and what they enjoyed from an advanced infrastructure for the service of the trade movement and pilgrims.

— Sherif FathyEgyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy commented on the significance of the discovery for understanding ancient Egyptian ports.

This discovery comes alongside other recent finds in Egypt, including artifacts from the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman eras unearthed at Ihnasya Al Madinah. These discoveries, including a cartouche bearing the name of Pharaoh Senusret III, highlight Egypt's rich historical and cultural heritage, particularly in its border and remote regions, which the ministry is increasingly focusing on excavating and studying.

great historical and cultural importance.

— Sherif FathyMinister Fathy described the importance of excavations in border and remote areas.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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