A forgotten road from more than 2,000 years ago leads to an even older discovery in Sinai

In the remote desert north of Egypt’s iconic Mount Sinai, archaeologists have uncovered a forgotten stone path that dates back more than 2,000 years—and it leads straight to a fortress whose roots stretch even further into the past.

Far from the bustling streets of Cairo, this remarkable find has emerged from the sands surrounding Tell Abu Sifi, a site once lost to time. What was first thought to be a simple excavation opened a window into the strategic and industrial heartbeat of ancient Egyptian military power.

A trail of stone, trees, and defense

At the center of the discovery is a massive limestone road stretching more than 330 feet (over 100 meters) in length and about 36 feet (11 meters) wide. This wasn’t just an access road—it connected the heart of a sprawling fortress to the outside world.

On either side of the path, researchers found over 500 mudbrick tree pits—once home to carefully planted trees that framed the main entrance to the military complex. These symmetrical arrangements suggest not only aesthetic planning but also an intention to impress and intimidate.

But it’s what lay beside the path that most captured the team’s attention: a deep defensive trench, more than six feet (2 meters) in depth, running parallel to the ancient road. Experts believe it was part of an active defensive system capable of being flooded in the event of an attack—an early version of a moat, shielding what locals once called the “Golden Castle.”

Layers of time: one fortress hidden beneath another

The road itself is believed to date back to the Ptolemaic period (305–30 BCE), when Greek rulers controlled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. But the real surprise lay beneath: archaeologists uncovered four ancient stone pillars buried below both the Ptolemaic and Roman-era structures.

This hints at something even more astonishing—a third, older fortress likely built during the early dynasties of pharaonic Egypt, well before the arrival of Roman or Greek influence. If confirmed, this would make Tell Abu Sifi a multi-era site of critical military importance, spanning centuries of Egyptian history.

Why this discovery matters

Egypt has long been a treasure trove for archaeologists, thanks to its vast historical legacy. While the pyramids often steal the spotlight, sites like Tell Abu Sifi offer insight into a lesser-known side of Egyptian civilization: its defensive and strategic ingenuity.

This latest discovery underscores how even remote areas of the Sinai Peninsula once played key roles in ancient geopolitics. As Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities continues its excavations, more revelations may await beneath the desert sands.

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