Archaeologists Discover Ramses II's 3,000-Year-Old Sword in Egypt's Beheira Governorate

Archaeologists in Egypt made an exciting discovery earlier this month. They found a sword adorned with the cartouche of ancient pharaoh Ramses II. The sword had been buried for over 3,000 years in an ancient military fort called Tell Al-Abqain, located in the Beheira Governorate in northeast Egypt, south of Alexandria. The announcement was made by Egypt's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The Discovery of the Sword

The bronze sword, which had the engravings of Ramses II's cartouche, was excavated by a team of archaeologists led by Dr. Ahmed Saeed El-Kharadly. The discovery was made in the mud barracks of the fort, which also housed soldiers and contained warehouses for weapons, food, and supplies.

Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, was a pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty who ruled Egypt from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C. He is renowned for expanding Egypt's territory, reaching as far as present-day Syria to the east and Sudan to the south. The recent finds related to Ramses II suggest the significant extent of his empire, as evidenced by the sword discovery and other recent archaeological finds.

In addition to the sword, the archaeologists uncovered various artifacts in the fort, including large pottery remnants that contained fish and animal bones, as well as cooking crock pots. They also discovered personal items such as ivory and agate jars, red and blue beads, and a cow buried in the barracks, which was an ancient Egyptian symbol of power, abundance, and prosperity. Furthermore, they found two blocks of limestone, one of which had a hieroglyphic inscription of King Ramses II.

Previous Discoveries Related to Ramses II

Egyptian archaeologists have made several significant discoveries related to Ramses II in recent years. In 2017, they found a temple dedicated to the pharaoh in the Badrashin area in Giza. Last year, 2,000 rams' heads were uncovered at the temple of Ramses II, demonstrating his enduring influence. Additionally, part of a statue of the great king, specifically his head and chest, were found in the Temple of Kom Ombo during a project to protect the site from groundwater.

Tell Al-Abqain, the fort where the sword was discovered, served to protect Egypt's northwestern border from attacks by Libyan tribes and Sea Peoples, as stated by the Egyptian government.

Continued Exploration and Research

Archaeologists continue to explore and research the findings at Tell Al-Abqain to gain a deeper understanding of the fort's historical significance and its role in ancient Egypt's military and defensive strategy. The discoveries offer valuable insights into the life and times of Ramses II and the ancient Egyptian civilization as a whole.

The unearthing of the swords and other artifacts provides a glimpse into the past and highlights the importance of archaeological research in uncovering the mysteries of ancient civilizations. The findings contribute to our knowledge of Ramses II's reign and the broader context of ancient Egyptian history.