Tharu Fortress (Egypte): Ancient Egyptian army headquarters and huge military cemetery discovered
Hannah Osborne
Limestone blocks discovered by archaeologists.(Egypt Antiquities Ministry)
The headquarters of the ancient Egyptian army have been discovered on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal.
The find was announced by Egypt's Antiquities Ministry, with the fortress dating back around 3,500 years.
Minister of Antiquities Dr. Eldamaty said they found three limestone blocks carrying inscriptions of King Ramses II were found at the eastern gate of the Tharu Fortress.
They measured three metres long and one metre wide – showing how huge the gate would have been. Experts believe it was the starting point of the Egyptian army to secure the eastern boarders through the military route between Egypt and Palestine.
The site of the military headquarters.(Egypt Antiquities Ministry)
Along with the gate, archaeologists also found a number of brick royal warehouses that belonged to Thutmosis III and Ramses II. During the latter's reign, it is estimated the Egyptian army totalled around 100,000 men.
"Among the discoveries was also a huge 26th Dynasty mud brick cemetery containing various tombs with bodies revealing battle injuries," the Ministry said in a statement.
The fragments of the wall will be displayed at the Military History Museum in Egypt, Eldamaty said.
The New Kingdom army was one of the most successful in ancient times, with Thutmose III credited as being Egypt's greatest conqueror. He is believed to have captured 350 cities during his rule, transforming the nation into an international superpower.
Experts say the reason his military campaigns were so successful was the revolution and improvement of army weapons, such as horse-drawn chariots.