Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery at the Kom el-Nugus site in northern Egypt, revealing the remains of a town that dates back approximately 3,400 years. This ancient settlement, located about 27 miles (43 kilometers) west of Alexandria, is situated on a rocky ridge between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariout. These discoveries shine a spotlight on an underappreciated chapter of Egyptian history. This era of the New Kingdom lasted from about 1550 to 1070 B.C.
It was a fortunate find by an excavation team, under the direction of Sylvain Dhennin of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). The researchers discovered clues that King Tutankhamun’s father, Akhenaten, possibly founded the settlement. Later additions into this space by Ramesses II continued to add to its size, signifying the strategic importance of the area even back into ancient Egypt. In ancient times, Kom el-Nugus was believed to be a deserted location until Greeks established their colony and necropolis shortly after 332 B.C. Recent excavations have highlighted that people purposefully lived and thrived at the site during the New Kingdom. This find makes it the earliest known Egyptian settlement north of Lake Mariout.
The researchers found something incredible at the site — a complex water-collecting system. This ingenious design, still effective today, drains excess surface water away from the walls, protecting the delicate mudbrick walls. Roger Forshaw, an archaeologist and director of Bare Island Archaeology, who led the project, said these recent discoveries are vital to understanding the landscape.
“This street was ingeniously designed with a water-collecting system to drain surface water and protect the fragile mudbrick walls.” – Roger Forshaw
Moreover, the indication of a temple existing first at Kom el-Nugus highlights its strategic and cultural importance even further. Forshaw elaborated on this aspect, stating,
“The presence of a temple underscores its strategic and cultural importance.” – Roger Forshaw
The archaeological team wasn’t expecting to find a stamp indicating wine production. This stamp is associated with a royal estate from the time of Merytaton, daughter of Akhenaten. This unexpected finding suggests that military forces actively defended the region’s historic vineyards. In this context, they served as a key frontline for Egypt’s expansion into the desert.
“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.” – Sylvain Dhennin
Dhennin surmised that the settlement must have served military purposes as well. It likely included stouter walls and where the administration of its pirate activities took place.
The discoveries at Kom el-Nugus continue to paint a more complex picture of ancient Egyptian civilization. They further dispute the long-held notions of settlement patterns in northern Egypt during the New Kingdom period. On January 23, the team made public their research, published in the journal Antiquity. Their publication provides an exhaustive summation of all of their findings and findings interpretations.
