Archaeologists find Ramesses II inscription in Sinai pointing to Egypt’s lost city of Mesn

Excavations at the Tell Abu Saifi archaeological site may have uncovered evidence of the lost Pharaonic city of Mesn, the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced earlier in August.

Tell Abu Saifi is located in the city of Qantara East, in Egypt’s Ismailia Governorate along Egypt’s eastern border with the Sinai desert.

During ongoing excavations to uncover the historic Way of Horus military route, which leads from Egypt into ancient Canaan, archaeologists discovered a large, inscribed sandstone lintel broken into two pieces. 

Inscribed on three sides of the lintel are the titles of Ramesses II (“Ramesses the Great”), who is believed by many to have been the pharaoh in the biblical story of the Exodus.

But it is the second inscription that caught archaeologists’ eye: a reference to restoration work being carried out on a statue belonging to the deity “Horus, Lord of the City of Mesn.”

Dr. Hisham Hussein, head of the Central Administration for Lower Egypt and Sinai and director of the archaeological mission, said that the inscription represents “highly significant evidence” in studying the identity of the site.

However, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr. Hisham El Leithy noted that while the newfound is significant, further excavations and research are underway in attempt to uncover additional evidence to conclusively determine the matter.

Remains of temple destroyed by Romans unearthed

Alongside the lintel, archaeologists unearthed the remains of a temple believed to have been destroyed by the Romans during the legion’s quarrying efforts.

A massive mudbrick wall belonging to the temple’s outer wall, its gateways, interior rooms, and various layers, were found at the site, as well as storehouses, service rooms, and a sanctuary area.

Study of the excavations indicate that the site underwent several stages of reconstruction and development.

According to researchers, the temple reached its height during the Ptolemaic (Greek) period of ancient Egypt before parts of the site were reused for the construction of Roman military barracks, known as a “Castra,” during the third century CE.

Two large circular kilns built over the corners of the temple’s sanctuary area and bearing traces of burnt limestone point to the site’s later transformation into a lime production quarry during the late Roman period.

Ancient roads uncovered at site

The remains of two successive stone roads leading from outside the fortified area into the temple were also discovered, dating back to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods respectfully. 

Mahmoud Galal, director of the General Administration of Sinai Antiquities and director of the mission, added that archaeologists had also discovered a collection of artifacts with both administrative and military significance at the site.

The artifacts included a 26th Dynasty schist statue depicting an army scribe carrying a broken shrine, a headless and footless statue dating to the Late Period, the torso of a royal basalt statue, and fragments of falcon statues made of basalt and limestone.

The discoveries made at the site highlight the “strategic and cultural role the area played in protecting Egypt’s eastern borders throughout history,” said Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.

He added that the continuation of Egyptian excavations at sites connected to the Way of Horus contributes to “reconstructing the historical picture of the route and its stations,” while also emphasizing the importance of “scientific investment in archaeological excavation and documentation to uncover new aspects of ancient Egyptian history.”