Egyptian archaeologists digging near the Suez Canal have discovered the remains of what is believed to be the largest fortress in the eastern Delta, Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni announced.
Located at the site of Tell Dafna, between El-Manzala Lake and the Suez Canal, the remains reveal the foundation of a military town about 9 miles (15 kilometers) northeast of the city of western Qantara.
"The fortress covers an area of about 380 by 625 meters (1,247 by 2,051 feet), while the enclosure wall is about 13 meters (43 feet) in width," Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, head of the Central Department of Lower Egyptian Antiquities and the director of the mission, said in a statement.
The discovery shouldn't come as a surprise; Tell Dafna was long known to be a strategic outpost against Egypt's enemies. King Ramses II of the 19th Dynasty (1279-1212 B.C.) chose the site to erect a fortress. King Psammetichus I, the first ruler of the 26th Dynasty (664-625 B.C.), later established a garrison of foreign mercenaries to defend the eastern borders of Egypt from invaders.
View Full Story: MSNBC »
Viewed: 1421 TimesDate: 14/07/2009
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Nesu-bity - Neb Tawy
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The Pharaoh's throne name, written inside a cartouche, was usually accompanied by the title nesu-bity - King of Upper and Lower Egypt and the ephithet neb tawy, Lord of the Two Lands. It symbolises the unity and rulership of the Two Lands.