Pharaoh’s 3,000-year-old bronze sword found in ancient Egyptian military fort

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the sword of Ramses II, one of Egypt’s most renowned pharaohs, during recent excavations in Beheira Governorate.

The sword was found among mudbrick structures, including military barracks and storage rooms for weapons and provisions, at the ancient site of Tell Al-Abqain in the Hosh Issa district.

According to a government announcement, this bronze sword, inscribed with Ramses II’s royal cartouche, had been buried for over 3,000 years in the military fort of Tell Al-Abqain, located in northeast Egypt, south of Alexandria.

Unearthing military treasure

The Al-Abqain fort was a strategic military outpost in ancient Egypt, safeguarding the country’s northwestern borders against invasions by Libyan tribes and the ‘Sea Peoples.’ Among the discoveries at the site were large granaries, ceramic storage jars, ivory kohl applicators, carnelian and faience beads, scarabs, protective amulets, and the sword featuring Ramses II’s cartouche.

Dr. Ahmed Saeed El-Kharadly, who led the excavation team, explained that Al-Abqain served as barracks for soldiers and contained storerooms for weapons, food, and provisions .

Alongside the sword, they found large pottery pieces filled with fish and animal bones, cooking pots, and personal items like ivory and agate jars, as well as red and blue beads.

During Ramses II’s reign, Egypt engaged in numerous conflicts with the Hittites and Libyans, necessitating military outposts like the one at Al-Abqain. A limestone block bearing his name was also found at the fort, underscoring its significance during his rule.

Despite the military demands, Ramses II’s era was marked by a flourishing of art and culture, leaving behind a wealth of artifacts for archaeologists to explore and study.

Other recent archaeological discoveries related to Ramses II

Ramses II, often called Ramses the Great, ruled Egypt from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C., extending the empire’s borders as far as present-day Syria and Sudan. As a pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, his legacy of wealth and power is evident in recent archaeological discoveries that shed light on his vast, long-lost empire.

In 2017, a temple dedicated to Ramses II was unearthed in the Badrashin area of Giza. Last year, archaeologists found 2,000 ram heads at his temple, highlighting the lasting influence of his reign.

Earlier this year, the upper half of a colossal statue of Ramses II was uncovered near the ancient city of Hermopolis (modern-day el-Ashmunein), roughly 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Cairo.

Standing about 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) tall, the statue shows Ramses II wearing a double crown and a headdress adorned with a royal cobra. According to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities , hieroglyphs on the back of the statue list the pharaoh’s various titles, celebrating his achievements and glory.