Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a 3,200-year-old military barrack at Tell Al-Abqain, where they unearthed a bronze sword inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Ramses II, as reported by Fox News. The sword, found in a small room of the barrack, is believed to have belonged to a high-ranking military officer, illustrating Ramses II's military dominance, according to The Sun.
"The mission discovered a long bronze sword decorated with engravings of the cartouche of King Ramses II," the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced, as reported by RBC. The bronze sword features engravings of the Egyptian king's name and titles, indicating status and prestige, and was meant for battle, according to Ahmed El Kharadli, as noted by The Sun.
Another significant find is a limestone block with a hieroglyphic inscription of the titles of Ramses II, according to RBC.
Archaeologists also found artifacts, including jewelry, scarabs, amulets, cooking pots, and buried cow bones, emphasizing spiritual beliefs and the strategic role of military facilities, as reported by CBS News. In ancient Egypt, cows were symbols of power and prosperity.
Egyptian military structures were strategically built along routes in the northwestern Nile Delta to bolster defense against threats from the Western Desert and Mediterranean Sea, helping soldiers confront groups coming into the Nile Delta. This area served as a key fortification against threats from Libyan tribes and the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramses II.
Ramses II, ruling from 1279 to 1213 BCE, is recognized was one of the most powerful and successful pharaohs, leading armies of approximately 100,000 men. He was the third ruler of the 19th dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Scholars associate Ramses II with the Biblical Exodus story, linking him to the era of the Israelites' enslavement and exodus from Egypt.
During the reign of Ramses II, large-scale construction took place in Ancient Egypt, including the building of many temples in Abydos, Thebes, and Edfu.
Science, CNN, The Washington Post, and CBS reported on the findings, among other websites.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq