The Minister of Antiquities, Dr. Mamdouh Eldamaty has announced the discovery of further evidence of the Psamtik I fort and the volcanic remains from the Greek volcano “San Turin” at the Tall Dafna archaeological site, 11 Km from west Suez Canal at Al-Qantara.
This volcanic eruption is considered to be the first natural crisis to hit the Mediterranean Sea.
The Egyptian Archaeological Expedition is working at the site under the authority of the Ministry of Antiquities and is headed by Dr. Muhammad Abd Al-Maksoud.
The expedition has also discovered part of a fortified island with surrounding clay and mud brick walls, that worked as a barrier to block water flows in the northwest part of the fortress. The fort is one of three large fortresses built by King “Psamtik I “at Tell Dafna to protect the eastern entrance of Egypt. The walls at the Tell Dafna site are about 20m thick, with dimensions of 400m x 800m. It also contains a number of fortified residences with thick walls.
Psamtik I (664 – 610 BC) was recorded for reunifying Egypt in his 9th regal year. Psamtik’s victories destroyed the last vestiges of the Nubian 25th Dynasty’s control over Upper Egypt.
Abd El-Maksoud added “Remains of mastabas, workshops ,and kilns used for melting metals and baking bread were also discovered, in addition to skeletons remains of fishes and crocodiles.”
Dr. Mahmoud Afifi said that “The excavation project of Tell Dafna site is performed in collaboration between the Ministry of Antiquities and Ministries of Housing and Defense and in cooperation with Sinai construction Authority.
The Tell Dafna site is considered to be one of the five archaeological sites which were chosen at the eastern entrance of Egypt to be developed within the project of Egypt Military History Panorama and the archaeological sites development at the Suez Canal Corridor.
MINISTRY OF ANTIQUITIES
