A team of Egyptian archaeologists has unearthed a fort dating back millennia in Hosh Issa, uncovering artifacts including a bronze sword bearing the name of Pharaoh Ramses II.
Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, is believed by some to be the pharaoh who opposed Moses in the Book of Exodus, appearing in adaptations such as 1956’s “The Ten Commandments” where he was played by Yul Brynner.
The pharaoh was also eulogized by British poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in “Ozymandias” — the title is the ancient Greek name for Ramses II.
In addition to the sword, a limestone block adorned with hieroglyphics detailing the rule of Ramses II was found, as well as another mentioning an official named Bay, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities posted on Facebook.
Egyptian officials did not specify the age of the fort or the sword, but Ramses II ruled from 1279-1213 B.C., more than 3,200 years ago.
Other artifacts found at the fort include military weapons, ivory makeup applicators, beads, scarab beetle-shaped jewelry, carnelian and tin-glazed pottery beads and amulets.
A cow was also buried at the site, which, according to the religious beliefs of the period, signified abundance, prosperity, and strength.
The fort itself served as a key outpost in western Egypt.
“It is an important discovery highlighting the strategic role of Tell Al-Abqain area as a crucial military outpost on the Western military road, protecting Egypt’s northwestern borders from potential invasions by Libyan tribes and Sea Peoples,” Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Secretary-General Mohamed Ismail Khaled told Egyptian newspaper Ahram Online.
“Sea Peoples” is a term used to refer to a number of seafaring invader groups that struck Greece, Egypt and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean at the end of the Bronze Age.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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