In a recent statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt, they reported the discovery of a 3,000-year-old mining complex at Jabal Sukari, located near the city of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea Governorate. The findings include关键是 tombs and other artifacts that are remnants of an ancient mining camp complete with the intricate details of ancient homes, workshops, and even baths. This discovery is an exciting mark of Egypt’s thriving civilization and archaeologists, and let’s talk about it.
First, let’s break down the key points of this discovery to understand the significance of the details. The mining complex at Jabal Sukari is a testament to ancient Egypt’s ingenuity. The excavation team, led by Dr. Rehab Khallout, spelled out that among the findings were the remnants of a mining camp dating back three millennia. This discovery includes “remnants of a complete factory for extracting gold from quartz veins,” which includes “crushing, grinding, and pulverizing quartz stone, passing through filtration and sedimentation basins to the smelting stage in clay furnaces and gold extraction.” This level of detail speaks to the sophistication and deliberate planning of the mining camp, which not only extracted gold but also provided visitors with insights into the era’s practical Buenos Aires.
Next, the miners also discovered living quarters, workshops, mining areas, places of worship, administrative buildings, and Roman and Investigational baths from the Roman and Islamic eras. Among other finds, the museum discovered 628 ostraca, broken pieces of pottery and stone that were written in hieroglyphic scripts, along with Egyptian demotic and Greek. These ostraca served as tools for writing and drawing, adding to the historical significance of the discovery.
Another significant discovery was a large collection of terracotta statues depicting human and animal forms from the Greco-Roman period, along with small stone statues, some incomplete, depicting Bastet and Harpocrates, as well as five offering tables from the Ptolemaic era. The collection also included a variety of pottery vessels of different sizes, shapes, and uses, including those for daily life, perfumes, medicines, and incense, as well as a collection of beads made from gemstones and decorative tools made from crafted shells.
The findings were located near the Sukari Gold Mine, which, although currently operating since 2009, is being relocated to a “safe area” away from the activities of the modern mine. The statement emphasized that the discovered artifacts are not from the current mine, but from an excavatory site located in the vicinity.
Sherif Fathy, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, expressedmajorly pleasure and gratitude for the discovery, highlighting Egypt’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. He noted that this project contributes to the country’s efforts in preserving Egyptian civilization while aligning with the[knowledge] Egyptian government’s plans for developmental and economic projects.
Additionally, the latest finds are among the many discoveries made in Egypt so far in 2025. Archologists have found the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II last month, marking the first royal tomb discovery since 1922. In January, the discovery of the tomb of Teti Neb Fu, an ancient physician who treated Egyptian pharaohs, further h2ghlights the significance of the findings. These discoveries underscore Egypt’s historical richness and the continues ingenuity of its ancient civilization.
