An Egyptian archaeological team from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has made a significant discovery at Tell Roud Iskander in Ismailia Governorate—the tomb of a high-ranking military leader from the time of Ramses III. This site also includes graves from the Greek, Roman, and Late Periods.
SCA Secretary-General Mohamed Ismail Khaled highlighted the site’s historical military importance. “Tell Roud was crucial in defending Egypt’s eastern borders during the New Kingdom,” he said. Historical accounts support this, noting that Ramses III fortified Egypt’s borders with defensive structures.
The tomb contained bronze arrowheads and fragments of a ceremonial sceptre, indicative of the commander’s high status. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, described the tomb’s mudbrick construction with multiple chambers and plastered walls.
Further findings included a human skeleton in cartonnage, suggesting later reuse of the tomb. Artifacts like alabaster vessels with King Horemheb’s cartouches and a gold ring with Ramses III cartouche were uncovered, underscoring the tomb’s historical significance.
Dr. Emily Thompson from the University of Cambridge stated, “This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the military and cultural exchanges of ancient Egypt.” The finding enriches our understanding of the era’s burial practices and military history, illuminating the legacy of Egypt’s ancient civilizations.
