New Evidence for the Sea People's Invasion of Egypt

In addition to the other work we had planned for that visit, we spent a couple of days doing surface surveying at Tell el-Borg. Based upon the Egyptian and Cypriote sherds discovered on the surface, we determined that this indeed was a New Kingdom site. When we reported to Dr. Abd el-Maksoud about our finds and that there was evidence that the site was being systematically plundered by local thieves, he personally invited our team to excavate Tell el-Borg as soon as possible.

Since the focus of the project had now broadened to include excavations and a more regional investigation, the name was changed to the East Frontier Archaeological Project (see project's goals). During the fall of 1999, Dr. Hoffmeier took a new position on the faculty of Trinity International University. Trinity immediately threw its support behind the project and became the official academic sponsor of the East Frontier Archaeological Project (also known in some of our communications as the North Sinai Archaeological Project).

The urgency of the situation in North Sinai and our desire to support the SCA's plans to explore endangered sites in North Sinai led to our application for permission to begin scientific investigation of the site and its immediate environs. The permission was granted and we began surveying in order to create a topographical map of the site. We also wanted to determine the most promising areas to dig. On January 8,2000 over 20 limestone blocks and fragments, five of which were inscribed, were discovered by Dr. Hoffmeier on the embankments of the canal that cuts through the east end of Tell el-Borg. Despite the fact that we were able to examine these blocks only briefly, a New Kingdom date was assured thanks to the presence of a partially preserved cartouche which read Thuth(moses), probably Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC), and traces of a serekh with the Horus-name '(Strong) bu(ll)' that on art historical grounds looks Ramesside in date (13th Century BC). Clearly the canal excavations a few years earlier churned up these blocks, leaving some by the edge of the canal and others tossed on the debris heap beside the canal. However, the nature of the context was unclear. Only excavations would help clarify this question.