Ancient Egyptians in Arabia

[Davita]

    Ancient Egyptians in Arabia   

The discovery of a hieroglyphic engraving in Saudi Arabia suggests that the ancient Egyptian empire extended further than previously recognised, reports Nevine El-Aref

    Archaeologists from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) have discovered what is believed to be the first ever ancient Egyptian royal artefact to be unearthed in Saudi Arabia.

    The object, a rock engraving endorsed with a dual cartouche of Pharaoh Ramses III, was found at the northern town of Tabuk in Taima Oasis, 400km north of Medina. A Pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty, Ramses III ruled from 1185 to 1153 BC.

    The discovery was made during routine excavations carried out within the framework of an SCTA archaeological survey being conducted on several sites in the kingdom to establish relationships with other civilisations in different historical periods.

    Taima is the largest archaeological site in the kingdom and the Arabian peninsula. The remains of ancient walls reveal that habitation of the oasis can be dated to as far back as the Bronze Age. Taima is mentioned in ancient texts dating from the eighth century BC, and excavators recently found the royal complex of the last king of Babylon, Nabonidus (556-539), who spent 10 years in Taima. Last year they also discovered a fragment of a cuneiform text mentioning Nabonidus.

    Ali Ibrahim Al-Ghaban, vice- president of antiquities and museums at the SCTA, says initial studies have uncovered evidence that the direct trade route used during the reign of Ramses III connected Taima to the Nile Valley. Both Taima and the neighbouring oasis, Madyan, were famous for their excellent incense, copper, gold and silver, which were in demand in ancient Egypt for religious ceremonies and in the production of jewellery and funerary objects.

    The trade route started in the Nile Valley and passed through what is today the port of Suez, where inscriptions of Ramses III have been found. It then crossed the Sinai Peninsula, passing through Wadi Abu Ghada and Nakhl Oasis, where there was another cartouche of Ramses III.

    "Discovering the route will be a turning point in studying the routes of civilisation between Egypt and the Arabian peninsula," Ghaban says. He adds that he is expecting more cartouches of Ramses III and other ancient Egyptian rulers to be discovered, especially along the section from Al-Hasmi to Taima.

    Ghaban points out that some ancient Egypt relics have been found at a number of archeological sites in Saudi Arabia. Among them are the burial sites in southern Dhahran in the kingdom's eastern province and in Al-Fau, capital of the Kindah Kingdom in the southwestern part of the Najd Plateau. In Taima itself, Ghaban says, most of these pieces are pottery and ceramics with a turquoise coating dating back to various periods of antiquity.

    "This discovery is one of a series of new discoveries that will be announced following further study and investigation," Ghaban told reporters at a press conference held at the National Museum in the King Abdul-Aziz historical centre in Riyadh. He added that in view of its geographic location the Arabian Peninsula had long been a land of dialogue and peaceful exchange. He said that the call of King Abdullah of Jordan, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for dialogue between faiths and cultures was a manifestation of this deep-rooted tradition in the Arabian Peninsula.

    Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), says he is delighted with the discovery. He told Al-Ahram Weekly that it reflected ancient Egypt's dedication to extending its civilisation to reach its neighbours; Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria and North Africa. It also highlighted the trade route in the area. Hawass explained that Egypt extended its empire outside its boundaries during the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties, an era known as Egypt's golden age. Hawass has expressed his willingness to help the SCTA in restoring the new find and excavating more sites.

    Ahmed Said, professor of the ancient Egyptian civilisation at the Antiquities Department of Cairo University, told the Weekly that several ancient Egyptian artefacts had previously been discovered in the Arabian peninsula, including an ancient Egyptian amulet found in the area of Felka in Kuwait. He continued that this discovery highlighted the alliance between Egypt and the Arabian peninsula. Pharaoh Tuthmosis III mentioned cities in the Arabian peninsula when he drew up the king list at Karnak, and in the Egyptian Museum is the sarcophagus of a merchant from South Arabia (now Yemen) named Zayed Zayed, who in his day was a famous trader of incense and stones. This merchant lived a long life in Egypt and was buried in the Saqqara necropolis. Said says that this highlights the probability that the Egyptian empire extended eastwards beyond its boundaries well before the reign of the legendary South Arabian queen of Sheba in 900 BC, and at least as far back as the 20th Dynasty in the 12th century BC and perhaps even longer to 2000 or 3000 BC.

    He told the Weekly that next to the cartouche newly discovered in Taima Oasis was a Thamudi text with drawings of the Arabian moon god Capricorn. Said suggests that there could be three reasons for finding a cartouche like this in the area. First, it suggests that Ramses III may have gone towards the east to build trade bridges to replace its alliance with northern countries that were threatened by the appearance of the sea people and their attacks on Egypt. Second, it could indicate individual transport, and that Egyptians who travelled to Taima drew a cartouche to pay homage to their gods. Third, it could represent a royal journey, with the Pharaoh engraving his logo to reconcile with the principle god of the region.

    Since the site is close to the Egyptian capital at the time, which was in modern Sharqiya, the ancient Egyptians may have used the rocky northern Arabian peninsula as a quarry for materials for their gigantic monuments rather than journeying on towards the south. It could take time to find the truth. "This will not be decided until the deciphering of the Thamudi text," Said says.

© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2010/1023/eg42.htm

[Davita]

Saudi archeologists discover first-ever Pharaonic artifact

RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) announced Sunday the discovery of the first-ever Pharaonic antiquity within the Kingdom’s boundaries, dating back to the 12th century BC.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the National Museum in King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh.
Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al-Ghabban, Vice-President of Antiquities and Museums at the SCTA, told journalists the 3,100-year-old discovery was of hieroglyphic inscriptions on a fixed rock near the ancient Taima Oasis bearing a royal signature (a dual cartouche) for Ramses III, one of the kings of Pharaonic Egypt, who ruled Egypt between 1,192 and 1,160 BC.
Al-Ghabban said Saudi archeologists consider the Taima historical oasis, among the largest archeological sites in the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula, because it has remnants of ancient walls of almost 13 kilometers in length.
The discovery is about 400 kilometers north of Madina and northeast of the ancient Nabatean site of Madain Saleh, and marks the first confirmed hieroglyphic inscription discovered inside the Kingdom’s borders. Al-Ghabban said the cartouche of Ramses III was found four months ago.
Al-Ghabban added that Saudi archeologists have been able to trace a direct trade route linking the Nile Valley and Taima. It was used during the era of Ramses III in the 12th century BC. Caravans used to get supplies of valuable goods from Taima. The Land of Madyan was famous for incense, copper, gold and silver. Al-Ghabban said recent discoveries at the site prove Taima was inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age (2,000 BC).
Al-Ghabban pointed out that the route linking the Nile Valley with Taima has pharaonic signatures (cartouches) for King Ramses III on both sides, especially at the water places like springs and wells in the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Ghabban said that after the Nile Valley, this ancient route passes through Al-Qulzum Port and Suez City where there is a temple for Ramses III. Then it heads to the sea to the Srabeet Al-Khadim near Abu Zenaimah Port on the Gulf of Suez, where inscriptions for Ramses III were also found. It then crosses the Sinai Peninsula passing through Abu Ghadha Valley near Nakhl Oasis, where a “dual cartouche” bearing the name of Ramses III, similar to the one in Taima, was found. The route heads to the promontory of the Gulf of Aqaba and passes through Nahl and then Tanmiah sites. At each of these sites, similar “dual cartouches” for Ramses III were found. There is evidence, in a papyrus document by Ramses III, that he sent people to fetch copper from a neighboring country.
Al-Ghabban said the discovery of this route will form a turning point in studying the routes of civilizations between Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Ghabban expects other cartouches for Ramses III or other Pharaohs of Egypt to exist on the route, especially in Al-Hasmi Area that separates Taima from the promontory of the Gulf of Aqaba – a distance of 400 kilometers. The area is distinct for its splendid rock faces that are suitable for inscriptions and engravings.
He said the SCTA is in the process of carrying out a meticulous archeological survey of this area.
He pointed out that a number of small antiquities made in ancient Egypt were found at a number of archeological sites in the Kingdom, like the burial sites in southern Dhahran in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, and in Al-Fau, the capital of the Kingdom of Kindah in the southwestern part of the Najd Plateau. In Taima itself, most of these pieces are pottery and ceramics with a turquoise coating dating back to different periods of antiquity.
Taima is mentioned in ancient texts dating back to the 8th century BC. The Babylonian King Nabonidus spent 10 years in Taima. His royal complex has only recently being excavated. Last year a fragment of a cuneiform text mentioning Nabonidus was discovered.
Al-Ghabban stressed that the antiquities and museum sector is implementing the directives of Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the SCTA, to highlight the Kingdom’s relationship with other civilizations of various periods.
To achieve this goal, the SCTA has carried out many research programs and archeological fieldwork with specialist local and international teams using modern scientific and physical methods for analysis.
This has resulted in archeological evidence and information which has enriched previous knowledge on this subject. “This discovery is one of a series of new discoveries, which would be announced after [further] study and investigation,” he said.
Al-Ghabban said all these initiatives are being led by Prince Sultan Bin Salman with the state providing all the necessary facilities and resources.
He said in view of its geographic location, the Arabian Peninsula has always been the land of dialogue, meeting and peaceful exchange between civilizations throughout the ages. He said the call of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for dialogue between faiths and cultures is a manifestation of this deep-rooted tradition in the Arabian Peninsula.
– SPA/Saudi Gazette __

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010110886980

[Davita]

[Davita]

Pharaonic inscription found in Saudi Arabia

The rock with a hieroglyphic inscription dating back to at least 1160 B.C.

By RODOLFO C. ESTIMO JR. | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 7, 2010 22:58 Updated: Nov 7, 2010 22:58




RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) announced Sunday that Saudi archaeologists have discovered an ancient hieroglyphic inscription mentioning an Egyptian pharaoh on a rock near the ancient oasis of Tayma, Tabuk province. The discovery, about 400 km north of Madinah and northeast of the ancient Nabatean site Madain Saleh, marks the first confirmed hieroglyphic inscription discovered in the Kingdom.

"The rock was bearing an inscription of King Ramses III, one of the kings who ruled ancient Egypt from 1192 B.C.to 1160 B.C.," said SCTA Vice President for Antiquities and Museums Ali Ibrahim Al-Ghabban at a news conference on Sunday at the Commission on National Museum.

Al-Ghabban said the discovery was made in July. Since then researchers have posited that Tayma was on an important land route between the western coast of Arabia and the Nile Valley. Recent discoveries at the site prove Tayma was inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age (2,000 B.C.). The trade route has been used by caravans for centuries to carry goods such as incense, copper, gold and silver.

"The route connected the Nile Valley, Port Qulzum, the city of Suez, and then went by sea to Srabit near the port of Abu Zenima on the Gulf of Suez, where the archaeologists found a temple dedicated to King Ramses III, then across the Sinai Peninsula, where they also found several inscriptions similar to that found in Tayma," said Al-Ghabban.

The land route passed through Aqaba, Jordan, where similar inscriptions have been discovered.

The find comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is working to implement a policy of promoting the country's oft-ignored historical sites, especially pertaining to its pre-Islamic period.

Tayma is mentioned in ancient Assyrian texts dating back to the 8th century B.C. and referred to numerous times in the Hebrew Bible. Babylonian King Nabonidus spent 10 years in Tayma. His royal complex is currently being excavated. Last year a fragment of a cuneiform text mentioning Nabonidus was discovered there.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article182756.ece