Antiquity News Briefs July 31st 2001

Antiquity News Briefs

July 31st 2001

By Amargi Hillier

An Egyptian archaeological team lead by Mohammed El-Razzak unearthed a rectangular basin dating back to the 3rd century. The exact location of the basin is 5 km away from the Kafoorey Road in Borg El-Arab. The basin was built with irregular limestone blocks. The walls of the basin are isolated against leakage of water. The basin is 13 meter by 8 meters in size and the thickness of the walls is 80 cm, and also 80 cm in height. There are 14 holes in the walls near the base of the basin. Scientists in fish farming confirm that the basin has the configuration of an ancient fish hatchery. The openings at the level of the base are of suitable width for the entry of talipea fish, which is a common species that thrives in the Nile. This suggests that the ancient Egyptians had methods to increase the fish opulence in order to feed a growing population.

A team of archeologists from Trinity University in the United States, in coalition with an Egyptian team from the Supreme Council for Antiquities have began an expedition of the Horus Warpath in North Sinai. State of the art technology is being used to unravel the secrets of the path. The aim is to find the castle of Ramsis II, which is believed to be 25 km away from the Suez Canal. There are 24 people in the American archeology team lead by Professor Dr. James Hoff Mayer.