مصر.. آثار من العصر المملوكي تروي تاريخ طريق الحجاج والتجارة عبر سيناء

In an important and rare archaeological discovery, the mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, affiliated with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, succeeded in uncovering the remains of an ancient building in the lost city of Asilah in North Sinai. It is believed to have been one of the caravanserais that served commercial caravans and the Egyptian pilgrims traveling along the Sultan's Road, known as the "Egyptian Pilgrim's Path," which connected Egypt with the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant.

This discovery comes as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, to uncover archaeological and cultural treasures across the country and shed more light on the history of Sinai, its cities, and its historical routes.

The Discovery Reinterprets the History of Sinai

For his part, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, described the discovery as an important addition to the series of archaeological discoveries that contribute to the reinterpretation of the history of Sinai and highlight the civilizations and communities that flourished on its land.

The minister explained that the site had remained buried under the sands for centuries before excavation work began last year, gradually revealing its features and reviving its history.

He added that the discovery of "Asilah" opens a new window onto the historical road network that connected Egypt with the Arab East, along with the associated movement of pilgrims, traders, armies, and mail.

Fathy confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities places great importance on excavation, documentation, and restoration work in Sinai, contributing to the preservation of its heritage and highlighting its historical and cultural significance.

Walls and Chambers Reveal the Building's Function

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, stated that excavation work revealed the remains of walls constructed from mud bricks and red bricks, supported at their foundations by large limestone stones, which is an architectural style that was common in the construction and reinforcement of major facilities during the Islamic eras.

He pointed out that the discovered walls extend in the directions of north, east, and south, and include internal architectural formations indicating the presence of several chambers.

It is believed that some of these chambers may have been used as shops attached to the caravanserai, noting that the overall layout of the site closely resembles that of Khan Al-Khowainat, one of the important trading stations in North Sinai.

He explained that the site of "Asilah" is smaller in area than Khan Al-Khowainat, which supports the hypothesis of its use as a rest stop for pilgrims and traders on the Sultan's Road.

Pottery and Lamps Reveal Details of Daily Life

For his part, the head of the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector, Dr. Diaa Zahran, stated that the excavation work resulted in the discovery of a collection of artifacts that reflect the nature of daily life at the site.

The discoveries included large quantities of pottery used for storing water and provisions, as well as vessels with olive green glaze, and others in red and white colors, in addition to parts of lamps that were used for lighting.

He added that the proximity of the site to other historical stations, including Al-Khowainat, Amouria, and Qatiya, places "Asilah" within a network of stations and facilities linked to trade, pilgrimage, and movement in Sinai.

He confirmed that this site holds special significance in studying the history of the region, considering Sinai as a cultural and commercial bridge between Egypt and the East.

Archaeological Evidence Suggests the Mamluk Era

The heads of the archaeological mission, Mohamed Khalil and Saddam Hussein, explained that the discovery contributes to understanding the nature of the infrastructure that supported trade, pilgrimage, and military movements during the Islamic eras, and helps study the network of strategic stations established along the roads of Sinai to serve travelers and caravans.

The heads of the mission noted that the artifacts discovered so far suggest dating the site to the Mamluk era, including vessels with distinctive olive green glaze from this period.

They also found fragments of glazed pottery bearing decorative elements that can be attributed to the period of Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad bin Qalawun during the Mamluk naval era.

Some artifacts also bear Arabic letters that may be part of the word "Al-Nasir," but determining the significance of these inscriptions and dating the site more accurately still requires further study and archaeological analysis.

New Excavations to Confirm the Function of the Caravanserai

The archaeological mission continues its work to uncover more architectural details of the building and its annexes, which may help confirm its function as a caravanserai, in addition to completing documentation, study, and restoration work.

"The Egyptian Pilgrim's Path" - A Historical Route Between Egypt, Hijaz, and the Levant

The Sultan's Road, also known as "The Egyptian Pilgrim's Path," is one of the important historical routes used to serve the movement of pilgrims heading to Mecca, along with commercial caravans and the movement of mail and travel between Egypt, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Historical studies indicate that the road remained in use for centuries before political and military developments in the region, particularly the Crusader threat in the East during the 11th century AD, led to its cessation and the redirection of pilgrimage movement to the southern route via Aydhab–Jeddah.

The new discovery in "Asilah" adds an important link to the series of archaeological sites associated with this historical road, providing researchers with a broader opportunity to understand the network of roads and stations that contributed to organizing the movement of pilgrims, traders, and travelers across Sinai over the centuries.