High-Ranking Military Commander's Tomb Discovered in Ismailia

Archaeologists from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) have uncovered the tomb of a distinguished military commander dating back to the reign of Ramses III. This significant discovery was made at Tell Roud Iskander, located in the Maskhouta region of the Ismailia Governorate. Alongside this tomb, the team also found several collective and individual burials from the Greco-Roman and Late Roman periods.

A Strategic Military Site

Tell Roud Iskander held considerable military importance during Egypt’s New Kingdom era. According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, this location was a key defensive position along Egypt’s eastern frontier. Fortresses and strongholds were built here to protect the kingdom from external threats, highlighting its role in Egypt’s military strategy.

Structure and Artifacts of the Tomb

The tomb consists of a main burial chamber connected to three adjoining rooms. These structures were built using mud bricks and were internally coated with white plaster. Archaeologists uncovered an array of significant artifacts within the tomb, including bronze arrowheads and fragments of a ceremonial scepter, reinforcing the theory that the burial belonged to a high-ranking military figure from the time of Ramses III.

Further discoveries include alabaster vessels, a gold ring inscribed with the cartouche of Ramses III, beads, colorful stones, a small ivory box, and a burial wrapped in layers of cartonnage—suggesting the tomb may have been reused in later periods.

Additional Burials and Findings

Image Credit : Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)

Beyond the military commander’s tomb, archaeologists unearthed mass graves from the Greco-Roman and Late Roman periods in the surrounding area. Additionally, burials from Egypt’s Late Period were discovered, containing amulets depicting deities such as Taweret and Bes, as well as the symbolic Eye of Udjat.

This discovery provides valuable insights into Egypt’s military history, burial practices, and the cultural influences present in Tell Roud Iskander across different historical periods.