Excavation Details

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently made a stunning announcement regarding a long-lost mining complex discovered in Jabal Sukari, situated southwest of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea Governorate. Revealed in a Facebook post on February 25, 2025, this site boasts well-preserved structures, including ancient dwellings, workshops, and bathhouses.

Gold Extraction Techniques

One of the standout features of this excavation is a comprehensive factory that was utilized for extracting gold from quartz veins. Archaeological evidence suggests that ancient miners employed a series of sophisticated techniques. These included crushing, grinding, and pulverizing the quartz stone, which was then filtered, smelted, and processed in clay furnaces to extract the precious metal.

Living and Working Conditions in Ancient Egypt

The findings at Jabal Sukari extend beyond mining technology. Archaeologists discovered worker housing, workshops, administrative buildings, as well as places of worship and bathing facilities from the Ptolemaic era. Traces of architectural styles from both Roman and Islamic periods were also identified, indicating the site’s sustained significance over centuries.

The Significance of Inscriptions

A particularly significant discovery at the site was the unearthing of 628 ostraca—pieces of pottery and stone that served as writing surfaces. These fragments contained inscriptions in Egyptian hieroglyphs, demotic, and even Greek scripts, suggesting a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic interaction in the region.

Artifacts of Historical Value

Further emphasizing the site’s historical richness, archaeologists uncovered a trove of artifacts dating back to the Ptolemaic and Greco-Roman periods. Noteworthy findings included bronze coins, terracotta statues of both humans and animals, and small stone sculptures representing deities such as Bastet and Harpocrates. Additionally, researchers found five offering tables from the Ptolemaic era, along with various ceramic vessels that were likely used for perfumes, medicines, and incense. Beautifully crafted gemstone beads and decorative tools fashioned from seashells added to the collection of significant discoveries.

Protection and Preservation Efforts

The Jabal Sukari mining site is strategically located near the operational Sukari Gold Mine, which has been in use since 2009. In light of this proximity, officials have taken steps to safeguard the newly discovered artifacts by relocating them to a secure area, away from contemporary mining operations, ensuring their preservation for future study.

Expert Insights

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities emphasized the significance of this discovery, noting that it offers vital insights into the gold-mining techniques employed by ancient Egyptians. He stressed that the artifacts and structures unearthed will assist historians in gaining a deeper understanding of the social, religious, and economic life of miners who toiled in the Eastern Desert.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy expressed enthusiasm for the discovery, describing it as a crucial step in unraveling the historical narratives of the region. He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding Egypt’s cultural heritage while also supporting various economic and developmental initiatives across the country.

A Series of Significant Discoveries

This latest find at Jabal Sukari adds to a string of momentous archaeological discoveries in Egypt in 2025. Just a month prior, researchers announced the discovery of the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II—the first royal tomb unearthed since 1922. Additionally, earlier in January, archaeologists came across the tomb of Teti Neb Fu, an ancient physician reputed for treating Egyptian pharaohs.