Located in the North Sinai desert, just east of the Suez Canal, this site contains two ancient Egyptian fortresses. One of them dates to the Amarna Period (18th dynasty) and was used continuously throughout this time-frame. This fort was 120 meters east-west by 80 meters north-south.
It contained a dry-moat that may not have been completed. Its purpose would have been to serve as a barrier to attackers trying to destroy the fort.
There would have been more than 250 men serving in its garrison, including a chariot unit. Wine and other supplies were sent by the rulers of Egypt.
The walls of the structure are about four meters at the base. It was abandoned at the end of the 18th dynasty when a new fortress was constructed beside it. The moat was filled in with stone from what appears to have been a destroyed building – possibly an Aten temple.
The new fortress was smaller and did not have a moat. It appears to have been in use until sometime in the 20th dynasty when it was attacked and abandoned. It’s possible that the Sea People were the attackers.