Ancient Egyptian Presence West of the Delta: The Kôm el-Nugûs Site
This article provides further insights into ancient Egyptian activities west of the Delta during the late New Kingdom and Ramesside periods, a region once considered unoccupied before the Ptolemaic era. Since 2012, the French Mission of Taposiris Magna and Plinthine has been studying the site of Kôm el-Nugûs, uncovering a vast complex that includes Saite and Persian period dwellings alongside earlier identified Ptolemaic remains.
More recently excavations have revealed reused architectural elements bearing traces of New Kingdom rulers such as Sety II and Ramesses II. These elements were later incorporated into Ptolemaic buildings, underscoring a common practice in ancient Egypt where new constructions were built atop or repurposed from older structures.
Among further discoveries are the remains of a New Kingdom settlement, featuring groups of mudbrick buildings lining a cobblestone street. This street was ingeniously designed with a water-collecting system to drain surface water and protect the fragile mudbrick walls. Notably, reused stone blocks bearing the cartouche of Ramesses II suggest that a temple dedicated to the ruler once stood at the site. Although the full extent of the Ramesside settlement remains uncertain, the presence of a temple underscores its strategic and cultural importance. Additionally, the western Delta’s long-standing association with viticulture is evidenced by an amphora inscription from the time of Meritaten discovered at the site.
The New Kingdom settlement at Kôm el-Nugûs deepens our understanding of Ramesses II’s strategic efforts to fortify Egypt’s western Delta against the rising threat of Libyan groups. A Ramesside private stela, dedicated by a troop leader and garrison director, indicates the military presence at the site. Also, several other sites in the western Delta were developed as military installations from the early 19th Dynasty. These include the fortified city of Kom Firin, complete with its robust wall and temple, and the fortresses at Tell Abqain and Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham.