Egypt excavates 3,000-year gold mining complex

Egyptian archaeologists have successfully concluded a two-year excavation and preservation project at Jabal Sukari, an ancient gold mining site near the Red Sea. This 3,000-year-old industrial complex provides significant insights into Egypt’s historical mining operations.

Due to the risks posed by modern mining activities, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities carried out extensive research before relocating key structures for protection. The excavation uncovered an advanced gold extraction system, featuring grinding and crushing stations, filtration basins, and clay smelting furnaces. Additionally, archaeologists identified a nearby settlement containing workshops, administrative buildings, temples, and baths.

Diversity

Inscriptions in hieroglyphs, Demotic, and Greek indicate that the site was home to a diverse working community. To preserve its historical significance, fragile structures were moved two miles from the active mining zone, and a replica was constructed to enhance tourism.

This discovery sheds new light on the sophisticated techniques used by ancient Egyptians to extract gold and offers a deeper understanding of the daily lives of workers who contributed to the mining industry. According to Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the site represents an integrated gold processing facility where quartz veins were processed through grinding, filtration, and smelting.

The “Reviving the Ancient City of Gold” project, led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities in collaboration with the Sukkari Mine administration, involved archaeological excavation, documentation, and restoration efforts. The relocation of architectural elements three kilometers north of their original site ensures their protection from ongoing modern mining operations. This excavation has provided valuable knowledge about both ancient Egyptian mining techniques and the social, religious, and economic aspects of life in industrial settlements in the Eastern Desert.