Cairo - Egypt
In an archaeological discovery that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities described as “unique,” an Egyptian mission operating in the “Tel al-Yahudiyah” area in Qalyubia Governorate succeeded in finding tombs carved in rock with various architectural styles, in addition to completing the discovery of the remains of a Roman camp extending in the surface layer above those tombs.

A qualitative addition to the history of the Delta

Dr. Hisham Al-Laithi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed:

The discovery represents a qualitative addition to the history of the Delta, as the scarcity of tombs carved into rock in the delta’s muddy lands gives this discovery great importance for understanding the development of burial patterns east of the Delta.

He explained that the discovered archaeological finds determined the time frame of the tombs, as they date back to the late New Kingdom era and their use continued until the late era, while the presence of the Roman camp in the surface layer adds a new dimension that confirms the exceptional strategic importance of the site throughout the ages.

Two architectural styles reflect the genius of the site
For his part, Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the tombs belong to two main types: The first has an entrance with a staircase leading to a hall interspersed with holes (bayatas) designated for burial, and the second has a rectangular well that descends to two burial rooms.

He pointed out that these funerary models are unique in the clay soil of the Delta, and are only similar to limited models, such as in the Kom el-Shoqafa cemetery in Alexandria and areas on the northern coast.

Archaeological finds that accurately record history

In turn, archaeologist Anwar Abdel Samad, Director General of Qalyubia Antiquities and head of the mission, stated that the excavation work resulted in the discovery of a group of movable antiquities accompanying the burials, which helped accurately determine the periods of cultural succession in the region, confirming the continuation of the mission’s work at the site, which was historically famous for the presence of a huge camp dating back to the Hyksos era and whose exploitation continued until the Greek and Roman eras.

A promising opportunity for the Arab tourist searching for history
The impact of this discovery is not limited to the scientific aspect, but extends to the map of cultural tourism in Egypt, as “Jewish Hill” opens the door to a new path for archaeological tourism in the Delta, away from the traditional paths in Giza, Luxor, and Aswan. The site represents a promising opportunity for Arab tourists looking for a different experience that combines Pharaonic and Roman history in one place. It also opens the way for Arab investors to support restoration projects and tourism infrastructure in the region, at a time when Egypt is moving to diversify its tourism products and attract new segments of visitors.