For more than three millennia, a once-thriving city lay hidden beneath Egypt’s desert, its story erased by time.
Archaeologists have brought to light a vast gold-mining settlement that offers groundbreaking insights into ancient Egypt—a city that once played a crucial role in fueling the wealth of the pharaohs.
Located in Jabal Sukari, southwest of Marsa Alam, this vast site dates back to the reign of Amenhotep III (1391–1353 BC), one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers. Experts believe this was a gold-processing hub, supplying precious metal for the construction of Egypt’s legendary temples, monuments, and palaces.
What makes this discovery truly astonishing is its remarkable state of preservation. Despite being buried for thousands of years, the city’s structures remain largely intact. Workshops, temples, administrative buildings, and even homes still stand, offering an unparalleled glimpse into daily life during Egypt’s golden age.
According to a recent statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, “After two years of dedicated work, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, represented by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has successfully completed the “Reviving the Ancient City of Gold” project at Jabal Sukari, southwest of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea Governorate. This achievement was made in collaboration with the Sukari Mine administration, following all necessary legal and administrative procedures and securing approval from the Permanent Committee for Egyptian Antiquities.”
A Hidden Industrial Powerhouse Resurfaces
For centuries, the desert concealed this lost settlement, but after four years of meticulous excavation, archaeologists have exposed what may be one of the largest industrial centers ever found in Egypt. The city was designed with a clear purpose—to extract, refine, and distribute gold, the most coveted resource of the ancient world.
One of the most striking discoveries is a fully preserved gold-processing facility, revealing the advanced techniques Egyptians used to refine metal thousands of years ago. Archaeologists uncovered:
- Crushing and grinding stations where quartz-rich rocks were broken down to extract gold.
- Sedimentation basins and filtration pools used to separate gold particles from debris.
- Large smelting furnaces where raw gold was melted and purified into ingots.
These findings provide a rare look into Egypt’s mining technology, proving that the civilization’s wealth was not only built on conquest and trade but also on sophisticated industrial processes that sustained its economy for centuries.
Artifacts Reveal a City That Thrived for Centuries
Although this settlement flourished during the 18th Dynasty, evidence suggests it was inhabited for hundreds of years after. Archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of artifacts, including inscribed ostraca featuring hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek texts, bronze coins from the Ptolemaic period, terracotta figurines of humans and animals, and statues of Bastet and Harpocrates.
The discovery of pottery used for medicine, perfumes, and incense suggests that the city was more than just an industrial hub—it was a fully functioning community with trade, religious activity, and daily life.
A Glimpse Into the Lives of Ancient Workers
This settlement wasn’t just a place where gold was processed—it was home to thousands of workers, overseers, merchants, and priests. The layout of the city indicates a highly organized urban structure, with designated areas for:
- Residential quarters, where workers lived and families thrived.
- Administrative buildings, where officials managed mining operations.
- Religious structures, where offerings and rituals were performed.
Experts believe this discovery sheds light on how mining communities functioned in ancient Egypt, revealing the social hierarchy, labor conditions, and the religious practices that shaped life in these industrial cities.
Protecting a Forgotten Civilization
To preserve this extraordinary site, authorities have relocated key architectural elements three kilometers north of their original location, safeguarding them from modern mining activities at Sukari Mine. Additionally, a visitor center has been established, featuring interactive exhibits, a full-scale replica of the mining camp, and information panels detailing the excavation process.
Now, and recently open to researchers and the public, this city—once buried under centuries of sand—has resurfaced to tell the story of the people who helped build Egypt’s golden empire. With its astonishing preservation, industrial significance, and invaluable insights into Egypt’s economic past, this discovery stands as one of the most groundbreaking archaeological finds of the 21st century.
