Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham

Zawiyet Umm el Rakham is an archaeological place in the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, about 20 km west of Marsa Matruh and about 310 kilometers west of Alexandria.

History and Buildings

Zawiyet Umm el- Rakham has become known for its Pharaonic Egyptian colonization. The most important building is composed of Ramesside time ( New Kingdom, 19th and 20th Dynasties ) derived fortress. Known since 1948 and in subsequent years studied sporadically by Alan Rowe and Labib Habachi, found between 1994 and 2001 extensive excavations by the University of Liverpool under the direction of Steven Snape instead.

When unearthed, is a fortified area of 140 meters squared with a variety of different areas in the interior, which can be functionally differentiated. So could a temple, several chapels and magazines exposed and identified. In the southeast succeeded expose buildings that are probably to be regarded as farm buildings. So here for instructions on kitchens and grain processing by grinding the grain up to bake bread, but also to the processing of flax.

In this sector a total of three wells could be dug.

In contrast to the fountain of Samana and Tell Abqain we find fountains that are driven in the upcoming local stone. Due to the hydrogeological conditions which still carrying water fountains are only a little more than 3 feet deep. The water is still of good quality, so that the excavation team was able to taste the water.