Summary: Ancient wells have been discovered along the “The Way of Horus,” the largest and most important road connecting Egypt to Canaan.
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” – Exodus 13:17 (NIV)
Biblical Connection to Egypt’s “Way of Horus” Road
The 137-mile-long “Way of Horus” dates back at least to the Old Kingdom of Egypt. It was the largest and most important route between Egypt and Canaan and was used for trade and military activity. The main line of Egyptian forts along the road were not developed until the New Kingdom.
“The Ways of Horus was a high road secured by a network of fortresses and provided with water reservoirs, as well as supply and custom stations that were established along the route between the Eastern Delta and South Palestine. It was a vital artery through which the military and commercial traffic between Egypt and Asia flowed,” wrote Abdul Ahman al-Rayedi in his book The Inscription of the Way of Horus.
The Bible talks about this road in Exodus 13:17 where it is called “the way of the land of the Philistines.” It was the most direct way for the Israelites to get to Canaan, but God had them use a different route to protect them from conflict with the Philistines. He knew if the Philistines attacked the newly escaped Israelites, they would be afraid and want to turn back to Egypt.
Some who argue for the Exodus happening in the New Kingdom propose that the Egyptian forts were the reason for the concern about warfare along this route. However, if the Exodus happened before the New Kingdom, many of these Egyptian forts were either not there or were much smaller. Perhaps more significantly, the biblical text is clear that Pharaoh had sent the Israelites out of Egypt in haste because of the ten plagues. The Egyptians even gave the Israelites their silver, gold and clothing. According to the account, God had seen to it that any Egyptian forces in the way would not hinder their exodus.
The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” . . . they were thrust out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves. – Exodus 12:33, 39 (ESV)
Pharaohs in the New Kingdom’s 18th and 19th Dynasty used this route to help them dominate much of Canaan and it was no doubt along this route that the pharaoh at the time of Solomon sent his forces to take the city of Gezer and gave it as dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife (1 Kings 9:16).
A few decades later, Pharaoh Shishak came up this same route to sack the Temple in Jerusalem during the reign of King Rehoboam of Judah (2 Chron. 12:1-9).
Ancient Egyptian Wells of Sinai
The Egyptian archeological mission from the Tel el-Kedwa area in North Sinai recently discovered a group of water wells along the ancient Horus road, as part of the Sinai Development Project 2021-22 headed by Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziry.
“It is the first time that such wells have been found, as they were earlier only known from scientific documents and engravings on the Karnak Temples in Luxor from the reign of king Seti I (1292-1190 BC),” Waziri said, as per a press release by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Five wells were discovered outside the walls of the fortress of Tel el-Kedwa, in an area known for its yellow sand, said Waziry. Evidence indicates that all the wells but one were deliberately destroyed, to prevent enemies from using them during the period of the Persian invasion in 525 BC.
The only surviving well was built differently than the others. It was dug with pottery rings placed on top of each other. Each ring was over three feet in diameter with three side openings to aid in climbing up and down the well.
“It was the only well that was built in an unconventional way, where it was dug in the yellow sand, and rings of pottery were placed on top of each other inside it. The mission dug and descended a little more than three meters [3 yards], finding 13 luxury rings, and many of the luxury pots date back to the 26th family era, the Saite era,” said Dr. Ayman Ashmawi, the head of Egypt’s archeology sector. The Saite period (664-525 BC) was the beginning of the Late Period of ancient Egypt.
Other Ancient Discoveries
Inside the fort, a warehouse about 39 feet long and 13 feet wide was discovered with many pottery pots placed on top of each other to drain water, said the Head of the Central Department of Antiquities of Lower Egypt, Nadia Khader. The mission also excavated the remains of kilns, likely workshops used for smelting copper ore. Copper shards were found inside and outside the fortress.
Conclusion
The Way of Horus, along with several other prominent pharaonic sites, will be open to tourists soon in the North Sinai region, stated the current missions chair, Director of North Sinai Antiquities, Ramadan Helmi. Sites and discoveries like these bring Bible times alive and make us want to Keep Thinking!
TOP PHOTO: One of five wells discovered in North Sinai along the Way of Horus road. (credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)
