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Archaeologists Uncover Evidence Linking Tell Abu Saifi to the Lost Ancient Egyptian City of Mesen

Egyptian authorities have identified new archaeological evidence at Tell Abu Saifi that strongly supports the hypothesis that the site is the long-lost city of Mesen. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of a massive sandstone lintel, which bears the royal titles of Pharaoh Ramesses II and an inscription referring to the deity Horus as the "Lord of the City of Mesen." This find provides a direct link between the temple and the lost city, which was known from historical texts but whose exact location had been unconfirmed until recently. The excavation also revealed a fortified temple complex, including a mudbrick enclosure wall, storage rooms, and two stone roads. Researchers noted that the site served religious, military, and economic roles over several eras, eventually being repurposed as a Roman military camp and later a limestone quarry. The discovery reinforces the tell's position as a key stop along the Way of Horus, a strategic military road connecting Egypt to the eastern Mediterranean. Ongoing excavations continue to provide further evidence to settle the identification of the site as Mesen.

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