El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces
Roman (3rd c. CE)·Roman Egyptian desert limes·🇪🇬 Western Desert, El Ar oasis, Egypt
About
About El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces
El Ar surveyed. Recorded context — Period: Roman (3rd c. CE); Culture: Roman Egyptian desert limes; Field status: unexcavated; Materials: mudbrick; Condition: ruins.
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Why it mattersKey Roman Egyptian desert limes fortress with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Construction labor organization
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Observatory
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 250 CE
- Period
- Roman (3rd c. CE)
- Culture
- Roman Egyptian desert limes
- Purpose
- Desert fort on caravan route with fortified well
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1919
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 250 CE
Initial construction / first occupation at El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces
On the ground
Structures & features
27.0610° N · 27.9820° E · 85 m · 3 mapped features
- El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces — Principal Structurestructurestructure at El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces — hydraulic feature27.0619° N · 27.9835° E
- El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces — Northern Complexcomplexcomplex at El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces — primary structure27.0626° N · 27.9803° E
- El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at El Ar — Desert Fortress Wadi Terraces — hydraulic feature27.0626° N · 27.9806° E