Tell el-Ajjul
Gaza Tell el-Ajjul · Ajjul · Sharuhen?
MB to Iron Age (c.2000–600 BCE; peak Hyksos–Egyptian anchorage 1750–1550)·Hyksos → Egyptian (Thutmosis III) → Philistine·🇵🇸 Gaza Governorate, Coastal Plain, Palestine
About
About Tell el-Ajjul
Tell el-Ajjul near Gaza is the Hyksos–Egyptian port-town (likely ancient Sharuhen of Ahmose sack, or Gaza) with gold hoards — Petrie 1930–34 yielded 1200 gold objects, Hyksos palaces and Cypriot imports. Fischer renewed excavations show LB anchorage with Minoan ware. Gaza war threatens.
Why it mattersHyksos gold hoards; Sharuhen/Gaza anchorage hypothesis.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Is it Sharuhen (Ahmose) or Gaza?
Theories
- 01Hyksos Gaza entrepôt
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.2000 BCE
- Period
- MB to Iron Age (c.2000–600 BCE; peak Hyksos–Egyptian anchorage 1750–1550)
- Culture
- Hyksos → Egyptian (Thutmosis III) → Philistine
- Builders
- Hyksos → Egyptian governors
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1930 (Petrie)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2000 BCE
MB Hyksos town
c.1550 BCE
Ahmose sacks Sharuhen (if Ajjul)
1930
Flinders Petrie gold hoards
2000s
Peter Fischer LB anchorage
On the ground
Structures & features
31.4700° N · 34.4000° E · 15 m · 3 mapped features
Hyksos Palace and Gold Hoard Area
palaceHyksos palace with 1200 gold objects — Petrie hoard findspot
31.4703° N · 34.4002° ECypriot Import Warehouse Quarter
warehouseLB warehouse with Cypriot and Minoan imports
31.4696° N · 34.4003° ESouthern Anchorage Harbour
portLB harbour basin on now-silted Gaza lagoon
31.4708° N · 34.3994° E