Wadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex)
Wadi al-Jarf South · Khufu Harbour South Galleries · Rod el-Khawaga South
Old Kingdom 4th Dynasty (2620–2500 BCE, Sneferu–Khufu)·Old Kingdom Egyptian·🇪🇬 Suez Governorate, Red Sea coast 119 km south of Suez, Wadi al-Jarf wadi mouth south bank, Egypt
About
About Wadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex)
Southern annex of the world's oldest harbour (Khufu) with 8 rock-cut galleries storing mortised cedar boats and 150 anchors, plus Merer papyrus dump. South mole stub now -1 m.
Why it mattersKey Old Kingdom 4th Dynasty (2620–2500 BCE, Sneferu–Khufu) site illustrating Old Kingdom Egyptian urbanism and oldest harbour's southern storage and boat galleries for sinai copper-turquoise .
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Boat assembly locus — on beach vs gallery
Theories
- 01Expedition rotation 6 months Red Sea sailing window
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Sneferu harbour 2620 BCE; Khufu galleries cut 2590 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom 4th Dynasty (2620–2500 BCE, Sneferu–Khufu)
- Culture
- Old Kingdom Egyptian
- Purpose
- Oldest harbour's southern storage and boat galleries for Sinai copper-turquoise expeditions
- Excavation
- Excavated
Sneferu harbour 2620 BCE; Khufu galleries cut 2590 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
28.8820° N · 32.6350° E · 5 m · 3 mapped features
Wadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex) — Harbour Mole
moleHarbour mole at Wadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex)
28.8826° N · 32.6356° EWadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex) — Store Galleries
galleryRock-cut galleries at Wadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex)
28.8820° N · 32.6350° EWadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex) — Anchors
harbourAnchor field at Wadi al-Jarf South Galleries (Red Sea Harbour Annex)
28.8814° N · 32.6344° E