Cairo, Egypt—according to one ahram online According to reports, a series of reservoirs have been excavated at the site of the historic port of ‘Aydhab’ on the coast of the Red Sea. The central reservoir is approximately 50 feet long and is made of sandstone and locally sourced coral blocks, lined with a waterproof layer of lime plaster. Small reservoirs in the water storage system that supplied ships, merchants, and travelers were also not exposed. Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said, “These establishments reflect a sophisticated infrastructure that supports both trade and the movement of pilgrims.” Pilgrims traveled through ‘Aydab from Egypt and North Africa to Israel, and linked trade routes to India, Yemen and East Africa, said Hisham el-Leithy of Egypt’s Supreme Council. Traces of residential buildings, watch towers and service facilities were also discovered, as well as imported Chinese porcelain and green-glazed pottery from Egypt’s Fatimid period (Advertisement 969-1171). To read about the world’s oldest port, located on the southwestern shore of the Red Sea, visit “Journey of the Pyramid Builders“
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