What is the world’s oldest port?
The world’s oldest port is Wadi al-Jarf, located in Egypt on the Red Sea coast. This ancient port was discovered in 2011 and is believed to date back to around 2600 BC, making it over 4600 years old. The port of Wadi al-Jarf was probably built during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops, who is best remembered as the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Significance of Wadi al-Jarf
The port of Wadi al-Jarf was a major logistical center that enabled communication and trade between Egypt and other regions. Several ancient papyri have been found in the port, which provide valuable information about ancient seafaring and trade. These papyri contain, among other things, information about the operation of the port, the crews of the ships and the transported goods.
Archaeological discoveries
Several significant archaeological finds have been found in the port, such as ancient anchors, ropes and ceramics. These discoveries provide researchers with valuable information about ancient seafaring and the operation of the port. In addition, several warehouse buildings and residential buildings have been found in the port, which tell about the life and everyday life of the port’s employees.
The port’s role in building the pyramids
The port of Wadi al-Jarf probably played an important role in the construction of the Giza pyramids. Large quantities of copper and other building materials, which were needed to build the pyramids, were transported through the port. This shows how important a role shipping and ports played in the implementation of large construction projects in ancient Egypt.
More information
If you want to read more about Wadi al-Jarf and ancient seafaring, you can check out the following sources:
- National Geographic: Ancient Egyptian Port Discovered
- Smithsonian Magazine: Oldest Known Port from Ancient Egypt Discovered
- BBC News: Ancient Egyptian harbor discovered
The port of Wadi al-Jarf is a significant archaeological discovery that provides valuable information about ancient seafaring and trade. It is also a testament to ancient Egypt’s technical know-how and ability to build large and complex infrastructure projects.
