• DOI:10.1086/BASOR25066952
• Corpus ID: 163484022

Tell Ras Budran (Site 345): Defining Egypt's Eastern Frontier and Mining Operations in South Sinai during the Late Old Kingdom (Early EB IV/MB I)

@article{Mumford2006TellRB,
  title={Tell Ras Budran (Site 345): Defining Egypt's Eastern Frontier and Mining Operations in South Sinai during the Late Old Kingdom (Early EB IV/MB I)},
  author={Gregory D. Mumford},
  journal={Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research},
  year={2006},
  volume={342},
  pages={13 - 67}
}

• G. Mumford
• Published 1 May 2006
• History
• Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research

El-Markha Plain is a key coastal region providing an anchorage for Egyptian expeditions traveling to the copper and turquoise mining region in South Sinai. The University of Toronto expedition investigated a mound at Ras Budran and uncovered a late Old Kingdom, circular stone structure. It represents one of three Egyptian "forts" identified from the Early Dynastic through Old Kingdom period and augments two published Old Kingdom sites in South Sinai. It clarifies and underscores the perceived dangers in and the importance of South Sinai to Egyptian mining expeditions during this period. It displays an unusual circular design for an ancient Egyptian structure and an uncommon application of stone to a "fort." Its construction, occupation, possible destruction, and abandonment reflect contemporary late Old Kingdom records for Egyptian campaigns against Asiatic "Sand-dwellers" and a Bedouin massacre of an Egyptian expedition beside the Red Sea. The site illuminates multiple aspects of a period associated with the Old Kingdom's "collapse" and the activities and cross-cultural interactions of a transitory garrison on Egypt's eastern frontier.