More than 300 Egyptian artifacts dating over 3,500 years found in Israel

A cave located in what is modern-day Israel has proven to be a veritable treasure chest of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, which are believed to date back around 3,500 years.

These 300 plus artifacts are reported to date back to the reign of Thuthmose I (circa 1503-1493 BC) a pharaoh from the 18^th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. Some other artifacts found within this cave reveal a continuing Ancient Egyptian presence in this region, until Thuthmose’s dynastic successor, Amenhotep III.

The Ancient Egyptian empire reached the zenith of its foreign influence and dominance during the rule of the 18^th Dynasty (circa 1543-1292 BC). Egypt had ruled over the lands of Canaan – encompassing modern-day Israel and Palestine – during this time.

The Live Science website reported on Wednesday that these hundreds of hidden artifacts include a wide array of colorful and well-preserved jewelry, ceramic pottery, alabaster jars, scarab seals, royal stamps, oil lamps, cosmetic vessels, and amulets.

Reportedly, all these artifacts had been stored in a cave – likely for safekeeping – in the area of Tel Halif, in southern Israel. This archaeological storage site had previously been unknown.

Citing Israeli archaeological authorities, Live Science announced that the name of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (reigned circa 1388-1350 BC) was also found on royal seals buried within this cave.

Furthermore, Israeli archaeological authorities reported that this cave appears to have been subjected to acts of looting. Pick-axes were said to be found by this cave, along with other evidence of the presence of illicit treasure hunters. Yet these authorities claim that the cave was largely left intact. 

As of Wednesday, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities had not issued any comments on its official webpage regarding this archaeological discovery.

This new discovery proves that the Ancient Egyptian empire still ruled over the land of Canaan – or at least maintained an administrative presence there – particularly over the south of this territory, even after time of the Jewish exodus from Egypt (believed to have occurred between 1446-1406 BC).

According to Jewish tradition, the 12 tribes of Israel fled from their captivity in Egypt to the land of Canaan, which they proceeded to occupy from the native Canaanites.

People of the Jewish faith celebrate Passover/Pesach commemorating the Biblical account of God’s punishments against the pharaoh and his people, along with the flight from Egypt, around the same time as the Christian celebration of Easter.

Beyond religious scriptures there is very little in terms of historical or archaeological evidence to prove the trajectory, or even the occurrence, of this exodus from Egypt, however.