An Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered one of the most significant newly discovered heritage sites of exceptional historical and artistic value in South Sinai. The site, previously unknown, is known as the Umm Araq Plateau.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the site dates back approximately 10,000 years and contains drawings and inscriptions from various historical periods. Among them are Arabic inscriptions confirming that the site continued to be used during the early Islamic period and beyond.
The site features a naturally formed sandstone rock shelter stretching more than 100 meters along the eastern side of the plateau. Its depth ranges between two and three meters, while the ceiling height gradually slopes from about 1.5 meters to half a meter.
The rock shelter’s ceiling contains a large number of red-ink rock drawings depicting animals and various symbols that are still under study. Researchers also documented, for the first time, another group of grey-colored drawings, as well as numerous inscriptions and scenes executed using diverse artistic techniques, reflecting rich cultural diversity and artistic heritage.
