Egyptian archaeologists have
discovered what they say was the ancient headquarters
of the Pharaonic army guarding the northeastern
borders of Egypt for more than 1,500 years, the
government said on Wednesday.

The fortress and adjoining town, which they identify
with the ancient place name Tharu, lies in the Sinai
peninsula about 3 km (2 miles) northeast of the modern
town of Qantara, Egyptian archaeologist Mohamed Abdel
Maksoud told Reuters.

The town sat at the start of a military road joining
the Nile Valley to the Levant, parts of which were
under Egyptian control for much of the period, the
government's Supreme Council for Antiquities said in a
statement.