The Tell el-Maskhuta Project

Tell el-Maskhuta is an important archaeological site along the Wadi Tumilat. Located in the eastern part of the wadi, it was the key to this very important route between Egypt and the Levant and an international crossroads. In ancient times a canal was dug here to provide a water route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The CNR Mission (National Research Council of Italy - Institute for Ancient Mediterranean Studies) is working on the site, partially explored in the past. The identification of the site is under discussion, as well as the relationship of this town and the one found in Tell el-Retaba. In any event, Tell el-Maskhuta should be identified during the late period with Tjekhu. This contribution presents the first results of the mission. Also introduced here is a methodological discussion on survey technologies applied to the site.