Ancient copper workshop tied to Moses unearthed in Sinai, Egypt says
Bronze Age site at Wadi al-Nasb reveals copper-smelting furnaces and an industrial complex, underscoring Sinai's metallurgical role and tourism potential
Archaeologists have unearthed a copper-smelting workshop at Wadi al-Nasb in the South Sinai region, a site long linked with biblical narratives about Moses and the Exodus. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery in a press release on Sept. 14.
Among the finds are copper-smelting furnaces, ore preparation tools, ceramic crucibles, amphorae and Egyptian vessels, along with ingots and charcoal derived from local trees. Archaeologists also recovered purified clay used to make tuyère heads, or furnace nozzles. The workshop was found alongside several administrative buildings and watchpoints that together suggest a substantial industrial complex.
The Wadi al-Nasb site sits within the broader Serabit el-Khadim area, historically linked to turquoise mining during the Bronze Age. The site has been at the center of discussions about Moses-related inscriptions, with a researcher in recent months claiming to have found what he described as the oldest written references to Moses at Serabit el-Khadim. Officials note that the new workshop demonstrates Sinai supported a sophisticated metallurgical economy before copper and bronze were transported to the Nile Valley for artisanal, military and administrative use. Copper in ancient times was used to craft weapons, tools, currency and everyday objects.
Sinai's strategic value rests on copper and turquoise deposits, which made the peninsula a frontier of industrial activity in antiquity, officials have said.
"The ministry, through the Supreme Council of Antiquities, will continue supporting archaeological missions, as their work provides scientific and cultural value and connects the achievements of ancient Egyptians with modern concepts of sustainable development," the press release stated. Officials also hope the discovery opens new horizons for cultural tourism in areas still rich with secrets.
The discovery comes as Egyptian authorities promote biblical-era archaeology to attract visitors; earlier in September government officials announced plans to build a mega resort at Mount Sinai, a site associated with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. The find adds a new dimension to understanding the history of industrial and metallurgical activity in Ancient Egypt, showing how copper-smelting and casting occurred before metal moved to the Nile Valley for military, administrative or artisanal use.