Ancient copper workshop unearthed in Sinai region tied to Moses, Exodus

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed an ancient copper smelting workshop at Wadi al-Nasb in South Sinai, a Bronze Age site linked to the regions copper and turquoise mining. The discovery was announced on Sept 14 by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The workshop was found alongside several administrative buildings and watchpoints. Inside were copper smelting furnaces and ore preparation tools, as well as ceramic crucibles, amphorae and Egyptian vessels. Archaeologists also recovered ingots and charcoal from local trees, plus purified clay used to make tuyere heads for furnace nozzles. The site also yielded rounded stones believed to have been ore preparation tools used to crush copper before smelting.

According to the ministry, the find provides clear evidence of an advanced industrial system for copper smelting and casting before the metal was transported to the Nile Valley for artisanal, military and administrative use. The Sinai site was a Bronze Age hub for copper and turquoise extraction and processing.

Wadi al-Nasb is historically linked to Serabit el-Khadim, a site where a researcher recently claimed to have found the oldest written references to Moses. The new discovery reinforces the region's long-standing association with ancient resource extraction and metallurgy.

Sinai’s strategic importance for copper and turquoise deposits is well established. Officials say the discovery underscores the region as a key node in the broader network of Bronze Age production that fed urban centers along the Nile.

In its statement, the Ministry said the mission will continue supporting archaeological work and will seek to connect the achievements of ancient Egyptians with modern concepts of sustainable development. Officials also said the find could boost cultural tourism by highlighting local heritage sites still rich with secrets.

The development comes as Egyptian officials promote biblical-era archaeology to attract visitors, with earlier announcements of proposed projects, including a mega resort at Mount Sinai. The government says such finds help tell a broader story about ancient industry and daily life in the region, alongside religious and cultural history.