The minaret of Al-Khashawi during the first week of work

Baltim's secret minaret

By Nevine El-Aref

Some of the most remarkable discoveries included a complete mosque in good condition dating back to the ninth century, a collection of coloured pottery from the Abbasid and Mameluke eras, domestic utensils (knives, plates and home scales) as well as the remains of Al-Khashawi village.

"It is a unique discovery in lower Egypt," said Mohamed Salaheddin, general director of the archaeological area in central Egypt. It is the first time in the history of lower Egypt that a complete, well-preserved mosque has been found.

The mosque was built by Sidi Mohamed Al-Khashawi, a holy man who had come from Morocco and settled in Tel Al-Khashawi area. The mosque has a 30-metre-high minaret. The rest of the mosque is still buried in the sand, awaiting the next excavation season which will start next month.

Abdallah El-Attar, head of the Islamic and Coptic department in the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), termed the discovery very important, adding that it could lead to further finds from the early Islamic era. The area is now closed to visitors and will remain so until the completion of restoration work on the minaret.

El-Attar said the area also includes well-preserved 18th century military artifacts, including remains of Al-Borollos lighthouse, and of Al-Ayashi and Orabi fortifications as well as some bombs, a cannon and coins from different Islamic periods.

East of the lighthouse, the archaeologists found the remains of Al-Ayashi fortress housing three iron cannons.

The remains of the Orabi fortress, lying near Al-Borollos lighthouse, will be restored and cleaned up before being moved to a museum exhibiting military objects discovered in the area.

"In the near future, Baltim will be a complete summer resort," said Salaheddin, adding that visitors will enjoy the sea and the sand and will be offered the chance to know more about the heroism of their ancestors against invaders.

Clearance work in the site will be part of a major development project that will include the construction of new roads to link up with surrounding areas and the installation of a modern lighting system.