# Ancient Egyptian warhorse given royal burial 3,000 years ago

> Archaeologists in Egypt's Nile Delta discovered a complete horse skeleton buried with care, revealing military life in a New Kingdom fortress.
- Title: Ancient Egyptian warhorse given royal burial 3,000 years ago
- Summary: Archaeologists in Egypt's Nile Delta discovered a complete horse skeleton buried with care, revealing military life in a New Kingdom fortress. A carefully…
- Keywords: ancient egypt, archaeology, warhorse, new kingdom, tell al-abqain, nile delta, beheira province, honorific burial, egyptian antiquities, military fortress, chariot warfare, news
- Source: CBS News — https://cbsnews.com/news/egypt-ancient-war-horse-honorific-burial-remains-3000-years-old
- Author: Ahmed  Shawkat
- Published: 2026-09-16T16:26:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ancient egypt, archaeology, warhorse, new kingdom, tell al-abqain, nile delta, beheira province, honorific burial, egyptian antiquities, military fortress, chariot warfare, news
## Complete warhorse skeleton unearthed
Archaeologists discovered the full remains of a young male horse at Tell Al-Abqain in Egypt's Nile Delta, buried with deliberate care over 3,000 years ago.
## Military fortress protected Egypt from Libya
The site at Tell Al-Abqain was built during the New Kingdom (1570-1069 B.C.) to defend Egypt against attacks by Libyan tribes in the northern Beheira province.
## Horse was bred for speed and warfare
The horse belonged to a medium-sized breed known for speed and agility, likely used to pull war chariots during military campaigns in the New Kingdom.
## Burial position shows ceremonial respect
The horse's body position, head direction, and orderly arrangement indicate it received an honorific burial, suggesting the animal was valued and deliberately honored.
## Chariot harness pieces confirm military role
Archaeologists found cylindrical alabaster and limestone pieces nearby that formed part of a horse's chariot harness, proving the site's military purpose.
## Fortress reveals organized military life
Excavations uncovered a planned residential complex with grain silos, pottery ovens, religious amulets, and a limestone stela depicting a Libyan prisoner with bound hands.
## Key takeaway

A carefully positioned horse burial and nearby chariot harness pieces show that ancient Egyptians honored their warhorses with ceremonial interment.