Rare Ramses III Inscription Unearthed in Southern Jordan!

Archaeologists have uncovered an extraordinary hieroglyphic inscription of Pharaoh Ramses III in southern Jordan, shedding new light on Egypt’s ancient ties with the Arabian Peninsula. This is the very first time an Egyptian royal cartouche has been found in Jordan.

The inscription, carved into a rock face just southeast of the Wadi Rum Reserve near the Saudi border, includes two cartouches—one bearing Ramses III’s birth name, the other his throne name. These inscriptions confirm his reign over Upper and Lower Egypt between 1186 BCE and 1155 BCE.

Photo Credit: Minister of Tourism and Archaeological Archaeology

Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Lina Annab, described the find as a “landmark discovery” that deepens our understanding of the ancient connections between Egypt, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula. Speaking at a press conference, she praised Jordan as “an open library” of cultural heritage, calling the discovery a “qualitative addition” to the nation’s vast collection of historic inscriptions.

Renowned Egyptian archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass also spoke at the event, emphasising the significance of the find. “This discovery could open the door to a deeper understanding of Egypt’s interactions with the southern Levant and Arabian Peninsula more than 3,000 years ago,” he said. Hawass noted that finding Ramses III’s name in Jordan suggests Egypt’s influence in the region was broader than previously thought.

The discovery is part of a joint excavation project run by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission. It forms part of a wider initiative to document evidence of Ramses III’s military and cultural activities beyond Egypt’s traditional borders.

Photo Credit: kairoinfo4u (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Ramses III ruled during a particularly turbulent period in the Eastern Mediterranean. At a time when great civilisations like the Hittites and the Mycenaean Greeks were collapsing, Egypt faced repeated invasions by land and sea. Ramses is perhaps best remembered for his defence against the Sea Peoples during the Battle of the Delta.

The discovery of the inscription in Wadi Rum offers important clues about Egyptian actions east of the Sinai Peninsula. While Jordan was never formally part of the Egyptian Empire, it lay along key trade routes linking Egypt with the Levant and Arabia. The presence of a royal inscription here suggests Egypt’s military, political, or cultural reach extended much further than previously believed.

Researchers are continuing to analyse the inscription in detail. Full findings will be released once the study is complete, and further excavations in the area may soon follow.