Tell el-Kuʿ

Tell el-Kuʿ is an archaeological site located in the eastern Nile Delta, Egypt, specifically at the Wadi Tumilat. The site has been identified as both a cemetery and a settlement with significant occupation during the Second Intermediate Period, spanning from the late Middle Kingdom to the early New Kingdom (approximately 1650 BCE to 1550 BCE). The site reveals intriguing burial practices of non-Egyptian origin, such as donkey burials, which are also observed at other eastern Delta sites like Tell el-Dab'a and Tell Basta. Its settlement architecture shows similarities with Tell el-Maskhuta, indicating a potential regional architectural style. The site likely played a role in trade between Egypt and the Levant during this period. Excavations have unearthed important insights into both funerary practices and domestic life, enriching our understanding of cultural exchanges and interactions in ancient Egypt.