Shalfak

Shalfak, originally known as Waf-Chastiu, is a well-preserved ancient Egyptian fortress located on the western shore of the Second Cataract of the Nile, now part of Lake Nubia in Sudan. Constructed during the Middle Kingdom under Pharaoh Senusret III's reign in the 12th Dynasty, it is part of a strategic network of 17 forts aimed at securing Egypt's southern frontier. The fortress covers an area of approximately 1800 m² and boasts formidable mudbrick walls reaching up to 6 meters in height and 8 meters in thickness. Its design includes three spur walls and an eastern stairway providing river access. Inside, it features a command building, barracks, workshops, storerooms, and a granary laid out in a grid plan. Shalfak's strategic significance and excellent preservation make it a key site for understanding Egypt's military and administrative practices during the Middle Bronze Age.