While restoring the Farama Citadel in northern Sinai, members of the Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA) uncovered an Abbasid soldiers’ residence and a textile plant for military outfits, along with a mill and water reservoirs.

    Al-Farama, situated 35 kilometers northeast Qantara Sharq city, was brimming with citadels, fortresses, mosques, monasteries and palaces belonging to Pharaonic, Greek, Coptic and Islamic ages.

    The newly discovered rooms differ in area and shape; some are 1.80m x 8.10m, others are as large 3.15m x 3.15m. 1.8m-deep underground rooms thought to be used for grain storage were also unearthed.

    A circular structure made of burnt bricks with some ashes inside has been called an ancient oven.

    The textile plant was a significant find, said Secretary-General of the SCA, Zahi Hawass.

    Opposite holes were found in facing walls which were apparently used in fixing wooden bars that functioned as looms.

    Traces of these bars were found, along with indications that weavers used linen or silk.

    According to Dr Mohamed Abdul Maqsoud, Director of Lower Egypt of Antiquities, Egypt has been famous for its textile industry since pre-Islamic ages.

    Alexandria, in particular was famous for silk textiles the Byzantine bought regularly.

    The textile industry was maintained in Islamic Egypt.

    In the Abbasid Caliphate new traditions developed that ensured the textile industry’s longevity.

    Each year the Abbasid Caliph would send an Egyptian made cover for the Kaaba.