Coral Buildings at Raya and al-Tur in Sinai, Egypt

Several coral buildings on the Red Sea coast of Egypt dated to the medieval, Islamic period and later have been detected by the systematic archaeological excavations in recent decades, and shed new light in the field of study on the coastal trading activity between Europe and Asia. In this paper, two important port cities in Egypt are dealt with in the context of the history of coral buildings erected along the Red Sea coast. The vast site of the port city Raya (6th-12th or 13th century AD) lies on the coast of South Sinai near al-Tur, where a large square-shaped fort with nine towers was constructed. The foundation of the enclosure wall consists of coral blocks, and mud bricks seem to be installed to the top of the wall. The main gate with portcullis is however, strengthened by sandstone blocks, presumably transported from a quarry far apart from the site. It is remarkable that various architectural materials must have been gathered and applied according to their structural and ecological advantages. After abandonment of this port city, al-Tur (especially al-Kilani area: 14th-20th century AD) presumed to have been established near the previous trade harbor. At al-Kilani site, many two- and three-storey houses have been constructed using coral blocks. For strengthening of the buildings, wood fragments of vessels are reused and incorporated into the coral walls. At the corner of the exterior and the keystone of the arch at the top of the main entrance, sandstone blocks are also installed here.