Min. of Antiquities to start excavation work at Bir Youssef

CAIRO – 30 November 2017: An Egyptian archaeological mission, formed by Ministry of Antiquities, is set to begin excavation work at Bir Youssef (Youssef Well), in Salah el-Din Citadel, in a few days, according to a press statement released by the ministry.


Bir Youssef [Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Antiquities official Facebook page]

According to Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, the main goal of the forthcoming excavation is to reveal new archaeological discoveries related to Salah el-Din Citadel.

Constructed in 572, according to the Islamic calendar, by the first Sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty, Salah el-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, the well was built to provide the citadel with water during military sieges.


Bir Youssef [Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Antiquities official Facebook page]

Locally, Egyptians believed the well was named Youssef in reference to the well where prophet Youssef was found. While in actuality Youssef refers to Ayyoubi Kurdish Sultan Salah el-Din's real name.