Remains of ancient bustling port discovered near Giza Pyramids

The remains of a bustling port and barracks for sailors or military troops, which were apparently in use while the pyramids were being built about 4,500 years ago, have been discovered near the Giza Pyramids.

The archaeologists have been excavating a city near the Giza Pyramids that dates mainly to the reign of the pharaoh Menkaure, who built the last pyramid at Giza, Fox News reported.

Also near the pyramids they have been excavating a town, located close to a monument dedicated to Queen Khentkawes, possibly a daughter of Menkaure.

The barracks are located at the city, while a newly discovered basin, that may be part of a harbor, is located by the Khentkawes town.

Several discoveries at the city and Khentkawes town suggest Giza was a thriving port, archaeologist Mark Lehner, the director of Ancient Egypt Research Associates, said.

For instance, Lehner's team discovered a basin beside the Khentkawes town just 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) from the nearest Nile River channel.

This basin may be "an extension of a harbor or waterfront," Lehner said at a recent symposium held by the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities.