German scholar Dr. O.F.A, Meinardus wrote about traditions informing us that the Holy Family likely traveled through the Eastern Delta, the approximate location from where the Exodus took place.

The name ‘Land of Goshen’ is only mentioned in the Bible, and not Egyptian documents. The cities Pithom and Pi-Rameses, two fortified cities the Hebrews built before the Exodus, (Ex. 1:11) however, have been found. The Austrian Institute excavated the ruins of Pithom and found the remains of some temple buildings and grain stores. Pi-Rameses in particular is important because the Egyptians moved their capital from Memphis to Pi-Rameses in the 14th century B.C. because of the threats coming from the east. Pi-Rameses was the capital of Egypt in the time of Moses. In the same region the ruins have been found of Tanis, the capital of Pharaoh Sheshonk I [Shishak in the Bible] (935-914 B.C.) who plundered the temple of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 12:9). Some researchers speculate he may have taken the Ark of the Covenant to this city.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, an overview of Tanis.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, an overview of Tanis.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, an overview of Tanis.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, an overview of Tanis.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, obelisk trumbling down.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, obelisk trumbling down.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, Pharaonic tombs of the 22 nd dynasty [935 – 730 BC].

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, Pharaonic tombs of the 22 nd dynasty [935 – 730 BC].

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, statue of Ramses II..

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, Egyptologist Lutfi Sherif examing the Pharaonic columns.

Photo: Cornelis Hulsman, Egyptologist Lutfi Sherif gives an explanation to an Egyptian school girl.