A joint Egyptian-German mission in ancient Pi-Ramesses has discovered the pristine residence of a high-ranking official tasked with military technological innovation. The residence, dating to the reign of Ramesses II, includes a private workshop containing rare wooden scale models of chariot chassis and various wheel-axle configurations used for testing structural integrity.
Inscribed papyri found within the villa detail aerodynamic experiments and weight-distribution theories intended to improve the speed and maneuverability of the pharaoh’s elite chariot corps on uneven terrain. This discovery sheds new light on the scientific rigor applied to New Kingdom warfare and the highly specialized technical roles that existed within the royal court.