AVARIS

   Modern Tell el-Daba. Capital city of the Hyksos Dynasty 15 situated in the Delta. Very little is known of its history. It was founded in Dynasty 12 and settled by immigrants from Syria-Palestine and later served as the Hyksos stronghold. Avaris was attacked by Kamose and later captured by Ahmose I of Dynasty 18, after which it fell into ruins. Excavations on the site have been carried out by an Austrian expedition since 1966 and have revealed palace structures and wall frescoes in the Minoan style.