is believed that Avaris was the largest city in the world from 1670 to 1557 BC. A large citadel was built around 1550. Minoan connection Avaris, along with Tel Kabri in Israel and Alalakh in Syria, also has a record of Minoan civilization, which is otherwise quite rare in the Levant. Manfred Bietak, an Austrian archaeologist and the excavator of Tell Dab'a, has speculated that there was close contact with the rulers of Avaris, and that the large building featuring the frescoes allowed the Minoans to have a ritual life in Egypt. French archaeologist Yves Duhoux proposed the existence of a Minoan 'colony' on an island in the Nile delta. See also List of ancient Egyptian towns and cities List of historical capitals of Egypt References Bibliography Pierce, R.W., Entry on "Rameses" in External links Tell el-Dabʿa Homepage - available in German and English Populated places established in the 2nd millennium BC Populated places disestablished in the 2nd millennium BC Cities in ancient Egypt Hyksos cities in ancient Egypt Archaeological sites in Egypt Former populated places in Egypt Nile Delta Minoan archaeology Tells (archaeology) 1885 archaeological discoveries Former capitals of Egypt