Byzantine City Unearthed in Egypt’s Western Desert
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved Byzantine-era city dating back to the fourth century in Egypt’s western desert, specifically in the Dakhla oasis. The site includes residential and religious structures, notably a basilica-style church, along with numerous artifacts such as coins, pottery fragments, and tools.
The tourism and antiquities ministry highlighted that this discovery provides valuable insights into daily life, urban development, and economic activities during the period when Egypt was part of the Byzantine Empire.
The excavated quarters feature a grid layout with north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, creating open squares and public spaces. Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the supreme council of antiquities, described the urban plan emphasizing these intersecting streets.
"The unearthed quarters included north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, forming open squares and public spaces," said Hisham el-Leithy.
At the head of the settlement stands a basilica dating to the mid-fourth century, overseeing the main streets. Additionally, remains of two watchtowers were found, which likely served to protect the outskirts of the city. Mahmoud Massoud, chair of the archaeological mission, provided these details.
"A basilica dating back to the mid-fourth century stands at the settlement’s head, overlooking its main streets, along with remains of two watchtowers to safeguard the outskirts," said Mahmoud Massoud.
The Dakhla oasis, located in Egypt’s New Valley province, is currently on UNESCO’s tentative list, representing a step toward potential inclusion on the World Heritage list.
Excavations revealed a heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls and numerous houses featuring reception halls and vaulted roofs. Among these was the house of Tisous, a church deacon, dating to the latter half of the fourth century. Archaeologists believe this structure functioned as a house church prior to the basilica’s construction.
Additional discoveries include bread ovens, kitchens, grinding tools, and bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions, and Christian symbols.
A group of gold coins was also uncovered, dating to the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II, who ruled from 337 to 361, according to the ministry’s statement.
Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish antiquities department, reported the finding of approximately 200 pottery fragments known as ostraca. These fragments bear inscriptions that detail commercial transactions, correspondence, and other aspects of daily life.
"They found a collection of about 200 pottery fragments which would have been used as writing material. The fragments, known as ostraca, have inscriptions detailing commercial transactions, correspondence and other details of daily life," said Diaa Zahran.
Ancient Tombs Discovered at Marina el-Alamein Near Alexandria
Separately, archaeologists uncovered 18 ancient tombs at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, located approximately 62 miles (100 km) west of Alexandria on Egypt’s northern coast. The tombs include 11 rock-cut tombs averaging eight meters in depth and seven surface limestone-built tombs. This brings the total number of tombs found at the site to 48.
Artifacts recovered at Marina el-Alamein include pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars, and limestone basins.
The mission chief, Eman Abdel-Khaliq, described the discovery of a 2.5-meter-long granite sarcophagus containing skeletal remains currently under study. Nearby, the remains of a plaster sphinx statue were also found.
"They found a 2.5-metre-long granite sarcophagus, with skeleton remains that were being studied. Close to the sarcophagus, they found the remains of a plaster sphinx statue," said Eman Abdel-Khaliq.
Additionally, four gold pieces were found placed inside the mouths of some of the deceased, a funerary practice referred to as "the golden tongue," associated with beliefs of that era.
"Four gold pieces were placed inside the mouths of some of the deceased, known as ‘the golden tongue’, which had been a practice associated with funerary beliefs of that era," Abdel-Khaliq explained.
Marina el-Alamein was first unearthed in 1986 and is believed by archaeologists to be the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis. This city was established in the second century and prospered until the fourth century.
