Egypt uncovers Byzantine-era city and 18 intact tombs in desert and near Alexandria

Egypt uncovers two major archaeological discoveries: 2,000-year-old intact tombs and a Byzantine-era city
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered two major discoveries that offer fresh insight into the country’s ancient past: a remarkably preserved Byzantine-era city in the western desert and 18 intact tombs dating back nearly 2,300 years near Alexandria.
The finds were announced on Friday and Saturday by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, marking a significant addition to the country’s archaeological record. In Marina El-Alamein, about 100 kilometres west of Alexandria, researchers discovered 18 tombs, including a sealed granite sarcophagus measuring 2.5 metres in length whose lid had remained intact for nearly two millennia. Inside, archaeologists found human remains, pottery, amphorae, and 24 gold objects placed in the mouths of the deceased—a funerary practice linked to beliefs about the afterlife. The site is believed to be the ancient port city of Leukaspis, which flourished between the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods.
“Some of the tombs were still sealed with their original stone slabs in multiple chambers,” the ministry stated. “The granite sarcophagus, with its lid still in place, had not been opened for almost 2,000 years.” The discovery brings the total number of known tombs at Marina El-Alamein to 44 since the site was first identified during construction work in 1986.
In a separate excavation in the Dakhla Oasis, part of Egypt’s Western Desert, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Byzantine-era settlement dating to the 4th century. The city, located in the Ain al-Sabil archaeological complex, was built from mud bricks and featured a planned street grid, public squares, houses, a basilica-like church, and defensive structures. Among the finds were approximately 200 inscribed ostraca—pottery shards with texts in Coptic and Greek—detailing daily life, trade, and correspondence. Bronze and gold coins from the reign of Roman Emperor Constantius II (337–361) were also recovered, along with bread ovens, kitchens, and tools.
Diaa Zahran, head of the ministry’s department for Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish antiquities, described the city as “a unique window into everyday life in Byzantine Egypt.” The settlement’s layout, with north–south main streets intersected by east–west thoroughfares, suggests a well-organised urban centre. A fortified building with thick walls, two watchtowers, and a mid-4th-century basilica overlooking the main road further underscores the city’s strategic and religious significance.
Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the discoveries highlight Egypt’s role as a crossroads of cultures during the Byzantine period. “The finds reveal details about urban development, economic activities, and daily life in a region that was part of the Byzantine Empire,” he said.
The Dakhla Oasis site has already been included on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites, a preliminary step toward full recognition. The ministry emphasised that the discoveries not only advance scientific understanding but also hold potential for tourism, a sector that has faced challenges amid years of political and economic instability.
Archaeologist Mahmoud Massoud, who led the excavation in Dakhla, added that the city’s defensive features and religious architecture reflect a community adapting to the harsh desert environment. “The presence of a basilica and inscriptions in Greek and Coptic points to a diverse and organised society,” he said.
The finds come as Egypt seeks to revitalise its cultural heritage sector, positioning these discoveries as key attractions for historians and tourists alike. With further analysis of the gold objects, coins, and inscribed pottery expected to yield additional insights, the discoveries underscore Egypt’s enduring role as a cradle of civilisation.
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