Egypt Unearths Byzantine-Era City and Ancient Tombs in Major Archaeological Push

Cairo — Egypt has announced the discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the Dakhla Oasis and 18 ancient tombs near Alexandria, aiming to revitalize the nation’s tourism sector, according to the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry. The findings, revealed on Saturday, include urban infrastructure, religious structures, and artifacts dating back to the fourth century, offering new insights into Egypt’s Byzantine past.

What makes the Dakhla Oasis discovery significant?

Archaeologists uncovered a Byzantine-era settlement in the western desert, revealing north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, open squares, and public spaces, as described by Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the supreme council of antiquities. The site features a basilica church from the mid-fourth century, two watchtowers, and residential structures with vaulted roofs, according to Mahmoud Massoud, who chairs the archaeological mission. The city, located in the New Valley province, is on UNESCO’s Tentative List.

Among the artifacts, researchers found bread ovens, stone grinding tools, and bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, including gold coins from the reign of Constantius II (337–361). Pottery fragments, known as octraca, detailed commercial transactions and daily life, as noted by Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities department.

How do the tombs in Marina el-Alamein contribute to historical understanding?

At the Marina el-Alamein site near Alexandria, archaeologists identified 18 tombs, bringing the total to 48, according to the ministry. The findings include 11 rock-cut tombs and seven limestone-built structures, with a 2.5-meter granite sarcophagus containing skeletal remains and a plaster sphinx statue, according to mission chief Eman Abdel-Khaliq. The site, believed to be the ancient port city of Leukaspis, also yielded gold pieces placed in the mouths of the deceased—a practice associated with funerary beliefs of that era.

Artifacts such as amphorae, lamps, and altars were found, as stated by the ministry.

Why is tourism a priority for Egypt’s economy?

Tourism, alongside the Suez Canal, is a major source of foreign currency in the cash-strapped country. The sector saw a 21% increase from 2024, with 19 million visitors last year, and 6.1 million tourists in the first four months of 2026, according to official figures.

What challenges remain in preserving these sites?

The Dakhla Oasis’s status on UNESCO’s Tentative List is a step away from being added to the agency’s World Heritage List.