Greco-Roman Tombs and Lost Byzantine City Unearthed in Egypt

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Excavations in Egypt have revealed nearly 2,000-year-old Greco-Roman tombs on the Mediterranean coast and a planned Byzantine city in the western desert.

Greco-Roman Tombs and Lost Byzantine City Unearthed in Egypt
Image credit: Malaymail

Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered sealed Greco-Roman tombs dating back nearly 2,000 years at the coastal site of Marina El-Alamein, along with the remains of a planned Byzantine-period settlement in the Dakhla Oasis in the western desert [1]. This twin discovery offers rare insights into daily life, urban development and economic activity in antiquity, and is seen as crucial for understanding Egypt's historical role along Mediterranean and desert trade routes [6].

New Tombs at Marina El-Alamein

Excavations at the archaeological site of Marina El-Alamein, west of Alexandria, have brought to light surface tombs constructed in limestone [5]. Researchers note that with these latest findings, the total number of tombs identified in the area since 1986 has reached 44 [1]. A range of grave goods was also recovered from inside the tombs, artefacts that are expected to shed light on funerary practices and social structures of the period [6].

A Byzantine City in the Heart of the Desert

The second major discovery was made in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt's western desert. Here, archaeologists identified a well-preserved residential city dating to the Byzantine Empire [4]. Within this 4th-century settlement, they documented the remains of a basilica church opening onto the main streets, as well as two watchtowers believed to have been built to protect the city from external threats [5]. These structures provide a window onto the military and religious organization of the region during the Byzantine period.

Officials emphasize that both discoveries open new windows onto Egypt's rich historical heritage and have the potential to challenge long-held assumptions about life in the desert during the Byzantine era [6]. For additional context and further reading, see [2] [3].

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Image & News source: Malaymail / malaymail.com