Egypt Unearths Byzantine-Era City and Ancient Tombs

Egypt has announced the significant discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the Dakhla Oasis, located in the western desert. This archaeological find provides intricate details about daily life, urban development, and economic activities during the fourth century, a period when Egypt was part of the Byzantine empire. The unearthed city features a grid of north-south and east-west streets, forming open squares and public spaces, according to Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the supreme council of antiquities. At the settlement's heart stands a basilica church dating to the mid-fourth century, with two watchtowers found on its outskirts to ensure security. Mahmoud Massoud, who chairs the archaeological mission, noted the presence of a heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls and numerous houses. Among these was the house of Tisous, identified as a church deacon, believed to have served as a house church before the basilica's construction. Archaeologists also uncovered evidence of food production, including bread ovens, kitchens, and stone grinding tools. Well-preserved bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors and gold coins from the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II were also found. Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities department, reported the discovery of approximately 200 pottery fragments, known as octraca, inscribed with details of commercial transactions and daily correspondence. In a separate development, archaeologists have uncovered 18 ancient tombs at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, approximately 100 kilometers west of Alexandria. These findings include 11 rock-cut tombs and seven surface limestone-built tombs, bringing the total discovered at the site to 48. Artifacts found at Marina el-Alamein include pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars, and limestone basins.

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The unearthed quarters included north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, forming open squares and public spaces.