Egypt unearths underground tombs, golden tongues ahead of construction in ancient coastal city

Archaeological excavations at Egypt's ancient coastal city of Marina El Alamein have yielded a significant discovery of 18 tombs and numerous artifacts, unearthed just before the planned construction of a visitor's center. The finds, announced by the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry in early July, offer a glimpse into the city's rich history, which flourished from the Hellenistic period through the Byzantine era.

Marina El Alamein, located west of Alexandria, is considered one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient coastal cities. Among the 18 tombs uncovered, 11 are rock-cut hypogea, while the remaining seven are aboveground limestone structures. Some tombs remained sealed since ancient times, preserving their contents. Eman Abdel Khalek, leader of the archaeological mission, reported the discovery of a 2.5-meter granite sarcophagus with its original lid intact, containing skeletal remains currently under study.

A particularly intriguing find was a collection of 24 "golden tongue" pieces discovered within the mouths of some of the interred individuals. One of these golden pieces was shaped like the Eye of Horus, a potent protective symbol in ancient Egyptian belief. These discoveries, along with surface burials and a repurposed well used for burial, demonstrate the enduring influence of ancient Egyptian funerary traditions even during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

The excavation also uncovered a variety of artifacts, including pottery vessels, amphorae, oil lamps, altars, and architectural elements. A notable find was a limestone altar featuring a funerary "false door" facade, used for presenting offerings. The site also yielded an unfinished statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, a limestone gravestone, glass tear bottles, and remnants of a plaster sphinx statue, reflecting the diverse cultural influences present in the ancient city.

“

Some of the tombs are also very well preserved, with chamber entrances sealed by stone slabs that had not been opened since ancient times.