Archaeologists uncover ancient Byzantine city in Egypt’s western desert

Key Points:

• Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era city in the Dakhla oasis of the western desert, featuring residential and religious structures including a mid-fourth-century basilica-style church, watchtowers, and fortified buildings.
• The site revealed urban planning with intersecting streets, public squares, and artifacts such as bread ovens, grinding tools, bronze and gold coins from the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II, and pottery fragments with inscriptions detailing daily life and commerce.
• Separately, 18 ancient tombs were uncovered at Marina el-Alamein near Alexandria, including rock-cut and limestone tombs, pottery, lamps, a granite sarcophagus, and funerary items like gold pieces placed in the mouths of the deceased, reflecting ancient burial practices.
• Marina el-Alamein is believed to be the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis, dating from the second to fourth centuries, and the recent finds bring the total tombs discovered there to 48, providing insights into the region's historical and cultural heritage.
• The discoveries contribute valuable knowledge about daily life, urban development, and economic activities during Egypt's Byzantine period and enhance the significance of the Dakhla oasis, which is on UNESCO’s tentative world heritage list.