Egypt has announced the discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the western desert, one of two major archaeological finds revealed on Saturday. The city, located in the Dakhla Oasis, dates back to the fourth century when Egypt was part of the Byzantine Empire. The findings include a basilica church, watchtowers, and fortified structures, offering insights into daily life, urban development, and economic activities of the era.
The discovery is part of broader efforts by the Egyptian government to revitalize its tourism sector, a key source of foreign currency alongside the Suez Canal. The Dakhla Oasis, where the city was found, is on UNESCO’s Tentative List, a step toward potential World Heritage status.
Archaeologists uncovered north-south and east-west thoroughfares forming open squares and public spaces, as well as houses with reception halls and vaulted roofs. Among the structures identified was the house of Tisous, a church deacon, which archaeologists believe served as a house church before the construction of the city’s basilica. Additional findings include bread ovens, kitchens, and stone grinding tools, indicating food production activities.
The second discovery was made at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site near Alexandria, where human remains and artifacts from a Greco-Roman cemetery were uncovered. The cemetery, dating back over 2,300 years, included the complete skeletal remains of two wild boars, a rare find in ancient Egyptian funerary sites. Boars were associated with Seth, a deity linked to chaos and violence in ancient Egyptian mythology.
The discoveries are expected to attract more tourists, particularly those interested in antiquities, and contribute to Egypt’s economic recovery.