Egypt Reports Fourth-Century Byzantine Settlement Found at Dakhla Oasis and 18 Tombs at Marina el-Alamein

Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Saturday the discovery of a well-preserved fourth-century Byzantine residential city at the Dakhla Oasis in the western desert and 18 new tombs at the Marina el-Alamein site near Alexandria. The Dakhla settlement includes north-south and east-west streets that form open squares, a mid-fourth-century basilica-style church overlooking the main thoroughfares, two watchtowers, and a heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls.

Archaeologists identified the house of Tisous, a church deacon from the second half of the fourth century, which they believe functioned as a house church before the basilica was built.

Bread ovens, kitchens, and stone grinding tools were also uncovered. Bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions, and Christian symbols were found, along with a group of gold coins dated to the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II from 337 to 361.

Approximately 200 pottery fragments known as ostraca contain inscriptions on commercial transactions, correspondence, and daily life.

At Marina el-Alamein, 62 miles west of Alexandria, the 18 tombs comprise 11 rock-cut chambers averaging eight metres deep and seven surface limestone-built structures, bringing the site's total to 48. Artifacts recovered include pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars, limestone basins, a 2.5-metre granite sarcophagus with skeletal remains, and a plaster sphinx statue.

Four gold pieces placed in the mouths of some deceased individuals reflect the "golden tongue" funerary practice.