Egypt Discovers Lost Byzantine City in Western Desert

Archaeologists have unearthed a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis and at Marina el-Alamein archaeological site near Alexandria. These discoveries are part of the Egyptian government’s efforts to boost tourism, which is crucial for foreign currency earnings.

At the Dakhla Oasis, human remains and artifacts were found, including rare skeletal remains of wild boars associated with Seth, a deity in ancient Egyptian mythology. The area also revealed details about urban development and economic activities during Egypt’s Byzantine period.

The site included streets forming open squares, a basilica church dating back to the mid-fourth century, and two watchtowers for protection. Among the finds were bread ovens, kitchens, stone grinding tools, bronze coins with portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions, and Christian symbols.

At Marina el-Alamein, archaeologists discovered 18 ancient tombs, including 11 rock-cut tombs averaging 26 feet deep and seven surface limestone-built tombs. The site yielded pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars, limestone basins, and an 8-foot-long granite sarcophagus with skeletal remains.

Egypt’s tourism sector has seen a resurgence after years of political turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic, welcoming 19 million tourists last year, up from 5.7 million in 2025.