Archaeologists discover nearly 2,000-year-old tombs on Egypt's Mediterranean coast

Leukaspis: Coastal city with a long history

One granite sarcophagus, roughly two and a half meters long, still had its lid intact — suggesting it had been sealed for nearly 2,000 years. The stone slabs of the newly discovered tombs were still in their original position in several chambers, according to the statement. Inside the tombs, archaeologists found human remains, pottery, amphorae, and other grave goods.

Among the most significant finds were 24 gold objects that had been placed in the mouths of several deceased — a burial ritual associated with beliefs about the afterlife. At the excavation site, approximately 200 clay shards known as ostraca bearing inscriptions in Coptic and Greek were also found, along with bronze and gold coins. Some of the coins date to the reign of Roman Emperor Constantius II (337–361).

Gold, ostraca, and coins as grave goods

The site is believed by the ministry to be the ancient city of Leukaspis, a Mediterranean port that flourished between the Hellenistic and Byzantine periods. The region is considered one of Egypt's most important archaeological areas outside the Nile Valley.

Second find: Byzantine settlement in the Dakhla Oasis

In parallel with the coastal excavations, the ministry announced another find on Friday: Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Byzantine-era settlement in the Dakhla Oasis in western Egypt. The settlement was reportedly built of mud bricks and featured a planned street network, public squares, residential buildings, a basilica-like church, and defensive structures.

The settlement at the Ain al-Sabil complex dates back to around the 4th century. Finds such as wall remains, ceramics, and tools are expected, according to the ministry, to provide insights into everyday life in the region during late antiquity. The finds thus complement the picture of an era in which Christianity was gaining increasing influence in Egypt.

Egypt is increasingly relying on its cultural heritage to strengthen the tourism industry, which is one of the country's most important sources of revenue. Ancient sites, museums, and ongoing excavations have been a central pillar of the state's tourism strategy for years. Finds such as the newly announced tombs are intended to attract visitors and underscore the country's image as a destination with thousands of years of history.

Cultural heritage as a tourism factor

Excavations in Marina El-Alamein are to continue, according to the ministry. Previously unpublished parts of the burial ground are to be further examined in the coming months. Further excavation phases are also planned in the Dakhla Oasis.

The ministry announced that the recovered objects — including the gold finds, the ostraca, and the coins — will be made accessible to the public in Egyptian museums after restoration and documentation. No specific date was initially given.

Experts emphasized that the combination of undisturbed burial chambers, inscriptions, and coins from late antiquity is relatively rare. In particular, the transitional phase from Roman to Byzantine rule in Egypt is less well documented archaeologically than earlier periods.