Story perspectives

Byzantine City Unearthed in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis, Boosts Tourism

7/5/2026

Summary

Egypt Unearths Byzantine

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced on July 4, 2026 a Byzantine city at Ain el-Sabil in Dakhla Oasis.
Mahmoud Massoud, chair of the mission, said the mud-brick settlement follows a north-south/east-west grid and includes a basilica.
Excavators uncovered about 200 Coptic and Greek ostraca, bronze and gold coins of Constantius II, dating the city to the mid-fourth century.
Minister Sherif Fathy said the find, which names deacon Tisous, will boost tourism.

Summary

Archaeologists Uncover

Archaeologists uncovered a “golden tongue” practice at Marina el-Alamein, placing four gold pieces in the mouths of deceased.
The discovery raised the total to 48 tombs after 18 new rock-cut and limestone tombs were added.
New rock-cut tombs average eight metres deep and contain a 2.5-metre granite sarcophagus examined by mission chief Eman Abdel-Khaliq.
Researchers identify the site as the Greco-Roman port city Leukaspis, founded in the second century.

History

Historical Context

Howard Carter’s 1922 opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb, which yielded over 5,000 artifacts, ignited worldwide Egyptomania and set a precedent for large-scale heritage tourism. That legacy frames today’s discovery of a Byzantine city at Ain el-Sabil and Coptic burials at Leukaspis, prompting the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and local authorities to expand site protection and plan sustainable tourism.

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Egypt Unearths Byzantine

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced on July 4, 2026 a Byzantine city at Ain el-Sabil in Dakhla Oasis.
Mahmoud Massoud, chair of the mission, said the mud-brick settlement follows a north-south/east-west grid and includes a basilica.
Excavators uncovered about 200 Coptic and Greek ostraca, bronze and gold coins of Constantius II, dating the city to the mid-fourth century.
Minister Sherif Fathy said the find, which names deacon Tisous, will boost tourism.

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