CAIRO – Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a remarkably preserved Byzantine-era city buried beneath the sands of the western desert, a discovery that officials are hailing as a window into life during the empire’s twilight years. The find, announced Saturday by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, comes from the Dakhla Oasis in the New Valley Governorate and features intact residential and religious quarters dating to the fourth century.
The excavation reveals a carefully planned urban grid, complete with north-south thoroughfares intersecting east-west streets that open into public squares, according to Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. At the settlement’s center stands a basilica-style church from the mid-fourth century, flanked by the remains of two watchtowers that once guarded the outskirts. Mahmoud Massoud, head of the archaeological mission, noted a heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls, alongside homes featuring reception halls and vaulted roofs, underscoring the city’s blend of security and civic life.
Artifacts uncovered at the site paint a vivid picture of daily existence. Archaeologists found bread ovens, kitchens, stone grinding tools, and bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions, and Christian symbols. A cache of gold coins dates to the reign of Roman Emperor Constantius II, who ruled from 337 to 361. Among the most intriguing finds is the “House of Tisous,” a deacon’s residence from the late 14th century, which experts believe served as a house church before the basilica was built. The site, already on UNESCO’s tentative list for World Heritage status, offers rare insight into economic activities and urban development during Egypt’s Byzantine period.
Separately, the ministry also announced the discovery of 18 ancient tombs at Marina el-Alamein, near Alexandria, featuring rock-cut and limestone burial chambers, pottery, and a granite sarcophagus. Together, these finds underscore Egypt’s accelerating archaeological output as it seeks to boost tourism ahead of a major museum opening planned for later this year. As of July 5, 2026, the Dakhla site remains under active excavation, with officials promising further revelations about a city lost for centuries beneath the desert floor.