{"id":2134,"date":"2026-07-05T10:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T10:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnnglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/05\/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-byzantine-city-in-egypts-western-desert\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T10:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T10:05:09","slug":"archaeologists-uncover-ancient-byzantine-city-in-egypts-western-desert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=2134","title":{"rendered":"Archaeologists uncover ancient Byzantine city in Egypt\u2019s western desert"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"49bc88a4-43b3-45c3-889b-c92e23e15266\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An archaeological site in the desert featuring several square rooms and a staircase behind walls\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/143b8d47a8a54be65405a4fe6d0bb23cf02fe1f2\/146_0_716_573\/master\/716.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.12988826815644\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">The city in the Dakhla oasis of what is now Egypt\u2019s New Valley governate shows life when the country was part of the Byzantine empire.<\/span> Photograph: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"49bc88a4-43b3-45c3-889b-c92e23e15266\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">The city in the Dakhla oasis of what is now Egypt\u2019s New Valley governate shows life when the country was part of the Byzantine empire.<\/span> Photograph: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">Archaeologists uncover ancient Byzantine city in Egypt\u2019s western desert<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Well-preserved fourth-century quarters reveal details of daily life, urban development and economic activities<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Archaeologists in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/egypt\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Egypt<\/a> have uncovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era city in the western desert.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The fourth-century quarters had residential and religious structures, including a basilica-style church in the Dakhla oasis. Archaeologists also found coins, pottery fragments and tools.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Separately, 18 ancient tombs were discovered at Marina el-Alamein, near Alexandria, which includes rock-cut and limestone tombs, pottery and a granite sarcophagus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The tourism and antiquities ministry said the first discovery reveals details of daily life, urban development and economic activities when Egypt was part of the Byzantine empire.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"60986bb6-4e35-4d5b-9776-6fb551952861\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A view through doorways inside the archaeological site\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6d193b25d22b1443ade03be48c3b0429832b0297\/250_0_719_575\/master\/719.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"355.87621696801114\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"60986bb6-4e35-4d5b-9776-6fb551952861\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Doorways through the archaeological site in Dakhla.<\/span> Photograph: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The unearthed quarters included north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, forming open squares and public spaces, said Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the supreme council of antiquities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A basilica dating back to the mid-fourth century stands at the settlement\u2019s head, overlooking its main streets, along with remains of two watchtowers to safeguard the outskirts, according to Mahmoud Massoud, who chairs the archaeological mission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The oasis, located in Egypt\u2019s western province of New Valley, is on Unesco\u2019s tentative list, a step away from being added to the agency\u2019s world heritage list.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls, and many houses consisting of reception halls and vaulted roofs, were found in the area, Massoud added.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"d8a51afa-c031-4305-980b-9342054dd68c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A pillar and bread oven in the corner of a wall in an archaeological site\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/17ad937a21027e72d540a4a4a14381f50860caf2\/395_0_719_575\/master\/719.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"355.87621696801114\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"d8a51afa-c031-4305-980b-9342054dd68c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Archaeologists also uncovered bread ovens, kitchens, stone grinding tools and bronze coins.<\/span> Photograph: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Among them were the house of Tisous, a church deacon, which dates to the second half of the 14th century. Archaeologists believe it served as a house church before the construction of the city\u2019s basilica.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Archaeologists also uncovered bread ovens, kitchens, grinding tools and bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions and Christian symbols.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A group of gold coins unearthed dated to the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II, who ruled between 337 and 361, the ministry statement said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish antiquities department, said they found a collection of about 200 pottery fragments which would have been used as writing material. The fragments, known as ostraca, have inscriptions detailing commercial transactions, correspondence and other details of daily life, according to Zahran.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"e57417d0-ba3e-4982-858b-aaef59e63097\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Seven square tombs cut out of yellow stone wall\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6ca721cdd5007fe5d8f1b8103cb18cd586a69882\/90_0_1074_859\/master\/1074.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"355.91713221601486\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"e57417d0-ba3e-4982-858b-aaef59e63097\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">The seven surface limestone-built tombs discovered in the Marina el-Alamein site west of Alexandria.<\/span> Photograph: Ministery of Tourism and Antiquities\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Archaeologists also found ancient tombs in the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, which is about 62 miles (100km) west of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The findings included 11 rock-cut tombs with an average depth of eight metres, and seven surface limestone-built tombs, the ministry said. It has brought the total tombs found at the site to 48.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">In the site, archaeologists found pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars and limestone basins.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"ae30e836-8d72-4612-8a7c-2f4a81b1e419\" data-spacefinder-role=\"thumbnail\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-qsywgu\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A sphinx-like stone sculpture, partly green in colour\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4a0d464f1fa863b406e196fd2bd94029e07e247c\/0_68_875_1093\/master\/875.jpg?width=120&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"120\" height=\"149.89714285714285\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"ae30e836-8d72-4612-8a7c-2f4a81b1e419\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1y9mk2r\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">An artifact discovered at Marina el-Alamein.<\/span> Photograph: Ministery of Tourism and Antiquities\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The mission chief, Eman Abdel-Khaliq, said they found a 2.5-metre-long granite sarcophagus, with skeleton remains that were being studied. Close to the sarcophagus, they found the remains of a plaster sphinx statue, she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Four gold pieces were placed inside the mouths of some of the deceased, known as \u201cthe golden tongue\u201d, which had been a practice associated with funerary beliefs of that era, Abdel-Khaliq said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Marina el-Alamein is an archaeological site close to the city of Alamein on Egypt\u2019s northern coast, unearthed in 1986. Archaeologists believe the site was the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis on the Mediterranean, which was built in the second century and thrived until the fourth century.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/egypt\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Egypt<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/middleeast\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Middle East and north Africa<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/science\/archaeology\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Archaeology<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/africa\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Africa<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Archaeologists%20uncover%20ancient%20Byzantine%20city%20in%20Egypt%E2%80%99s%20western%20desert&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jul\/04\/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-byzantine-city-in-egypts-western-desert?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2026%2Fjul%2F04%2Farchaeologists-uncover-ancient-byzantine-city-in-egypts-western-desert&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=world\/2026\/jul\/04\/archaeologists-uncover-ancient-byzantine-city-in-egypts-western-desert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-axwinp\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The city in the Dakhla oasis of what is now Egypt\u2019s New Valley governate shows life when the country was part of the Byzantine empire. Photograph: Ministry of Tourism and &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=2134\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2135,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2134"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}