Egypt announced the discovery of two major archaeological sites on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The discoveries include fourth-century residential and religious structures at the Dakhla Oasis and 18 ancient tombs at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site.

One discovery is located at the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt's western province of New Valley. The Tourism and Antiquities Ministry stated this discovery provides details of daily life, urban development, and economic activities during the fourth century, a period when Egypt was part of the Byzantine Empire. The unearthed quarters featured north-south thoroughfares intersected by east-west streets, creating open squares and public spaces, according to Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the supreme council of antiquities.

A basilica church, dating to the mid-fourth century, overlooks the main streets of the Dakhla Oasis settlement. Mahmoud Massoud, chair of the archaeological mission, said remains of two watchtowers were found on the outskirts of the settlement. Massoud also noted the discovery of a heavily fortified structure with thick defensive walls, along with many houses featuring reception halls and vaulted roofs.

Archaeologists found the house of Tisous, identified as a church deacon, dating to the second half of the fourth century. This house is believed to have served as a church before the city's basilica was constructed. Further findings at the Dakhla Oasis settlement include bread ovens, kitchens, stone grinding tools, and a group of gold coins from the reign of Roman emperor Constantius II, who ruled between 337 and 361. Well-preserved bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions, and Christian symbols were also unearthed.

A collection of about 200 pottery fragments, known as octraca, was discovered at Dakhla Oasis. Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities department, stated these fragments contain inscriptions detailing commercial transactions, correspondence, and other aspects of daily life.

The second discovery was made at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Alexandria. This site, unearthed in 1986, is believed to be the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis on the Mediterranean. The recent discovery included 11 rock-cut tombs with an average depth of 8 meters and seven surface limestone-built tombs. The site now contains a total of 48 tombs.

Mission chief Eman Abdel-Khaliq said archaeologists found a 2.5-meter-long granite sarcophagus containing skeleton remains at Marina el-Alamein. She added that studying these remains is underway. Close to the sarcophagus, archaeologists also found the remains of a plaster sphinx statue. Pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars, and limestone basins were among the other artifacts discovered. Four gold pieces were found inside the mouths of some of the deceased, a practice known as 'the golden tongue' associated with funerary beliefs of that era, Abdel-Khaliq said.