CAIRO — Egyptian archaeologists announced the discovery of ancient artifacts on June 1, 2026, including Pharaonic funerary furniture in Cairo, a Roman basilica, and a marble head of Aphrodite in Beni Suef. The Egyptian government said the finds are part of broader efforts to revive the country’s tourism industry and support its economy.
The remains of the Roman basilica and the marble head of Aphrodite were uncovered at the Ehnasiya necropolis in Beni Suef, 130 kilometers south of Cairo. The site, known in antiquity as Heracleópolis Magna, was among ancient Egypt’s major cities. Archaeologist Mohammed Abdel-Badei, head of the antiquities department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said large stone blocks weighing up to 45 tons had been used to build the basilica, with three still standing in their original positions.
The marble head of Aphrodite measures approximately 24 by 25 centimeters and features detailed facial characteristics and curly hair consistent with Greek and Roman artistic traditions. Fragments of wall statues and terracotta molds used in Roman-era coin production were also found. Abdel-Badei said the discoveries indicate Ehnasiya was an active economic and commercial center during Egypt’s time as part of the Roman Empire from 30 B.C. to A.D. 395.
In Cairo’s Matariya neighborhood—once part of the ancient city of Heliopolis—archaeologists unearthed a nearly complete set of Pharaonic funerary furniture. The cache included a mudbrick burial containing gilded remains in a coffin believed to belong to a military figure, along with cosmetic tools such as a copper mirror and alabaster kohl containers. A collection of five pairs of yellow-colored metal earrings, likely made of gold, was also recovered.
Inscriptions linked to Pharaoh Senusret III, who ruled from 1837 to 1819 B.C. during the 12th Dynasty, were found at the Matariya site. The inscriptions include both his throne name and birth name.
Tourism in Egypt declined after the 2011 uprising and faced further disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic and the economic effects of the Russia-Ukraine war. Official figures show 19 million tourists visited in 2025, a 21% increase from 2024. In the first four months of 2026, 6.1 million tourists arrived, up from 5.7 million during the same period in 2025, according to the prime minister’s office. Russia and Ukraine remain major sources of visitors. The November 2025 inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids is also part of the government’s tourism strategy.