Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced a major archaeological discovery at the ancient city of Marina Alamein on the country’s north-western Mediterranean coast, where excavations have uncovered 18 previously unknown tombs, rare funerary artefacts and evidence of the city’s rich cultural links between ancient Egypt and the Hellenistic world.
The discoveries were made by an Egyptian archaeological mission working at the Marina archaeological site, adding significantly to knowledge of one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient coastal settlements. The latest excavation brings the total number of tombs discovered at the site since its identification in 1986 to 44.
Among the most significant finds are 11 rock-cut hypogea reaching depths of up to eight metres and seven limestone-built surface tombs. Several burial chambers were found sealed with stone slabs that had remained untouched since antiquity, preserving valuable archaeological evidence.
Archaeologists also uncovered numerous surface burials surrounding the cemetery, reflecting the social diversity of the ancient city’s inhabitants. A former water well that had later been converted into a burial site provides further evidence of the continuity of ancient Egyptian funerary traditions during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
The excavation produced an impressive collection of artefacts, including complete and near-complete pottery vessels, plates, limestone altars, basins and architectural elements associated with the tombs.
One of the most remarkable discoveries is a 2.5-metre-long granite sarcophagus with its original lid still in place. Human skeletal remains found inside are currently undergoing scientific analysis. Nearby, archaeologists also uncovered the remains of a plaster statue of the Egyptian god Harpocrates, highlighting the continued influence of Egyptian religious traditions within the city during the Hellenistic and Roman eras.
Another exceptional discovery includes 24 gold funerary amulets placed inside the mouths of several of the deceased, known as “golden tongues”. The practice was associated with funerary beliefs of the period and symbolised the ability of the dead to speak in the afterlife. Among the finds was a gold amulet depicting the Eye of Horus, one of ancient Egypt’s most important protective symbols.
Additional discoveries include a limestone offering altar designed to resemble the ancient Egyptian “false door”, an unfinished marble statue believed to depict the goddess Aphrodite, a limestone funerary sculpture of a seated man holding a bird, and several glass tear bottles.
Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, described the discovery as an important scientific achievement that enhances understanding of Marina Alamein’s cultural identity and historical significance.
“This discovery represents an important scientific and archaeological addition that contributes to understanding the cultural identity of the inhabitants of the ancient city of Marina and to re-evaluating its historical role as a civil and cultural centre linking Egypt and the Mediterranean world,” he said.
The minister added that the ministry is continuing extensive archaeological and conservation work in preparation for opening the site to visitors, creating a new cultural tourism destination alongside the North Coast’s well-established seaside attractions.
According to Dr Hisham El-Leithy, development plans for the archaeological site include a visitor centre, electric shuttle routes, pedestrian walkways, a museum storage facility, an administrative headquarters and an open-air theatre. The project is expected to be completed during the first half of next year.
Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the exceptionally well-preserved tombs provide valuable insight into burial customs and architectural practices spanning several centuries.
Marina Alamein is located about 100 kilometres west of Alexandria and is believed to be the ancient city of Leukaspis mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabo. The settlement flourished from Hellenistic through to Byzantine times, and reached its peak between the first and third centuries AD as an important commercial and urban centre along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
As the archaeological site was discovered in 1986 during construction work, it has since featured a big old city with streets, residential districts, public buildings, harbour facilities and commercial areas, and is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Egypt from Hellenistic and Roman times.
These new discoveries only solidify Marina Alamein’s position as a valuable archaeological resource and a cultural tourism destination and offer new insights into the interaction between the Egyptian and Mediterranean civilisations of over 2 millennia ago.
Sources : Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
