CAIRO, July 5, 2026 — Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed a remarkably preserved Byzantine-era city deep in the western desert, offering an unprecedented glimpse into daily urban life during the waning days of the Roman Empire. The discovery, announced Saturday by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, reveals a sophisticated fourth-century settlement in the Dakhla Oasis of the New Valley governorate, complete with residential blocks, a basilica-style church, and fortified watchtowers.
The sprawling complex, hidden for centuries beneath the desert sands, features a grid of north-south thoroughfares intersecting east-west streets, framing open squares and public spaces. At the settlement’s heart stands a mid-fourth-century basilica, its ruins towering over the main thoroughfare. Two watchtowers, built to guard the outskirts, flank the religious structure. “This city shows us how people organized their lives, their economy, and their faith while Egypt was part of the Byzantine Empire,” said Hisham el-Leithy, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement.
Excavators uncovered bread ovens, kitchens, stone grinding tools, and a trove of bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions, and Christian symbols. A cluster of gold coins dated to the reign of Roman Emperor Constantius II, who ruled from 337 to 361 A.D., further anchors the timeline. Among the most striking finds is the “House of Tisous,” a church deacon’s residence from the second half of the 14th century, which archaeologists believe served as an early house church before the basilica was built. The heavily fortified structure, with thick defensive walls and vaulted roofs, includes reception halls, suggesting a community that balanced religious devotion with practical defense.
Beyond the oasis, a separate operation at Marina el-Alamein, near Alexandria, yielded 18 ancient tombs, including rock-cut and limestone chambers, pottery, and a granite sarcophagus. Together, the discoveries underscore Egypt’s rich Late Antique heritage. The Dakhla site is already on UNESCO’s tentative list, a step away from World Heritage status. Mahmoud Massoud, head of the archaeological mission, emphasized the significance: “This is not just a collection of ruins. It is a complete urban landscape that tells the story of a people living at the crossroads of empires.” Officials say further excavations are planned, with hopes of uncovering additional quarters and artifacts that could rewrite the history of Byzantine influence in North Africa.