Saturday, 18 July 2026
Egyptian archaeologists uncover Byzantine-era residential city in Dakhla Oasis
An Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered a fully planned residential city dating back to the Byzantine period in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Friday.
The city, built entirely of mudbrick, was discovered by a mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities working at the Ain al‑Sabeel site in New Valley province. Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the find marks an important addition to Egypt’s archaeological record and highlights the cultural diversity of the country’s oases across different eras.
He added that such discoveries enrich the touristic appeal of the New Valley region and support national efforts to develop the area and strengthen its position on Egypt’s cultural tourism map.
Hisham al‑Laithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the discovery provides new and precise information about daily life in Dakhla during the Byzantine era. He noted that the results of the excavations help document the architectural, social and economic features of the community that once lived there.
According to Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector, the city followed an organized urban layout, with main streets running north to south and smaller streets running east to west, forming open squares and public spaces. A basilica-style church stood at the center, overlooking one of the main streets.
Mahmoud Massoud, director of Dakhla Antiquities and head of the mission, said the site included all the architectural elements of a complete residential community. These consisted of the basilica church dating to the mid‑fourth century AD, two watchtowers at the city’s edges, a fortified structure with thick walls, and several houses with spacious halls and vaulted ceilings. Archaeologists also unearthed bread ovens, kitchens and grain‑grinding tools.
Among the most notable structures were the house of Tisous, a church deacon from the second half of the fourth century, and the house of Tabibos, dating to the early fourth century, which was likely used as a domestic church before the basilica was constructed.
Excavations also yielded a wide range of artefacts reflecting daily life and economic activity, including domestic pottery, oil and perfume bottles, lamps, and stone tools used for grinding grain.
Zahran, who also heads the excavations department within the sector, said the mission uncovered around 200 inscribed ostraca in Coptic and Greek. These documents record sales transactions, correspondence and other details of everyday life.
Archaeologists also found numerous well‑preserved bronze coins depicting Byzantine emperors, along with Latin inscriptions and Christian symbols. A collection of gold coins was also recovered, dating to the reign of Emperor Constantius II, who ruled from 337 to 361 AD.