The Egyptian archaeological mission operating at the Marina El-Alamein archaeological site on the northwestern north coast has achieved a significant archaeological breakthrough, uncovering 18 ancient tombs, alongside several surface burials, sarcophagi, and distinct artifacts during ongoing excavation works at the site.
The mission also uncovered the remains of urban extensions and architectural components of the ancient city. This brings the total number of tombs discovered in the area since the site's initial discovery in 1986 to 44, reinforcing the site's prominence as one of the most vital ancient coastal cities on the Mediterranean.
Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized that this discovery represents a major scientific and archaeological addition that contributes to understanding the cultural identity of the ancient inhabitants of Marina El-Alamein. He added that it helps re-evaluate the city's historical role as a cultural and urban hub linking Egypt to the Mediterranean world. The Minister explained that the Ministry is placing great emphasis on scientific excavations at the site in preparation for opening it to visitors, thereby adding a new cultural tourism product alongside the beach tourism for which the North Coast is famous.
For his part, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy explained that the site's development project will include the construction of a visitor center, pathways for electric cars and pedestrians, a museum storage facility, an administrative headquarters, and an open-air theater. The development works are expected to be completed during the first half of next year, transforming Marina El-Alamein into an integrated tourist and archaeological destination.
Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, pointed out that the newly discovered tombs include 11 entirely rock-cut tombs (hypogea) reaching an average depth of eight meters, in addition to seven surface tombs constructed from limestone. Some of these tombs boast an exceptional state of preservation, with burial openings sealed with stone slabs that have remained untouched since antiquity.
The excavations also revealed numerous surface burials surrounding the tombs, reflecting the social diversity of the city’s inhabitants, as well as a water well that was repurposed for burial purposes during a later period. This serves as a clear example of the continuity of ancient Egyptian influences in funerary architecture during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras.
Furthermore, the dig yielded an outstanding collection of artifacts, including complete and semi-complete pottery vessels, amphorae, oil lamps, plates, and limestone altars and basins, alongside several architectural elements associated with the tombs.
Dr. Hisham Hussein, Head of the Central Administration of Lower Egypt Antiquities, revealed that among the most prominent finds is a limestone offering altar featuring a unique architectural facade that mimics the "false door" known in ancient Egyptian funerary beliefs. Other notable discoveries include an unfinished marble statue likely representing the goddess Aphrodite, a limestone tombstone depicting a seated man holding a bird, and several glass tear catchers (lacrimatories).
In the same context, Dr. Eman Abdel Khalek, Head of the Mission and Director of the Archaeological Site, explained that a 2.5-meter-long granite sarcophagus was uncovered with its original lid still intact, containing skeletal remains currently undergoing specialized study. Discovered adjacent to it were the plaster remains of a Sphinx statue, confirming the enduring Egyptian religious and artistic influences within the city during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
She added that one of the most remarkable discoveries was finding 24 gold pieces placed inside the mouths of some of the deceased. These represent what is known as the "golden tongue," an element linked to the funerary beliefs of that era. Among them was a gold piece shaped like the "Eye of Horus," which is considered one of the most vital protective symbols in ancient Egyptian theology.
The ancient city of Marina El-Alamein is located on the northwestern coast of Egypt, approximately 100 kilometers west of Alexandria, and is widely believed to represent the ancient city of *Leukaspis*, mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabo. The city flourished from the Hellenistic era until the Byzantine period, reaching the pinnacle of its urban and economic activity during the first three centuries AD.
The site was accidentally discovered in 1986 during construction work in the Marina area. Since then, extensive archaeological excavations and studies have commenced, revealing one of the best-preserved ancient coastal cities in Egypt. The site features a grid of streets, houses, public facilities, a harbor, commercial areas, and vast necropolises that reflect the cultural and civilizational diversity that characterized Egypt's coastal cities during the Hellenistic and Roman eras.
This breakthrough marks a new step toward fully understanding the city's history and cementing its status as one of the most important archaeological and cultural destinations on the North Coast, within the framework of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' efforts to preserve Egyptian heritage and make it accessible to visitors.
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