Archaeologists have discovered a remarkably intact Byzantine-era city in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis, offering fresh insights into daily life, urban planning and religious practices during the Byzantine Empire. The fourth-century settlement includes residential quarters and a basilica-style church, plus coins, pottery, and tools that officials say reveal daily life and economic activity from Egypt’s Byzantine period. The site featured organized streets, public squares, watchtowers, and homes with reception halls, including the residence of a church deacon believed to predate the basilica. Excavators also recovered bronze and gold coins bearing Byzantine emperor portraits and around 200 inscribed pottery fragments documenting trade and correspondence. The discoveries deepen understanding of the country’s Byzantine heritage while highlighting the archaeological significance of the Dakhla Oasis, taking it ever closer to confirmation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Guardian