Egypt unearths underground tombs, golden tongues ahead of construction in ancient coastal city

Egyptian archaeologists uncovered 18 tombs and numerous artifacts in the ancient coastal city of Marina El Alamein, ahead of construction of a visitor's center. The finds include a 2.5-meter granite sarcophagus, 24 golden tongue pieces, an unfinished statue of Aphrodite, and a limestone altar with a false door facade. The ministry plans to turn the site into a formal tourist site by the first half of 2027.

Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed 18 tombs and a wealth of artifacts in the ancient coastal city of Marina El Alamein, located on Egypt's northwestern coast about 100 kilometers west of Alexandria. The excavation was carried out ahead of construction of a visitor's center, as announced by the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry in early July. Of the 18 tombs, 11 are rock-cut hypogea, while seven are aboveground limestone structures. Some tombs were sealed with stone slabs that had not been opened since ancient times. The mission, led by Eman Abdel Khalek, uncovered a 2.5-meter-long granite sarcophagus with its original lid, and skeletal remains inside are being studied. A collection of 24 golden tongue pieces was found in the mouths of some interred, including one shaped like the Eye of Horus. Other artifacts include pottery, amphorae, oil lamps, limestone altars, an unfinished statue of Aphrodite, a limestone gravestone, glass tear bottles, and remains of a plaster sphinx. The ministry plans to turn Marina El Alamein into a formal tourist site with a visitor center, roads, and an open-air theater, with construction expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.