Archaeologists discover 18 ancient tombs on Egypt's Mediterranean coast

Archaeologists have uncovered 18 ancient tombs dating back to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods at the Marina El Alamein archaeological site on Egypt's northwestern Mediterranean coast, revealing new insights into the region's rich history and ancient burial traditions.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that the discovery increases the total number of tombs found at the site to 44 since excavations began in 1986. The area was once home to the prosperous ancient city of Leucaspis, an important commercial and cultural hub linking Egypt with the wider Mediterranean world.

The excavation revealed 11 underground rock-cut tomb complexes alongside seven above-ground limestone tombs, several of which were found remarkably well preserved with their original stone coverings still intact.

Archaeologists also recovered a wide range of artifacts, including oil lamps, pottery jars, ceramic vessels, stone basins, and small altars. Among the most significant discoveries was a massive granite sarcophagus measuring approximately 2.5 meters in length that still contains human remains.

One of the excavation's most remarkable findings was the discovery of 24 thin gold foils placed inside the mouths of the deceased. The practice, known as the "golden tongue" ritual, was a funerary tradition during the Hellenistic and Roman eras, believed to give the dead the ability to speak to the gods of the underworld in the afterlife.

Researchers also uncovered a gold amulet shaped like the Eye of Horus, highlighting the continued influence of ancient Egyptian religious beliefs even during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the discovery reinforces the historical significance of Leucaspis, a city mentioned by the ancient Greek geographer Strabo, and further demonstrates its role as a major center of trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean.