Egyptian archaeologists uncovered on Saturday 4 July a remarkably well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis, offering new insights into daily life in one of the country’s ancient desert settlements. The discovery was announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities following excavations by an Egyptian archaeological mission at the Ain El-Sabil archaeological site in the New Valley Governorate. According to the ministry, the city dates back to the Byzantine period (330–1453 AD) and was built entirely from mudbrick. The excavation has revealed a complete residential settlement, providing archaeologists with new evidence of the urban, social and economic life of communities living in the oasis more than 1,600 years ago. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy described the discovery as an important addition to Egypt’s growing list of archaeological finds, saying it highlights the cultural diversity of the country’s desert oases throughout history. He added that the discovery is expected to strengthen New Valley’s archaeological attractions and support ongoing efforts to promote the governorate as a cultural tourism destination. The city’s layout follows an organized urban plan, featuring main streets running north to south intersected by east-west roads,…
