In early July 2026, Egyptian archaeologists announced the discovery of 18 sealed Greco-Roman tombs at the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, about 100 km (62 miles) west of Alexandria. The find includes 11 rock-cut tombs carved to an average depth of 8 meters, 7 above-ground limestone tombs, and a 2.5-meter-long unopened granite sarcophagus alongside the remains of a plaster sphinx. These new discoveries bring the total number of tombs found at Marina el-Alamein to 48 CGENTI.
Among the most striking artifacts are 24 gold tongue amulets placed inside the mouths of the deceased GE. During the Greco-Roman period, these amulets were intended to enable the dead to speak in the afterlife, a practice associated with the god Osiris. Some reports refer to them as "gold coins found in their mouths" or "golden tongues" GI.
The site itself holds historical significance. Marina el-Alamein is the modern name for the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis (also known as Antiphrae) EPG. Multiple authoritative sources, including the Polish–Egyptian Archaeological Mission, confirm that the ruins correspond to this ancient coastal trading port PGM. The city was largely destroyed by a tsunami in the 4th century AD and was rediscovered in the 1980s during construction .
Concurrent discovery: A Byzantine-era city at Dakhla Oasis
Separately, and announced at the same time, Egyptian archaeologists revealed the discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-era settlement city in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt's western desert BCTT. The site features preserved streets, tools, coins, and residential structures, and it is on UNESCO's tentative list C. The Guardian and CNN reported both discoveries in the same articles, noting they are simultaneous but unconnected announcements .
Note on the unopened sarcophagus
The granite sarcophagus found at Marina el-Alamein is described as sealed and unopened at the time of the announcement GEI. This contrasts with a different, unrelated black granite sarcophagus discovered in Alexandria in 2018, which was opened to reveal three skeletons and sewage water BT. The contents of the newly discovered sarcophagus have not been reported.
Key takeaways
- 18 tombs (11 rock-cut, 7 limestone) at Marina el-Alamein, plus an unopened granite sarcophagus and plaster sphinx CGT.
- 24 gold tongue amulets found in burials, used for speaking in the afterlife GE.
- Site identified as ancient Leukaspis/Antiphrae, a Greco-Roman port city .
