LBV Magazine English Edition
History & Culture
The rescue excavation mission under the Supreme Council of Antiquities, working in the Muharram Bey area in the central district of Alexandria, has brought to light a distinct set of archaeological and architectural elements that help unveil the evolution of urban life in the city of Alexandria across its different historical stages.
Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, described this discovery as a qualitative addition to the record of archaeological finds in the city of Alexandria and stated that it reflects the historical and civilizational importance of the city as one of the most prominent cultural centers of the ancient world, highlighting its unique position as one of the most significant historical metropolises, by virtue of the splendor and cultural diversity accumulated over the centuries that it embodies.
He explained that the results of this discovery contribute to redefining the urban map of ancient Alexandria and confirmed the continuity of Egyptian efforts to protect and preserve archaeological heritage, especially through rescue excavations linked to development projects, thus achieving a balance between heritage conservation and support for sustainable development plans.
For his part, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the excavation work revealed a complete civilizational sequence that begins in the Ptolemaic period, continues into the Roman period, and reaches the Byzantine period, reflecting the continuity of human settlement at the site over successive time periods.
He noted that among the most notable discoveries is a circular public bath of the tholoi type, dating from the late Ptolemaic period, along with the remains of a Roman residential villa featuring mosaic pavements in various styles, which reflects an advanced level of luxury and urban planning during these periods.
Professor Mohamed Abdel Badi, Director of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, added that the site offers a complete model of the evolution of residential and service architecture in ancient Alexandria, as the excavations uncovered advanced hydraulic installations, including a bathtub or small pool associated with the Roman villa, equipped with an integrated water management system.
He also pointed out the diversity of techniques used in the execution of the discovered mosaic pavements, which included the Opus Tessellatum and Opus Sectile methods, demonstrating the richness and variety of artistic schools in Alexandria during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
In the same context, Dr. Hisham Hussein, Director of the Central Directorate of Antiquities of Lower Egypt, stated that this discovery helps fill an important archaeological gap in the southeastern sector of ancient Alexandria, an area that had not received sufficient study before.
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He explained that the new results support and revalue the historical maps of the city, especially the works of Mahmoud Bey El-Falaki, considered one of the first scientific attempts to reconstruct the urban planning of the city of Alexandria through a methodology combining astronomical measurements, topographical studies, and historical analysis.
The findings also confirm that this area was part of the urban fabric within the walls of Alexandria until the Byzantine period, before its importance later declined due to changes in urban planning.
He indicated that the discoveries also included a distinct set of movable archaeological objects, among which were marble statues representing various deities, such as Bacchus and Asclepius, as well as a headless statue presumed to represent the goddess Minerva.
Coins, lamps, ceramic vessels, and fragments of stamped amphorae were also found, collectively reflecting the flourishing commercial and cultural activity experienced by ancient Alexandria, as well as its extensive connections with its Mediterranean environment.
In this regard, Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa, Director of the archaeological mission and supervisor of the central district, reported that the excavation work lasted several months and resulted in exceptional discoveries, confirming that the team has already begun preliminary restoration work on the discovered objects, in preparation for their transfer to specialized laboratories.
He also noted that there is currently a study on the possibility of exhibiting the most significant pieces of the discovery in the Graeco-Roman Museum of Alexandria, which will help enrich the visitor experience and highlight the importance of this discovery, while excavation work continues at the site, which could yield new findings in the upcoming period.
SOURCES
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
