Archaeologists have uncovered a well‑preserved Byzantine‑era settlement in Egypt’s western desert near the Dakhla oasis, revealing residential, religious and public spaces dating from the fourth century.

Excavations identified north‑south and east‑west streets that intersect to form open squares and public areas, according to Hisham el‑Leithy, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

A basilica dating to the mid‑fourth century stands at the settlement’s head, overlooking the main streets, and two watchtowers were found to protect the outskirts, said Mahmoud Massoud, who chairs the archaeological mission.

The site, located in the New Valley governorate, is on UNESCO’s tentative list for possible World Heritage status.

Among the structures, archaeologists found houses with reception halls and vaulted roofs, bread ovens, kitchens, stone grinding tools and bronze coins bearing portraits of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions and Christian symbols, the ministry reported.

One house belonged to Tisous, a church deacon, and dates to the second half of the 14th century; researchers believe it served as a house church before the basilica was built.

Coins discovered include seven bronze pieces from the reign of Roman Emperor Constantius II (337–361), according to the ministry statement.

Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish antiquities department, said about 200 pottery fragments, known as ostraca, were recovered; they bear inscriptions detailing commercial transactions, correspondence and other aspects of daily life.

At the nearby Marina el‑Alamein site, about 62 miles west of Alexandria, archaeologists uncovered 48 tombs, including 11 rock‑cut tombs averaging eight metres in depth and seven limestone‑built surface tombs, the ministry said.

Findings at Marina el‑Alamein included pottery vessels, amphorae, lamps, plates, altars, limestone basins and a 2.5‑metre granite sarcophagus containing human remains, said Eman Abdel‑Khaliq, mission chief.

Gold pieces placed in the mouths of some of the deceased, referred to as the ‘golden tongue,’ were also recovered, she added.

The sarcophagus was found alongside the remains of a plaster sphinx statue.

Marina el‑Alamein, an archaeological site uncovered in 1986, is believed to be the ancient Greco‑Roman port city of Leukaspis, founded in the second century and active until the fourth century.

Researchers say the combined discoveries provide insight into urban development, economic activity and funerary practices during the Byzantine period in Egypt.

Further analysis is expected to clarify the chronology and significance of the site.