Egyptian archaeologists unearth Roman-era tomb in Western Desert
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An Egyptian archaeological team working in the Al-Wadi Al-Jadeed Governorate discovered a pyramid-shaped tomb built of mud brick dating to the Roman period. The tomb, located in the Bir Shaghala area within the Dakhla Oasis, held the remains of a man and his wife and stands out for its unique architectural design and rare funerary inscriptions.
The team, affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities, uncovered important artifacts during excavations.
These included a stone slab bearing a Greek-language funeral elegy, a sandstone offering table and purification basin, diverse pottery, and a bronze coin depicting the Roman Emperor Constantine. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy stated the discovery demonstrates the rich archaeological and cultural heritage of the Egyptian oases and the successive civilizations Egypt has known. The Ministry prioritizes supporting Egyptian archaeological missions, as their discoveries enrich knowledge of Egyptian history and showcase its diversity across different eras.
The Supreme Council of Antiquities’ Secretary-General, Hisham El-Leithi, explained the tomb’s significance lies in its architectural elements, inscriptions, and funerary texts, which provide important information about funerary practices and cultural and religious life in the Dakhla Oasis during the Roman period. The tomb’s entrance features a 14-step staircase leading to a sandstone doorway decorated with hieroglyphic carvings including spells and funerary recitations intended for protection.
Bir Shaghala is an important archaeological site and one of the cemeteries of the ancient city of Mota, the capital of the oasis during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
