A collection of artifacts dating from the Ptolemic to the Byzantine period were discovered during excavations in the Muharram Bek neighborhood of Alexandria last week, the Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced, showing the changing nature of the city’s population throughout history.
Among these finds were several statues of Greek and Roman dieties, including Bacchus (Roman god of wine and revelry), Asclepius (Greek god of medicine), and a headless statue believed to depict the Roman wisdom goddess Minerva.
Several coins, lamps, pottery vessels, and amphorae fragments were also unearthed, reflecting the flourishing nature of ancient Alexandria’s commerce and connections with the surrounding Mediterranean region.
One of the most impressive discoveries at the site, according to Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, was that of a circular public bath from the Late Ptolemaic era, as well as the remains of a Roman villa with mosaic flooring.
The site “presents a comprehensive model of the development of residential and service architecture in ancient Alexandria,” said Mohamed Abdel Badi, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Finds supports effort to reconstruct ancient Alexandria’s layout
According to the ministry, the artifcat’s discovery helps support the ongoing effort to formally reconstruct the layout of ancient Alexandria based on recent archaeological findings, based on the research of 19th century Egyptian cartographer Mahmoud Bey al-Falaki.
Hisham Hussein, Head of the Central Administration of Lower Egypt Antiquities, said that the find “contributes to filling an important archaeological gap in the southeastern sector of ancient Alexandria, an area that has not received sufficient study previously.”
“It also confirms that the area was within the urban boundaries of Alexandria until the Byzantine era, before its importance declined later due to changes in urban planning,” Hussein added.
Alexandria is one of the “most important historical metropolises,” affirmed Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy, noting the collection found “reflects the historical and cultural importance of the city as one of the most prominent cultural centers of the ancient world.”
Professor Ibrahim Mustafa, head of the archaeological mission and director of the Central District, stated that initial restoration work for the artifacts has already started ahead of being transferred for research.
He also noted that currently conversations are being held regarding the possibility of displaying some of the artifacts found at the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, as well as continuing excavations at the site.
