A new archaeological discovery in Egypt has captured global attention. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the excavation of 18 tombs and a 2.5-meter granite sarcophagus with gold tongues at the Marina El Alamein site, located about 100 kilometers from Alexandria, on the Mediterranean coast. This finding reinforces Egypt’s importance in the global archaeological field.
Discovery of Tombs with Gold Tongues in Egypt
The Marina El Alamein site, identified as the ancient port city of Leukaspis, has revealed eleven rock-cut catacombs, with an average depth of eight meters. Alongside the sarcophagus, a well-preserved plaster sculpture was found, offering valuable clues about the religious practices of the time.
Research at Marina El Alamein, initiated in the 1980s, has proven to be a rich source of information on the cultural interaction between Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Archaeologists have unearthed various funerary objects, including ceramic vessels, amphorae, oil lamps, and dishes. These artifacts shed light on aspects of daily life and funerary traditions in the region.
Inside the tombs, 24 gold pieces known as gold tongues were discovered. The head of the mission, Eman Abdel-Khaliq, noted that these pieces were placed in the mouths of the deceased, a funerary rite of the time that reflected spiritual and cultural beliefs.
The secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Hisham El-Leithy, emphasized that these findings are crucial for understanding the social, religious, and economic aspects of communities nearly two thousand years ago. Studies on the sarcophagus, human remains, and gold tongues promise to provide deep insights into the religious rituals and cultural exchange in this coastal region.
This discovery not only amplifies Egypt’s archaeological legacy but also offers a window into the past, illuminating the complex cultural dynamics that defined the communities of ancient Marina El Alamein.
