Egypt unveils a striking trove of ancient artifacts as the country tries
to boost tourism industry
[June 02, 2026] By
SAMY MAGDY
CAIRO (AP) — Archaeologists unearthed a set of ancient artifacts in
Egypt including Pharaonic funerary furniture, remains of a Roman
basilica and a marble head of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of
love and beauty.
The discoveries, announced Sunday, are part of the Egyptian government’s
efforts to boost the country’s tourism industry and bring cash to the
troubled economy. At the center of these efforts was the November
inauguration of the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum, a megaproject
located near the famed Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.
An active economic and commercial hub
The remains of the basilica and Aphrodite’s head were found in an
ancient necropolis in the province of Beni Suef, 130 kilometres (80
miles) south of Cairo, the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said.
The Ehnasiya necropolis, which is also known by its ancient Roman name,
Heracleópolis Magna, was one of the most significant cities of ancient
Egypt.
Archaeologist Mohammed Abdel-Badei, head of the antiquities department
at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that they found large stone
blocks supporting columns, weighing up to 45 tons, that had been used in
building the basilica. Three of the blocks remain standing in their
original positions, he said.
Aphrodite’s head, measuring about 24 centimeters by 25 centimeters (9½
inches by nearly 10 inches), includes detailed features of the goddess'
face and curly hair, reflecting the classical artistic traditions of the
Greek and Roman periods, he said.
Archaeologists found inscriptions linked to Senusret III, who ruled
between 1837 B.C. and 1819 B.C. during the ancient 12th Dynasty. The
inscriptions include his throne, birth names of the Pharaoh, who is also
known as Sesostris III, and was one of the most prominent rulers of
Egypt’s Middle Kingdom.
Also unearthed were fragments of wall statues and terracotta molds,
believed to have been used in coin crafting during the Roman period. The
findings show that Ehnasiya had been an active economic and commercial
hub when Egypt was part of the Roman Empire between 30 B.C. and A.D.
395, Abdel-Badei said.
[to top of second column] |
In this photo provided by Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities,
recently unearthed ancient artifacts are displayed on May 31, 2026,
in Ehnasiya district in Beni Suef, 130 kilometers (80 miles) south
of Cairo, Egypt. (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via AP)
 New findings in the ancient city
of Heliopolis
In Cairo, archaeologists found a nearly complete set of funerary
furniture in the Matariya neighborhood of Cairo, which was once part
of the ancient city of Heliopolis, the ministry said.
Abdel-Badei, the head of the antiquities department, said that they
unearthed a mudbrick burial with gilded remains in a coffin,
believed to be for a military figure. They also found a cache of
cosmetic tools, including a copper mirror and alabaster kohl
containers.
Also found was a collection of yellow-colored metal earrings,
consisting of five pairs of varying sizes, believed to be made of
gold, he said.
The discoveries in Beni Suef and Cairo are the latest archaeological
findings, which the government hopes will boost the vital tourism
sector, partially driven by antiquities sightseeing.
Tourism has suffered during years of political turmoil and violence
following the 2011 uprising. In recent years, it has started to
recover from the coronavirus pandemic and economic effects of the
Russia-Ukraine war — both countries are major sources of tourists
visiting Egypt.
A record number of about 19 million tourists visited Egypt last
year, a 21% increase from 2024, according to official figures. The
first four months of 2026 saw 6.1 million tourists visiting the
country, compared with 5.7 million during the same period in 2025,
the prime minister’s office said in May.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
