Egypt Reveals Stunning Artefacts in Push to Revive Tourism Sector

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered ancient artefacts, including a Roman basilica, a marble head of Aphrodite, Pharaonic inscriptions, and burial items in Cairo and Beni Suef. Officials say the finds highlight Egypt’s rich Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman heritage and are part of efforts to boost the country’s recovering tourism industry.

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts, including Pharaonic funerary furniture, the remains of a Roman basilica, and a marble head of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, in discoveries that shed new light on the country’s long and layered civilisation history.
The discoveries, announced on Sunday by Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Ministry, are part of a wider government drive to highlight archaeological heritage as a key pillar of tourism development and economic recovery. The announcement also comes in the wake of the November inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, a major cultural project located near the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, which authorities hope will significantly boost international visitor numbers.
In the province of Beni Suef, about 130 kilometres south of Cairo, archaeologists working at the Ehnasiya necropolis—also known in ancient times as Heracleopolis Magna—uncovered remains of a Roman-era basilica alongside a variety of artefacts spanning different historical periods.
Researchers said the basilica site contained massive carved stone blocks used to support columns, some weighing up to 45 tonnes. Several of these stones remain in their original positions, giving experts valuable insight into ancient construction methods and the scale of Roman-era architecture in the region.
Among the most significant finds was a finely detailed marble head of Aphrodite, measuring approximately 24 by 25 centimetres. The sculpture displays intricate facial features and carefully carved curly hair, reflecting the artistic traditions of classical Greek and Roman periods, when Egypt was under Roman influence.
Archaeologists also discovered inscriptions linked to Pharaoh Senusret III, one of the most powerful rulers of Egypt’s 12th Dynasty, who reigned between 1837 BC and 1819 BC. The inscriptions include references to his throne name and birth name, offering additional historical evidence of the site’s importance during the Middle Kingdom period.
Further excavations revealed fragments of statues and terracotta molds believed to have been used in coin production during the Roman era. These findings suggest that Ehnasiya was not only a religious and administrative centre but also an active hub of economic and commercial activity when Egypt was part of the Roman Empire between 30 BC and AD 395.
In a separate discovery in Cairo’s Matariya district—an area that was once part of the ancient city of Heliopolis—archaeologists uncovered a nearly complete set of funerary furniture preserved in a mudbrick burial site.
The burial is believed to belong to a military figure, based on associated artefacts and the nature of the tomb. Inside the coffin, researchers found gilded remains, indicating the individual may have held a significant status in society.
Alongside the burial, archaeologists also recovered a range of personal and cosmetic items, including a copper mirror and alabaster containers used for kohl, an ancient eye cosmetic widely used in Egyptian culture for both aesthetic and protective purposes. A collection of yellow-coloured metal earrings, consisting of five pairs of varying sizes and believed to be gold, was also discovered.
Officials say the combination of artefacts from different eras—Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman—highlights Egypt’s unique position as a crossroads of ancient civilisations, where successive cultures left deep and overlapping historical layers.
The Egyptian government has increasingly promoted such discoveries as part of its strategy to attract international tourism and strengthen foreign currency earnings. Archaeology tourism remains one of Egypt’s most important sectors, drawing millions of visitors each year to sites such as Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and the Giza Plateau.
Tourism in Egypt suffered a major downturn following the 2011 uprising, which led to years of political instability and security concerns. The sector was further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, both of which affected international travel patterns.
However, officials say the industry has been steadily recovering in recent years. Government figures indicate that approximately 19 million tourists visited Egypt last year, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. Early 2026 data also suggests continued growth, with 6.1 million visitors recorded in the first four months of the year compared to 5.7 million during the same period in 2025.
Authorities hope that ongoing archaeological discoveries, combined with major infrastructure projects like the Grand Egyptian Museum, will further strengthen Egypt’s position as one of the world’s leading cultural tourism destinations.