The Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission, led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez, has uncovered a huge archaeological tunnel carved into the rock in the Taposiris Magna area west of Alexandria, in a discovery that is considered one of the most prominent archaeological discoveries in Egypt in recent times.

Discovery details:

The discovered tunnel is approximately 1.3 kilometers long and 13 meters deep, making it one of the longest archaeological tunnels discovered in the country. It was found during archaeological excavations in the area surrounding the Taposiris Magna temple.

Initial studies confirm that this tunnel was used for religious rituals and burials of the dead, reflecting the spiritual importance of this area in ancient times.

The importance of the tunnel and the site

The archaeological evidence discovered inside and around the tunnel is strong evidence of the religious and historical importance of the site, as statues and artifacts dating back to the Greek, Ptolemaic and Roman eras were found.

The excavations also revealed a complex network of tunnels and passages that were used in religious rituals and ancient worship, adding a new dimension to understanding the civilizations that inhabited the area.

Other Discoveries Near the Temple:

Next to the tunnel, two alabaster heads were found near the temple, one dating back to the Ptolemaic period and the other possibly a statue of the Sphinx.

The excavations also revealed a rectangular block of limestone, pottery and ceramic jars buried under the mud deposits, reinforcing the importance of the site as an ancient commercial and religious center.

Architectural Design of the Tunnel:

Researchers noted that the architectural design of the discovered tunnel is very similar to the design of the Eubilian Tunnel in Greece, but is longer. Experts described the tunnel as an engineering marvel, as the excavations revealed a part of the tunnel that was submerged under the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Other discoveries in the temple:

Studies in the temple itself revealed interesting architectural details, including massive limestone walls, extracted from ancient quarries in the area.

A ritual altar and tombs containing bronze tools from the Ptolemaic-Roman period were also discovered, reflecting daily life in that era, in addition to statues and a beautiful incense burner, in a discovery that reinforces the importance of the area in past ages.

The importance of the discoveries:

For his part, Dr. Mohsen Mukhtar, Professor of History at the International Institute of Archaeology in Alexandria, confirmed that this discovery is one of the most important archaeological discoveries that have been found recently, as it proves the existence of advanced life in the King Mariout Desert area and shows the expansion of civilization in ancient times beyond the old city.

These discoveries open new horizons for understanding the history of the region, and shed light on the influence of the different civilizations that passed through Alexandria and its surroundings, adding new chapters to the history of Egyptian civilization.