Roman City Uncovered in Egypt?

The Romans had a long history of stretching their empire far beyond their own borders. The Romans also had a particular inclination towards Egypt's mystical origins. Those two facts coupled together have left us with a rich plethora of Roman-era artifacts here in Egypt, and the latest exciting find is a city dating back to this era.

According to the Minister of Antiquities, and Heritage Mamdouh al-Damaty, the remains of an ancient city is located approximately 25km south of the Rosetta Nile branch in Beheira Governorate. The discovery is the result of an international joint effort between the Ministry of Antiquities and the Italian-Egyptian Center for Restoration and Archaeology, who surveyed an archaeological area of Al-Koam Al-Ahmar, using the latest techniques of geophysical, topographic and magnetic surveys, in addition to aerial photography, to uncover the city under an enormous layer of Nile silt.

Initial findings suggest that the urban planning of the city is reflective of the distinct model that dates to the Hellenistic era in the Delta. Providing further evidence that the city may have been built by the Romans is the discovery of a large ancient Roman bathhouse in the same region.

The minister claims that the survey conducted revealed the existence of many facilities and rectangular shaped building suggesting they were used for religious or administrative purposes. Another member of the team of archaeologists suggests that the city may belong to the late period of Pharaonic families. However it is still a long way until the site is properly excavated and its origins are confirmed.