Egypt has unveiled a striking collection of ancient artifacts, including Pharaonic funerary furniture, remains of a Roman basilica, and a marble head of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, as the country intensifies efforts to revitalise its tourism sector.
Discoveries Announced to Boost Tourism
The discoveries, announced on Sunday, are part of the Egyptian government's strategy to bolster tourism and inject much-needed revenue into the struggling economy. Central to these efforts was the November inauguration of the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum, a megaproject situated near the iconic Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.
Artifacts Found in Beni Suef Necropolis
The remains of the basilica and the marble head of Aphrodite were unearthed in an ancient necropolis in the province of Beni Suef, approximately 130 kilometres (80 miles) south of Cairo, according to the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry. The Ehnasiya necropolis, 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, reported that large stone blocks supporting columns, weighing up to 45 tons, were found. Three of these blocks remain standing in their original positions, he noted.
The marble head of Aphrodite, measuring about 24 by 25 centimetres (9.5 by 10 inches), features intricate details of the goddess's face and curly hair, reflecting classical artistic traditions from the Greek and Roman periods, Abdel-Badei explained.
Archaeologists also uncovered inscriptions linked to Senusret III, who reigned between 1837 and 1819 B.C. during the 12th Dynasty. The inscriptions include the throne and birth names of the pharaoh, also known as Sesostris III, one of the most prominent rulers of Egypt's Middle Kingdom.
Additionally, fragments of wall statues and terracotta moulds were found, believed to have been used in coin crafting during the Roman period. These findings indicate that Ehnasiya was 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.
Funerary Furniture Found in Heliopolis
In Cairo, archaeologists discovered a nearly complete set of funerary furniture in the Matariya neighbourhood, once part of the ancient city of Heliopolis, the ministry stated. Abdel-Badei noted that they unearthed a mudbrick burial containing gilded remains in a coffin, believed to belong to a military figure. A cache of cosmetic tools, including a copper mirror and alabaster kohl containers, was also found.
A collection of yellow-coloured metal earrings, consisting of five pairs of varying sizes and believed to be made of gold, was also recovered, he added.
Tourism Recovery Amid Challenges
The discoveries in Beni Suef and Cairo are the latest archaeological findings that the government hopes will boost the vital tourism sector, which is partially driven by antiquities sightseeing. Tourism has suffered during years of political turmoil and violence following the 2011 uprising. In recent years, it has begun to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and the economic effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, both countries being major sources of tourists visiting Egypt.
A record number of approximately 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 reported in May.
