Archaeologists working in southern Egypt have uncovered an 18th-century residential city built of mudbrick, along with a Coptic cemetery from the Byzantine period beneath it. The discovery was made at the Sheikh Al-Arab Hammam site in Qena governorate and sheds new light on settlement and burial traditions in Upper Egypt.
The excavation is being carried out by a joint Egyptian-French archaeological mission at the site in the village of Al-Araki. The residential remains date to the time of Sheikh Al-Arab Hammam, one of the most influential local rulers in Upper Egypt during the 1700s.
Beneath the settlement, archaeologists identified part of a Coptic burial ground that predates the city by several centuries.
Tourism and antiquities officials said the project aims to document the site’s history, protect it, and prepare it for future visitors. They noted that the location sits between the major ancient centers of Dendera and Abydos, giving it added importance for cultural tourism in the region.
Excavations reveal housing, industry, and daily life
Antiquities officials also stressed that the discovery helps fill gaps in historical knowledge about Al-Araki and the surrounding areas, which receive little attention in written sources. They said the finds offer rare evidence of daily life and economic activity in Upper Egypt.
A joint Egyptian–French archaeological mission has uncovered significant remains at the Sheikh Al-Arab Hammam site in Al-Arki village, Qena Governorate, revealing parts of an 18th-century mudbrick residential city and a Coptic necropolis dating back to the Byzantine period. pic.twitter.com/WY6nSXNAK6
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) February 23, 2026
Excavations revealed six houses with attached service structures and part of an industrial zone nearby. Preliminary studies suggest that some homes were topped with mudbrick domes, while others used palm trunks for roofing. White lime plaster was found on the walls of several rooms, and large parts of the settlement remain unexcavated.
Artifacts recovered from the city include bronze coins, pottery, children’s toys, jewelry, and textile fragments. Researchers said these objects point to a diverse and active community.
Coptic cemetery beneath residential city shows burial traditions
The discovery of the cemetery followed the finding of a Byzantine-era limestone coffin lid reused as flooring at one of the city’s entrances. This prompted a geophysical survey conducted with specialists in remote sensing. The survey results guided current excavations and led to the burial ground beneath the settlement.
The cemetery includes two burial types: direct in-ground burials and graves outlined with mudbrick. Finds associated with the burials include pottery, linen wrappings, and Coptic-style tunics decorated with plant, geometric, and animal designs, along with crosses and Coptic letters. A copper seal used for decorating cakes was also found.
Researchers said the discoveries provide important evidence for understanding settlement patterns, burial customs, and industrial activity from the Byzantine period through the Islamic era. Further bioarchaeological studies will examine the remains of about 23 individuals to determine age, sex, health, and diet, especially as some show traces of mummification.
The mission also conducted field training for local inspectors and conservators, focusing on excavation, documentation, mudbrick conservation, and site management.
