Egypt unveils 4th-7th century AD remains of ancient city in Alexandria
Egypt unveils 4th-7th century AD remains of ancient city in Alexandria
The Egyptian-Polish Archaeological Team, associated with the Polish Center for Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw, Poland, working in the Kom El-Dekka Ruins in Alexandria, was able to discover the remains of a large part of an ancient city dating from the 4th to the 7th centuries AD.
A collection of Roman mosaics covering the floor of a town house was also discovered by the mission.
The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mustafa Waziri, confirmed that the region of Kom El-Dekka in Alexandria is once again the site of a new multi-coloured Roman mosaic, confirming the spread of mosaics in Alexandria and proving the prosperity of the inhabitants of these houses.
The mosaic discovered was set to be displayed in Kom El Dekka’s Villa of Birds, which is the first mosaic floor museum in Egypt.
Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Department at the Ministry of Antiquities, said that the discovered town houses remains of a small theater, a large imperial bathroom and a unique collection of 22 lecture halls, which are thought the remains of an old university.
Dr. Gregor Maherke, head of the joint Archaeological Mission, pointed out that the mosaic design was the floor of one of the houses is a square surface of 2.60 m x 2.60 m.
It consists of six hexagonal panels featuring a lotus flower, encircled by a typical circular frame.
The design was prominent in the dining rooms of the Roman houses and is considered distinctive to the Alexandrian style.
It mirrors the famous formations that characterize Egypt in the Roman epoch.
Dr. Maherk said that the Polish Archaeological Mission has been operating at the site located in the heart of the old city since 1960 in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.
Excavations in recent years have been focused on the study of residential architecture, which is still somewhat unknown in Alexandria from the 1st century to the 3rd century AD.
It was known that buildings of that period were often lavishly decorated.
He explained that discovering of this season is the best proof of this.
Contributed by Ahmed Moamar