Ain el-Sabil in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis isn't a new find! The site was first identified in the 1980s, with major excavations from 2009-2011 uncovering mudbrick houses, a large basilica church, Christian artwork, and coins dating to the early 4th century AD. It was publicly announced in November 2011, making a recent 2026 'brand-new discovery' claim overlook decades of earlier work.
Ain el-Sabil Byzantine city first identified in 1980s, not a recent discovery
Key facts
- Site first identified in the 1980s in Egypt's Dakhla (Dler) Oasis
- Major excavations took place between 2009 and 2011
- In 2009, mudbrick houses, coins, pottery, and more were discovered and dated to early 4th century AD
- From 2010 to 2011, a large basilica church, more residential buildings, streets, Christian artwork, coins, and writings were uncovered
- The discovery was publicly announced in November 2011, 15 years before the video
- Archaeological work continued from 2019 onwards but has not been formally published
- Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' 2026 Facebook post presented the site as a brand-new discovery without referencing earlier excavation history
Sources
apnews.com
Linked in video description
Dakhla Oasisen.wikipedia.org
Dakhla Oasis or Dakhleh Oasis is one of the seven oases of Egypt's Western Desert. Dakhla Oasis lies in the New Valley Governorate, 350 km (220 mi.) ...
Ain el-Sabil: a Pleiades place resourcepleiades.stoa.org
Ain el-Sabil is located in the Dakhla Oasis of Upper Egypt, 2.5 km southeast of the village of Ismant and less than 1.5 km southwest of the ...
Lost Byzantine city rediscovered in Egypt's Dakhla Oasisheritagedaily.com
Archaeologists have unearthed a well-preserved Byzantine-era residential city in the Dakhla Oasis, offering new insights into urban life in ...
Byzantine city with 200 written records uncovered in ...archaeologymag.com
Archaeologists uncovered a Byzantine city in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis with a basilica, 200 written records, coins, and well-planned streets.
Byzantine City Uncovered in Egypt's Dakhleh Oasisarchaeology.org
... Excavated building at the site of Ain El-Sabil in Egypt's Dakhleh Oasis. Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ...
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