Alexandria’s local authorities discovered an ancient tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic era, which brought the attention of archeologists and activists to the undiscovered monuments in Alexandria. Archeologists and Egyptian citizens called for further efforts to discover more monuments buried underground and under the sea known as "sunken ruins", saying that what was discovered in recent decades in the coastal city is only a small fraction of Alexandria’s ancient monuments.
The Egyptian authorities discovered an ancient cemetery during a digging process in the property of a citizen at the Sidi Gaber area. Dr. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said: "The cemetery contains a coffin made of black granite, one of the largest coffins found in Alexandria."
Chief of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector Ayman Ashmawy said in a press statement: “The cemetery was found at a depth of 5 meters from the surface of the earth.”
The archeologists noticed a layer of mortar, between the cover and the body of the coffin, which indicates that the coffin has not been opened since its closure. They also found the head of a statue made of corroded alabaster, he said.
Ashmawy confirmed that as soon as the cemetery was found, the mission informed the northern military area near the site and the necessary measures have been taken.
Egyptian archaeologists confirmed that the province of Alexandria, was built entirely on the ancient city of Alexandria, and noted that the city has a huge number of monuments that have not been discovered so far.
"The discovery of the tomb shows that the current city's properties are built over a very large ancient city," said Mohamed Hamza, an activist in the field of antiquities and heritage buildings in Alexandria.
He added: “Urban expansion and building violations made things worse after the demolition of dozens of old and archaeological buildings in Alexandria to build high-rise residential towers.”
On the other hand, the archaeological committee working on the restoration and maintenance project of the pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, also found a bronze statue for the god Osiris, during the restoration of the western facade of the pyramid.
The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr. Mustafa Waziri said in a press statement that “the statue was found in a small hole between the huge stone blocks located in the front of the pyramid.”
Sabri Faraj, director general of the Sakkara Antiquities Area, explained that the statue dates back to the late era, and it is likely that one of the priests placed it in this cavity in order to preserve it, and as part of his belief in the connection with the other world and the process of resurrection and eternity. Faraj pointed out that the statue was deposited in the laboratory of fine restoration in the museum store in Saqqara.
