• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

1st century CE underground cisterns discovered in Egypt, alongside WWII vestiges

by Dario Radley
December 5, 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered remarkable finds at Darazya, a site located approximately 100 kilometers west of Alexandria, Egypt. Known in antiquity as Derhis and referenced by classical geographers like Strabo and Claudius Ptolemaeus, the area holds a dual legacy of Greco-Roman settlement and World War II military activity. Excavations undertaken during the 2021 and 2022 seasons have revealed significant structures from both eras.

1st century CE underground cisterns discovered in Egypt, alongside WWII vestiges
Remains of House H1 undergoing conservation. Credit: P. Zambrzycki, Antiquity (2024)

At its heart, Darazya features the ruins of an ancient settlement dating to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Among the discoveries are three distinct buildings identified as Houses H1, H2, and H3. Constructed using rubble masonry and lime mortar, these structures exhibit layouts typical of the era, including oikos-style residences organized around central courtyards. Fragments of stone altars and cornices found in House H1 suggest the presence of domestic cult practices, while imported ceramics, such as Cypriot sigillata and thin-walled bowls, provide further evidence of its inhabitants’ economic and cultural connections.

House H2, distinct in its more elaborate design and in-situ columns, appears to have served an administrative or communal function. Meanwhile, the shared architectural features of these houses with structures at the nearby Marina el-Alamein site support their dating to the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

One of the most striking discoveries is a pair of subterranean cisterns, designated C1 and C2. Carved into the limestone bedrock, these five-meter-high cisterns feature quadrangular designs with central pillars for ceiling support. Accessible via narrow shafts, their walls were originally lined with hydraulic mortar, underscoring the ingenuity of the Greco-Roman water management systems essential for sustaining life in this semi-arid region.

1st century CE underground cisterns discovered in Egypt, alongside WWII vestiges
One of the 1st century CE underground cisterns discovered in Egypt. Credit: P. Zambrzycki & S. Popławski, Antiquity (2024)

A study published in the journal Antiquity highlights their significance: “These well-preserved cisterns and channels provide a better understanding of the extensive water supply systems of the settlements in this semi-arid area.”

RelatedStories

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

May 23, 2025

The historical narrative of Darazya extends into the 20th century, where it played a pivotal role during World War II. Serving as a stronghold for British forces in the Battle of El Alamein (1942), the site contains a network of 17 underground shelters connected by corridors and reinforced with concrete. These structures, constructed from limestone blocks, reflect the strategic ingenuity employed during wartime.

1st century CE underground cisterns discovered in Egypt, alongside WWII vestiges
Another of the underground cisterns found in Darayza, Egypt. Credit: P. Zambrzycki & S. Popławski, Antiquity (2024)

According to the Egyptian-Polish Conservation Mission, thermographic and material analyses have been conducted to inform ongoing preservation efforts for these shelters. These measures aim to maintain their structural integrity while enhancing their accessibility for public education.

As conservation efforts progress, plans are underway to create visitor routes that connect the ancient Mediterranean heritage with World War II landmarks. Researchers anticipate that Darazya will become a regional tourist attraction.

Work at Darazya has included wall reinforcements, localized fillings, and partial reconstructions to enhance the site’s legibility. Such efforts not only safeguard its physical remains but also make its story accessible to a broader audience.

More information: Czerner R, Bąkowska-Czerner G, Zambrzycki P, Grzegorek W, Popławski S. (2024). Darazya at El Alamein: a Greco-Roman settlement against the backdrop of an important Second World War battle. Antiquity: 1-8. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.192


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago
Archaeology

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025
Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning
Anthropology

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist
Archaeology

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite
Archaeology

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest
Archaeology

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025
4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age
Archaeology

4,500-year-old clay baby rattles in Syria reveal mass production and parenting in the Bronze Age

May 29, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

May 27, 2025
Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

December 15, 2024
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

Oldest whale bone tools discovered in Europe reveal Stone Age humans used marine resources 20,000 years ago

May 31, 2025
Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

Roman burial of infant twins in Croatia linked to lead poisoning

May 31, 2025
18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

18th-century gold mourning ring unearthed in Norfolk field by detectorist

May 30, 2025
Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

Three ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed near Luxor reveal secrets of New Kingdom elite

May 30, 2025
43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world's oldest

43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint discovered on stone is the world’s oldest

May 30, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.