Deity-inscribed tombstones, sarcophagi unearthed at ancient Egyptian burial site

Archaeologists at Egypt's Tell El Deir site recently unearthed 20 limestone tombstones, sarcophagi, and funerary amulets. The tombstones feature religious symbols and deities like Agathodaemon and Isis-Thermouthis, indicating Greek and Roman influence on ancient Egyptian funerary practices and helping identify the social status of the deceased. Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated the discovery "opens new horizons for understanding the development of cemeteries in the Nile Delta" and shows Tell El Deir was "not merely a burial place, but was an integrated funerary center." These finds offer insights into funerary customs from the Late Period through the Roman era. Separately, in early July, 18 tombs and artifacts were discovered in Marina El Alamein, an ancient coastal city, providing further understanding of burial practices from the Hellenistic to Byzantine eras.