Egypt is planning to open the ancient city of Leukaspis. Leukaspis is a 2,000 year old Greco-Roman port city buried under the northern modern resort of Marina.
Also known as Antiphrae, the city was hidden for centuries after it was nearly wiped out by a tsunami that devastated the region in the fourth century.
Egyptian authorities have now decided to open the site. The site has two story villas and zigzagg streets nearly 25 years after its discovery reported the AP.
“Visitors can go to understand how people lived back then, how they built their graves, lived in villas or traded in the main agora (square)” said the local inspector for Egypt’s antiquities department Ahmed Amin.
The ancient tombs and houses of Leukaspis were found when Chinese engineers were building roads for the Marina resort in 1986.
Excavations conducted by Polish archaeologists during the 1990’s revealed that the ancient city had been a prosperous port town that held up to 15,000 residents. The residents lived on exporting grains, livestock and olives to the rest of the Mediterranean region.
Archeologists found the remains of a basilica, a bathhouse, deeply buried burial chambers of the city’s acropolis as well as Greek columns and bright limestone walls. The walls were measured up to two meters in length.
Studies also showed that the city had a sophisticated sewer system.
Egypt is planning to open Leukaspis by mid September.
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