Archaeologists have uncovered a complete bathing complex at the Tell Nasser archaeological site in Egypt’s Port Said region, offering new insight into settlement, architecture and public services in the eastern Nile Delta during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
An Egyptian archaeological mission, under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, discovered during its first excavation season at the site, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Port Said, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Qantara West, and 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) north of the Al-Salam Canal.
Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy said the discovery highlights the archaeological importance of the Port Said region and underscores its potential for further research. He said the remains provide valuable evidence for understanding the growth of settlements and the development of public infrastructure in the eastern Nile Delta.
Site preserves centuries of occupation
Preliminary analysis of the archaeological layers revealed that Tell Nasser was occupied long before the bathing complex was constructed, according to Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The earliest remains date to the late fourth and early third centuries B.C., before the Ptolemaic period. Researchers identified Cypriot-style pottery and Greek amphorae, confirming the existence of an earlier settlement at the site.
Later Ptolemaic layers, dating from the second and first centuries B.C., produced stamped Rhodian amphorae along with locally made and imported pottery, pointing to continued occupation and active trade.
El-Leithy said the excavation marks the first complete bathing complex to be scientifically uncovered at Tell Nasser. The findings also show that the complex remained in use during the Roman period, when it underwent architectural changes while continuing to serve its original purpose.
The discovery represents one of the most complete examples of ancient hydraulic engineering yet found in the eastern Nile Delta. Its design resembles Hellenistic baths previously discovered in Egypt, including the recently excavated bath at Tell El-Herr in North Sinai.
Unlike those examples, however, the Tell Nasser complex includes both a public bath and a separate private bathing unit, together with an integrated water supply and drainage system.
Bath complex features advanced design
Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the complex consists of a private bathing unit, public baths, and a complete water management system.
The private bath contains a circular basin measuring about 2.5 meters (8 feet) in diameter. It was built from fired red bricks and coated with waterproof pink plaster. Archaeologists also uncovered two oval foot baths, drainage channels, and a low-built structure that was likely used to heat water.
The public baths include two circular rooms, known as tholoi, each about 5 meters (16 feet) across. One room preserves five foot-bathing stations, three of them largely intact, with built-in backrests, armrests, and circular foot basins.
Researchers also found three rectangular basins, a quarter-circle water-distribution basin, a slip-resistant hydraulic floor and drains connected to the complex’s internal system.
Abdel Badie said the complex was likely built in the late first century B.C. and remained in use until the second century A.D. Pottery recovered from the site, including lamps, plates and tableware, supports this timeline. Parts of the complex were later converted into storage areas during the Late Roman period, as indicated by the discovery of Gaza amphorae.
Hydraulic system and artifacts reveal site’s history
Khaled Farid, director of the Port Said archaeological region and head of the excavation, said the team uncovered a sophisticated water management system built around a fired-brick channel nearly 6 meters (20 feet) long. Raised above ground and partly covered by a vaulted brick roof, the channel protected water as it flowed through the complex.
Excavators also uncovered an integrated drainage network, an older water channel beneath the main conduit, and buried residential walls. These remains confirm that Tell Nasser experienced multiple phases of construction before the bath complex was established.
The excavation also yielded stamped Rhodian amphorae bearing Greek names, locally made and imported amphorae, cups, jugs, pottery lamps, and other tableware. Researchers said the artifacts helped date the site’s archaeological layers and reconstruct Tell Nasser’s history from the pre-Ptolemaic period through the Roman era.
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