Roman-Era Tomb in Dakhla Oasis Blends Egyptian and Greek
A pyramid-shaped tomb from the late third or early fourth century A.D., blending Egyptian and Greek elements, has been unearthed at Bir al-Shaghala in
Archaeologists have uncovered a Roman-period tomb at Bir al-Shaghala in the Dakhla Oasis. The tomb dates to the late third or early fourth century A.D. And forms part of the ancient necropolis of Mothis, the capital of the oasis during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The excavation was conducted by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities at this key site in the New Valley governorate. Bir al-Shaghala is one of the most important archaeological locations in the Western Desert.
Architecture and Reuse
The tomb is a pyramid-shaped structure built from mudbrick. It features a 14-step staircase and a sandstone entrance built in the Egyptian style, including a decorative element shaped like a bundle of papyrus. The entrance was sealed by a stone block bearing an Osirian design and surrounded by protective spells. Inside, a vaulted transverse hall leads to two mudbrick burial chambers on the right-hand side, covered with plaster. A cornice decorated with a winged sun disk and two cobras adorns the structure.
Evidence suggests the tomb was reused at a later date. During this phase, a shrine with four square mudbrick columns was added to the main entrance. A mudbrick chapel was also constructed above the entrance, facing this funerary shrine. The tomb was originally designed to hold the remains of a man and his wife.
Funerary Contents and Inscriptions
The tomb contained a range of funerary objects and inscriptions highlighting a cultural blend. Hieroglyphic inscriptions of funerary spells and protections are present. The lintel bears a rare funerary scene depicting the seventh hour of the Imy-Duat, an ancient Egyptian book of the afterlife.
Greek influence is clearly shown in a stone funerary stele set into the southern wall of the pyramid. The rectangular stele has a triangular pediment and a raised sun disk. It carries a 19-line funerary elegy written in ancient Greek ink. Preliminary studies indicate the poem was dedicated to a man named Pisechthis, who may have served as a judge.
Artifacts and Context
A collection of artifacts was recovered from the tomb, providing context for its use and period.
The bronze coin of Emperor Constantine helps place the tomb's primary use within the late Roman period.
Site Significance
Excavations at Bir al-Shaghala began in 2002. The site has consistently revealed tombs that combine ancient Egyptian architectural traditions with Ptolemaic and Roman influences. Several feature open courtyards, funerary altars, vaulted burial chambers, and upper-level shrines crowned by pyramid-shaped structures. This latest discovery shows the ongoing cultural fusion in Roman-period Egypt, showing how local elites handled identity under imperial rule. The tomb reflects both Egyptian and Greek stylistic elements in a single burial complex.
Excavations at Bir al-Shaghala have been ongoing since 2002 and continue to reveal tombs that combine Egyptian architectural traditions with Ptolemaic and Roman influences.
