Archaeologists Discover Roman Basilica During Excavations in Egypt

 An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has uncovered fragments of a Roman basilica and a marble head of Aphrodite during excavations at the archaeological site of Ihnasiya el-Medina in Beni Suef province, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced.

"[During the excavations], annexes to the Roman basilica and the remains of an ancient Doric temple were discovered, along with a rare marble head of Aphrodite, ... fragments of wall sculptures, and Roman-era ceramic molds for minting coins," the ministry stated.

According to the SCA, architectural elements from a 6th-century BCE Doric temple were reused in the basilica's foundations. Three columns, weighing up to 45 tons each, remain in their original positions.

"Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy confirmed that these findings represent a significant scientific and archaeological contribution, underscoring the great historical value of the Ihnasiya el-Medina area," the statement said.

In late April, a Spanish archaeological mission from the University of Barcelona and the Institute of the Ancient Near East discovered a Roman-era cemetery. Additionally, archaeologists found a rare papyrus inside one of the mummies. The text contains a passage from Book 2 of Homer's Iliad.

The territory of modern-day Egypt became part of the Roman Empire in 30 BCE.