CAIRO — Egyptian archaeologists have announced the discovery of a diverse collection of ancient artifacts, including Pharaonic funerary furniture, the remains of a Roman basilica, and a marble head of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. These findings are part of ongoing efforts by the Egyptian government to revitalize the country’s tourism sector and strengthen its economy.

The Roman-era basilica ruins and the Aphrodite sculpture were uncovered at the Ehnasiya necropolis, located in the Beni Suef province about 80 miles south of Cairo. Also known by its ancient Roman name, Heracleópolis Magna, the site was once a major city in ancient Egypt. Mohammed Abdel-Badei, head of the antiquities department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said archaeologists found large stone blocks, some weighing as much as 45 tons, which served as supports for the basilica’s columns. Three of these blocks remain standing in their original positions. The marble head of Aphrodite measures approximately 9.5 by 10 inches and displays finely detailed facial features and curly hair consistent with classical Greek and Roman artistic styles.

Inscriptions linked to Pharaoh Senusret III, who ruled during Egypt’s 12th Dynasty from 1837 to 1819 B.C., were also found at the site. The texts include birth names of the ruler, also known as Sesostris III, a prominent figure in the Middle Kingdom. Additional discoveries included fragments of wall statues and terracotta molds thought to have been used for coin production during the Roman period. Abdel-Badei noted that the artifacts highlight Ehnasiya’s historical importance as an economic and commercial hub during Roman rule, which lasted from 30 B.C. to A.D. 395.

Meanwhile, archaeologists in Cairo have uncovered an almost complete set of funerary furniture in the Matariya neighborhood, an area that was once part of the ancient city of Heliopolis. The burial site contains gilded remains inside a coffin, believed to belong to a military figure. The team also discovered cosmetic tools such as a copper mirror and alabaster containers for kohl, as well as five pairs of yellow-colored metal earrings thought to be made of gold.

These recent finds come amid a broader push to attract tourists to Egypt’s historical sites. Tourism, a key sector of the economy, suffered setbacks following the political upheaval of the 2011 uprising and the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as economic impacts related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict—both countries being major sources of visitors. However, the government has reported signs of recovery, with a record 19 million tourists visiting in 2025, a 21% increase from the previous year. During the first four months of 2026, the country welcomed 6.1 million tourists, up from 5.7 million in the same period of 2025, according to the prime minister’s office. The recent archaeological discoveries are expected to further enhance Egypt’s appeal to international travelers.