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El Alamein's ruins offer a glimpse into Greco-Roman civilization and a significant WWII battle

Ancient Greco-Roman ruins at Darazya near El Alamein are revealing new insights into the history of Egypt's northern coast, thanks to research by the Faculty of Architecture at Wrocław University of Science and Technology and the Center for Comparative Studies of Civilizations at Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

Located around 100 km west of Alexandria on the coast of the Arab Gulf, Darazya's ancient ruins are interspersed with World War II structures, relics from the Battles of El-Alamein. Early travelers in the 19th and 20th centuries documented these sites, but recent studies initiated in 2021 seek a greater understanding of the region's historical significance.

In a study, "Darazya at El Alamein: a Greco-Roman settlement against the backdrop of an important Second World War battle," in Antiquity, the team investigated the civilizational spanning importance of the region, focusing on the functioning, planning, and culture of small towns that drew on different traditions.

Architectural studies, stratigraphy, and reconstruction using original materials were used to understand the arrangement of ancient structures. Identifying artifacts helped determine the roles of specific rooms or buildings and how the households functioned. Examining surviving Second World War structures provided insights into the Battle of El Alamein and the Allied forces' construction techniques.

Findings include the remains of an ancient settlement, residential houses, above-ground structures, and two large underground cisterns. Outer walls of three habitation-sized buildings, reaching up to 1.6 meters in height, were studied in detail.

Several Greek oikos-type residential houses from the Hellenistic-Roman period were detailed, with main reception halls in a courtyard surrounded by smaller rooms. Walls around the homes were constructed using rubble masonry bonded with clay and plastered with lime mortar, with some limestone ashlar walls preserved.

Two large underground cisterns carved into the limestone bedrock, each about five meters high and supported by pillars, provided ample water storage for long-term resilience in the semi-arid climate.

Imported pareti sottili (thin-walled) bowls were identified among the pottery fragments, reflecting the settlement's engagement in broader trade networks, bringing quality goods from distant regions.

Numerous fragments of high-quality Cypriot sigillata pottery were found at the site. Cypriot sigillata is known for its fine craftsmanship and distinctive red gloss, typically created from the 1st century BCE until the 1st century CE. The presence of these imported sigillata fragments supports the initial dating of the Greek-style houses to the Hellenistic-Roman period.

The pottery assemblage includes fragments of small, decorated stone altars and cornices. Hellenistic practices of domestic worship often included a family or household deity with an altar within the home.

British military structures from 1941–1942, including a complex of 17 underground shelters linked by corridors, were also documented. The Battles of El Alamein were a series of pivotal defenses and counterattacks led by the British Army in holding off the German conquest of Egypt. After multiple defeats, it was the first real victory for the British Army, becoming a great strategic turning point of the war in Africa.

After conservation and some restoration efforts are complete, Darazya is expected to become a regional tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's rich historical tapestry.