The Discovery
Archaeologists working near Benghazi in eastern Libya have uncovered the remains of an ancient building at Shatt al-Badin. The structure was exposed during preliminary cleaning operations conducted by a team from the Benghazi Antiquities Office, led by local antiquities inspector Hani al-Abdali. Removing soil and debris revealed architectural remains and interior walls decorated with fresco paintings.
What Scientists Found
The surviving remains suggest the building may have originally stood two stories high. However, key details about its history remain unknown:
- Original Purpose: Not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
- Construction Date: Not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Sida al-Sarawi, the director of archaeology at the Benghazi Antiquities Office, indicated that the site's scale and architectural features warrant a broader scientific study. A specialist team is expected to examine construction techniques, decorative materials, and archaeological deposits to establish the structure's chronology and function. Archaeological researcher Khaled Muammar al-Breiki described the finding as an unusual example for the area.
Why It Matters
The site sits in Cyrenaica, an ancient region influenced by Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. Although wall paintings were common across domestic, religious, and public buildings in the Mediterranean, the presence of frescoes does not by itself identify the building's era or culture.
The project highlights both the archaeological wealth of eastern Libya and the financial and logistical challenges facing researchers. Hani al-Abdali reported that limited equipment and resources have restricted full site surveys. Additionally, ancient sites near Benghazi face risks from urban expansion and insufficient monitoring. Fortunately, cooperation from local families using the land at Shatt al-Badin has helped safeguard the exposed remains and enabled archaeological work to move forward.
Source: ancient civilization archaeology discovery - BingNews · Published October 28, 2026 · Photo by Egor Komarov on Unsplash
