Bath complex from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods with circular pools found in Egypt
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered the first fully documented bathing complex at Tell Nasser, an ancient site in the Port Said archaeological area. The find came during the first excavation season at the site, about 40 kilometers south of Port Said in the eastern Nile Delta.
The bath complex gives archaeologists a clearer picture of how people lived in this part of Egypt during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The excavation also found signs of an older settlement, showing people occupied the area before the baths were built.
The oldest archaeological layer dates to the late fourth and early third centuries BCE. Imported Cypriot pottery and Greek amphorae show early trade and settlement at the site. Layers from the second and first centuries BCE produced Rhodian amphora stamps along with local and imported pottery, showing the community continued to grow during the Ptolemaic period.
Archaeologists believe the bathing complex was built near the end of the first century BCE. People kept using the buildings through the Roman period. Builders changed parts of the complex over time while keeping the main bathing function until the second century CE. Pottery finds, including oil lamps, dishes, and tableware, helped date those phases. During the Late Roman period, some rooms served as storage spaces. Gaza amphorae found inside the complex support this later use.
One feature sets Tell Nasser apart from other Hellenistic bath sites in Egypt. The complex includes both a public bath and a separate private bathing unit. A full water supply and drainage system connected the two areas.
The private bath contains a circular basin about 2.5 meters across. Builders used red bricks and coated the walls with pink waterproof mortar. Archaeologists also found two oval foot baths, long drainage channels, and a nearby low structure linked with heating water.
The public bath includes two circular rooms, known as tholoi, each about five meters wide. One room holds five foot bath units, with three still in good condition. Each seat has a backrest, arm supports, and a round space for the feet. The room also contains three rectangular basins, a quarter circle basin used to collect and distribute water, a floor covered with hydraulic mortar to reduce slipping, and a drain connected to the sewer system.
Excavations uncovered an advanced water network as well. A raised red brick channel, almost six meters long, carried clean water across the site. Part of the channel still keeps its brick vaulted roof. Beneath the channel, archaeologists found an older water line and the remains of houses, showing several building phases before the bath complex appeared.
The team recovered a wide range of artifacts. These include Rhodian amphora stamps with Greek names, imported and local amphorae, cups, jugs, pottery oil lamps, plates, and tableware from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Together, these finds helped date each occupation layer and trace the site’s long history.
More information: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
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