More re Marina El-Alamein

Al Ahram Weekly (Nevine El-Aref)

Holidaymakers to Egypt's northern coast will have more to entertain them than sun, sand and sea later this summer.

Starting in mid-September they can end a day spent on the beach by taking a virtual trip back to the Graeco-Roman era and exploring the archaeological site of Marina Al-Alamein, which 2,000 years ago was a major town and port known as Leucaspis.

Following years of restoration and development, the Marina archaeological site, situated not far from the World War II memorials at Al-Alamein, will open in the evenings from the middle of next month. The site is l96km west of Alexandra and 6km east of Al-Alamein. The site of the town stretches for 1km and is 0.5km wide, making it the largest archaeological site on Egypt's north coast.

Although historical records existed of the site of Leucaspis, as well as rudimentary plans of its layout, these were forgotten by the time construction began on the giant Marina holiday resort. Fortunately preliminary construction work revealed marble columns and other debris, and archaeologists stepped in to preserve the ruins.