The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Secretary General Zahi Hawwas on Tuesday said that an archaeological city was excavated in a governorate south to the capital Cairo.

The city, which dates back to 5,000 BC, was found in Kom Oshim, Fayoum, about 85 km south to Cairo by a US mission during its exploration of the historical area, Hawwas was quoted by the Egyptian MENA news agency as saying.

He added that remains of house walls and utensils were also discovered.

A mummy of the Greco-Roman era discovered by an archaeological exploration in the monastery cemetery in Fayoum, 60 km (37 miles) south of Cairo, is seen in this undated handout picture made available Jan. 20, 2008. The mummies are mostly in good condition and covered by cartons. Others were covered with eight layers of linen and tied with ropes.(photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

The MENA report also quoted the head of the U.S. mission as saying that other things found include cemetery remains and an ancient small river or a pool, but it is not yet certain whether the stream had a renewable water source at the time when the city was flourishing.

The US mission head noted that electromagnetic survey techniques were implemented to detect the archaeological remains.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)