Inside, archaeologists found a collection of rare Egyptian coins dating back more than a century, along with a Greek-language document recording the villa’s founding in 1937.
The discovery was made during rescue excavations carried out by the SCA in one of Alexandria’s historic districts.
According to the archaeological team, the capsule contained thirteen coins of varying denominations, from copper milliemes to gold coins worth 100 piastres, spanning the reigns of Sultan Hussein Kamel and King Fuad I.
Among them were several silver coins of 5, 10, and 20 piastres, and three gold coins of 20, 50, and 100 piastres, described as some of the rarest issues in Egypt’s modern monetary history.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the discovery adds a new dimension to Alexandria’s layered history, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the city and the influence of its foreign communities, who helped shape its cosmopolitan identity.
ACA Secretary-General Mohamed Ismail Khaled highlighted the broader significance of the find, describing it as “a tangible link between Alexandria’s ancient past, from the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and its modern multicultural heritage.”
He noted that the capsule’s contents reflect a long-standing tradition, shared across both Greek and Egyptian cultures, of placing symbolic deposits within building foundations to bring blessing and prosperity.
Further investigation revealed that the villa once belonged to the Salvago family, one of Alexandria’s most prominent Greek families.
According to Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, the family played a central role in the city’s economic, social, and cultural life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The most remarkable item was a typewritten Greek document found inside the capsule, signed by Constantine M. Salvago and his mother Julia K. Salvago, and dated May 1, 1937. It recorded the laying of the villa’s foundation stone under the supervision of French architect Jean Walter, a vivid reminder of the pride and rituals that defined Alexandria’s Greek community at the time.
The newly discovered coins will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, offering the public a rare glimpse into the city’s vibrant, interconnected past.
This latest find underscores the ministry’s commitment to documenting and preserving Egypt’s tangible heritage across all historical eras and to celebrating the diverse cultural influences that continue to define the spirit of Alexandria.
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