A Norwegian-French archaeological mission working in Qasr Al-Agouz, Bahariya Oasis have discovered several ancient Coptic ruins made out of basalt and mud brick. Mission head Victor Ghica said that further work uncovered 19 rooms carved into rock and a still structurally intact church. Two oblong rooms found within had walls covered in writings from the Bible in Greek, providing a glimpse of monastic life since the fifth century AD. The first sector of the six areas includes a church, its dining hall, fountains at the monks’ residence areas and various rooms. In addition, several pieces of ostraca were discovered – pottery shavings bearing Greek writings dating back to the fifth and sixth century AD.

Source: Egypt Independent March 17, 2021 12:22 UTC