Ancient monastery from earliest centuries of Christianity unearthed at desert site

An ancient monastery dating to thedawn of Christianitywas recently uncovered in an Egyptian desert, according to local officials.

TheEgyptian Ministry of Tourismand Antiquities announced in late March the monastery had been found in Wadi El-Natrun in Beheira Governorate.

Wadi El-Natrun is considered “one of the most important centers for the emergence of monasticism in Egypt and the world,” according to officials — and the monastery dates from the fourth to sixth centuries A.D.

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The mudbrick building measures around 21,528 square feet, with walls more than three feet thick and rooms reaching about seven feet in height.

The site features an open courtyard surrounded by buildings.The buildings housed monks’ cells, ovens, kitchens and storage areas.

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Archaeologists in Egypt uncovered an ancient monastery in Wadi El-Natrun dating back to the early centuries of Christianity, officials said.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

Archaeologists also foundhuman skeletal remains— believed to belong to monks — along with wall paintings and architectural features.

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“Architectural studies show the use of various roofing systems, including vaults and domes constructed from mudbrick,” the officials noted. 

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“The walls were coated with a layer of white plaster and decorated with wall paintings featuring crosses,palm trees and various plantand geometric motifs.”

Excavators also unearthed several inscriptions bearing the names of monks who lived there, along with “religious texts invoking mercy and forgiveness.”

The newly discovered monastery in Beheira Governorate offers insight into early monastic life in Egypt between the fourth and sixth centuries A.D.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

“These contribute to dating the building and documenting thedaily lives of its inhabitants,” the release said.

The buildings housed monks’ cells, ovens, kitchens and storage areas.

Fathy also emphasized the “ministry’s commitment to integrating Coptic heritage sites into comprehensive tourism offerings … to enrich the tourist experience and highlight Egypt’s rich heritage.”

The excavation revealed evidence of early construction techniques, including domes and vaults built from mudbrick materials.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

Mohamed Taman, head of the central administration for Lower Egypt and Sinai Antiquities, said the discovery “adds a new dimension to understanding the layout of early monasteries, particularly with the presence of internal burial spaces reflecting monastic life.”

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TheChristian monastic site, which officials announced on March 23, featured a guesthouse with 13 rooms, as well as wall paintings.

Fathy emphasized the “ministry’s commitment to integrating Coptic heritage sites into comprehensive tourism offerings…to enrich the tourist experience and highlight Egypt’s rich heritage.”(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

Earlier in January, Egyptian officials announced thatanother monasteryhad been found in the village of Al-Duwair in the Sohag Governorate.

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At the site, archaeologists found the remains of “a fully integrated residential complex for monks dating back to the Byzantine period,” the statement said.