Thursday March 28th, 2024
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A 1,500-Year-Old Coptic Complex Was Just Excavated in Minya

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has unearthed a complex which includes churches and monasteries.

Staff Writer

A 1,500-Year-Old Coptic Complex Was Just Excavated in Minya

A ministry-led archaeological mission close to the city of Bahnasa in the Minya governorate has completed the digging of a residential and religious site dating back to Egypt’s Coptic era around 1,500 years ago.

According to Al Arabiya English, the excavation started in 2008 and started coming close to completion in 2013 while parts of the building were destroyed during the security vacuum following the January 2011 uprising.

Source: Al Arabiya English

Experts have said the church complex was used predominantly by monks and had many multi-purpose rooms, including sleeping quarters, kitchens, dining areas, storage rooms, a well, in addition to the main prayer hall.

Source: AlArabiya English

Mohamed Fawzi Abdelmohsen, an archaeologist from the excavation team, told Masrawy that the mission was carried out entirely by Egyptians without any foreign involvement or assistance. Many of those involved have noted the significance of the discovery as it may lead to even further findings in the future, being the first dig of its kind in the area.

Source: Masrawy

Main image: AlArabiya English