Ancient 1,700-year-old town with Christian church discovered in Egypt

Excavations at the Byzantine settlement of Ain el-Sabil in the Dakhla Oasis. Photo: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

On July 3, 2026, archaeologists announced the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved Early Byzantine settlement in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s New Valley Governorate, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The excavations were carried out by an Egyptian archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Ain el-Sabil site. All of the structures were built from mudbrick, and the town featured a clearly organized layout with main streets, side alleys, residential quarters, and open public spaces.

One of the most significant discoveries was a basilica church dating to the mid-fourth century, located at the center of the settlement. Archaeologists also examined a house believed to have belonged to a church deacon, as well as another building that may have served as a house church before a dedicated church building was constructed.

According to the researchers, these findings illustrate how a Christian community developed in the Dakhla Oasis. Worship services likely began in a private home before believers later built a full basilica.

In addition to the Christian structures, archaeologists uncovered homes, kitchens, bread ovens, watchtowers, and a fortress. Among the finds were about 200 ostraca – pottery shards bearing Greek and Coptic inscriptions — as well as bronze and gold coins featuring Christian symbols. These discoveries provide valuable insight into the life of an early Christian settlement nearly 1,700 years ago.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that an ancient monastery dating from the fourth to sixth centuries was discovered in Egypt.

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