Byzantine-era monastic complex unearthed in Upper Egypt –

A Byzantine-era monastic complex was discovered at the site of Al-Qarya bi-Al-Duweir in Upper Egypt. The foundations of several mudbrick buildings have been unearthed, evidence of a self-sufficient residential community, shedding new light on early Christian monastic life in the area.

The details of the architectural remains indicate that this was a carefully planned complex. Mohammed Abdel-Badi, head of the ancient Egyptian antiquities department, said the mission discovered rectangular mud-brick buildings oriented east-west, ranging in size from about 8 x 7 meters to 14 x 8 meters.

The buildings include rectangular halls, some with apses or niches that may have been used for worship, alongside small vaulted rooms believed to have been the monks’ cells and prayer spaces.

The walls still retain traces of plaster, niches and wall recesses are clearly visible, while the floors are covered with plaster layers. Some of the buildings also include a southern courtyard with an entrance, and the remains of a small circular structure thought to have been used as a communal table for monks.

The largest building, also made of mudbrick, is 14 meters high and 10 meters wide and is believed to be the monastery’s church. The space is divided into nave, choir and sanctuary. The remains of mudbrick columns in the center of the nave indicate that the roof had a central dome. The sanctuary has a semicircular design with two side chambers.

Archaeologists from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) also discovered buildings that appear to have been used to serve the community’s practical needs. Red brick and limestone basins coated with red stucco were found. These may be reservoirs or used for other industrial purposes.

Artifacts unearthed in the excavations also relate to the daily practices of a fully integrated community. There are many storage amphora in good condition. Some of them have Coptic inscriptions written on their shoulders that have not yet been translated but may be labels—letters, numbers, or names—identifying the contents, manufacturer, or seller. SCA archaeologists also discovered a series of pottery sherds (broken pottery sherds with inscriptions/painted on them) inscribed in Coptic.

Other finds include household tools, stone fragments of architectural elements and limestone panels with Coptic inscriptions.

Together, these architectural remains and artefacts provide a rare and detailed glimpse into the Byzantine-era monastic settlement in Upper Egypt, underscoring Sohag’s importance as a center of archaeological discovery beyond Egypt’s traditional tourist attractions.