The discovery was made during ongoing excavations at the site, where archaeologists revealed the foundations of several mudbrick buildings that once formed a cohesive monastic community. The find adds an important chapter to Egypt’s long and diverse religious and cultural history.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy described the discovery as a clear reflection of the richness and diversity of Egypt’s heritage across different historical eras. He said such finds play a key role in supporting efforts to develop cultural tourism and draw attention to lesser-known archaeological destinations, helping to attract both visitors and researchers interested in the history of civilisations and religions.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the SCA, highlighted the scientific importance of the discovery, saying it provides valuable new insights into the nature of monastic life in Upper Egypt during the Byzantine era.
He added that preliminary findings indicate an organised pattern of settlement and daily life within the uncovered structures, suggesting the site once housed a complete and self-sustaining monastic community.
Details of the architectural remains point to a well-planned complex. Mohamed Abdel-Badei, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the mission uncovered rectangular mudbrick buildings oriented west to east, with dimensions ranging from about 8 by 7 metres to 14 by 8 metres.
The structures include rectangular halls, some featuring apses or niches likely designated for worship, alongside small vaulted rooms believed to have served as monks’ cells and spaces for devotion.
The walls still preserve traces of plaster, with niches and wall recesses clearly visible, while the floors were finished with plaster layers. Some buildings also include southern courtyards with entrances, as well as the remains of small circular structures thought to have functioned as communal dining tables for the monks.
Further discoveries shed light on the practical and spiritual life of the community. Excavations revealed basins constructed of red brick and limestone and coated with red plaster, likely used for water storage or site-related industrial activities.
Archaeologists also uncovered the remains of a large mudbrick building measuring about 14 by 10 metres, believed to have been the main church serving the monastic complex. The structure consists of a nave, choir, and sanctuary, with traces of mudbrick pillars in the nave indicating it was once covered by a central dome. The sanctuary occupies the centre of the eastern side and takes a semi-circular form, flanked by two side chambers.
Artefacts recovered from the site further enrich the picture of daily life. According to mission director Walid El-Sayed, the finds include storage amphorae, some bearing inscriptions that may represent letters, numbers, or names written on their shoulders, as well as a collection of ostraca inscribed in Coptic.
Additional discoveries include domestic tools, stone fragments from architectural elements, and pieces of limestone panels carved with Coptic inscriptions.
Together, the architectural remains and artefacts offer a rare and detailed glimpse into a Byzantine-era monastic settlement in Upper Egypt, underscoring Sohag’s growing importance as a centre for archaeological discoveries beyond Egypt’s more traditional tourist sites.
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