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(LifeSiteNews) — Egyptian authorities announced in March that they had uncovered an ancient Christian monastery dating back to the 4th to 6th centuries following the birth of Jesus Christ.
Reaffirming the constant presence of Christian communities in the Middle East, since the Resurrection of Christ and Pentecost around 33 AD, the ancient complex provides a glimpse into early monasticism which had its origin in Egypt prior to spreading around the world.
From the time of St. Anthony Abbot, the father of monasticism (251-356 AD) who began his life as a hermit in the Scetes desert of Egypt and attracted followers to live this devoted religious vocation, monasteries were established and spread throughout the region and the world.
According to Egypt Today, the discovery was made by the Egyptian archaeological mission consisting of personnel from the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University. The finding “represents an important stage in the development of early monastic life, shedding light on the architectural planning of the earliest monasteries in this historically and religiously significant region.”
Breaking News: Ancient Monastery Remains Discovered in Wadi El Natrun!
A remarkable archaeological discovery has been made in Wadi El Natrun, one of the world’s most important centers of early monasticism.
An Egyptian mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities and Cairo… pic.twitter.com/eVpet9dwu1
— Egypt Tours Portal (@toursportal) March 24, 2026
Uncovered in the Wadi El-Natrun area in Beheira Governorate, the mud brick structure extends approximately 21,528 square feet with exterior walls around 3 feet thick and interior walls having around 2 feet of thickness with heights from between 5 feet 11 inches to 7 feet 3 inches.
The complex features a large open courtyard at its core, which is encircled by various architectural units. These include smaller courtyards that provide access to the monks’ cells, which vary in shape and size – some square and others rectangular.
In the western part of the building, archaeologists uncovered several service annexes, among them well-equipped kitchens with ovens and dedicated storage areas.
Excavations also uncovered burial sites within the structure, containing human skeletal remains believed to belong to the monastery’s monks, shedding light on the funerary practices exercised in these monastic Christian communities.
White plaster covered walls accommodate murals which featured crosses, palm trees, and various other images. Architectural analysis also reveals various sophistications of roofing techniques including vaults and domes constructed from mudbrick.
Inscriptions written in the Coptic language were also discovered bearing the names of deceased monks along with “religious texts invoking mercy and forgiveness.” According to the report, these “findings contribute to dating the structure and documenting the daily lives of the monks.”
Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, celebrated the discovery emphasizing that “it represents a valuable addition to understanding the origins of monasticism in Egypt, which later spread from Egypt to the rest of the world.”
He added that “Wadi El-Natrun is one of Egypt’s most important spiritual and historical centers, and that this discovery enhances its status on the global map of religious and cultural tourism.”
In the same context, Dr. Yasser Ismail Abdel Salam, head of the archaeological mission, stated that this discovery provides important physical evidence supporting historical accounts of the origins of monasticism in Wadi El-Natrun. He added that the structure “reflects a transitional phase in the evolution of monastic architecture, between individual hermit cells and large monasteries.”
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News Source : https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/1600-year-old-christian-monastery-unearthed-in-egyptian-desert/
