The Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, working at Al-Qariah Bil-Dueir, in the Tama district of Sohag Governorate, has uncovered the remains of an entire monastic residential complex dating back to the Byzantine era. This discovery was made during ongoing excavations at the site, revealing the remains of mud-brick buildings.

According to Professor Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the mission uncovered the remains of rectangular buildings constructed of mud bricks, extending from west to east, with varying dimensions ranging from approximately 8×7 meters to 14×8 meters. These buildings include rectangular halls, some of which contain what appears to be an apse or niche for worship, in addition to a number of small rooms with vaulted ceilings, likely used as cells and places of worship for the monks. He noted that the walls of the buildings retained layers of mortar and displayed niches and recesses, while the floors consisted of a layer of mortar. Some buildings also featured courtyards on the southern side containing the entrances, along with the remains of small, circular structures, likely used as dining tables by the monks.

Dr. Mohamed Naguib, Director General of Antiquities in Sohag, added that the excavations also uncovered the ruins of structures consisting of basins built of red brick and limestone, covered with a layer of red mortar. These basins are believed to have been used for water storage or for some industrial activity related to the site’s nature. The remains of a mud-brick building extending from east to west, measuring approximately 14×10 meters, were also discovered. This is believed to have been the main church serving the monastic complex, consisting of three parts: the nave, the choir, and the sanctuary. Remains of mud-brick supports were found in the courtyard, indicating that it was covered by a central dome. The sanctuary, located in the middle of the eastern side, was semi-circular in shape, flanked by two chambers.

Archaeological Mission Head, Professor Walid El-Sayed, added that the mission unearthed a number of artifacts at the site, including amphorae used for storage, some featuring inscriptions that are likely letters, numbers, or names. The archaeologists also discovered a collection of ostraca (pottery sherds) with Coptic inscriptions, several household items, stone fragments representing parts of architectural elements, and fragments of limestone slabs inscribed with Coptic script.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, affirmed that this discovery embodies the richness and diversity of Egypt’s cultural heritage across different eras. He noted that such discoveries support the Ministry’s efforts to develop cultural tourism and highlight non-traditional archaeological destinations, thus contributing to attracting more visitors and researchers interested in the history of civilizations and religions.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the importance of this discovery, noting that it adds new information that contributes to understanding the nature of monastic life in Upper Egypt during the Byzantine era. He pointed out that the excavation results indicate a pattern of regular settlement and living within the discovered buildings, suggesting that they were the residences of a monastic community that lived at the site during that period.