Egypt: Ancient Coptic Murals Unearthed in Assiut
- A recent Egyptian archaeological mission in Manqabad, Assiut, has unearthed a mud-brick building from the 6th to 7th centuries AD, revealing several notable colored murals.
- Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, detailed that the two-story building features a white mortar coating and houses significant murals.
- Gamal Mostafa, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector, explained the building's layout.
An Egyptian archaeological mission has made a stunning revelation in Assiut: a mud-brick building dating back to the 6th-7th centuries AD,revealing remarkable colored murals. The find, announced by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, showcases vivid Coptic art symbolism, including potential depictions of Joseph and Jesus—a treasure trove of ancient insight. the two-story structure features white mortar, housing murals that showcase repetitive eyes and a central face. The ongoing excavation of this ancient Coptic structure includes the discovery of pottery, stone artifacts, and a tombstone with Coptic inscriptions. News Directory 3 brings you up-to-the-minute details on this amazing find. Discover what secrets the ongoing excavations will reveal.
Ancient Coptic Structure with Murals Uncovered in egypt’s Assiut
Updated May 26, 2025
A recent Egyptian archaeological mission in Manqabad, Assiut, has unearthed a mud-brick building from the 6th to 7th centuries AD, revealing several notable colored murals. The Supreme council of Antiquities (SCA) announced the finding, highlighting its commitment to archaeological excavation efforts.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, detailed that the two-story building features a white mortar coating and houses significant murals. One mural displays repetitive eyes and a central face, symbolizing inner spiritual insight, wisdom, and vigilance, key themes in Coptic art. another mural appears to show Joseph the Carpenter holding jesus Christ,flanked by disciples and Coptic writings.
Gamal Mostafa, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector, explained the building’s layout. The frist level includes three parallel halls and two rooms with a staircase to the lower level. This lower level contains three parallel cells and two living rooms. The ongoing excavation aims to fully understand the function and importance of the newly discovered Coptic-era building and its ancient Coptic structure.
The rooms contained numerous pottery and stone artifacts. According to Mostafa, a tombstone of a saint with Coptic inscriptions detailing the saint’s name and death date was among the finds. Also discovered were various-sized amphorae with Coptic letters, a stone frieze depicting a gazelle and a lion, and assorted pottery vessels. These discoveries shed light on the Coptic murals and daily life during that era.
Mahmoud Mohamed, Director-General of East Assiut antiquities, said the mission continues to excavate and study the murals to uncover more about the building’s secrets and importance. The Manqabad antiquities area, about 12 km northwest of Assiut city, was first identified in 1965, with excavations starting in 1976 and continuing intermittently until 2010. Current excavations, led by Egyptians, began in 2024. The Assiut discovery is a significant find.
What’s next
The excavation team plans to continue its work, focusing on analyzing the discovered artifacts and murals to gain a deeper understanding of the building’s historical and cultural significance within the region.