Archaeologists uncover 1,700-year-old Christian city hidden beneath Egypt's desert

Archaeologists in Egypt recently uncovered an ancient Christian city — complete with a church and a deacon's home — that dates back to the religion's earliest centuries.

The discovery was announced by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on July 3.

The remnants were uncovered during excavation work at the Ain al-Sabil archaeological site in the Dakhla Oasis of New Valley Governorate, about 185 miles west of Luxor.

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In a statement translated from Arabic, ministry officials described the Byzantine-era city as "complete."

Photos from the site show mudbrick rooms and passageways within the newly uncovered settlement, along with preserved domed ovens that archaeologists say were used for baking bread.

"All of the city's buildings were constructed of mudbrick," the statement said.

"These include the basilica church, dating to the mid-fourth century A.D.; the remains of two watchtowers on the city's outskirts; a fortress with thick defensive walls; and a cluster of houses featuring large halls and vaulted ceilings."

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One of the most notable structures uncovered was the home of Tisos, a church deacon, which dates to the second half of the fourth century A.D.

Archaeologists also identified the house of Tapibos, which archaeologists believe served as a house church before the city's basilica was constructed.

Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the city followed "a well-planned urban layout."

"It features main streets running north to south intersected by east-west cross streets, creating open squares and plazas," Zahran said in a translated statement.

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"At the center of the city stands a basilica church overlooking one of the principal streets."

Archaeologists also uncovered a variety of artifacts, including household pottery, bottles used to store oils and perfumes, oil lamps and stone tools for grinding grain.

A treasure trove of coins was found as well, including well-preserved bronze coins bearing images of Byzantine emperors, Latin inscriptions and Christian symbols.

Some of the gold coins date to the reign of Emperor Constantius II, who ruled from 337 to 361 A.D.

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One of the most "significant discoveries" at the site was an archive of written documents, said Zahran Mahdi, director of excavations for the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector.

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The archive consists of 200 ostraca — broken pieces of pottery or limestone — that contained Coptic and Greek inscriptions.

"The texts record sales transactions, correspondence and other details of everyday life," Mahdi said in a statement.

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Egypt, one of the centers of early Christianity, has been the site of several historic Christian discoveries in recent years.

This spring, Egyptian officials announced they had found an ancient monastery dating to the dawn of Christianity in Wadi El-Natrun.

Earlier this year, archaeologists uncovered an ancient Christian monastic complex in Upper Egypt, shedding light on monastic life before the Arab conquest.