Ancient Christian city with church is uncovered in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis

Key Points:

• Archaeologists in Egypt uncovered a well-preserved ancient Christian city dating back to the mid-fourth century A.D. at the Ain al-Sabil site in the Dakhla Oasis, featuring a basilica church, a deacon's home, watchtowers, a fortress, and residential houses.
• The city exhibits a well-planned urban layout with main streets, cross streets, open squares, and plazas, centered around the basilica church, reflecting sophisticated Byzantine-era urban design.
• Significant artifacts found include household pottery, oil and perfume bottles, oil lamps, stone grain grinders, and a treasure trove of coins, including gold coins from Emperor Constantius II's reign (337-361 A.D.).
• An important discovery at the site is an archive of 200 ostraca with Coptic and Greek inscriptions documenting sales transactions, correspondence, and daily life details, providing valuable insight into the community's social and economic activities.
• This find adds to Egypt's growing list of early Christian archaeological discoveries, highlighting the country's historical significance as a center of early Christianity.