Discovery of a 1500-Year-Old Coptic City in the Depths of the Libyan Desert

A team of archaeologists announced the discovery of the ruins of a Coptic city dating back to the early centuries of Christianity at the site of Ain Arab, located deep in the Kharga Oasis in the Libyan desert, in a finding that highlights the rich religious and cultural history of the region.

According to what Archaeology News reported from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the site reveals not only walls and archaeological features but also tells a story of faith, resilience, and cultural transformations that the region has witnessed over the centuries.

At the center of the site are two ancient churches; one is large with a basilica-style design, featuring a wide central hall divided into aisles by rows of square columns, while the other is smaller and simpler, bearing inscriptions in the Coptic language.

The researchers also found in the southern part of the main hall of the large church service facilities, which are believed to have been used as storage rooms, kitchens, or meeting halls, reflecting the role of the church as a spiritual and social center for the local community during that era.