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.ARCHAEOLOGISTS MAKE UNUSUAL FIND NEAR SITE WHERE ARK OF THE COVENANT WAS ONCE KEPTIn 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.Archaeologists uncovered a Byzantine-era Christian city in Egypt's Dakhla Oasis, revealing churches, homes and artifacts dating to Christianity's earliest centuries.A later Coptic-era depiction of the Virgin Mary and Child appears on the left.
(CM Dixon/Print Collector/Getty Images; Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Facebook)"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."1,740-YEAR-OLD ROMAN COIN BEARING EMPEROR'S NAME FOUND AS ENGLAND RAIL DIG REVEALS CLUESOne 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.Excavations revealed mudbrick buildings, domed bread ovens and other structures that archaeologists say formed part of a complete Christian settlement.(Egyptian Minis...