Coptic Structure with Wall Paintings Found in Egypt

Archaeology Magazine ^ | June 4, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

The Egyptian Gazette reports that an archaeological mission working in Manqabad near Assiut unearthed the remains of a unique Coptic-period building. The walls of the two-story mudbrick structure, which dates to the sixth or seventh century a.d., were covered with remarkable murals. One room was painted with a series of eyes that were centered around a single human face. Researchers believe that this design symbolizes spiritual insight, wisdom, and inner vision, which were key themes of Coptic religious life. Another fresco bears the image of a bearded man holding a small child, likely representing Saint Joseph and an infant Jesus Christ. Other notable finds at the site include a variety of ceramics, some which contain Coptic lettering, a stone frieze decorated with the images of a lion and a deer, and a tombstone inscribed with the name and date of death of a venerated local saint. Egyptian authorities hailed the new discovery as an important addition to the understanding of Coptic and early Christian art and architecture in Upper Egypt. To read about a prayer written on a Coptic papyrus unearthed in Lower Egypt, go to "Divine Invitation."

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: coptic; egypt; epigraphyandlanguage; godsgravesglyphs

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

Amphoras

Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

[SunkenCiv]

Coptic text

Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

[SunkenCiv]

Weekly digest is above, it's huge.

[Fai Mao]

Thanks, it’s good to have something except political news

[Bookshelf]

Unfortunately, political news often erupts in and around Assiut where savage anti-Christian activity is the most pronounced in all of Egypt.

[rrrod]

I worked for the Egyptian government for 6 yrs. Fascinating country.

[Dr. Franklin]

Unfortunately, political news often erupts in and around Assiut where savage anti-Christian activity is the most pronounced in all of Egypt.

You mean they Copt an attitude to Christians?

[Bookshelf]

Your humor, which is particularly American in its moronic content, is hardly appreciated.

[Dr. Franklin]

Your humor, which is particularly American in its moronic content, is hardly appreciated.

Lighten up, Francis.

[sausageseller]

Yet you had to comment?
Humor was on FR long before you arrived.

[Dr. Franklin]

Yet you had to comment? Humor was on FR long before you arrived.

Some threads we just read for the humorous comments.

[SunkenCiv]

Yup, even from a distance. :^)

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure. This was a blowout week, the Digest is up at the top, although I managed to miss posting the header. I have to pick up some Geritol. :^)

[SunkenCiv]

I liked it, but I can see how it would tick off illegals. :^)

[Dr. Franklin]

I liked it, but I can see how it would tick off illegals. :^)

I understand that violence against Christians by Muzzies is a serious problem in MENA. That doesn't mean I don't have a sense of humor about what the so-called "religion of peace" is, since what they actually believe is based on a myth and a is a joke to a rational person.

[SunkenCiv]

Well said.