Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on 24 July the discovery of an ancient Coptic city at the Ain Al-Kharab archaeological site in the Kharga Oasis, Western Desert. Dating from the third to seventh centuries, the site includes mudbrick residences, tombs, two churches (one basilica-style), and a mural of Jesus Christ healing the sick. The excavation was led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).
The find is significant because it provides early evidence of Coptic Christian life outside the Nile Valley, illuminating the transition from paganism to Christianity in Egypt. Egyptologist Stephen Harvey notes that Coptic sites are receiving new conservation attention, and this discovery enhances understanding of early Christianity and the region's religious heritage.