Discovery of Mural Depicting Christ Healing Sick in Egypt’s Kharga Oasis

The Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, working in the area of Ain el-Kharab in the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities zone of Kharga Oasis in the New Valley Governorate, has uncovered the remains of the main residential city of Kharga Oasis. The discovery dates back to the transitional period from paganism to Christianity.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Sherif Fathy, stated that the discovery reflects the richness and diversity of Egypt’s ancient civilization during pivotal and influential historical periods. He emphasized that the find enhances our understanding of Egypt’s religious transformation and highlights the cultural and religious tolerance that characterized Egyptian heritage. The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for archaeological missions across the country and praised the achievements of Egyptian teams in strengthening Egypt’s position on the global cultural tourism map.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stressed the significance of the discovery, as it sheds light on an important phase in the history of Kharga Oasis — the early Coptic period in Egypt. He emphasized the historical importance of Egypt’s western oases as centers of religious and social life across different eras.

The mission uncovered the remains of an entire city, including residential buildings made of mudbrick with some walls covered in plaster, service areas with ovens for daily use, mudbrick storage facilities, and large pottery jars embedded in the ground for storing grains and food. A variety of artifacts were also found, including ostraca, pottery vessels, stone and glass fragments, and several burials. Most notably, a mural depicting Christ healing a sick person was discovered.

Dr. Seham Ismail, Director-General of Kharga Antiquities and head of the mission, added that remains of two churches were also uncovered. One of them, built in the basilica style from mudbrick, includes stone foundation remains indicating it once had a large central hall with two side aisles separated by three square columns on each side. To the south of the church lies a cluster of service buildings.

The second church is smaller, rectangular in shape, and surrounded by the remains of seven external columns. Some of its interior walls are adorned with Coptic inscriptions. To its west, additional service buildings were discovered.

She noted that most of the structures uncovered during previous excavation seasons show that the site was used across several historical periods. Roman-era buildings were repurposed during the early Coptic period and again in the Islamic period.