Archaeologists Uncover Surprising Discoveries at Ancient Egyptian Church

A team of archaeologists has made a remarkable discovery at an ancient Egyptian church site, shedding new light on early Christian practices. During an excavation of the ancient city of Trimithis, also called Amheida, located near the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s western desert, researchers unearthed the remains of a mid-fourth-century church. The find includes 17 human burials, revealing unique insights about the individuals laid to rest there.

The excavation, led by New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, resumed in 2023 after a seven-year pause, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The site of Trimithis, once a Roman-era settlement from 30 B.C. until the Muslim conquest in 641 A.D., has been the focus of ongoing research exploring ancient buildings, inscriptions, and public facilities, such as bathhouses. The church, however, has proven to be among the most fascinating discoveries.

David Ratzan, Project Director and head of the ISAW library, emphasized the significance of the church’s design, which aligns with Roman basilica-style architecture. This public building style, originally used for administration and law, became associated with worship as Christians gained more freedom to gather openly under the rule of Emperor Constantine. “It’s striking to see Christians in this early period embracing such public spaces,” Ratzan noted.

What truly surprised researchers, though, was the finding of 17 bodies within the church’s walls. Twelve of these remains were interred beneath what would have been the altar and adjacent service rooms, known as the pastophoria. Among the remains, seven were identified as female, and eight were children or adolescents, including infants—a surprising concentration in the context of Roman Egypt’s patriarchal society.

“Although women played key roles in early Christianity, it was unexpected to find so many women and young individuals buried here,” Ratzan commented. This finding has raised questions about whether the deceased were related to the church clergy or benefactors of the Christian community in Trimithis.

The excavation team is now focused on understanding the relationships and roles of those buried. “Are these burials typical of other churches from this period, or unique to the oasis setting?” Ratzan mused. Currently, DNA analysis remains on hold, as additional church sites in Trimithis may yet hold clues.

Ratzan expressed excitement about the impact of this discovery on early Christian studies, noting, “This find has significant implications for the history of early Christianity, and we’re preparing a volume on the smaller artifacts and forensic study of the remains.”