A significant early Christian-era discovery has been made in Upper Egypt, where an Egyptian archaeological team has uncovered a two-storey mudbrick structure dating back to the 6th–7th centuries CE in the Manqabad archaeological zone of Assiut Governorate, according to the Supreme Council of Antiquities. This is reported by the official website of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Council, confirmed that the newly discovered building was coated in white mortar and contains rare and symbolically rich Coptic murals.

Another mural depicts a man carrying a child, flanked on either side by figures understood to represent the disciples, accompanied by inscriptions.

The upper level consists of three parallel halls followed by two rooms, while a descending staircase leads to a lower level that includes three monastic cells and two additional living chambers. Within these rooms, the mission unearthed a variety of artefacts, including ceramic vessels, votive amphorae inscribed with letters.

A stone frieze depicting animals, including remnants of a gazelle and a lion, was also found, suggesting decorative and symbolic functions.