The Ancient Monastic Cells of Saint Anthony Monastery

Tucked away in Egypt's Eastern desert near the Red Sea, is Saint Anthony's Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world that has supported a community of monks for almost 2,000 years. 

Followers of Saint Anthony of Egypt (c. 251-356 AD) were the first Christian monks and built the Monastery of Saint Anthony and many others throughout Egypt.

Between 2004 and 2009, conservation work was carried on the paintings and buildings throughout this historic monastic complex.

Structural work at Church of the Holy Apostles led to a surprising discovery...

The group of small rooms were built with sun dried mudbricks and objects of everyday use, like pottery, which helped date the cells to the Fatimid period (969 – 1181 CE). 

Eventually, the rooms were abandoned, and the ruins were filled in to provide a stable base for the church that was built over them. That church likely became unstable and was demolished in the 14th century. The church built over these ruins is the one that remains standing today.  

The structures were cleaned and stabilized, and the excavators discovered pottery, ovens, an original door, and inscriptions on the walls. The finds were conserved and can now be seen in the monastery museum.