The Egyptian mission working in the Manqabad area of ​​the Assiut archaeological area uncovered a mudbrick building dating back to the period between the sixth and seventh centuries AD.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the discovered building was covered with a layer of white mortar and consists of two levels, within which a number of important murals were found. Among them are the remains of a mural with significant symbolism in Coptic art. The theme repeatedly depicts eyes with a face in the center, indicating inner spiritual insight that may be hidden from many who live and love the world. It is a symbol of wisdom, awakening, and vigilance in pastoral matters.

In addition, there is another mural with the remains of a drawing of a man's face carrying a small child, likely depicting Joseph the Carpenter carrying Jesus Christ. On the right and left sides are Jesus' disciples, with Coptic inscriptions next to them.

For his part, Dr. Gamal Mustafa, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, indicated that the first level of the building consists of three parallel halls, followed by two rooms with a descending staircase leading to the lower level, which contains three parallel cells, followed by two living rooms. Inside, there are numerous archaeological finds made of pottery and stone, most notably a tombstone for a saint inscribed with Coptic inscriptions detailing the saint's name and date of death. There are also numerous votive vessels of various sizes bearing Coptic letters, a stone frieze with animal decorations depicting the remains of a gazelle and a lion, and some multi-purpose pottery vessels.

The Manqaba archaeological site is located in the village of Manqabad, in the Assiut District and Governorate, approximately 12 km northwest of Assiut City. It is located to the southwest of the highway and approximately 22 km from Assiut International Airport. The area was discovered in 1965 and actual work began in 1976 at intermittent intervals, with successive excavation seasons until 2010, followed by Egyptian excavations in the 2024 season.