A rare mural of Jesus Christ dating back more than 1,500 years and two Christian churches have been discovered in the Egyptian desert.
The churches were unearthed at Kharga Oasis, approximately 350 miles southwest of Cairo in the country's Western Desert - and researchers have hailed the find as a crucial insight into the rise of Christianity.
Announcing the discovery at the end of last month, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said an entire settlement had been found at the site.
Numerous dwellings made of mudbrick were uncovered, with some walls seen still covered with plaster.
The churches were unearthed at Kharga Oasis
|EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES
Ovens and large clay jars set into the ground for storing food were also found alongside pottery shards, vessels, glass and stone pieces, and several burials.
But the most important discovery were the two churches dating back to the Coptic era, which began in the fourth Century AD, and was characterised by the rise of Christianity.
According to officials, one church was made of mudbrick and contained the remnants of a large hall and two aisles.
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PICTURED: Previous discoveries had been made at Kharga Oasis, including the Christian necropolis of Al-Bagawat
|GETTY
The other was smaller, had a rectangular layout and was surrounded "by the remains of seven external columns".
A statement from Egyptian authorities said: "Some of its inner walls were decorated with Coptic inscriptions.
"To the west of this church, remains of service buildings were also found."
The mural of Jesus Christ healing a sick person was found beyond the churches, however no pictures were released, likely for conservation reasons.
Kharga Oasis is approximately 350 miles southwest of Cairo in the Egypt's Western Desert
|GETTY
According to officials, the region "witnessed the transition from paganism to Christianity."
The statement added: "[The discovery] sheds light on a significant era in the history of the Kharga Oasis, namely the beginnings of the Coptic period in Egypt.
"[It also reflects] the importance of Egypt's Western Oases as centres of religious and social life in different eras.
"[This discovery] highlights the tolerance and cultural and religious diversity that characterised Egyptian civilisation."