A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS FROM CARDINAL STEFAN WYSZYŃSKI UNIVERSITY IN WARSAW HAVE DOCUMENTED 1,000-YEAR-OLD PAINTINGS IN THE REMAINS OF A CHURCH, LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF THE 3RD CATARACT ON THE WEST BANK OF THE NILE IN SUDAN.
The paintings were found in 2021 by the University of Khartoum, University of the Nile Valley (NVU) and Sudanese archaeologists.
The church has a primary nave and two small side naves, constructed from dried mud brick and a lining layer of burnt bricks. Several Greek inscriptions have been identified on some of the surviving walls, while within the sanctuary several paintings have survived despite considerable damage to the structure.
At the time of the initial discovery, the team lacked the conservators and experts to preserve the paintings, so the decision was made to rebury the church ruins in order protect the paintings from the elements.
In the latest study, the researchers found that one of the better-preserved paintings on the eastern wall of the sanctuary shows the bust of Christ Emmanuel against the background of a standing figure, believed to be Icon of ‘Our Lady of the Sign’ showing the Virgin Mary. READ MORE...
