Egypt Saturday announced that remnants of an ancient church and some other archaeological finds have been unearthed in the Red Sea area.

    The mud brick foundations of the church were discovered under the Apostles Church, which dates back to the 15th century and is considered one of the key churches of Anba Antonius Monastery, said Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni.

    Head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawwas, said the building, which has no ceiling, was found two metres deep under the ground, with a stone staircase leading to two rooms, one having what is left of a primitive stove and pottery.

    Coptic inscriptions were found emblazoned on the walls of the two rooms, and according to initial studies they represent some of the oldest Coptic writings discovered so far, Hawwas said.