Selib 1
At the site of Selib, only a few miles east of Banganarti, archaeologists have discovered four churches, one built on top of the other. The oldest dates back to the sixth century, a time when Christianity was just beggining to spread in Nubia.
Selib 2
Two pillars from one of the churches yielded a welcome surprise.
Selib 3
It yielded an inscription - Zacharias basileus Mena hagios - King Zacharias (a seventh century ruler) dedicated the church to St. Mena, a third century Egyptian hermit.
Selib 4
A baptismal area, shaped like a keyhold, from the seventh century church.
Selib 5
Decorated capitals, the top of columns, were found at the seventh century church.
Selib 6
This vessel was found in four pieces and had to be put back together. Archaeologists determined that it dates to the 11th or 12th centuries and was used for blessing "gifts of the earth" such as water, wine or oil.
Selib 7
The same vessel as seen from above, it would have been used for liquids.
Selib 8
One of the baptistery's found at Selib, pictured here, belongs to the earliest church, dating back about 1,500 years ago.
Selib 9
A ceramic from the earliest church.
Selib 10
When the researchers excavated this well at Selib they found quite a surprise.
Selib 11
They found at its bottom beautiful decoration in a zig-zag pattern. It has no practical purpose, only aesthetic.
