_MG_2281
Ostracon
Inv. No. 4746
Limestone
Excavation at Zawiet el-‘Arian, 6th-8th century


Ostraca are fragmentary pieces of pottery, stone or bone bearing inscriptions or a design. This ostracon shows part of a running horse, its body decorated with motifs and a Coptic word.



_MG_2306
Ostracon
Inv. No. 4382
Limestone
Deir el-Bahari, 7th-8th century


This limestone ostracon with Coptic script is a letter from Phrangas to the pious priest Peter, asking for news of Peter’s health.


_MG_2253
Ostracon
Inv. No. 4588
Limestone
Deir el-Bahari, 7th century


Long before the Coptic era, ostraca were favored material for drawing unconventional sketches. This example is of a man falling from a palm tree.










_MG_2241
Ostracon
Inv. No. 4661
Limestone
7th – 9th century


Both sides of this ostracon was used for drawings; a rosette, a cross and a geometric design.




_MG_2362
Ostracon
Inv. No. 4351
Limestone
7th century


This ostracon with Coptic script is a personal letter from Patoure to Nathnael informing him that he was living in (the monastery of) Pesyntius.



_MG_2309
Ostracon
Inv. No. 4525
Bone
From Bahnasa

On this fragment of bone, ten lines of black ink are written on one side and one line on the other.

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