Christian Cemetery of El-Bagawat

On a ridge 0.75mi/1km north of the Temple of Hibis is the Christian cemetery of El-Bagawat, with several hundred brick built tombs ranging in date from the Late Empire to the Coptic period (fourth-seventh C.), with a particular concentration of tombs dating from the period when Athanasius and Nestorius were banished to Kharga (fourth-fifth C.). Mostly lying on either side of a broad street, the tombs follow the ancient Eastern and Coptic pattern of a domed chamber, frequently with an apse containing lateral niches on the east side and preceded by a vestibule, which in the larger tombs may become a regular little basilica. The facades are frequently decorated with pilasters and semicolumns, and many have small triangular niches for lamps. Little of the interior decoration survives. In Tomb 30 is a representation of the Exodus (first half of fourth C.), while Tomb 30 has a relief of Daniel in the lions' den and other Biblical scenes in Byzantine style (fifth-sixth C.). In the middle of the cemetery is a ruined church, probably dating from the fifth C.