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.
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.
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.
Inv. No. 4661
Limestone
7th – 9th century
Both sides of this ostracon was used for drawings; a rosette, a cross and a geometric design.
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.
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.