ʿAyn Ḥusayn comprises the remains of a large settlement at the eastern end of the Darb al-Ġubbārī caravan road, on the western edge of the Kharga Oasis (Ghica et al. 2025: 64). The settlement covers approximately 51,000 m² and preserves extensive and relatively well-preserved built structures, most of them buried beneath 2–5 m of deposits (Ghica et al. 2025: 64-65). Its substantial size suggests that ʿAyn Ḥusayn was probably the Kharga terminus of the Darb al-Ġubbārī, a 138 km caravan route connecting Kharga and Dakhla (Ghica et al. 2025: 64).

The settlement lies west of the agricultural area developed around ʿAyn al-Sirāǧ. An ancient well, locally known as ʿAyn rūmānī, is situated to the south of the settlement. Several elevations covered with large quantities of ceramic material conceal further habitation areas. One of the largest mounds was partly destroyed by bulldozers in the early 2000s; the resulting cut exposed a large, multi-storeyed rectangular building, probably a frourion, with several walls showing pronounced traces of burning.

To the west of the settlement is a funerary area, together with a small church. The funerary area and church are separated by the modern road. The 2011 excavation by the local inspectorate of the Supreme Council of Antiquities identified approximately 130 graves, of which 13 were excavated. The graves are simple pits dug into the sand and appear to belong to the cemetery associated with the settlement. The excavation also cleared the small church. The church measures approximately 8.4 × 4.2 m and consists of two principal spaces separated by a doorway flanked by two engaged columns. In the floor of the eastern space is a rectangular opening leading to a shaft approximately 5 m deep. According to the excavator, the shaft leads to two mortuary chambers, one to the east and one to the west. The orientation of the shaft does not correspond exactly to that of the church, raising the possibility that the underground tomb predates the church. Its proximity to the cemetery suggests that the building may have functioned as a funerary church or chapel, although this interpretation remains uncertain (Ghica et al. 2025: 67-68).

Several qanawāt have also been identified between the settlement and the funerary area, one of which is particularly visible as a result of recent illicit excavation. The site has consequently preserved evidence not only for habitation and burial but also for water management.

Ceramic material collected at the site was briefly studied by Sylvie Marchand in 2010, then by Mara Elefante in 2025 and 2026. The assemblage includes Oasis Red Slip Ware, including open forms, and led to the conclusion that the site was occupied during the fourth century CE. The evidence therefore supports a fourth-century date for the Christian occupation, while the full chronological history of the settlement remains to be established through systematic excavation.