The Nag Hammadi library is a collection of ancient texts discovered in 1945 near the town of Nag Hammadi in Egypt. These writings, dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, include early Christian and Gnostic scriptures, providing valuable insights into early religious thought and diversity within Christianity. The texts were found in a sealed jar and include works such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Philip. They are significant for understanding the beliefs and practices of Gnostic groups, which often differed from mainstream Christian teachings, highlighting the complexity of early religious history.