An Archaeology of Egyptian Monasticism: Settlement, Economy and Daily Life at the White Monastery FederationThe White Monastery in Upper Egypt and its two federated communities are among the largest, most prosperous and longest-lived loci of Coptic Christianity. Founded in the fourth century and best known for its zealous and prolific third abbot, Shenoute of Atripe, these monasteries have survived from their foundation in the golden age of Egyptian Christianity until today. At its peak in the fifth to the eighth centuries, the White Monastery federation was a hive of industry, densely populated and prosperous. It was a vibrant community that engaged with extra-mural communities by means of intellectual, spiritual and economic exchange. It was an important landowner and a powerhouse of the regional economy. It was a spiritual beacon imbued with the presence of some of Christendom's most famous saints, and it was home to a number of ordinary and extraordinary men and women, who lived, worked, prayed and died within its walls. This new study is an attempt to write the biography of the White Monastery federation, to reconstruct its longue duree - through archaeological and textual sources - and to assess its place within the world of Late Antiquity. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 9 | |
2 Framing the White Monastery | 31 |
3 An Archaeology of the White Monastery | 59 |
4 Settlement Economy and Daily Life at the White Monastery | 117 |
5 The Red Monastery and Atripe | 151 |
Conclusion | 179 |
| 187 | |
| 211 | |
Plates | 217 |
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An Archaeology of Egyptian Monasticism: Settlement, Economy and Daily Life ... Louise Blanke No preview available - 2019 |
Common terms and phrases
According Akhmim archaeological architectural associated basin Bolman bread brick walls building built century ceramic Chapter Christian church coins consists construction contains Coptic crushing described discussed early east economic Egypt Egyptian evidence examined example excavated federation fifth fired brick floor foundation further Grossmann identified immediately important interpreted Late Antique Layton limestone located material means mentioned monas monastery’s monastic Monasticism monks mud brick Note Overview period Petrie phase photograph pipes plaster possible Pottery Press production Project published Pyke record Red Monastery refectory referred remains Report Rules served Shenoute Shenoute’s side sources storage structure suggest supply tanks tion University vessels View wall White Monastery White Monastery Project YMAP zone