The present paper pertains to the first season of work conducted at
the monastic complex of Dayr ... more The present paper pertains to the first season of work conducted at the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and Dr. Basem Gehad. While not the first excavation of the site, it is the first to be accompanied by a publication. The previous, poorly known digs – conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the beginning of the 20th century and the local inspectorate in the 1980s and 1990s – unfortunately disturbed the stratigraphy to an unknown extent, constraining interpretations of the archaeological contexts uncovered. The work, nonetheless, brought to light a collection of evidence which helps to elucidate the function, and datation, of the complex, which assuredly operated as a monastery from at least the fourth century, making it one of the earliest archaeologically attested monasteries in Egypt.
This paper presents the preliminary report of the first season of work
conducted by the joint Egy... more This paper presents the preliminary report of the first season of work conducted by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission at the site of Šams al-Dīn, ancient Mounēsis, in the south of Kharga Oasis. This site is unique in that the settlement appears to exist in its entirety, making it one of the few extant late antique villages in Egypt. In addition, it is home to both a church and a temple, offering a unique chance to archaeologically examine the transition from traditional religious practices to Christianity. Differing from the limited scope of interest of the 1976 season, the 2021 season was intended to provide a holistic overview of the entire settlement. In addition to the re-examination of the already-excavated church – the construction of which can be situated in the fourth century –, the Late Roman temple was partially excavated, as were several areas within and surrounding the church complex, topographic analysis was conducted, photography was done for the creation of several 3D models, and samples were retrieved for both radiocarbon and archaeobotanical analysis. This is the first detailed publication dedicated to the site and is thus long overdue.
Il volume illustra il lavoro di ricostruzione della missione di scavo condotta dall’Istituto Papirologico «G. Vitelli» nell’inverno fra il 1964 e il 1965 sul sito di Arsinoe, antico capoluogo del distretto del Fayyum. Materiali d’archivio, reperti e papiri fanno luce sia sulle attività sul campo e sull’architettura del settore indagato, sia su alcuni aspetti della vita quotidiana nell’Egitto di età tolemaica e romana. La documentazione d’archivio è stata poi utilizzata per rendere nuovamente ‘visitabile’ – attraverso modelli 3D, digital storytelling e realtà aumentata – un sito archeologico scomparso a causa dell’incedere
dell’urbanizzazione contemporanea.
This paper examines an unpublished pilgrim flask that was uncovered at Antinoupolis, in the north... more This paper examines an unpublished pilgrim flask that was uncovered at Antinoupolis, in the northern necropolis, in 2013. The incomplete ampulla belongs to the typical Aswan production, and preserves a portion of decoration on one side, where the figure of Saint Phoibammon on horseback is represented. The retrograde inscription running along the decorated panel can be integrated as [Εὐλόγιον τοῦ Ἁγίου Φ]οιβάμωνος, whereas the other side is too fragmentary to propose any interpretation. Saint Phoibammon was a very important martyr in Early Christian Egypt, even if we know at least four martyrs bearing this name. The most important ones are Saint Phoibammon of Preht, a soldier that was beheaded under Diocletian, and a nobleman, grandson of the prefect of Egypt, born at Awsim: these two figures, even if very different from one another, were at a certain point superimposed and someway confused, as the very few known representations of Saint Phoibammon demonstrate (essentially the painting from Bawit, dated to the 6th century, and the 10th century Nubian painting from Abdallah-n Irqi). We can infer that the martyr from Preht, whose life, miracles and death took place mainly in Middle Egypt, became preeminent as soon as the 8th centrury. Apart from the famous monasteries located at Deir el-Bahari, whose remains are scanty, written documents inform us on the widespread veneration of Phoibammon, mainly as healing Saint of children, in other areas of Middle Egypt, such as Hermoupolis Magna and maybe also the region of Antinoupolis. The importance of the ampulla presented here is grounded on the fact that, at the present state of the research, it is a unicum, as no other examples of Saint Phoibammon pilgrim flasks are known.
Testa and clibani are the most common typologies of ceramic vessels used for baking during the Ro... more Testa and clibani are the most common typologies of ceramic vessels used for baking during the Roman period, especially in Italy. They are a symbol of the kitchen and, at the same time, of rural pottery production, since they were produced mainly locally. The Roman cistern of Spoletino (Civitella d’Agliano-VT), filled in two different moments (mid-1st century AD and early 4th century AD) with a large amount of Roman pottery and other finds probably from a nearby villa, has brought to light a picture of daily life, especially for the aspects concerning the kitchen. Different testa and clibani were found, and they can help to define a precise chronology for these forms in the Tiber Valley area, but also more generally because of the substantial standardization. United with the production and the use study, the chronology provides a good picture of an aspect not always well explored that is baking in different moments of a Roman villa.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Atti LIII Convegno Internazionale della Ceramica. Ceramica per i complessi religiosi e i luoghi di assistenza e misericordia: committenza, produzione e consumo, 2022
Le ampolle di San Mena sono un manufatto ceramico nato come eulogia del santo e divenuto con il t... more Le ampolle di San Mena sono un manufatto ceramico nato come eulogia del santo e divenuto con il tempo un oggetto prodotto in serie per soddisfare le esigenze di mercato legate alla sfera religiosa. Il culto di San Mena si affermò su scala mediterranea tra IV e VIII d.C., e con esso anche la diffusione della ampolle, le quali erano acquistate dai pellegrini direttamente nelle botteghe presso i santuari al fine di poterle riempire e portare con sé la benedizione del santo. Nonostante la progressiva standardizzazione le tipologie erano molteplici e adatte a tutte le richieste, e i due esempi provenienti da Antinoupolis rappresentano perfettamente la portata di questo fenomeno.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 36 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Fra tutela e ricerca, Indagini Archeologiche in territorio Amerino, a cura di Elena Roscini, 2022
This contribution is a preliminary report of the new excavation season (2016-2019) at Poggio Gram... more This contribution is a preliminary report of the new excavation season (2016-2019) at Poggio Gramignano, an archaeological site located in Lugnano in Teverina (Umbria). This is a multi-year project, a partnership between the University of Arizona, Yale University, Stanford University and the Municipality of Lugnano in Teverina, that continues previous reasearches begun over three decades ago, from 1982. The new excavation campaigns aim to better understand the Roman villa and its surrounding area, with particular focus on the late Roman infant cemetery discovered within the storage magazines.
The sāqiya pots, also called noria pots or qawādīs, were a necessary ceramic form for Egypt since... more The sāqiya pots, also called noria pots or qawādīs, were a necessary ceramic form for Egypt since Ptolemaic time, as an integral part of the water lifting system. Antinoupolis has given us some examples of different types from different times, that allow us to propose some new data about chronology and typology.
L'area archeologica di Pietrarossa e l'antico territorio di Trevi. Studi e ricerche, 2018
La ceramica sigillata italica proveniente dalle prime campagne di scavo presso l'area archeologic... more La ceramica sigillata italica proveniente dalle prime campagne di scavo presso l'area archeologica di Pietrarossa (Trevi - PG).
The present paper pertains to the first season of work conducted at
the monastic complex of Dayr ... more The present paper pertains to the first season of work conducted at the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and Dr. Basem Gehad. While not the first excavation of the site, it is the first to be accompanied by a publication. The previous, poorly known digs – conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the beginning of the 20th century and the local inspectorate in the 1980s and 1990s – unfortunately disturbed the stratigraphy to an unknown extent, constraining interpretations of the archaeological contexts uncovered. The work, nonetheless, brought to light a collection of evidence which helps to elucidate the function, and datation, of the complex, which assuredly operated as a monastery from at least the fourth century, making it one of the earliest archaeologically attested monasteries in Egypt.
This paper presents the preliminary report of the first season of work
conducted by the joint Egy... more This paper presents the preliminary report of the first season of work conducted by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission at the site of Šams al-Dīn, ancient Mounēsis, in the south of Kharga Oasis. This site is unique in that the settlement appears to exist in its entirety, making it one of the few extant late antique villages in Egypt. In addition, it is home to both a church and a temple, offering a unique chance to archaeologically examine the transition from traditional religious practices to Christianity. Differing from the limited scope of interest of the 1976 season, the 2021 season was intended to provide a holistic overview of the entire settlement. In addition to the re-examination of the already-excavated church – the construction of which can be situated in the fourth century –, the Late Roman temple was partially excavated, as were several areas within and surrounding the church complex, topographic analysis was conducted, photography was done for the creation of several 3D models, and samples were retrieved for both radiocarbon and archaeobotanical analysis. This is the first detailed publication dedicated to the site and is thus long overdue.
Il volume illustra il lavoro di ricostruzione della missione di scavo condotta dall’Istituto Papirologico «G. Vitelli» nell’inverno fra il 1964 e il 1965 sul sito di Arsinoe, antico capoluogo del distretto del Fayyum. Materiali d’archivio, reperti e papiri fanno luce sia sulle attività sul campo e sull’architettura del settore indagato, sia su alcuni aspetti della vita quotidiana nell’Egitto di età tolemaica e romana. La documentazione d’archivio è stata poi utilizzata per rendere nuovamente ‘visitabile’ – attraverso modelli 3D, digital storytelling e realtà aumentata – un sito archeologico scomparso a causa dell’incedere
dell’urbanizzazione contemporanea.
This paper examines an unpublished pilgrim flask that was uncovered at Antinoupolis, in the north... more This paper examines an unpublished pilgrim flask that was uncovered at Antinoupolis, in the northern necropolis, in 2013. The incomplete ampulla belongs to the typical Aswan production, and preserves a portion of decoration on one side, where the figure of Saint Phoibammon on horseback is represented. The retrograde inscription running along the decorated panel can be integrated as [Εὐλόγιον τοῦ Ἁγίου Φ]οιβάμωνος, whereas the other side is too fragmentary to propose any interpretation. Saint Phoibammon was a very important martyr in Early Christian Egypt, even if we know at least four martyrs bearing this name. The most important ones are Saint Phoibammon of Preht, a soldier that was beheaded under Diocletian, and a nobleman, grandson of the prefect of Egypt, born at Awsim: these two figures, even if very different from one another, were at a certain point superimposed and someway confused, as the very few known representations of Saint Phoibammon demonstrate (essentially the painting from Bawit, dated to the 6th century, and the 10th century Nubian painting from Abdallah-n Irqi). We can infer that the martyr from Preht, whose life, miracles and death took place mainly in Middle Egypt, became preeminent as soon as the 8th centrury. Apart from the famous monasteries located at Deir el-Bahari, whose remains are scanty, written documents inform us on the widespread veneration of Phoibammon, mainly as healing Saint of children, in other areas of Middle Egypt, such as Hermoupolis Magna and maybe also the region of Antinoupolis. The importance of the ampulla presented here is grounded on the fact that, at the present state of the research, it is a unicum, as no other examples of Saint Phoibammon pilgrim flasks are known.
Testa and clibani are the most common typologies of ceramic vessels used for baking during the Ro... more Testa and clibani are the most common typologies of ceramic vessels used for baking during the Roman period, especially in Italy. They are a symbol of the kitchen and, at the same time, of rural pottery production, since they were produced mainly locally. The Roman cistern of Spoletino (Civitella d’Agliano-VT), filled in two different moments (mid-1st century AD and early 4th century AD) with a large amount of Roman pottery and other finds probably from a nearby villa, has brought to light a picture of daily life, especially for the aspects concerning the kitchen. Different testa and clibani were found, and they can help to define a precise chronology for these forms in the Tiber Valley area, but also more generally because of the substantial standardization. United with the production and the use study, the chronology provides a good picture of an aspect not always well explored that is baking in different moments of a Roman villa.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Atti LIII Convegno Internazionale della Ceramica. Ceramica per i complessi religiosi e i luoghi di assistenza e misericordia: committenza, produzione e consumo, 2022
Le ampolle di San Mena sono un manufatto ceramico nato come eulogia del santo e divenuto con il t... more Le ampolle di San Mena sono un manufatto ceramico nato come eulogia del santo e divenuto con il tempo un oggetto prodotto in serie per soddisfare le esigenze di mercato legate alla sfera religiosa. Il culto di San Mena si affermò su scala mediterranea tra IV e VIII d.C., e con esso anche la diffusione della ampolle, le quali erano acquistate dai pellegrini direttamente nelle botteghe presso i santuari al fine di poterle riempire e portare con sé la benedizione del santo. Nonostante la progressiva standardizzazione le tipologie erano molteplici e adatte a tutte le richieste, e i due esempi provenienti da Antinoupolis rappresentano perfettamente la portata di questo fenomeno.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 36 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Fra tutela e ricerca, Indagini Archeologiche in territorio Amerino, a cura di Elena Roscini, 2022
This contribution is a preliminary report of the new excavation season (2016-2019) at Poggio Gram... more This contribution is a preliminary report of the new excavation season (2016-2019) at Poggio Gramignano, an archaeological site located in Lugnano in Teverina (Umbria). This is a multi-year project, a partnership between the University of Arizona, Yale University, Stanford University and the Municipality of Lugnano in Teverina, that continues previous reasearches begun over three decades ago, from 1982. The new excavation campaigns aim to better understand the Roman villa and its surrounding area, with particular focus on the late Roman infant cemetery discovered within the storage magazines.
The sāqiya pots, also called noria pots or qawādīs, were a necessary ceramic form for Egypt since... more The sāqiya pots, also called noria pots or qawādīs, were a necessary ceramic form for Egypt since Ptolemaic time, as an integral part of the water lifting system. Antinoupolis has given us some examples of different types from different times, that allow us to propose some new data about chronology and typology.
L'area archeologica di Pietrarossa e l'antico territorio di Trevi. Studi e ricerche, 2018
La ceramica sigillata italica proveniente dalle prime campagne di scavo presso l'area archeologic... more La ceramica sigillata italica proveniente dalle prime campagne di scavo presso l'area archeologica di Pietrarossa (Trevi - PG).
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the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint
Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and
Dr. Basem Gehad. While not the first excavation of the site, it is the first
to be accompanied by a publication. The previous, poorly known digs –
conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the beginning of the 20th
century and the local inspectorate in the 1980s and 1990s – unfortunately
disturbed the stratigraphy to an unknown extent, constraining interpretations
of the archaeological contexts uncovered. The work, nonetheless,
brought to light a collection of evidence which helps to elucidate the function,
and datation, of the complex, which assuredly operated as a monastery
from at least the fourth century, making it one of the earliest archaeologically
attested monasteries in Egypt.
conducted by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission at the site of Šams
al-Dīn, ancient Mounēsis, in the south of Kharga Oasis. This site is unique
in that the settlement appears to exist in its entirety, making it one of the
few extant late antique villages in Egypt. In addition, it is home to both a
church and a temple, offering a unique chance to archaeologically examine
the transition from traditional religious practices to Christianity. Differing
from the limited scope of interest of the 1976 season, the 2021 season was
intended to provide a holistic overview of the entire settlement. In addition
to the re-examination of the already-excavated church – the construction
of which can be situated in the fourth century –, the Late Roman temple
was partially excavated, as were several areas within and surrounding the
church complex, topographic analysis was conducted, photography was
done for the creation of several 3D models, and samples were retrieved for
both radiocarbon and archaeobotanical analysis. This is the first detailed
publication dedicated to the site and is thus long overdue.
Il volume illustra il lavoro di ricostruzione della missione di scavo condotta dall’Istituto Papirologico «G. Vitelli» nell’inverno fra il 1964 e il 1965 sul sito di Arsinoe, antico capoluogo del distretto del Fayyum. Materiali d’archivio, reperti e papiri fanno luce sia sulle attività sul campo e sull’architettura del settore indagato, sia su alcuni aspetti della vita quotidiana nell’Egitto di età tolemaica e romana. La documentazione d’archivio è stata poi utilizzata per rendere nuovamente ‘visitabile’ – attraverso modelli 3D, digital storytelling e realtà aumentata – un sito archeologico scomparso a causa dell’incedere
dell’urbanizzazione contemporanea.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 36 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Conferences
the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint
Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and
Dr. Basem Gehad. While not the first excavation of the site, it is the first
to be accompanied by a publication. The previous, poorly known digs –
conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the beginning of the 20th
century and the local inspectorate in the 1980s and 1990s – unfortunately
disturbed the stratigraphy to an unknown extent, constraining interpretations
of the archaeological contexts uncovered. The work, nonetheless,
brought to light a collection of evidence which helps to elucidate the function,
and datation, of the complex, which assuredly operated as a monastery
from at least the fourth century, making it one of the earliest archaeologically
attested monasteries in Egypt.
conducted by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission at the site of Šams
al-Dīn, ancient Mounēsis, in the south of Kharga Oasis. This site is unique
in that the settlement appears to exist in its entirety, making it one of the
few extant late antique villages in Egypt. In addition, it is home to both a
church and a temple, offering a unique chance to archaeologically examine
the transition from traditional religious practices to Christianity. Differing
from the limited scope of interest of the 1976 season, the 2021 season was
intended to provide a holistic overview of the entire settlement. In addition
to the re-examination of the already-excavated church – the construction
of which can be situated in the fourth century –, the Late Roman temple
was partially excavated, as were several areas within and surrounding the
church complex, topographic analysis was conducted, photography was
done for the creation of several 3D models, and samples were retrieved for
both radiocarbon and archaeobotanical analysis. This is the first detailed
publication dedicated to the site and is thus long overdue.
Il volume illustra il lavoro di ricostruzione della missione di scavo condotta dall’Istituto Papirologico «G. Vitelli» nell’inverno fra il 1964 e il 1965 sul sito di Arsinoe, antico capoluogo del distretto del Fayyum. Materiali d’archivio, reperti e papiri fanno luce sia sulle attività sul campo e sull’architettura del settore indagato, sia su alcuni aspetti della vita quotidiana nell’Egitto di età tolemaica e romana. La documentazione d’archivio è stata poi utilizzata per rendere nuovamente ‘visitabile’ – attraverso modelli 3D, digital storytelling e realtà aumentata – un sito archeologico scomparso a causa dell’incedere
dell’urbanizzazione contemporanea.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 36 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)