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Celebrate International Archaeology Day with ARCE-OC: American Research Center in Egypt: Orange County Chapter!

The Archaeology of Egyptian Christianity: Twenty Years of Excavations in Dakhla Oasis

Presented by Dr. Nicola Aravecchia, Washington University in St. Louis

This lecture will illustrate the results of archaeological work carried out, in the last twenty years, at two sites in Dakhla Oasis of Upper Egypt, i.e., the city of Amheida (ancient Trimithis) and the rural settlement of ʿAin el-Gedida. Particular emphasis will be on the evidence for Christian places of cult (and therefore of active Christian communities) at both sites since the early fourth century CE. Remains of two churches were found that are among the earliest available evidence on Christian sacred space, not only in the region of the so-called ‘Great Oasis’ but throughout Egypt. Moreover, the excavation of the church at Amheida revealed a well-preserved underground funerary crypt (whose investigation was completed in January 2023). This is the first known crypt, associated with a church, to have been found in Dakhla; also, its early dating makes it one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of any other known crypts from Christian Egypt. The evidence from ʿAin el-Gedida and Amheida sheds light on issues key to our understanding of early Egyptian Christianity and, more broadly, the complex and fascinating history of communities at the edge of the Roman Empire.

NORMA KERSHAW AUDITORIUM | LECTURE

Ticketed Onsite Event: Free for Bowers and ARCE Members | General $15

Recorded Online Screening: Free for Bowers and ARCE Members | General $10 | Online version will be emailed to ticketholders one week after the onsite event.

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Questions? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 714.567.3677. Proceeds benefit Bowers Museum Education Programs. Tickets are non-refundable.