Wadi al-Natrun, a depression in the Western Desert of Egypt, is one of the most important centers for the development and continued thriving of the Coptic monastic tradition. Christianity and monasticism have prospered there from as early as the fourth century until the present day, when four major monasteries still flourish. Here, international specialists in Coptology, examine various aspects of Coptic civilization in Wadi al-Natrun over the past seventeen hundred years. The studies center on aspects of the history and development of monasticism inWadi al-Natrun, as well as the art, architecture, and archaeology of the four existing and numerous former monasteries of the region.

Contributors: Elizabeth S. Bolman, Karl-Heinz Brune, Peter Grossmann, Johannes den Heijer, Suzana Hodak, Lucy-Anne Hunt, Mat Immerzeel, Martin Krause, Ewa Parandowska, S.G. Richter, Rushdi Said, Zuzana Skalova, Hany H. Takla, Tim Vivian, Jacques van der Vliet, Youhanna NessimYoussef, Ugo Zanetti.

Important contributions to the archaeology and history of Christianity in one of Egypt's leading ancient Christian centers

About the Author

Maged S.A. Mikhail is assistant professor of history at California State University, Fullerton, specializing in late antique and early Islamic history, and is the editor of Coptica.
Mark Moussa is completing his doctoral dissertation in Semitic and Egyptian languages and literatures at the Catholic University of America. He has published several articles on Egyptian monasticism.

Book Information
ISBN 9789774162602
Author Maged S.A. Mikhail
Format Hardback
Page Count 360
Imprint The American University in Cairo Press
Publisher The American University in Cairo Press
Weight(grams) 767g