Dakhleh Oasis Project
The Excavations at Ismant al-Kharab Volume II
The Christian Monuments of Kellis: The Churches and Cemeteries
By Gillian E Bowen
Imprint: Oxbow Books
Pages: 448
Illustrations: B&W and Color images
ISBN: 9781789259636
Published: 15th December 2023
Casemate UK Academic
The adoption of Christianity by the Egyptian populace was well underway by the late third century, but evidence for its presence in the archaeological record from the Nile valley is sparse. By comparison, Ismant al-Kharab, ancient Kellis, in Dakhleh Oasis, was abandoned at the end of the fourth century and many of its structures survive intact. The villagers, moreover, left behind a wealth of artefacts and documentation. By the late third century some had converted to Christianity and by the early fourth century three churches were built to accommodate their growing numbers. The churches afford an unparalleled window into three ecclesiastical complexes that served a single village. The Large East Church, moreover, is the earliest surviving example of a purpose-built basilica in Egypt known thus far. It provides a better understanding of the development of Egyptian church architecture and has forced a reappraisal of the dates of certain features that were previously attributed to the fifth century. This volume provides the first detailed publication of the churches and Christian burial grounds. It incorporates a discussion of the spread of Christianity in Egypt’s Southern Oasis, drawing upon data from the rich textual documentation from the site. The material culture is presented in detail, especially the extensive collection of ceramics, glass, and coins.
Kellis
A Roman-Period Village in Egypt's Dakhleh Oasis
Edited by Colin A. Hope
Monash University, Victoria
and Gillian E. Bowen
Monash University, Victoria
Oasis Papers 9 is the most recent publication of the Dakhleh Oasis Project and contains a review of many of the discoveries from all periods with significant contributions by Monash staff ( Bowen, Connor, Hope, Warfe) and former postgraduates (Hamilton, Hubschmann, Kucera, Long, Livingstone, Pettman, Ricketts), alongside a wide variety of other scholars.
BOWEN, G. E. and C. A. HOPE (eds), 2020 The Oasis Papers 9: A Tribute to Anthony J Mills for Forty Years of Research in Dakhleh Oasis. Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference of the Dakhleh Oasis Projects, Oxbow Books, Oxford.
Current and former staff and students of Monash University have been engaged in archaeological research in Egypt’s Dakhleh Oasis since 1978. This forms a part of the international, multi-disciplinary Dakhleh Oasis Project founded by Anthony J. Mills, who outlines the objectives of the project here. Currently Monash is involved in the exploration of five ancient sites: Kellis, Mut al-Kharab, Dayr Abu Matta, Dayr al-Malak and Muzawaqqa, which cover a time span of 4,500 years. This website highlights the discoveries made by the Monash teams and their significance.
Group photo 2006
