The monastic complex Deir el-Bakhit, Upper Egypt is one of the last existing Early Middle Age complexes in the Theban region. The analysis of its ceramic material presented in this volume allows a unique overview of the potential that the cultural product "pottery" offers. In this way, the analysis is not limited to the chronological aspect of pottery and does not constitute a purely material-based study but also deals with the on-site production of pottery, the problem of the functional assignment of pottery, the role of the monastery as a regional economic factor as well as the attitude towards the recycling of ceramic waste products. Together with a comparison of the archaeological material with selected textual sources, the customs and traditions of an Early Middle Age monastic community come alive and abstract values such as piety and asceticism are archaeologically tangible. As there are no comparable publications for the Early Middle Age in Egypt, the present volume constitutes a vital contribution for further research on this poorly documented epoch.

Autorentext

Thomas Beckh, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München.