Presentation Title
P-03 Archaeological Evidence for the Role of Women in Early Christianity
Presenter Status
PhD in Archaeology, Student
Preferred Session
Poster Session
Start Date
26-10-2018 2:00 PM
End Date
26-10-2018 3:00 PM
Presentation Abstract
The primary focus of my research is Christian women in the Greek speaking areas of the West, namely, Magna Graecia - South Italy, Sicily, and the other southern Italian islands. The Andrews team found at least three women buried inside a fourth-century Christian basilica in San Miceli, Sicily, Italy. Until the present, the discussion around women’s participation and role in the early Christian church has focused mostly on ancient epigraphic and literary evidence. However, archaeology combined with social sciences and iconography have the potential to feed the wealth of knowledge and if considered together with literary sources, they have an even greater potential.
So, I analyze the following aspects: (1) archaeological data of specific sites (house churches, earliest Christian basilicas—especially funerary basilicas, catacombs, Christian cemeteries, and demographic data on early Christian communities—such as San Miceli that can be derived from settlements and burial areas); (2) iconographical data (as depicted in mosaics, frescos, graffiti, gravestones, relics, etc.); (3) ancient literary evidence in order to ascertain what conclusions emerge from it; and (4) social sciences.
The picture that emerged from the research is that the participation of women was far greater then traditionally stated and at the same time, it was greatly suppressed by male religious leaders. The female role was frequently one of authority and leadership in Early Christianity.
P-03 Archaeological Evidence for the Role of Women in Early Christianity
The primary focus of my research is Christian women in the Greek speaking areas of the West, namely, Magna Graecia - South Italy, Sicily, and the other southern Italian islands. The Andrews team found at least three women buried inside a fourth-century Christian basilica in San Miceli, Sicily, Italy. Until the present, the discussion around women’s participation and role in the early Christian church has focused mostly on ancient epigraphic and literary evidence. However, archaeology combined with social sciences and iconography have the potential to feed the wealth of knowledge and if considered together with literary sources, they have an even greater potential.
So, I analyze the following aspects: (1) archaeological data of specific sites (house churches, earliest Christian basilicas—especially funerary basilicas, catacombs, Christian cemeteries, and demographic data on early Christian communities—such as San Miceli that can be derived from settlements and burial areas); (2) iconographical data (as depicted in mosaics, frescos, graffiti, gravestones, relics, etc.); (3) ancient literary evidence in order to ascertain what conclusions emerge from it; and (4) social sciences.
The picture that emerged from the research is that the participation of women was far greater then traditionally stated and at the same time, it was greatly suppressed by male religious leaders. The female role was frequently one of authority and leadership in Early Christianity.
Acknowledgments
Graduate Grant in Aid of Research, Office of Research and Creative Scholarship