Early Christian Archaeology: A State of the Field

This article considers the history and trajectory of early Christian archaeology. Focusing principally on the built environment, it addresses the status of research on third-century Christian domus ecclesiae or house churches, urban topography, Christian euergetism, pagan/Christian temple conversion...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Religion compass
Main Author: Bowes, Kim (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2008
In: Religion compass
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Summary:This article considers the history and trajectory of early Christian archaeology. Focusing principally on the built environment, it addresses the status of research on third-century Christian domus ecclesiae or house churches, urban topography, Christian euergetism, pagan/Christian temple conversion, monasticism and pilgrimage, parish churches, and rural Christianity. It suggests that this largely conservative field continues to wrestle with its relationship with Christian texts, and remains dominated by formalist and positivist paradigms. The expansion of the discipline into adjacent fields in recent years signals something of a shift, but more holistic studies are needed that contextualize Christian remains within their local topographic, social, ecclesiastical, and, above all, economic circumstances.
ISSN:1749-8171
Contains:Enthalten in: Religion compass
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2008.00078.x