Abstract & Annotated Bibliography
ANALYSIS OF THE ABU MENA ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX
Abu Mena Complex, Egypt; Dis. Burg al-Arab, Gouvernate of Alexandria
The Abu Mena complex located in the Mariut Desert was the largest pilgrimage center in ancient Egypt. The World Heritage site that is now in danger was built in the 3rd century around the shrine of St. Menas an Alexandrian soldier that stood up for his faith and other Christians for which he was executed. Around his grave springs of water appeared which supposedly had healing properties. People from all over Egypt came to this holy site to be healed from their sicknesses. The prosperity of the city in those days can be seen from the numerous basilicas, churches, buildings, houses and cemeteries that were excavated since the 1900’s. This site report paper will give an account of Abu Mena’s archaeological significance by providing historical, architectural and cultural data. It will also evaluate the current situation of the site, why it is in danger and the efforts towards preservation and restoration.
Bagnall, Roger S.
2010 Egypt in the Byzantine World, 300-700. Cambridge University Press, New York.
In this book, Bagnall summarizes Egypt’s history, culture, art and archaeology from the fourth century to the seventh century. The author analyzes aspects of Byzantine Egypt’s culture, government and also the influence of early Christian art and architecture. He also describes in detail the Abu Mina center by providing illustrations and information about the excavations from this site. This book is a valuable resource for my site report paper because it overviews the early Christian influence on Egypt’s architecture and goes in depth about the archaeological remains at Abu Mina.
Benedini, Marcello and Cleere, Henry
2005 Report of the UNESCO-ICOMOS Monitoring Mission to Abu Mena (Egypt). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Electronic document, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2006/mis90-2005.pdf, accessed...