Papers by Mara Elefante
Römische Mitteilungen 130, 2024
The initial excavation that took place under the auspices of the new DFG project, ‘The Constanti... more The initial excavation that took place under the auspices of the new DFG project, ‘The Constantinian Bishop’s Church at Ostia: Structure – Development – Context’ (Die konstantinische Bischofskirche von Ostia: Struktur – Entwicklung – Kontext) concentrated on the eastern part of the building, including the apse and presbytery. This excavation has already provided new and foundational insights that not only bring markedly greater precision to our knowledge of the Ostian cathedral, but also generally shed new light on Constantinian basilicas in the greater Roman region and provide evidence of previously unknown building phases and liturgical fixtures. For example, the foundations of the recessed apse revealed projecting walls on which columns probably stood. These columns would have framed the apse and also borne the weight of the apsidal arch. As such, this is a variant of apse architecture otherwise
undocumented in Rome, now evident at the very beginning of Constantine’s church construction programme. Secondarily, a solea was built into the nave that likewise displays an unusual form. Finally, a chord of the apse was added most likely during the late 6th or early 7th century, probably when the apse was renovated after it was partially destroyed. Such a renovation project attests to a surprising degree of economic potential held by the Ostian bishopric, even at this relatively late stage of the city’s history.
Analecta Papyrologica, 2024
The article pertains to the second and third seasons of work conducted at
the monastic complex o... more The article pertains to the second and third seasons of work conducted at
the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint
Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and
Dr. Basem Gehad.
La ceramica da cucina africana dalla cisterna romana di Spoletino (Civitella d'Agliano - VT)
REI CRETARIÆ ROMANÆ FAVTORVM ACTA, 2024
African cooking ware is a well-known unique case of utilitarian ware exported on large scale duri... more African cooking ware is a well-known unique case of utilitarian ware exported on large scale during Roman and Late Roman times. In the fill of the Roman cistern of Spoletino (Civitella d'Agliano - VT) this class is represented by 715 fragments that, considering the significant variety of cooking ware produced in the Tiber Valley in this period, are clear evidence of the great popularity of this kind of cooking ware. The first goal of this contribution is a complete typological study of this class, that in the inland sites is not always well represented as in Spoletino, where is significant and composed of all the usual different forms (lids, casseroles and pans), often in good condition and well preserved. The second goal, not less important, is to realise if the occurrence of the African cooking ware is caused just by its prestige or by a change in the cooking habits, fact understandable comparing the forms of the local cooking ware in this period, analysing if there are local imitations of the African forms and considering the local trade.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Analecta Papyrologica, 2024
The present paper pertains to the first season of work conducted at
the monastic complex of Dayr ... more The present paper pertains to the first season of work conducted at
the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint
Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and
Dr. Basem Gehad. While not the first excavation of the site, it is the first
to be accompanied by a publication. The previous, poorly known digs –
conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the beginning of the 20th
century and the local inspectorate in the 1980s and 1990s – unfortunately
disturbed the stratigraphy to an unknown extent, constraining interpretations
of the archaeological contexts uncovered. The work, nonetheless,
brought to light a collection of evidence which helps to elucidate the function,
and datation, of the complex, which assuredly operated as a monastery
from at least the fourth century, making it one of the earliest archaeologically
attested monasteries in Egypt.
Analecta Papyrologica , 2023
This paper presents the preliminary report of the first season of work
conducted by the joint Egy... more This paper presents the preliminary report of the first season of work
conducted by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission at the site of Šams
al-Dīn, ancient Mounēsis, in the south of Kharga Oasis. This site is unique
in that the settlement appears to exist in its entirety, making it one of the
few extant late antique villages in Egypt. In addition, it is home to both a
church and a temple, offering a unique chance to archaeologically examine
the transition from traditional religious practices to Christianity. Differing
from the limited scope of interest of the 1976 season, the 2021 season was
intended to provide a holistic overview of the entire settlement. In addition
to the re-examination of the already-excavated church – the construction
of which can be situated in the fourth century –, the Late Roman temple
was partially excavated, as were several areas within and surrounding the
church complex, topographic analysis was conducted, photography was
done for the creation of several 3D models, and samples were retrieved for
both radiocarbon and archaeobotanical analysis. This is the first detailed
publication dedicated to the site and is thus long overdue.
Kölner und Bonner Archaeologica KuBA, 2023
As part of an urban research project to investigate the unexcavated areas of Ostia (1996-2002), ... more As part of an urban research project to investigate the unexcavated areas of Ostia (1996-2002), a large church complex was discovered in the south of Regio V by means of geophysical prospection and aerial photography. It was soon assumed that this complex might be the long-sought bishop‘s church of Ostia dedicated by Constantine the Great. Small scale stratigraphic excavations carried out in 1997/98 confirmed this hypothesis and allowed first conclusions to be drawn about the chronology of the complex.
However, numerous questions about its architectural design, long-term development and liturgical furnishing remained unanswered. The study of the Constantinian episcopal church has now been resumed as part of an international research project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In the first excavation season 2023 large parts of the eastern church nave, including its apse, have been excavated providing new important insights into its construction details and building phases. Some surprising observations were also made regarding the use of the area before the church was built.
Analecta Papyrologica XXXIV, 2022
This paper examines an unpublished pilgrim flask that was uncovered at Antinoupolis, in the north... more This paper examines an unpublished pilgrim flask that was uncovered at Antinoupolis, in the northern necropolis, in 2013. The incomplete ampulla belongs to the typical Aswan production, and preserves a portion of decoration on one side, where the figure of Saint Phoibammon on horseback is represented. The retrograde inscription running along the decorated panel can be integrated as [Εὐλόγιον τοῦ Ἁγίου Φ]οιβάμωνος, whereas the other side is too fragmentary to propose any interpretation. Saint Phoibammon was a very important martyr in Early Christian Egypt, even if we know at least four martyrs bearing this name. The most important ones are Saint Phoibammon of Preht, a soldier that was beheaded under Diocletian, and a nobleman, grandson of the prefect of Egypt, born at Awsim: these two figures, even if very different from one another, were at a certain point superimposed and someway confused, as the very few known representations of Saint Phoibammon demonstrate (essentially the painting from Bawit, dated to the 6th century, and the 10th century Nubian painting from Abdallah-n Irqi). We can infer that the martyr from Preht, whose life, miracles and death took place mainly in Middle Egypt, became preeminent as soon as the 8th centrury. Apart from the famous monasteries located at Deir el-Bahari, whose remains are scanty, written documents inform us on the widespread veneration of Phoibammon, mainly as healing Saint of children, in other areas of Middle Egypt, such as Hermoupolis Magna and maybe also the region of Antinoupolis. The importance of the ampulla presented here is grounded on the fact that, at the present state of the research, it is a unicum, as no other examples of Saint Phoibammon pilgrim flasks are known.
La cottura sub testu ai tempi dei romani: testa e clibani dalla Valle del Tevere. Il caso di Spoletino (Civitella d'Agliano, VT)
REI CRETARIÆ ROMANÆ FAVTORVM ACTA, 2023
Testa and clibani are the most common typologies of ceramic vessels used for baking during the Ro... more Testa and clibani are the most common typologies of ceramic vessels used for baking during the Roman period, especially in Italy. They are a symbol of the kitchen and, at the same time, of rural pottery production, since they were produced mainly locally. The Roman cistern of Spoletino (Civitella d’Agliano-VT), filled in two different moments (mid-1st century AD and early 4th century AD) with a large amount of Roman pottery and other finds probably from a nearby villa, has brought to light a picture of daily life, especially for the aspects concerning the kitchen. Different testa and clibani were found, and they can help to define a precise chronology for these forms in the Tiber Valley area, but also more generally because of the substantial standardization. United with the production and the use study, the chronology provides a good picture of an aspect not always well explored that is baking in different moments of a Roman villa.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Atti LIII Convegno Internazionale della Ceramica. Ceramica per i complessi religiosi e i luoghi di assistenza e misericordia: committenza, produzione e consumo, 2022
Le ampolle di San Mena sono un manufatto ceramico nato come eulogia del santo e divenuto con il t... more Le ampolle di San Mena sono un manufatto ceramico nato come eulogia del santo e divenuto con il tempo un oggetto prodotto in serie per soddisfare le esigenze di mercato legate alla sfera religiosa. Il culto di San Mena si affermò su scala mediterranea tra IV e VIII d.C., e con esso anche la diffusione della ampolle, le quali erano acquistate dai pellegrini direttamente nelle botteghe presso i santuari al fine di poterle riempire e portare con sé la benedizione del santo. Nonostante la progressiva standardizzazione le tipologie erano molteplici e adatte a tutte le richieste, e i due esempi provenienti da Antinoupolis rappresentano perfettamente la portata di questo fenomeno.
Fra tutela e ricerca, Indagini Archeologiche in territorio Amerino, a cura di Elena Roscini, 2022
This contribution is a preliminary report of the new excavation season (2016-2019) at Poggio Gram... more This contribution is a preliminary report of the new excavation season (2016-2019) at Poggio Gramignano, an archaeological site located in Lugnano in Teverina (Umbria). This is a multi-year project, a partnership between the University of Arizona, Yale University, Stanford University and the Municipality of Lugnano in Teverina, that continues previous reasearches begun over three decades ago, from 1982. The new excavation campaigns aim to better understand the Roman villa and its surrounding area, with particular focus on the late Roman infant cemetery discovered within the storage magazines.
Vicino Oriente, 2021
The sāqiya pots, also called noria pots or qawādīs, were a necessary ceramic form for Egypt since... more The sāqiya pots, also called noria pots or qawādīs, were a necessary ceramic form for Egypt since Ptolemaic time, as an integral part of the water lifting system. Antinoupolis has given us some examples of different types from different times, that allow us to propose some new data about chronology and typology.
L'area archeologica di Pietrarossa e l'antico territorio di Trevi. Studi e ricerche, 2018
La ceramica sigillata italica proveniente dalle prime campagne di scavo presso l'area archeologic... more La ceramica sigillata italica proveniente dalle prime campagne di scavo presso l'area archeologica di Pietrarossa (Trevi - PG).
Conference Presentations by Mara Elefante
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Papers by Mara Elefante
undocumented in Rome, now evident at the very beginning of Constantine’s church construction programme. Secondarily, a solea was built into the nave that likewise displays an unusual form. Finally, a chord of the apse was added most likely during the late 6th or early 7th century, probably when the apse was renovated after it was partially destroyed. Such a renovation project attests to a surprising degree of economic potential held by the Ostian bishopric, even at this relatively late stage of the city’s history.
the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint
Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and
Dr. Basem Gehad.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
the monastic complex of Dayr Muṣṭafā Kāšif in Kharga Oasis, by the joint
Egyptian-Norwegian mission co-directed by Professor Victor Ghica and
Dr. Basem Gehad. While not the first excavation of the site, it is the first
to be accompanied by a publication. The previous, poorly known digs –
conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the beginning of the 20th
century and the local inspectorate in the 1980s and 1990s – unfortunately
disturbed the stratigraphy to an unknown extent, constraining interpretations
of the archaeological contexts uncovered. The work, nonetheless,
brought to light a collection of evidence which helps to elucidate the function,
and datation, of the complex, which assuredly operated as a monastery
from at least the fourth century, making it one of the earliest archaeologically
attested monasteries in Egypt.
conducted by the joint Egyptian-Norwegian mission at the site of Šams
al-Dīn, ancient Mounēsis, in the south of Kharga Oasis. This site is unique
in that the settlement appears to exist in its entirety, making it one of the
few extant late antique villages in Egypt. In addition, it is home to both a
church and a temple, offering a unique chance to archaeologically examine
the transition from traditional religious practices to Christianity. Differing
from the limited scope of interest of the 1976 season, the 2021 season was
intended to provide a holistic overview of the entire settlement. In addition
to the re-examination of the already-excavated church – the construction
of which can be situated in the fourth century –, the Late Roman temple
was partially excavated, as were several areas within and surrounding the
church complex, topographic analysis was conducted, photography was
done for the creation of several 3D models, and samples were retrieved for
both radiocarbon and archaeobotanical analysis. This is the first detailed
publication dedicated to the site and is thus long overdue.
However, numerous questions about its architectural design, long-term development and liturgical furnishing remained unanswered. The study of the Constantinian episcopal church has now been resumed as part of an international research project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In the first excavation season 2023 large parts of the eastern church nave, including its apse, have been excavated providing new important insights into its construction details and building phases. Some surprising observations were also made regarding the use of the area before the church was built.
(The publisher house forbids the public distribution of the PFD before 24 months from the book publication, but the private one is allowed; if you want a copy of the article ask me and I will send it to you.)
Conference Presentations by Mara Elefante