Life at Amarna during the late Roman Period

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Tour guidance Department-Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-Minia University

2 Tourist Guidance Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Minia University

Abstract

Tell El-Amarna has traditionally been viewed as a city that was entirely abandoned after the end of the Amarna Period and the return of the royal court to Thebes. However, this study re-examines that assumption by exploring archaeological evidence pointing to continued occupation and activity at the site, extending into the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. Notably, traces of Christian monastic settlements have been identified, particularly in the northern cliffs, where tombs and natural caves were repurposed into dwellings and churches. This research focuses on uncovering the nature and extent of post-Amarna habitation, with particular attention to domestic architecture, burial practices, and material culture, including pottery remains that suggest trade and daily life. The findings illustrate that the area was not merely reused but reimagined as a sacred Christian landscape. A multidisciplinary methodology was employed, incorporating archaeological fieldwork, ceramic analysis, architectural study, and evaluation of historical. The results reveal a sustained phase of Christian occupation, highlighting transformation of the site from a royal capital to a spiritually significant monastic zone.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics