Das Gold von Kyros und Johannes: eine Goldschmiedewerkstatt in der Bucht von Abuqir in Ägypten

Abstract

Underwater excavations of a submerged site in the bay of Abuqir have yielded small finds that indicate workshop activity: short pieces of gold wire, gold splinters, an undrilled bead, copper ingots and coloured raw glass for the production of beads and cameos. In addition, a few pieces of jewellery and accessories were probably made at the site, for instance a glass cameo consisting of the same material as some pieces of raw glass and a finger ring with a bezel in the shape of an oil lamp. For various reasons, the excavated site may have belonged to the pilgrimage shrine of SS Cyrus and John at Menouthis, and oil lamps played an important part at liturgies and healings that were conducted at the shrine. An older account in the 9th-century Coptic miracles of St. Menas refers to a gold workshop of the Holy Apa Apakyri and, therefore, probably to the gold workshop attached to the shrine. The site was active until the early 8th century.