The Importance of Wadi al-Natrun for Coptology

Abstract

This chapter deals with the role that monasticism and Wadi al-Natrun have played in Coptology. In particular, it presents the history of Coptological studies and the definition of Coptology. It starts in the nineteenth century, when the first professorship for Coptic language and literature was appointed at a German university. For the beginning of Coptological studies, it points to the article “Coptological Studies” in the Coptic Encyclopedia. It is seen here that Coptology is not a small, but a very large discipline and needs many scholars for research. The Wadi al Natrun enriches nearly all fields of Coptology and it also covers a very long period from the fourth century of the Christian era up to the present day and also for the coming centuries. In general, all lectures are part of Coptological studies and show the importance of Wadi al-Natrun for the many fields of Coptology from the beginning of monasticism in the fourth century to the present time and—with God's help—the coming centuries.