Ancient Papyri Research Articles

Jesus was Married? “SCANDALOUS!” Field Theory in Reporting on a U.S. Religion Scandal

ABSTRACT The scandal story reflects an essential journalistic lens to understand culture; scandals circumscribe attention to the norms, values and expectations of a culture. This study explores the nature of the scandal story through an examination of a case in U.S. journalism: the coverage of the now-disproved “Gospel of Jesus’ Wife.” This study examines the initial 2012 case of an ancient papyrus scrap alleged to prove that the historical Jesus was married, and that over a period of eight years, was disproved to a complicated backstory of cultural misogyny, academic dishonesty, and a con man. Through the lens of field theory, this study aims to explore how scandal stories help shed a light on how a culture informs a newsroom doxa.

Classification of papyrus fragments by chemometric analysis of near-infrared spectra

Papyrus has been used for millennia to record information, for sophisticated works of art as well as mundane notes. The collection, identification, and translation of papyrus fragments therefore opens a gateway into the past. To aid the efforts to access the history recorded in papyri, we investigated the suitability of NIR spectroscopy to perform two tasks: One is to support the authentication of ancient papyri, by differentiation of papyri that were manufactured more recently and subjected to accelerated ageing to resemble the originals. The other is the extensive task to piece together papyrus fragments into readable texts again. In museums around the world, more than 100,000 ancient papyrus fragments still wait for their proper assembly, deciphering and publication. The papyrus writing-ground was analysed by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and the spectra were evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and self-organizing maps (SOM). Cluster analysis and PLS-DA proved to be useful tools for distinguishing modern papyri from ancient papyri which were provided by collections in Vienna and Leipzig. Neither natural nor accelerated ageing affected the classification. A PLS-DA classification model, constructed from NIR spectra of 89 model scores, detected recent Papyri samples with 100 % sensitivity and specificity, even after accelerated ageing. The identification of groups of fragments of ancient papyri based on NIR spectra and chemometry is not straightforward. HCA, which focuses on the differences between samples, only grouped the fragments of 4 out of 20 papyri correctly. SOM, which rather focuses on the similarities, grouped 6 sets of fragments correctly. An automated grouping of fragments remains difficult, since the fragments themselves are heterogeneous while similarities between unrelated ancient papyri can be large.

Reading the materiality of the Oxyrhynchus Papyri: non-invasive analyses to reveal scribal choices

This paper presents the first ever material characterisation of inks used in 23 documentary papyri excavated in Oxyrhynchus, about 160 km south-east of Cairo. These papyri date to between the fourth and seventh centuries CE, and are nowadays preserved at the Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library in Oxford. The material analyses were carried out with in situ analytical methods, namely infrared reflectography (IRR) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Moreover, the data obtained with XRF on the papyrus support were further explored with principal component analysis (PCA). To our knowledge, this study represents the first instance in which PCA was applied to a dataset obtained from ancient papyri with portable, non-invasive analytical equipment. The differences in the material composition highlighted suggest the papyrus used for these documents proceeded from different sources. Furthermore, the investigation of the writing inks confirmed a trend we highlighted during previous material studies of manuscripts from the Byzantine period: carbon-based ink is predominantly used for documentary texts, while iron-gall ink is for literary texts. Finally, the peculiar case of a document bearing the proceedings from the court of Alexandria suggests the existence, in this area, of specific technical and scribal traditions that have not been pointed out before.

Layout of ancient Greek papyri through lead-drawn ruling lines revealed by Macro X-Ray Fluorescence Imaging

The use of lead-drawn ruling lines by ancient scribes for the layout of Greek papyrus rolls was known to us only from classical authors and was postulated by a few scholars in modern times. In situ application of noninvasive Macro X-Ray Fluorescence Imaging Spectroscopy (MA-XRF) to unrolled papyri from Herculaneum, dating from about 200 BC to the 1st century AD, has provided the first direct evidence of such practice in ancient book production. The key experimental proof of periodic lines drawn in lead was gathered by a highly sensitive MA-XRF mobile instrument, which allowed detection of ultra-low trace residues of metals with detection limits that rival synchrotron light instruments. Elemental distribution maps of Pb have revealed three different systems of textual layout in ancient papyrus rolls and have resolved the dispute around so-called Maas’ Law, by delivering experimental proof that slanted text columns were a deliberate aesthetic choice of scribes.

Ancient papyrus scroll-inspired self-deployable mechanism based on shape memory polymer composites for Mars explorations

Mars has similar natural environments to Earth and is regarded as a potential candidate for human migration. Exploration to Mars has been a hotspot in major aerospace countries, and therefore bringing the national flag to Mars is an inevitable demand. A self-deployable mechanism inspired by the ancient papyrus scroll to demonstrate the national flag dynamically is proposed in this paper. The release device made of shape memory polymer composites, as the functional part, is analysed thoroughly from the perspective of material design, fabrication and experiments. Firstly, the mechanical properties of woven fabric composites are predicted theoretically, and the thickness of laminates is determined according to the mechanical requirement, fabrication technique and shape moulding method. Tensile and three-point bending tests were carried out to validate the analytical prediction and provide parameters for numerical simulation. Besides, shape fixation and recovery properties were studied by both simulation and experiments with consistent results. Additionally, the shape moulding method was modified by reheating and sustaining a high-temperature period after bending to obtain the designed pattern. This world’s first application of shape memory polymer composites in Mars explorations is a milestone for both deep space exploration and advanced smart materials.

History of dentistry in ancient Egypt

Egyptian civilization is the oldest one allover the world. Dentistry was practiced among ancient Egyptians and it is documented by many ways such as The study of ancient remains, ancient teeth, Mummification and the translation of ancient papyri. This work reviews the dental diseases that ancient Egyptians suffered from such as Tooth wear, Dental abscesses, Disease of the gum and Dental caries. The ancient Egyptians managed their dental problems by many ways such as utilization of drugs made of herbs and making the oldest toothpaste in the world. They managed carious teeth by filling materials, Dental restorations and even tried to make implants. Surgical treatment by dental instruments was also recorded.

World’s first application of a self-deployable mechanism based on shape memory polymer composites in Mars explorations: ground-based validation and on-Mars qualification

Mars is believed to contain signs of the ancient life and to be the future of humankind. Deep space explorations on Mars have received extensive attention from the scientific and engineering communities. An ancient papyrus scroll-inspired mechanism to deploy the national flag after landing is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a papyrus scroll-inspired structure folded and deployed by shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) was designed. The material was characterised by both thermodynamic analysis and static mechanical tests. Then, computational modal analysis was completed with material parameters at 25 °C, 55 °C and 85 °C to investigate the temperature effect. Besides, ground-based engineering validations were conducted, including vibration, shock and acceleration tests, as well as deployment verification. Natural frequencies obtained from vibration agreed well with that calculated from simulation. Regular and vacuum deployments showed differences but were both acceptable. Additionally, release reliability greater than 99.99% was obtained through repeated experimental data. Finally, on-Mars qualification was completed with China’s Tianwen-1 mission, with images of the deployed five-star red flag transmitted by the Zhurong rover. It is the world’s first validation of self-deployable mechanism based on SMPCs in deep space, and further applications can be expected.

Mold‐deteriorated archaeological Egyptian papyri: Biodeteriogens, monitoring the deterioration, and treatment approach

AbstractFungi play a critical role in the deterioration of ancient papyri due to their organic and hygroscopic nature. Fourteen fungal species belonging to five genera—Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Talaromyces, and Ulocladium—were isolated and identified from 20 Egyptian papyrus artifacts located at the Grand Egyptian Museum—Conservation Center (GEM‐CC). The biodeterioration mechanism was evaluated by two analyses: cellulase enzyme activity and acid production assay. The isolated fungus P. lanosum showed potent biodeterioration power as it exhibited the highest enzymatic activity and could produce acid as well. Four different analyses were performed to assess the entity of the biodeterioration phenomenon: scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, colorimetry, and pH measurements. The analyses demonstrated considerable changes in surface morphology, chemical structure (mainly represented by oxidation and hydrolysis of infected papyrus samples), darkness of the papyrus samples (ΔE 3.84–7.33), and pH (which dropped to 5.2 in the case of A. niger‐infected sample. This article builds a preliminary perception for monitoring the biodeterioration of archaeological papyri and a trial for in vitro treatment to prevent further degradation, which may lead to loss of our valuable artifacts over a prolonged period.

Highlighting and solving analytical problems for hunting down hidden information from ancient papyri by surface techniques

• Remarking and tentatively solving analytical problems to achieve accurate analysis of papyri. • Focusing on the appraisal of the surface analysis techniques as powerful tools for studying papyri. • Multivariate analysis helps in understanding differences between inks, facilitating their classification. • Highlighting practical vibrational characterisation of papyrus supports and inks. Knowledge evolves based on past societies, often by studying cultural heritage objects, particularly ancient papyri. To achieve this information, Physico-chemical analysis of the papyri supports and inks is of concern for understanding variations in their chemical composition, structural relationships, and evolution over time. This review appraises at a glance the most relevant analytical characteristics of the main surface spectroscopic techniques, particularly those providing atomic/elemental and molecular information. In addition, this work highlights the analytical problems usually found in analysing papyri and their tentative overcoming using surface and subsurface analysis spectroscopies. Finely, we cover the practical vibrational characterisation of papyri.

Papyrus production revisited: differences between ancient and modern production modes

Papyrus, produced from the white pith of Cyperus papyrus L., has been used for millennia as the major writing support by ancient cultures, but there was no continuous papyrus production until modern times. Therefore, papyrus production had to be rediscovered. Modern Egyptian papyrus producers claim that their sheets possess ‘the same physical and chemical properties as ancient papyri’. To study if this is accurate, commercially available papyrus sheets were compared to ancient papyri and papyri produced according to Pliny’s historic description. Material characterization was performed with a focus on the potentially color-bearing lignin. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, derivatization followed by reductive cleavage, and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were complemented with microscopy and tests for surface pH and sodium content. The lignin data in the native pith and commercial sheets were compared to 10 ancient samples from the Papyrus Museum Vienna. The analytical data clearly show the involvement of a strong alkaline treatment followed by chlorine bleaching for commercial papyri, as expressed by higher pH values, altered lignin structures, and chlorinated lignin compounds. The inclusion of an alkaline step in ancient papyrus manufacture is discussed but dismissed, since the alkali-treatment causes a huge decrease in lignin content, that was not found for the analysed ancient specimen. We assume that this additional treatment was introduced to obtain yellowish papyrus sheets meeting optical expectations of modern spectators. Linguistic and art historic evidence indicates that such a step would not have made sense in antiquity, since it was desired to produce white papyri.

Damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of archaeological papyrus – analytical study

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the nature of archaeological papyrus damage and monitoring the mechanics of damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of ancient papyrus.Design/methodology/approachThis study the papyrus surface with a digital microscopy “USB,” examination and analyzing by “Scanning Electron Microscope,” characterization of black ink used in writing the ancient papyrus using “Scanning Electron Microscopy” with (EDX). Detection of changes in the chemical bonds of ancient papyrus samples by “Fourier transform infrared” FTIR.FindingsThe result confirmed that SEM examination showed the organization of the parenchyma cells that make up papyrus tissue. Characteristic waveform appears, it indicates the ancient Egyptian manufacturer’s use of the (Strips Method) in the process of manufacturing the archaeological papyrus. Also, the appearance of (Over Lapping) stacking of papyrus slides. EDX analysis showed that the black ink used to write the papyrus was (Carbon Ink). High oxygen content in the papyrus sample analysis indicates deterioration of the cellulose fibers. FTIR spectrum showed that Arabic gum is the bonding material for carbon ink particles, it also showed that archaeological papyrus suffers from hydrolysis due to exposure of papyrus fibers to high moisture content or direct water, resulting in smudge, bleeding and fading of carbon ink on the archaeological papyrus support.Originality/valueThe study is archaeological papyrus with black ink scripts from the excavation of the Qasr I brim.

A comparative appraisal of Raman band ratioing and chemometric analysis for classification of ancient papyri

Papyri from past civilizations represent key information sources to understand historical societies and their culture. In general, the most critical information usually derives from the inks rather than the supports. In this work, we combine several analytical tools, including vibrational spectroscopies (FT-IR and Raman) and SEM/EDX spectroscopy, to characterise the inks of various papyri in the Palau-Ribes collection (Barcelona, Spain). The Raman spectra corroborate the presence of soot-based inks as the primary type. We use a five-peak spectral model for the deconvolution of the first-order region of the Raman spectra, which allows us to derive information about the carbon type of the soot-based inks. Further, we propose various Raman band ratios for a thorough evaluation of the graphitization process of carbon and possible classification of the ancient inks. At the same time, we use multivariate analysis, mainly assisted by cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and the Fisher discriminant functions, to enable an excellent alternative way to verify the classification and differentiation of the inks safely as a function of the historical time.

Machine Learning Based Assembly of Fragments of Ancient Papyrus

The task of assembling fragments in a puzzle-like manner into a composite picture plays a significant role in the field of archaeology as it supports researchers in their attempt to reconstruct historic artifacts. In this article, we propose a method for matching and assembling pairs of ancient papyrus fragments containing mostly unknown scriptures. Papyrus paper is manufactured from papyrus plants and therefore portrays typical thread patterns resulting from the plant’s stems. The proposed algorithm is founded on the hypothesis that these thread patterns contain unique local attributes such that nearby fragments show similar patterns reflecting the continuations of the threads. We posit that these patterns can be exploited using image processing and machine learning techniques to identify matching fragments. The algorithm and system which we present support the quick and automated classification of matching pairs of papyrus fragments as well as the geometric alignment of the pairs against each other. The algorithm consists of a series of steps and is based on deep-learning and machine learning methods. The first step is to deconstruct the problem of matching fragments into a smaller problem of finding thread continuation matches in local edge areas (squares) between pairs of fragments. This phase is solved using a convolutional neural network ingesting raw images of the edge areas and producing local matching scores. The result of this stage yields very high recall but low precision. Thus, we utilize these scores in order to conclude about the matching of entire fragments pairs by establishing an elaborate voting mechanism. We enhance this voting with geometric alignment techniques from which we extract additional spatial information. Eventually, we feed all the data collected from these steps into a Random Forest classifier in order to produce a higher order classifier capable of predicting whether a pair of fragments is a match. Our algorithm was trained on a batch of fragments which was excavated from the Dead Sea caves and is dated circa the 1st century BCE. The algorithm shows excellent results on a validation set which is of a similar origin and conditions. We then tried to run the algorithm against a real-life set of fragments for which we have no prior knowledge or labeling of matches. This test batch is considered extremely challenging due to its poor condition and the small size of its fragments. Evidently, numerous researchers have tried seeking matches within this batch with very little success. Our algorithm performance on this batch was sub-optimal, returning a relatively large ratio of false positives. However, the algorithm was quite useful by eliminating 98% of the possible matches thus reducing the amount of work needed for manual inspection. Indeed, experts that reviewed the results have identified some positive matches as potentially true and referred them for further investigation.

Self-supervised deep metric learning for ancient papyrus fragments retrieval

This work focuses on document fragments association using deep metric learning methods. More precisely, we are interested in ancient papyri fragments that need to be reconstructed prior to their analysis by papyrologists. This is a challenging task to automatize using machine learning algorithms because labeled data is rare, often incomplete, imbalanced and of inconsistent conservation states. However, there is a real need for such software in the papyrology community as the process of reconstructing the papyri by hand is extremely time-consuming and tedious. In this paper, we explore ways in which papyrologists can obtain useful matching suggestion on new data using Deep Convolutional Siamese-Networks. We emphasize on low-to-no human intervention for annotating images. We show that the from-scratch self-supervised approach we propose is more effective than using knowledge transfer from a large dataset, the former achieving a top-1 accuracy score of 0.73 on a retrieval task involving 800 fragments.

The history of the pediatric inguinal hernia repair

The history of inguinal hernia repair is a rich one. For centuries, hernia healers, doctors, anatomists, surgeons and quacks have been devoted to this pathology that has afflicted mankind throughout its evolution. The development of surgical correction mainly focused on adult pathology, with treatments that often involved the loss of the testis. Hernia management in children, however, also dates from antiquity. Described as a swelling on the surface of the belly in ancient papyri, it was treated with tight bandages by the early physicians of Alexandria. For centuries, conservative treatment had been used for the child using primordial trussess, many prayers, and often pagan rituals as the arboreal passage of children described by Marcello of Bordeaux, doctor of the Emperor Theodosius I (347-395 AD), reserving medical intervention only for cases of strangulation in which only reduction was attempted. The middle ages were characterized by an increase in cultural and scientific exchange, during which the first comprehensive surgical textbooks and atlases were written. Different approaches to the inguinal hernia were not taught and passed down through generations of surgeons. The modern era brought a better understanding of the inguinal anatomy, which led to surgical techniques associated with less post-operative complications. Today, the pediatric inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common pediatric operations performed. It is considered a safe procedure with very low complication rate.

A computational platform for the virtual unfolding of Herculaneum Papyri

Ancient Herculaneum papyrus scrolls, hopelessly charred in the 79 A.D. Vesuvius eruption, contain valuable writings of the Greek philosophers of the day, including works of the Epicurean Philodemus. X-ray phase contrast tomography has recently begun unlocking their secrets. However, only small portions of the text hidden inside the scroll have been recover. One of the challenging tasks in Herculaneum papyri investigation is their virtual unfolding because of their highly complicated structure and three-dimensional arrangement. Although this procedure is feasible, problems in segmentation and flattening hinder the unrolling of a large portion of papyrus. We propose a computational platform for the virtual unfolding procedure, and we show the results of its application on two Herculaneum papyrus fragments. This work paves the way to a comprehensive survey and to further interpretation of larger portions of text hidden inside the carbonized Herculaneum papyri.

Doing things with description: practices, politics, and the art of attentiveness

In a number of linked articles and monographs over the last decade (e.g. Love, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017), literary scholar and critic Heather Love has called for a descriptive (re)turn in the humanities, repeatedly taking up examples of descriptive methods in the social sciences as exemplifying what that (re)turn might look like and achieve. Those of us working as sociologists, anthropologists, science and technology studies scholars and researchers in allied social science fields thus find ourselves reflected back in Love’s work, encountering our own research practices in an unfamiliar light through it. In a period where our established methods and analytical priorities are subject to challenges on many fronts from within our own disciplines, it is hard not be struck by Love’s provocative invocation of the social sciences as interlocutors and see in it an invitation to contribute to the debate she has sought to initiate by revisiting our own approaches to the problem of description. Inspired by Love’s intervention, the eight papers that form this Special Issue demonstrate that by re-engaging with description we stand to learn a great deal. While the articles themselves are topically distinct and geographically varied, they are all based on empirical research and written to facilitate a reorientation to the role of description in our research practices. What exactly is going on when we describe an ancient papyrus as present or missing, a machine as intelligent, noise as music, a disease as undiagnosable, a death as good or bad, deserved or undeserved, care as appropriate or inappropriate, policies as failing or effective? As the papers show, these are important questions to ask. By asking them, we find ourselves in positions to better understand what goes into ‘indexing and making visible forms of material and social reality’ (Love, 2013: 412) as well as what is involved, more troublingly, in erasing, making invisible and dematerialising those realities or even, indeed, in uncovering those erasures and the means by which they were effected. As this special issue underlines, thinking with Love by thinking with descriptions is a rewarding exercise precisely because it opens these matters up to view. We hope others take up Love’s invitation to re-engage with description for that very reason.

Lawsuits with Headless Foes: A Greek Incantation Motif

Abstract This study proposes a new interpretation of the texts of two late ancient or early Byzantine papyrus amulets that refer to conflict with “headless” entities (PGM P 5a–b). Based on the identification of parallels in the Byzantine and later Greek tradition, a traditional incantation motif can be identified, targeting fever, which is analogized as a judicial crisis. An appendix publishes or republishes the relevant texts with translations. The complex career of the motif attested by the papyri and the Byzantine texts is also applied to illustrate the workings of the Greek tradition of incantations, in particular the mechanism by which elements of a received repertoire are re-combined, modified, and augmented for changing contexts, a process comparable to folkloric composition. The judicial motif can further be contextualized among beliefs about the supernatural, including the divinization of fever itself and the crediting of a broad cast of powers, including John the Baptist along with other holies, angels, and demons, with its infliction and relief.

Wet Nurse in art in Graeco-Roman Egypt

The wet nurse is a woman employed to breast-feed another woman's baby other than her own, for certain salary. This profession was very important to most of the ancient families in Egypt, especially in Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman Egypt. Most of the information about wet nurses is sourced from the reliefs shown on the walls of the temples and tombs, minor art exhibited in the galleries of the different museums, and from the contracts mentioned in the ancient papyrus especially the Oxyrhynchuspapyri. Wet nurse in Pharaonic Egypt has very essential role, either in divinity or in social society. She is very important for the king to insure his royal rights. Private wet nurses are also used among the upper classes; they are also depicted on the walls of tombs, showing signs of love to their owners. Many details were given about wet nurses and wet nursing as an important profession in Egypt during the Greek and Roman times. This section of the study depends on contracts preserved in the ancient papyrus that provides us with a lot of information about this profession, also the physician Soranus was one of the most interested Greek doctor, who gives many details about wet nurses. The paper is supported by a catalogue of the representation of wet nurses in Greek and Roman Egyptian art. It deals with Divine Wet nurse in Greek and Roman Egypt, especially Hathor and Isis. The representations of divine wet nurses in temples' relief as Dendra, Edfu, Philae and Armant. And in minor art.

From the Editor

Next article FreeFrom the EditorStephanie L. BudinStephanie L. Budin Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMoreHello, Readers!Welcome to the December issue of Near Eastern Archaeology, which comes at the tail end of the New Year’s season. It turns out that New Year’s is, in fact, its own season. It begins in September with Rosh Hashanah (Shanah Tovah, my friends!) and continues in October with the Celtic New Year that begins at sundown on October 31st (Samhain Sona, my friends!). We then finish it all up with the calendrical New Year’s on January first, which rounds out the season. (Obviously, I’m leaving out the July 1st fiscal New Year). I first noticed the seasonal quality of New Year’s when I realized I always started my New Year’s resolutions in October, apparently prioritizing my Jewish and Celtic heritage. At least come January 1 all the groundwork has already been set.This end of the New Year’s season seemed to be a good time to consider changes and developments in NEA over the course of 2019. The most significant was that we changed our peer-review process to a double blind system to keep in line with best current practice throughout the industry. In this way, author identities are unknown to peer reviewers, just as the reviewer’s identities are unknown to the authors. Such practice has been shown to lead to greater parity in publication, both in terms of gender and matters of academic seniority. While it is too soon yet to know how the change will affect NEA in this regard, one clearly noticeable development has been that those invited to review articles but must decline very frequently suggest the (unknown) author of a the article as the best possible alternative suggestion. This has encouraged our assistant editor Julia Hsieh to learn to bang her head against a wall very gently. You would also be amazed how often reviewers now suggest that authors cite their own works in articles…A second change has been to limit the number of Special Topics issues to only one out of every three or (more likely) four issues. While NEA will continue to focus some issues on really interesting topics—of which we have a plethora in the ANE—and will continue to host guest editors for such issues, there was an expressed desire for greater diversity in subject matter (considering that plethora). We look forward to what developments might come…Speaking of that plethora of interesting materials, this issue once again reminds us of the amazing chronological depth of Near Eastern archaeology. Here we go back into the Palaeolithic with Biglari and Shidrang’s article on rescue archaeology in the Kurdish Zagros region. Jumping forward, we see the remarkable mixing of cultures that characterized Bronze Age Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus, thanks to Peter Fischer, while John Gaudet gives a light, interesting, and extremely informative look at the role of papyrus in ancient Egypt and, from there, the world. If you read codices, books, or journals (and I know you do): Thank an ancient papyrus farmer! Turning the bend into the Common Era, we have three articles from the Negev, Egyptian Thebes, and Nubia. The first, by Gil Gambash and colleagues, considers the unexpected role of the Judean desert in the acquisition and trade of the Red Sea parrotfish in Roman times (including a recipe for those still looking for something truly different for Christmas Eve dinner, although please do not use actual parrotfish: They’re endangered!). Speaking of Christmas, we then turn to water-jar holders from Thebes, which display some of the earliest Christian iconography in Byzantine Egypt—thanks to Benjamin Durand. Finally, to the south, we have an excellent article by Solange Ashby on funerary offerings of milk libations in Nubia. As I was originally writing this introduction on Hallowe’en (aka: New Year’s), this reminder of the role of the dead in the lives of the living struck an oddly modern chord.Happy Midwinter Festival of Light to one and all! Light the fires on the Menorah or tree (remembering safety first!), and get through the dark times. And for those readers in the southern hemisphere, remember: Winter is coming. Next article DetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Near Eastern Archaeology Volume 82, Number 4December 2019 A journal of ASOR Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/707454 © 2019 by American Schools of Oriental Research. All rights reserved.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.