IFAO

In the framework  of Workshop Papyrology in Dialogue, organized jointely by the Institut français d’archéologie orientale (Ifao)and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dr. Jan Ciglenečki will give a Keynote lecture, Sunday 5 october 2025 at 6 P.M. at the Ifao.

Abstract

The widespread presence of Coptic graffiti and dipinti on monastic sites across Egypt offer valuable yet fragile insights into the country's Christian past. While interest in these often naïve, yet deeply genuine expressions of faith is growing, their documentation remains fraught with challenges. The first significant wave of graffiti recording occurred in the mid-20th century, a period when Coptic archaeology gradually began to emerge from the shadow of Egyptology, gaining momentum after decades of neglect in favor of the monuments of the pharaonic past. During this time, scholars (often not formally trained in archaeology) were able to access numerous Coptic monastic sites with relative freedom, particularly in Middle Egypt, where Late Antique monastic communities had reoccupied earlier dynastic tombs. The development of photography during this period allowed for the documentation of many Coptic graffiti for the first time, creating an invaluable record of what was still extant at the time. These early photographs now serve as critical reference points, enabling comparison with the current condition of the sites and illustrating the extent of deterioration over the decades. However, the limitations of analog photography meant that numerous inscriptions, particularly faint or marginal ones located in poorly lit or subterranean spaces, escaped documentation, primarily due to the high cost of film and the technical challenges of operating photographic equipment under such conditions.

The situation changed radically with the digital revolution of the 21st century. Modern photography now offers unprecedented tools: high-resolution imaging, digital enhancement, and non-invasive survey techniques make it possible to detect even faint or heavily weathered inscriptions. Nevertheless, we find ourselves in a paradoxical situation. Despite the availability of advanced documentation technologies, the changes Egypt has faced over the past two decades have rendered many archaeological sites inaccessible to researchers. Large-scale topographical surveys are now increasingly restricted due to security concerns and bureaucratic obstacles. As a result, graffiti on exposed surfaces are deteriorating rapidly due to environmental exposure, vandalism, and looting. Many of these inscriptions are vanishing before they can be documented at all.

This talk reflects on the methodological, logistical, and ethical dimensions of documenting Coptic graffiti under current constraints. It highlights the urgent need for closer collaboration between domestic and foreign archaeological missions (often focusing primarily on the dynastic layers of a given site) and dedicated documentation initiatives that address Coptic heritage specifically. One such initiative is the Coptic Monastic Heritage Archive, housed at the University of Ljubljana. Since 2014, coinciding with the rise of digital photography, it has focused on documenting endangered monastic sites across Egypt (particularly in the Eastern Desert and Middle Egypt) and integrating this material into what is today likely the largest unified photographic repository of Coptic monastic heritage.

Les conférences de l’Ifao

Les conférences de l'Ifao ont pour objectif la transmission des résultats des recherches en cours ou très récentes, par des chercheurs confirmés. Y sont conviés essentiellement les chercheurs impliqués dans les différentes opérations scientifiques de l'Ifao lors de leur passage par l'Institut. ِElles sont également parfois le lieu de présentation d'ouvrages récemment parus à l'Ifao par leurs autheurs. Les conférences de l'Ifao ont lieu traditionnellement les mercredis aprés-midis, en français ou en anglais.

IFAO Lectures series aim to transmit the results of current or very recent research by confirmed researchers. They are mainly animated by researchers involved in IFAO's various scientific programs and projects during their stay at the Institute. They are also sometimes the occasion for presentations, by their authors, of books recently published by the IFAO.

IFAO Lectures series are traditionally held on Wednesday afternoons, in French or English.