New publication: Archaeology, Politics and Islamicate Cultural Heritage in Europe

Archaeology, Politics and Islamicate Cultural Heritage in Europe

Edited by David J. Govantes-Edwards

Archaeology, Politics and Islamicate Cultural Heritage in Europe responds to the wishes of specialists in the history and archaeology of Islamicate societies in Europe to explore the integration of these societies into historical narratives. In order to deal with the multiple implications and wide ramifications of the subject matter, the book offers a collection of papers that cover a broad range of topics, including historiography, gender and family studies, material culture, historical and contemporary identities, historical heritage management, and archaeological theory, while paying attention to the peculiarities of the record in European regions in which Islamicate societies have played a major historical role (and others in which this role may not be quite so obvious, such as Scandinavia). These wide-ranging subjects find their commonality in the book’s aim of challenging the dominant simplifying narratives and their stress on interruption and exception.

The impact of historical narratives in national and social identities is reflected in a wide range of issues, including school curricula, heritage management, the organisation of academic departments, the presentation of Islamicate history and archaeology in the media and the politics of identity of majority and minority groups. The volume does not avoid these questions, but tackles them head-on, challenging the unwillingness of some academics to engage in potentially disruptive political issues.

Table of content

More information: https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/archaeology-politics/

Online lecture: “The Missing Bishopric? The Archaeology of Christianity in Samahij, Bahrain”, 28/04/2022

We cordially invite you to an online lecture Professor Timothy Insoll Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, UK on DEUTSCHES ARCHÄOLOGISCHES INSTITUT “The Missing Bishopric? The Archaeology of Christianity in Samahij, Bahrain” Thursday, April 28th, 2022 4.00 p.m. CET Abstract: The episcopal seat of Meshmahig or Mašmahig is referred to in various historical sources, such as the synods of the Church of the East, of 410 and 576. These sources have been extensively explored, and it has been suggested that Mašmahig can be linked with the village of Samahij in northeast Muharraq Island, Bahrain. However, archaeological evidence for a Christian presence in Samahij, or elsewhere in Bahrain was lacking. Excavations completed within the village cemetery at Samahij uncovered part of a large building complex. Based on the architecture, associated material culture, and chronology, it is suggested this was occupied by a Christian community, and is perhaps the episcopal palace itself. This was abandoned after Islamisation, seemingly in the eighth century. The results of two seasons of excavations will be described, and the implications for Christianity, Islamisation, and settlement in Bahrain considered. The online event is free of charge and takes place with the software “Zoom”. Please click the following link to join the event: https://dainst-org.zoom.us/j/92312981591… Meeting-ID: 923 1298 1591 Passcode: 666010