Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 02-22-2005, 11:59 AM

Coptic trove found

The discovery is being compared to Nag Hammadi.

Quote:

In Al-Gurna where several excavation missions are probing for more Ancient Egyptian treasures under the sand, a team from the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology has stumbled on a major Coptic trove buried under the remains of a sixth-century monastery located in front of a Middle Kingdom tomb.

Excavators unearthed two papyri books with Coptic text along with a set of parchments placed between two wooden labels as well as Coptic ostraca, pottery fragments and textiles.

. . .

"It is a very important discovery, equal to the Naga Hammadi scrolls" found in 1945 in an Ancient Egyptian cave inhabited by Copts during the Roman era, said Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

. . .

Early examinations and studies carried out in situ revealed that the newly discovered books could include more information about how early Christians performed their rituals.

Another link says

Quote:

The texts may have been hidden there by Christians who were being persecuted at the time by the Romans.

which does not make any sense to me - were Romans persecuting Christians in the 6th century? Or perhaps Roman Christians were persecuting Christian heretics?

Julian · 02-22-2005, 12:25 PM

It seems clear that they must refer to Roman christians. How they can compare this to Nag Hammadi when they don't know exactly what they have seems a bit presumptious. It is very exciting, though.

One of the articles also mentions that the Nag Hammadi GThomas is complete. As far as I knew, it still has some lacunae in it. Isn't that so?

Julian

Peter Kirby · 02-22-2005, 04:22 PM

Julian, that would depend on what is meant by "complete." The Gospel of Thomas may have had additions and subtractions before it reached the form it has achieved in the NHL (in fact there are some modifications already evident with comparison to the three Greek papyri of Thomas). However, the document in the NHL is practically complete, with only a few obscure words.

I hope that they publish this thing in not too many years from now.

best,
Peter Kirby

Peter Kirby · 02-22-2005, 04:23 PM

By the way, the journalists garbled a(nother) fact. The Nag Hammadi texts were found as codices, not scrolls.

best,
Peter Kirby

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02-22-2005, 12:25 PM	#2
Julian Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC (formerly Denmark) Posts: 3,789	It seems clear that they must refer to Roman christians. How they can compare this to Nag Hammadi when they don't know exactly what they have seems a bit presumptious. It is very exciting, though. One of the articles also mentions that the Nag Hammadi GThomas is complete. As far as I knew, it still has some lacunae in it. Isn't that so? Julian

02-22-2005, 04:22 PM	#3
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	Julian, that would depend on what is meant by "complete." The Gospel of Thomas may have had additions and subtractions before it reached the form it has achieved in the NHL (in fact there are some modifications already evident with comparison to the three Greek papyri of Thomas). However, the document in the NHL is practically complete, with only a few obscure words. I hope that they publish this thing in not too many years from now. best, Peter Kirby

02-22-2005, 04:23 PM	#4
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	By the way, the journalists garbled a(nother) fact. The Nag Hammadi texts were found as codices, not scrolls. best, Peter Kirby

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