A scholarly edition of ancient Coptic ostraca that opens a window on everyday life in Egypt’s past.
This volume gathers and presents ostraca from major collections, including the Egypt Exploration Fund’s finds, the Cairo Museum, and other private holdings, with careful scholarship guiding each piece.
The book pairs lithographed texts with full translations and commentaries, helping readers see how these small stone inscriptions illuminate religious, social, and administrative life in late antiquity. It also explains the materials and methods used by scribes, and notes where readings differ across sources to aid study and verification.
What you’ll experience
- A curated selection of ostraca from key collections, with context on provenance and dating.
- Translations that render the Coptic texts into clear, accessible English.
- Explanatory notes on linguistic details, abbreviations, and textual variations.
- Insights into how ostraca were used in daily life, from religious practice to local administration.
Ideal for readers of archaeology, papyrology, and early Christian studies, as well as students and researchers seeking primary material with expert guidance. This edition makes a specialized field approachable for a broader audience without sacrificing scholarly rigor.