An Archaeological Analysis of early Christianity along Paul’s Second Missionary Journey in Greece and Anatolia
Open Access
Author:
Gallo, Leah
Area of Honors:
Anthropology
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Mark Munn, Thesis Supervisor Erin Mc Kenna Hanses, Thesis Honors Advisor Kenneth Gale Hirth, Thesis Supervisor Rebecca Bird, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Early Christianity Archaeology Greece Anatolia Paul Athens Corinth Macedonia Relics Lamps Graves Tombs Paintings Late Roman Roman Empire Epigraphs Tombstones Christian burials Christian Symbols Constantine Hellenism Catalogues Judaism Christian archaeology Inscriptions Amulets Pottery Thessaloniki Philippi Colossae
Abstract:
This project analyzes the archaeological evidence for early Christian practice and belief
in Greek and Anatolian sites along Paul's second missionary journey. Evidence is analyzed
using bibliographic sources and, in some cases, digital archives. This study has assessed both
private and public material evidence. Private household artifacts include lamps, pottery, or
amulets, with Christian symbols. Public material includes basilicas or Christian grave
inscriptions. Christian artifacts in archaeological assemblages can help determine the religious
identity of Anatolian and Greek individuals. The findings of this thesis assert that Christian
communities were materially invisible prior to the 3rd century CE in Greece and Anatolia.
