Traditionally, the study of material culture in late antique Egypt and Syria is relegated to the outer edges of Roman and Byzantine culture. Syrian and Egyptian art and architecture are only seldom studied and understood on their own terms, let alone that both fields are studied in conjunction. And yet, both regions are geographically close and economic and personal contacts were frequent in the period of late antiquity. This conference is among the first to bring specialists in late antique Egyptian and Syrian material culture together, with the aim to look for common grounds, mutual influences, and differences. It is hoped that a comparison between the material remains from Syria and Egypt contributes to a better understanding of the individual characteristics of both regions.
The conference is organized with support of the Jozef M.A. Janssen Stichting, a foundation that promotes the study of ancient Egyptian culture and religion.