God's library: the archaeology of the earliest Christian manuscripts

An expert on early Christian manuscripts, Nongbri (research fellow, Macquarie Univ., Australia) seeks to understand recently discovered Christian documents as three-dimensional archaeological artifacts against the backdrop of the big picture of early Christianity, which is that it emerged as a small, persecuted band to become a favored religious organization after Constantine's reforms. For the uninitiated the use of the word "book" is problematic, as are "Christian," "New Testament," and "Bible." All these were in transition during this volatile period. Dating problems arise from repetition of dubious "facts" about manuscripts. Paleography, radiocarbon analysis, and ink analysis are useful, of course, but not definitive. Key manuscripts are likely to date to the fourth century, but few academic institutions allow scientific radiocarbon dating, since it risks destroying a portion of text, not to mention the possibility that dating might also bring into question an academic, humanistically dated "early" text. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals. --G. Mick Smith, Rowan College

Nongbri (Before Religion) challenges beliefs about ancient Christian papyri in this readable account of the gaps and suppositions regarding them within modern scholarship. He challenges the fixation on the contents of ancient writings at the expense of considering them as objects. He provides clear explanations of the production of ancient codices, the imprecise methods of dating them, and the complicated history of their reemergence-mostly in the late-19th through mid-20th centuries. Nongbri turns to three big papyri finds in order to home in on key problems. For the Beatty Papyri, Nongbri uses the wide range of dates assigned to the artifacts to show how paleography is much less precise than is often claimed. The murky tales of antiquities dealers complicates the study of the Bodmer Papyri, as researchers cannot be sure where they were found. Lastly, the records surrounding the excavation methods of the massive number of items found in trash heaps at Oxyrhynchus in Egypt leave many questions unanswered. Nongbri's concluding chapter on the leaps scholars make to explain fragments is particularly illuminating. For instance, Nongbri questions many scholars' assumption that fragments of gospels found today would have been contained within gospel compendiums in ancient times-a common belief among paleographists. Nongbri's lucid arguments, free from any rancor, will give researchers and lay readers a greater appreciation for the complex problems involved in working with ancient writings. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Nongbri (ancient history, Macquarie Univ.; Before Religion) challenges readers to reconsider the earliest Christian writings as three-dimensional objects, theorizing that we are unable to know precisely the dates or provenance of these texts, owing to circumspect antiquities dealers, questionable and/or dated excavation methods, and a singular focus on paleography. The first chapter details what we should consider in determining this critical bibliographical information: archaeological context of the collection(s), the size and layout of the text, binding techniques, type of paper and inks used, etc. The following sections focus on archaeological and scientific methods previously used to date these documents. To support his theory, Nongbri reexamines the Oxyrhynchus Papyri to illustrate how past practices in dating these materials can lead to inaccurate results. This well-researched, richly illustrated, and readable volume makes a strong case for why alternative methods ought to be used in the dating and locating of early Christian documents. VERDICT For those interested in the history of the book, religious studies, paleography, and archaeology. Highly recommended.-Jacqueline Parascandola, Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Nongbri (ancient history, Macquarie Univ.; Before Religion) challenges readers to reconsider the earliest Christian writings as three-dimensional objects, theorizing that we are unable to know precisely the dates or provenance of these texts, owing to circumspect antiquities dealers, questionable and/or dated excavation methods, and a singular focus on paleography. The first chapter details what we should consider in determining this critical bibliographical information: archaeological context of the collection(s), the size and layout of the text, binding techniques, type of paper and inks used, etc. The following sections focus on archaeological and scientific methods previously used to date these documents. To support his theory, Nongbri reexamines the Oxyrhynchus Papyri to illustrate how past practices in dating these materials can lead to inaccurate results. This well-researched, richly illustrated, and readable volume makes a strong case for why alternative methods ought to be used in the dating and locating of early Christian documents. VERDICT For those interested in the history of the book, religious studies, paleography, and archaeology. Highly recommended.—Jacqueline Parascandola, Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville

Nongbri (Before Religion) challenges beliefs about ancient Christian papyri in this readable account of the gaps and suppositions regarding them within modern scholarship. He challenges the fixation on the contents of ancient writings at the expense of considering them as objects. He provides clear explanations of the production of ancient codices, the imprecise methods of dating them, and the complicated history of their reemergence—mostly in the late-19th through mid-20th centuries. Nongbri turns to three big papyri finds in order to home in on key problems. For the Beatty Papyri, Nongbri uses the wide range of dates assigned to the artifacts to show how paleography is much less precise than is often claimed. The murky tales of antiquities dealers complicates the study of the Bodmer Papyri, as researchers cannot be sure where they were found. Lastly, the records surrounding the excavation methods of the massive number of items found in trash heaps at Oxyrhynchus in Egypt leave many questions unanswered. Nongbri's concluding chapter on the leaps scholars make to explain fragments is particularly illuminating. For instance, Nongbri questions many scholars' assumption that fragments of gospels found today would have been contained within gospel compendiums in ancient times—a common belief among paleographists. Nongbri's lucid arguments, free from any rancor, will give researchers and lay readers a greater appreciation for the complex problems involved in working with ancient writings. (Aug.)