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Show The architectural metamorphosis of this ancient building across the centuries still awaits the attention of th© archaeologist. The surrounding countryside also abounds in vestiges of the pas|jfrom the early anchorites' caverns and St. Epistimia's Nunnery on MouIarGalaktion to the lesser Monastery branch in the Valley of the Forty PrOfhets (Wadl al-Arba8in) a few miles south at the foot of St, Cathrine's Mountain (Jebel Katerina). The whole place teems with inscriptions. There ar© certainly more Nabatean inscriptions on the rocks of some of the neighbouring mountains than has, hither to been revealed. Inside th© Monastery, inscriptions on the walls by pilgrims of all ages in many languages - Greek, Latin, Arabic. Russian, and so on - are worthy of exploration and recording. In the outlying sandy patches around ths Monastery, I managed without difficulty to pick up a collection fragments of medieval porcelain and pottery. These are scan© of the splendid possibilities for a joint expedition where th© medievalist, the archaeologist, th© historian of art, the papyrologlst, th© Biblical scholar and th© Orientalist could work together and bring to light much useful knowledge and enrich the cultural heritage of our age. Though outside my field of specialization, I can hardly close this paper without stressing the interest which the flora and fauna as well as th© geology of this unique area presents to the scientist. «. For many centuries, the Monastery of St Catherine has belM^nvelopod in an atmosphere of sanctity and of mystery. Sine© th© Mount Sinai Expedition, the sanctity remains, but the clouds of mystery have been lifted to a considerable extent. This is essentially due to th© enlightened spirit and broader outlook of the present Archbishop, His Grace Porphyrios III, who -M|»- broken away from the strict traditional conservatism of his predecessors in this respect and allowed th© functions of th© past ©xp©ditlo»jj^L take plac© under his auspices. These auspicesj will not remain for ©ver and w© may have to face a mor© difficult position one day. It is hoped that this appeal will not pass unnoticed in the scholarly circles of the civilized world, for the harvest is ripe and rich. Aziz S. Atiya Professor of Medieval History Farouk I University Alexandria - Egypt |
