Early Christianity on the Margins (?)

The PIAC Excavations in Adulis, Eritrea (2017-2020)

Edited by Gabriele Castiglia Edited by Philippe Pergola

Book cover: Early Christianity on the Margins (?)

Paperback (Published)

(October 2025)

ISBN: 9781805830108

8.07 x 11.46 inches

Price: $54.00

In stock

This five-year project led by the Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana (PIAC) in Rome focused on excavating Adulis, modern-day Eritrea. From the 1st to 8th centuries AD, Adulis was the main port of the Aksumite Kingdom and a thriving Christian centre from the 5th century AD.


Early Christianity on the Margins is the final result of a five-year project divided into multiple phases, in which the Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana (Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology – PIAC) of Rome took a leading role in the excavation and study of some of the most significant areas of the ancient city of Adulis, now in Eritrea. From the 1st to the 8th centuries AD, Adulis was the main port of the great Aksumite Kingdom and, as we will see, a flourishing Christian centre from the mature 5th century AD onward.

Gabriele Castiglia gained his PhD from the Pontificio Istiuto di Archeologia Cristiana (Rome) where he is Assistant Professor. He has worked for twenty years in archaeological missions in Italy and in Eastern Africa and has authored many publications on these topics. Philippe Pergola is Full Professor and Dean at the Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana (Rome) and Professor Emeritus at the University of Nice. His main research interests deal with the Early Christian topography of cities and rural areas in the Mediterranean. He has directed more than 150 archaeological missions in the Mediterranean and in the Horn of Africa and has authored hundreds of publications on these topics.

  • Edited by Gabriele Castiglia
  • Edited by Philippe Pergola