Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

the degree of code-mixing is remarkably
high (Nd.04.168). The nature of the entries
in this particular document is rather elusive.
Some appear to be connected with festivals,
e.g. that for "the pashpars (obscure word,
plural) for the lambs for the feast of (the
month) Parmouti (March-April; Easter
must be meant)" or that for "David and the
men who came for the feast of Gabriel
(date not specified)", but in most cases only
names and numbers are mentioned. Where
identifiable place names occur (e.g. Lehoni,
i.e. al-Lahun), the interest of these lists

appears to be local. Given the nature of the
documents this is, of course, hardly sur-
prising. The texts show the monastery en-
gaged in its daily dealings with individuals
of various professions, including shepherds,
carpenters, potters, gardeners, etc., many of
whom were amongst its clientele. Together
with the contemporary epigraphic sources
and the many other late Coptic and Arabic
documents from the Fayum that still await
publication or full study, the new finds can
help to recreate a landscape that around the
year 1000 was still largely Christian.

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