The papers presented here are from a 2008 symposium held in Naqada, Egypt. Gabra and Takla, both scholars of Coptic Christianity, begin with articles concerning language and literature among the Coptic Christians. The sources vary from ostraca, liturgy, epigraphy, legal documents in manuscripts and saints' lives. They are in a variety of languages and dialects. Archeological evidence is examined next, such that remains after the destruction of Coptic buildings by nineteenth century Egyptologists. The final article is on preserving the wall paintings that remain. The lives of Egyptian Coptic Christians in Late Antiquity are rarely given more than a passing mention by historians of early monasticism. This collection and its companions do much to redress that imbalance. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)