The Coptic Church owes its existence to the evangelization of Egypt by St. Mark and thus claims to be one of the churches most faithful to the biblical message of the beginnings. The Copts regard themselves as the true descendents of the ancient people of pharaonic Egypt.<BR>The history of their name is a reminder that this part of the world was at the center of an unusually extensive intermixing of populations and regions. The term "Copt" is an alteration of the Greek Aigyptios (Egyptian), which became qibt in Arabic, and gradually came to designate exclusively the community that remained faithful to Christianity in spite of the expansion of Islam.<BR>This book is the result of Massimo Capuani's comprehensive examination of the archaeological studies and historical literature of Coptic Christian monasteries and churches, supported by photographs, planimeters, and architectural drawings, as well as many color plates. Gawdat Gabra's thorough knowledge of current archaeological activity and the most recent consensus regarding the dates and other questions concerning churches and monasteries enhance the store of information. The important contributions of Otto Meinardus and Marie-Helene Rutschowscaya provide comprehensive surveys of the two-thousand year history of the Coptic Church and of the artistic expression of the Coptic world. Together they bring back to life the history of this culture, which today enjoys a remarkable renewal.