Early Christian Archaeology is very often associated with the study of tombs, catacombs and burials. These are often the surviving vestiges which are normally encountered.

Though definitely much rarer, we have testimony of early types of meeting places and Cenacoli or community cells where Christians used to meet for the celebration of the Eucharist and of other sacraments such as Baptisms. These structures have all but vanished, except for the occasional lucky discovery. Not only are the structures very different from ours, but the liturgy and organisation of the early Church may prove to be a very different orientation and a concept alien to our modern vision of the Church as an institution.

This talk will trace the archaeology, even though scant, of Early Christian places of worship and the significant conclusions that may be drawn from them, also with regard to Roman Melita.

Fr Eugene P. Teuma OFM Conv., an independent researcher, will discuss these issues in a talk entitled: Early Christian archaeology: the first centuries up to AD 500. From domus-ecclesia to basilica-churches, with  implications relating to Roman Melita on Wednesday, 16 May 2018.

The presentation is part of The Archaeological Society's lecture programme, supported by APS Bank, and will be held at 6pm at the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, 173, St Christopher Street, Valletta.