EARLY CHRISTIAN ROMAN SARCOPHAGI: NEW STUDIES, NEW APPROACHES

Study Days in memory of Hugo Brandenburg and Enrico Josi

PRESS RELEASE

Vatican City, 4 November 2025 – Five years after the completion of the monumental editorial undertaking of the Repertorium der christlich-antiken Sarkophage, edited by the German Archaeological Institute, and over twenty years since the thematic day dedicated to late antique, early Christian and early Medieval sarcophagi at the École Française in Rome, an international workshop will be held devoted to the updating of studies on these extraordinary artefacts of Christian antiquity.

During this period, new restoration work has been carried out, innovative systems of analysis and three-dimensional documentation have been developed, and important archival data has emerged. More generally, a renewed sensitivity has emerged, which enables the study of sarcophagi to be confronted from a purely archaeological perspective, no longer limited to decorative aspects.

These were the premises for the conference, which aims to provide an opportunity for scholars, restorers and institutions to exchange ideas and update their knowledge, with a view to redefining the prospects for research into ancient Christian sarcophagi, in the belief that knowledge of these remains fundamental to understanding the figurative culture of Christian origins.

The workshop will also provide an opportunity to pay homage to two great scholars of Christian antiquity: Hugo Brandenburg, the great German archaeologist who recently passed away, and Enrico Josi, the fiftieth anniversary of whose death falls in 2025. Enrico Josi, in particular, was the long-time director of the Lateran Museums and oversaw their transfer and reorganization in the Vatican between the 1960s and 1970s, leaving a decisive imprint on the study and appreciation of early Christian sarcophagi.

The scientific committee of the conference is composed of Norbert Zimmermann, Michael Schemann, Umberto Utro and Alessandro Vella.

The two study days will be held at:

·       The German Archaeological Institute – Thursday 6 November (all day) and the morning of Friday 7 November;

·       The Vatican Museums Conference Hall – afternoon of Friday 7 November.

At the Vatican Museums, the participants will be received by the Director Barbara Jatta and by the Artistic-Scientific Deputy Director Giandomenico Spinola.

At the end of the workshop, participants will be taken on a tour of the sarcophagi at the Pio Cristiano Museum, providing an opportunity to share the results of the latest research and recently completed restoration work.

The Conference will be livestreamed at the following links:

https://dainst-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/wiuXZYTCQB-akIo-dWMatrw https://www.youtube.com/@MuseiVaticaniMV/streams

To participate at the Vatican Museums in the afternoon of 7 November, it is necessary to register by 5 November, at: eventi.musei@scv.va (access via the Museum entrance from 14.30).

PRESS ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE

Journalists and media operators who wish to attend must apply no later than 24 hours before the event via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.

INFORMATION

Ufficio Stampa Musei Vaticani: stampa.musei@scv.va- tel. 06 69883041. www.museivaticani.va