Episode Details

This dissertation by Timothy Power provides a comprehensive archaeological and historical survey of the Red Sea region between AD 500 and 1000. The research focuses on the transition from Byzantine to Islamic hegemony, a period the author defines as the "long" Late Antiquity. By moving beyond traditional studies of the "India trade," the text highlights the significance of local economies, including gold mining, textile production, and the slave trade. Power meticulously examines the rise of peripheral powers like Aksum and Ḥimyar, the spread of monotheism, and the eventual fragmentation of the Caliphate into local dynasties. The source further serves as a "desk-based assessment," synthesising diverse data sets to inform future fieldwork in the Eastern Desert and beyond. Through detailed site plans and historical analysis, it illustrates how the Red Sea evolved from a mere maritime corridor into a coherent, self-sustaining regional unit.