Movement as sacred mimesis at Abu Mena and Qal’at Sem’an

Archaeological remains at Abu Mena and Qal’at Sem’an reveal how late antique pilgrimage sites structured the movement of pilgrims, shaping their sensory experiences and the narratives they constructed. The layout of these sites, particularly the narrow passageways and terraces at Abu Mena, guided pilgrims through a prescribed path that enhanced the sacred mimesis—mimicking the journey of Saint Menas himself. This physical navigation facilitated a deeper connection to the cult of Saint Menas, one of Egypt’s most popular late antique religious centers, attracting both local and distant pilgrims drawn to the Holy Land's loca sancta.

Hunter-Crawley, H. (2017). Movement as sacred mimesis at Abu Mena and Qal’at Sem’an. Excavating Pilgrimage, 187–202. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315228488-11