Environment, Democracy, and Convivium

A significant archaeological discovery in the baptistery of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, reveals a sixth-century basin, likely dating back to the Byzantine era. This finding was made possible due to unprecedented restoration efforts initiated by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which facilitated dialogue among diverse Christian communities within the church for the first time in over 150 years. The discovery underscores the intersection of environmental preservation, democratic governance, and religious coexistence in the Levant, highlighting how political and cultural dynamics can shape historical research. The basin's uncovering on June 21, 2019, marks a rare instance where ongoing regional turmoil has enabled scholarly breakthroughs, bridging art history with broader societal contexts.

Foletti, I., & Scirocco, E. (2019). Environment, Democracy, and Convivium. Convivium, 6(2), 10–13. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.convi.4.2019035