Book description
Sisters of Sinai tells an extraordinary tale of nineteenth
century exploration; how two Scottish sisters made one of the most
important ancient manuscript finds of the age. Hidden in a cupboard
beneath the monastic library at St Catherine's in the Sinai desert the
twins discovered what looked like a palimpsest: one text written over
another. It was Agnes who recognized the obscured text for what it was
- one of the earliest copies of the Gospels written in ancient Syriac.
Once they had overcome the stubborn reluctance of Cambridge scholars
to authenticate the find and had lead an expedition of quarrelsome
academics back to Sinai to copy it, Agnes and Margaret -in middle
years and neither with any university qualifications - embarked on a
life of demanding scholarship and bold travel.
In this enthralling book, Janet Soskice takes the reader on an
astonishing journey from the Ayreshire of the sisters' childhood to
the lost treasure trove of the Cairo genizah.We trace the
footsteps of the intrepid pair as they voyage to Egypt, Sinai and
beyond, Murray's guide book in hand coping with camels, unscrupulous
dragomen, and unpredictable welcomes. We enter the excitement and
mystery of the Gospel origins at a time when Christianity was under
attack in Europe. Crucially this is the story of two remarkable women
who, as widows, were undeterred in their spirit of adventure and who
overcame insuperable odds to become world class scholars with a place
in history.
Janet Soskice grew up in Canada and has lived for some years in
England where she is Reader in Philosophical Theology at Jesus College,
University of Cambridge. As well as lecturing around the world, she
writes for
The Times
and
The Times Literary Supplement
, and is a frequent contributor to radio and television.
