This Tooth Alters a Chapter in the History of Christianity
A collaboration between Biography.com and the Hearst Magazines and Yahoo partnership may lead to the earning of commission or revenue through certain links. The vivid description of extreme asceticism in early Christianity, from self-flagellation to prolonged fasting and meditation, has captivated the public’s interest for centuries. Although such practices were frowned upon by prominent Church figures like Saint Barsanuphius and John the Prophet, the stories of individuals such as Simeon Stylites spending 36 years on top of a pillar have become legendary and inspired various artistic works.
The fascination with extreme asceticism resurfaced in the 21st century through popular culture, as seen in characters like Silas from “The Da Vinci Code.” However, a prevailing notion in historical circles was that only men engaged in such severe practices during the Byzantine era. A recent discovery challenges this assumption, shedding new light on the involvement of women in acts of self-punishment in early Christendom.
The groundbreaking evidence emerged from a Byzantine monastery near Jerusalem, dating back to 350-650 A.D. Among the recovered remains, one body, heavily deteriorated by tree roots, was identified as a practitioner of extreme asceticism, indicated by chains wrapped around the bones. Despite limited skeletal remains, including only three vertebrae and a tooth, researchers devised a novel method to determine the individual’s biological sex.
Dr. Paula Kotli and their team adapted a technique commonly used in studying ancient animal remains to analyze the tooth’s dental enamel protein, amelogenin, which exhibits slight variations between males and females. By identifying the presence of Y-linked amelogenin, the researchers were able to confirm that the individual formerly wrapped in chains was a woman, challenging the long-held belief that only men partook in such rigorous practices during that era. This discovery offers a fresh perspective on the roles of women in early Christianity’s history and their participation in acts of asceticism.
When the tooth belonging to a chain-bound ascetic was analyzed, it did not contain any Y-linked amelogenin, strongly indicating that the owner was likely female. The research paper cautiously concludes that “the absence of an AmelY unique spectra enabled us to classify the remains as very probably those of a female.” While there is a small possibility that the tooth may have once had a Y-linked amelogenin that did not survive or was not detected in the analysis due to men having both X and Y chromosomes, the team is reasonably confident that the individual was female.
This discovery provides valuable insights into ancient devotional practices and expands our understanding of early Christian worship, shedding light not only on the rituals themselves but also on the individuals who participated in them.
