Bibliography of the PIAC

The Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology was founded in Rome in 1925 with a “motu proprio” from Pope Pius XI, as a training and research center alongside the Pontifical Roman Academy of Archaeology and the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology.

The institute welcomes students who have completed their university studies (titles equivalent with laurea, maîtrise, Master of Arts) and every year announces a competition for at least one scholarship.

The specializing course lasts three years, during which students obtain the Baccalaureate, the License and the Doctorate.

Each year, the Institute organizes an introductory course on Christian antiquity which is frequented by students from Pontifical and Roman State universities.

The scientific and educational activities of the professors at the Institute incorporate all fields related to the study of the literary sources and archaeological evidence concerning the origin and evolution of Christianity and its incorporation into the society and culture of Late Antiquity and Early Medieval period, including excavations.

The Institute attends to the publication of the “Rivista di Archeologia Cristiana” (Bulletin of Christian Archaeology) (with the collaboration of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology in regards to its activity in the catacombs) and various series of monographs related to the traditional study fields of Christian Archaeology.

The Institute is home to the Permanent Promoting Committee of the International Congress of Christian Archaeology, of which the professors are members and are joined by scholars of international reputation, as well as representatives of the National Organization Committees of the most recent congresses.

Since 1997, the Institute has organized on a regular basis a special course for the “Instrumentum Domesticum” of Late Antiquity and Early Medieval period, which is held by the major specialists in the field.