The Other Narratives of Early Islam, Goethe-University Frankfurt, March 22–23, 2024
The conference aims at allowing a direct dialogue between the various semi-disciplines of early Islamic history (the 7th to 9th century). For that purpose, it brings together scholars who study early Islam either through contemporary sources or through a critical reading of later texts. One objective is to introduce the different methodologies and discuss their merits and flaws. As part of the first objective, we hope to advance the use of both archaeological methods and archaeological theory in Islamic history in general and in discussions about early Islam in particular. The second objective is to examine which kind of historical questions can be answered by contemporary sources – fragmentary and local as they are. The third objective is to encourage students to use contemporary sources and critical methods by highlighting their advantages and slightly breaking the central position of the later narrative texts.
Advance registration required. Register by March 10.