News in Brief Archaeology

For some early monks, impaired hearing amplified sounds of silence

Crypt excavation at Byzantine-era monastery finds evidence of damaged ear bones

Monk remains

SOUNDS OFF  An analysis of early Christian monks’ skulls and middle ear bones found in a communal crypt, including those mixed among remains shown here, indicates that a substantial minority suffered mild to severe hearing loss.

M. Judd

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

SAN ANTONIO — Early Christian monks’ vows of silence may have attracted not only the devout but also a fair number of hearing-impaired men with a sacred calling.