Thursday, 28 January 2010
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
TT96
BTW this latest from Thierry & Jon compliments the lecture notes really well
Dear friends,
We are pleased to present to you the tomb of Sennefer, TT96, in its
entirety.
You will find not only the underground complex (TT96B), the famous "Tomb of
the Vines", but also the description of the surface chapel (TT96A) which is
currently under restoration (for which the MANT mission of the Free
University Brussels has kindly provided advice).
http://www.osirisnet.net/tombes/nobles/sennefer/e_sennefer_01.htm
Finally, a 3D virtual reality tour of the underground part of the complex
completes this presentation.
Enjoy!
Thierry BENDERITTER & Jon HIRST
www.osirisnet.net
Monuments of Egypt
Dear friends,
We are pleased to present to you the tomb of Sennefer, TT96, in its
entirety.
You will find not only the underground complex (TT96B), the famous "Tomb of
the Vines", but also the description of the surface chapel (TT96A) which is
currently under restoration (for which the MANT mission of the Free
University Brussels has kindly provided advice).
http://www.osirisnet.net/tombes/nobles/sennefer/e_sennefer_01.htm
Finally, a 3D virtual reality tour of the underground part of the complex
completes this presentation.
Enjoy!
Thierry BENDERITTER & Jon HIRST
www.osirisnet.net
Monuments of Egypt
Mummification Museum - The Lost tomb of Amenhotep – Dr Laurent Bavay
The Lost tomb of Amenhotep – Dr Laurent Bavay
This is his website www.ulb.ac.be/philo/crea which he told me does not have details of the subject of the lecture on it yet but obviously will be updated in future. It does have details of their past seasons and in English as well as French
The discovery of this tomb was announced by Dr Zahi Hawass in March 2009. The team have been working for 12 seasons since 1999 at Gurna in the southern part of the necropolis above the famous tomb of Sennefer TT96. They have been working on the chapel TT96a and the next door tomb TT29. They have been doing conservation in TT96A and archaeology in TT29. TT29 Amenemope was a cousin of Sennefer and a Vizier under Amenhotep II. Percy Newbury noted it contained the duties of a vizier but it has never been excavated. During their excavation they found evidence of a Coptic occupation. There were many hermitages and monasteries on the Theban hillside. This particular hermitage belonged to monk called Frange and they found lots of ostraca detail his life. He showed us one piece O.29401, which was so personal and said he had come to see someone and would be ‘back soon’. Altogether they found 1,200 pieces and have been able to recreate his daily life. There was also a pit which would have contained a loom at which he would have worked. The hermitage was in the courtyard of TT29 which was t shaped with 10 pillars. To the south of this tomb was a donkey stable and in 2006 they started a test excavation and found mud brick structures indicating another hermitage, another Coptic occupation in the courtyard of an unknown tomb.
However sadly Roland Tefnin 1946-2006 died in and Dr Laurent felt the next two seasons should concentrate on consolidating and publishing all the current finds before they went on to another excavation. The first volume of TT29 is currently on his desk.
So it was not until 2009 that they could get back to the stable. Firstly they documented the remains of the modern house (personally I was very happy to see this, after all in America a hundred year old house would be ancient history). He said it was very important to document these early 19th century houses as they were as much a part of the history of Luxor as Pharaonic remains. These dwellings came about because of the European demand for antiquities, both fake and real. The early ‘tourists’ were coming to Thebes in droves and the locals made a good living selling to them. There is a photo from 1905 showing this house.
Underneath the house was the Coptic occupation. There was a short flight of stairs going from ground level to the courtyard, various rooms, and a mud brick wall. Inside a room there were two mud brick beds which were used by the hermit and his companion (a young acolyte?). There was lots of organic material, food, pottery shards, and wine amphora. One ostraca is a really important piece containing a lexicon of Arabic expressions and their Coptic translation which is a unique document.
Under the Coptic layer a very small hole led into the tomb. It is large with pillars, t-shaped and 18th dynasty. The ceiling still carries paint but the walls and pillars have all been lost. There is no fire damage and there are bands of text giving the names and titles and genealogy of the occupant. There is Amarna damage removing the Amen from his name Amenhotep. He was the deputy of the overseer of seal bearers, conceived of the overseer of the horned cattle of Amun, his wife was Renena a chantress and her father was Sennefer. So he was the deputy of his father in law.
This was not a new tomb but a lost tomb as it had been documented in 1886 by Karl Piehl, he had made a copy of the text of the ceiling and it was identified as Lot Tomb C3. There are lots of these lost tombs, which someone visited and took notes about but neglected to give a location.
How on earth do you lose a tomb, well the debris on the hill side can easily slip down and cover the entrance. ()the recent rain storm would have washed debris down and bigger rainstorms can wipe away all evidence) He showed a picture of the entrance to TT119 that was covered by debris.
Inside the tomb there was lots of evidence of where the walls had been cut away and removed by plunders, they even found the guilty saw.
His father in law served under Tuthmosis III and his tomb TT99 is very close. It was excavated by Nigel Strudwick from Cambridge University http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/tt99/ and has almost identical ceiling decoration indicating that it could be the same artist at work. Inside this tomb Nigel found JE99146 a statue which is not of Sennefer but of our man Amenhotep.
The excavation is still ongoing and this season should last about another two weeks. There was another small hole leading to the transverse hall and they sent a camera down. It has a decorated, vaulted ceiling but again the walls are lost.
NEXT WEEK Dr Zbigniew Szafranski on the Royal Family Necropolis of the Third Intermediate Period at the temple of Hatshepsut
As ever I appreciate any corrections
This is his website www.ulb.ac.be/philo/crea which he told me does not have details of the subject of the lecture on it yet but obviously will be updated in future. It does have details of their past seasons and in English as well as French
The discovery of this tomb was announced by Dr Zahi Hawass in March 2009. The team have been working for 12 seasons since 1999 at Gurna in the southern part of the necropolis above the famous tomb of Sennefer TT96. They have been working on the chapel TT96a and the next door tomb TT29. They have been doing conservation in TT96A and archaeology in TT29. TT29 Amenemope was a cousin of Sennefer and a Vizier under Amenhotep II. Percy Newbury noted it contained the duties of a vizier but it has never been excavated. During their excavation they found evidence of a Coptic occupation. There were many hermitages and monasteries on the Theban hillside. This particular hermitage belonged to monk called Frange and they found lots of ostraca detail his life. He showed us one piece O.29401, which was so personal and said he had come to see someone and would be ‘back soon’. Altogether they found 1,200 pieces and have been able to recreate his daily life. There was also a pit which would have contained a loom at which he would have worked. The hermitage was in the courtyard of TT29 which was t shaped with 10 pillars. To the south of this tomb was a donkey stable and in 2006 they started a test excavation and found mud brick structures indicating another hermitage, another Coptic occupation in the courtyard of an unknown tomb.
However sadly Roland Tefnin 1946-2006 died in and Dr Laurent felt the next two seasons should concentrate on consolidating and publishing all the current finds before they went on to another excavation. The first volume of TT29 is currently on his desk.
So it was not until 2009 that they could get back to the stable. Firstly they documented the remains of the modern house (personally I was very happy to see this, after all in America a hundred year old house would be ancient history). He said it was very important to document these early 19th century houses as they were as much a part of the history of Luxor as Pharaonic remains. These dwellings came about because of the European demand for antiquities, both fake and real. The early ‘tourists’ were coming to Thebes in droves and the locals made a good living selling to them. There is a photo from 1905 showing this house.
Underneath the house was the Coptic occupation. There was a short flight of stairs going from ground level to the courtyard, various rooms, and a mud brick wall. Inside a room there were two mud brick beds which were used by the hermit and his companion (a young acolyte?). There was lots of organic material, food, pottery shards, and wine amphora. One ostraca is a really important piece containing a lexicon of Arabic expressions and their Coptic translation which is a unique document.
Under the Coptic layer a very small hole led into the tomb. It is large with pillars, t-shaped and 18th dynasty. The ceiling still carries paint but the walls and pillars have all been lost. There is no fire damage and there are bands of text giving the names and titles and genealogy of the occupant. There is Amarna damage removing the Amen from his name Amenhotep. He was the deputy of the overseer of seal bearers, conceived of the overseer of the horned cattle of Amun, his wife was Renena a chantress and her father was Sennefer. So he was the deputy of his father in law.
This was not a new tomb but a lost tomb as it had been documented in 1886 by Karl Piehl, he had made a copy of the text of the ceiling and it was identified as Lot Tomb C3. There are lots of these lost tombs, which someone visited and took notes about but neglected to give a location.
How on earth do you lose a tomb, well the debris on the hill side can easily slip down and cover the entrance. ()the recent rain storm would have washed debris down and bigger rainstorms can wipe away all evidence) He showed a picture of the entrance to TT119 that was covered by debris.
Inside the tomb there was lots of evidence of where the walls had been cut away and removed by plunders, they even found the guilty saw.
His father in law served under Tuthmosis III and his tomb TT99 is very close. It was excavated by Nigel Strudwick from Cambridge University http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/tt99/ and has almost identical ceiling decoration indicating that it could be the same artist at work. Inside this tomb Nigel found JE99146 a statue which is not of Sennefer but of our man Amenhotep.
The excavation is still ongoing and this season should last about another two weeks. There was another small hole leading to the transverse hall and they sent a camera down. It has a decorated, vaulted ceiling but again the walls are lost.
NEXT WEEK Dr Zbigniew Szafranski on the Royal Family Necropolis of the Third Intermediate Period at the temple of Hatshepsut
As ever I appreciate any corrections
Monday, 25 January 2010
Valley of the Kings, Luxor, tombs open and closed
Report back from the valley on Saturday
KV34 Tuthmosis III open
KV2 Ramases IV closed
KV34 Tuthmosis III open
KV2 Ramases IV closed
'Sphinx Alley' gives Luxor, Egypt large open-air museum - washingtonpost.com
Quite a few reports about Luxor about Spinx Avenue, here is one of the better ones 'Sphinx Alley' gives Egypt large open-air museum - washingtonpost.com
Sunday, 24 January 2010
KV63
On January 6th, Dr. Otto Schaden opened KV-63/KV-10 for our 2010 season.
A new KV-63 'Otto's Dig Diary' is now available (Otto’s Dig Diary 2010 tab) with a few images (Photos ~ 2010 tab). More reports and photos will be forthcoming as our season progresses.
See www.KV-63.com for further details.
A new KV-63 'Otto's Dig Diary' is now available (Otto’s Dig Diary 2010 tab) with a few images (Photos ~ 2010 tab). More reports and photos will be forthcoming as our season progresses.
See www.KV-63.com for further details.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Mut Temple future
Chatting to Betsy Bryan today she believed it would not be long before the temple could open to the public. Give it a couple of years and both her and Richard Fazzini would be finished excavating, a site plan designed and away we go. Obviously the SCA would have to then run it and they are pretty committed but Inshah'Allah
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
Rain!!!!!
Yes believe it or not we had rain tonight. Quite a deluge for Luxor. Our last rain fall was 23rd Jan 2007
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Finds at Dra Abu Naga
Apparently there have been a series of significant finds (including some papyrus) at Dra Abu Naga near Roy and Shu Roy and Zahi is coming to Luxor 17th to announce something.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Moalla and the Lost City of Hefat – Colleen Manassa
I might have misled people last week saying this lecture was going to by about Ankhtifi and it wasn’t but it put him and Moalla in context in Egyptian history. There is a very good website http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/ae_moalla.htm but Colleen said to ignore the part about the town site as she has changed her conclusions and the website has not yet been updated. I must admit I do like being on the edge of new thoughts and discoveries like this.
Moalla is situated about 40 kilometres south of Luxor where the gebel (mountain) descends to the Nile. It is between El Kab/Hierakonpolis and Luxor so has been neglected archaeology as teams have concentrated on these two sites. It is the third nome of Egypt and famous for the tomb of Ankhtifi which was originally published in 1950 and is currently being excavated by Liverpool University under Mark Collier.
Her study area is the area outside a necropolis of 2 kilometres with 1000 tombs dating from the Vth and VIth dynasty until the XVIII dynasty. There are considerable Nubian burials from the second intermediate period. Some of site has been lost to recent quarrying.
There are model vessels littering the site (there are quite a few examples here http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/ae_moalla_necropolis.htm) the tombs were plundered in antiquity but there is a lot of surface ceramics. There is quite a range of lower status burials in the area with funerary goods replacing offering chapels. There were 3-4 pre dynastic pots from Nagada II period but they were unable to associate them with a particular burial. Other ceramics were examples of Medium bowls, predecessors of Ankhtifi, First intermediate Period, and Middle Kingdom. As well as ceramics they found MK soul houses or platters again lower class funerary goods. These are similar to the discoveries at Rifeh http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/rifeh/mk/tombs.html
In the H3 area which is a low spur of the gebel Pan Graves were found. This grave type has been associated with the Medjay from 1600-1550BC these were auxiliary troops that were used in the war against the Hyskos. The graves look like shallow pans in cross section hence their nickname. A child’s tomb was lined with mud plaster. There are actually more of these grave types in Egypt than in Nubia. Moalla was a previously unknown site of these graves so the discovery has added to our knowledge of them. They were fond of leather and also their pottery has incised lines, the curved relief is unique to Egypt shown in figure one http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/ae_moalla/cemetery/ae_moalla_cemetery_fig4large.html
Tomb 4 they found a skull and mandible which were very Nubian. There was matting on the bottom of the tomb which was made to fit the tomb. Tomb 5 had a reed and leather strip matting. Tomb 3 had leather clothing.
Some of the pottery was Egyptian, Tuthmoside bichrome.
Across the river is the site of Gebelian and there 2 stone blocks were found which dated to the Hyskos rulers. So was this area under Hyskos occupation? Current thinking is that the stones were spoil taken from the north.
So Moalla was of importance both to the first and second intermediate period/
At the northern end, area L there are some painted reliefs showing offering figures, a man in a boat. There are no remain glyphs making the reliefs hard to date but it looks like there is a small offering figure in front of the owner’s face and this style is common in the first intermediate period.
They have also been surveying the area of the Eastern desert; 12 km south there is a narrow area which encourages ancient graffiti on the rocks. They are trying to understand the geography of the area the cultivation strip at Moalla is much thinner than other close areas so a settlement site could not have been supported. Looking for the lost city of Hefat mentioned in Ankhtifi tomb we need to look where the cultivation thickens. It was a very important city and mentioned in the Onomasticon of Amenemope, using that document for clues they have a probable location but as the area is very built up it cannot be proved.
In the Eastern Desert roads have been found and she believes these could have been used as much as the Nile or even more for local traffic. There is a Nagada II shelter on the road. The largest collections of ceramics are found at the ascents of the road.
Next week Mark Lehner on Giza
Moalla is situated about 40 kilometres south of Luxor where the gebel (mountain) descends to the Nile. It is between El Kab/Hierakonpolis and Luxor so has been neglected archaeology as teams have concentrated on these two sites. It is the third nome of Egypt and famous for the tomb of Ankhtifi which was originally published in 1950 and is currently being excavated by Liverpool University under Mark Collier.
Her study area is the area outside a necropolis of 2 kilometres with 1000 tombs dating from the Vth and VIth dynasty until the XVIII dynasty. There are considerable Nubian burials from the second intermediate period. Some of site has been lost to recent quarrying.
There are model vessels littering the site (there are quite a few examples here http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/ae_moalla_necropolis.htm) the tombs were plundered in antiquity but there is a lot of surface ceramics. There is quite a range of lower status burials in the area with funerary goods replacing offering chapels. There were 3-4 pre dynastic pots from Nagada II period but they were unable to associate them with a particular burial. Other ceramics were examples of Medium bowls, predecessors of Ankhtifi, First intermediate Period, and Middle Kingdom. As well as ceramics they found MK soul houses or platters again lower class funerary goods. These are similar to the discoveries at Rifeh http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/rifeh/mk/tombs.html
In the H3 area which is a low spur of the gebel Pan Graves were found. This grave type has been associated with the Medjay from 1600-1550BC these were auxiliary troops that were used in the war against the Hyskos. The graves look like shallow pans in cross section hence their nickname. A child’s tomb was lined with mud plaster. There are actually more of these grave types in Egypt than in Nubia. Moalla was a previously unknown site of these graves so the discovery has added to our knowledge of them. They were fond of leather and also their pottery has incised lines, the curved relief is unique to Egypt shown in figure one http://www.yale.edu/egyptology/ae_moalla/cemetery/ae_moalla_cemetery_fig4large.html
Tomb 4 they found a skull and mandible which were very Nubian. There was matting on the bottom of the tomb which was made to fit the tomb. Tomb 5 had a reed and leather strip matting. Tomb 3 had leather clothing.
Some of the pottery was Egyptian, Tuthmoside bichrome.
Across the river is the site of Gebelian and there 2 stone blocks were found which dated to the Hyskos rulers. So was this area under Hyskos occupation? Current thinking is that the stones were spoil taken from the north.
So Moalla was of importance both to the first and second intermediate period/
At the northern end, area L there are some painted reliefs showing offering figures, a man in a boat. There are no remain glyphs making the reliefs hard to date but it looks like there is a small offering figure in front of the owner’s face and this style is common in the first intermediate period.
They have also been surveying the area of the Eastern desert; 12 km south there is a narrow area which encourages ancient graffiti on the rocks. They are trying to understand the geography of the area the cultivation strip at Moalla is much thinner than other close areas so a settlement site could not have been supported. Looking for the lost city of Hefat mentioned in Ankhtifi tomb we need to look where the cultivation thickens. It was a very important city and mentioned in the Onomasticon of Amenemope, using that document for clues they have a probable location but as the area is very built up it cannot be proved.
In the Eastern Desert roads have been found and she believes these could have been used as much as the Nile or even more for local traffic. There is a Nagada II shelter on the road. The largest collections of ceramics are found at the ascents of the road.
Next week Mark Lehner on Giza
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Online course in Egyptology « Humanities News
Online course in Egyptology « Humanities News So you know it is not just me lol
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Ankhtifi
With the lecture on Ankhtifi next week you might find this interesting. Sent to me by Michael on the roof.
Precis of Bill Manley's lecture on Ankhtify. It will be interesting to compare with next Saturday's lecture.
Dr Bill Manley
Egypt in chaos: explaining the end of the Old Kingdom
Rather like ‘the causes of the first world war’ we probably think we know the reasons for the end of the Old Kingdom and the fall of Egypt into disorder and chaos; the old and feeble Pepi II losing control, the rise in power of regional rulers, foreign invasion, climate change and poor inundations resulting in famine, even the strain on resources from building vast pyramids.
Not so. In this interesting talk by Bill Manley we were made to rethink the First Intermediate Period in the light of recent research and reinterpretation of excavations. In the first place, the First Intermediate Period lasted about 150 years. It was only in the last 40 or so that there was the disruption of civil war.
The long reign of Pepi II (96 years gives us no suggestion that there was any weakening of his power. Indeed it is probable that this long period of stability would have increased prosperity. Petrie’s belief that there was foreign invasion has now been discredited.
There is absolutely no evidence of this.
Undoubtedly this was a period of increased regional government, but there is little to suggest that this was in opposition to the Pharaoh, rather that this decentralisation illustrates the king’s confidence in his prosperous and growing country. That the country was affluent with a strong government is illustrated by the development of trade in the north and the rise in immigration from less stable countries. The regions were responsible for their people, the production of food and maintaining the military. The nomarch was no longer buried with his king in a pyramid complex, but built his own tomb in the regions near his own people.
If the country was poor, divided and threatened by famine, then the tomb of Ankhtify at Mo’alla is hard to explain. It is exceptionally large. The importance of reading inscriptions carefully and in context was clearly demonstrated to us. Apparently the suggestion is that famine was so widespread and severe that they were reduced to cannibalism, even eating their own children, but a close examination of the inscriptions shows that far from eating their children they were perfectly capable of looking after their own people and were exporting grain both north and south. Ankhtify says ‘it is my grain that has gone to Wawat and Abydos. All the south may die of hunger but it will never happen in this district’. So far from suffering famine, he was producing a surplus!
The rather crude art of the period is another reason often cited as a sign of the turmoil and decline of the period. It is now thought that this is more likely to be the result of the freedom of the regions from central control and their palace-trained craftsmen, resulting perhaps in more crudely executed art but with lively and innovative interpretations. There is evidence of distinct regional styles.
In addition the democratisation of the country meant that there was an increase in the size of the élite population. Many more people were buried in tombs; it was no longer the preserve of the very closest to the king. His officials and soldiers also had their own tombs, so high standards of tomb production would have been difficult to maintain. What Bill calls the IKEA-isation of tomb art. Also the poor geological conditions in some of the southern regions would have made the production of perfectly smooth surfaces in the tombs difficult.
The end of the First Intermediate Period was precipitated by the Thebans, who opposed regional development and wanted to take over control of the whole nation. That they succeeded, perhaps accounts for the view of this period that has come down to us. As they say ‘history is written by the victors’.
Precis of Bill Manley's lecture on Ankhtify. It will be interesting to compare with next Saturday's lecture.
Dr Bill Manley
Egypt in chaos: explaining the end of the Old Kingdom
Rather like ‘the causes of the first world war’ we probably think we know the reasons for the end of the Old Kingdom and the fall of Egypt into disorder and chaos; the old and feeble Pepi II losing control, the rise in power of regional rulers, foreign invasion, climate change and poor inundations resulting in famine, even the strain on resources from building vast pyramids.
Not so. In this interesting talk by Bill Manley we were made to rethink the First Intermediate Period in the light of recent research and reinterpretation of excavations. In the first place, the First Intermediate Period lasted about 150 years. It was only in the last 40 or so that there was the disruption of civil war.
The long reign of Pepi II (96 years gives us no suggestion that there was any weakening of his power. Indeed it is probable that this long period of stability would have increased prosperity. Petrie’s belief that there was foreign invasion has now been discredited.
There is absolutely no evidence of this.
Undoubtedly this was a period of increased regional government, but there is little to suggest that this was in opposition to the Pharaoh, rather that this decentralisation illustrates the king’s confidence in his prosperous and growing country. That the country was affluent with a strong government is illustrated by the development of trade in the north and the rise in immigration from less stable countries. The regions were responsible for their people, the production of food and maintaining the military. The nomarch was no longer buried with his king in a pyramid complex, but built his own tomb in the regions near his own people.
If the country was poor, divided and threatened by famine, then the tomb of Ankhtify at Mo’alla is hard to explain. It is exceptionally large. The importance of reading inscriptions carefully and in context was clearly demonstrated to us. Apparently the suggestion is that famine was so widespread and severe that they were reduced to cannibalism, even eating their own children, but a close examination of the inscriptions shows that far from eating their children they were perfectly capable of looking after their own people and were exporting grain both north and south. Ankhtify says ‘it is my grain that has gone to Wawat and Abydos. All the south may die of hunger but it will never happen in this district’. So far from suffering famine, he was producing a surplus!
The rather crude art of the period is another reason often cited as a sign of the turmoil and decline of the period. It is now thought that this is more likely to be the result of the freedom of the regions from central control and their palace-trained craftsmen, resulting perhaps in more crudely executed art but with lively and innovative interpretations. There is evidence of distinct regional styles.
In addition the democratisation of the country meant that there was an increase in the size of the élite population. Many more people were buried in tombs; it was no longer the preserve of the very closest to the king. His officials and soldiers also had their own tombs, so high standards of tomb production would have been difficult to maintain. What Bill calls the IKEA-isation of tomb art. Also the poor geological conditions in some of the southern regions would have made the production of perfectly smooth surfaces in the tombs difficult.
The end of the First Intermediate Period was precipitated by the Thebans, who opposed regional development and wanted to take over control of the whole nation. That they succeeded, perhaps accounts for the view of this period that has come down to us. As they say ‘history is written by the victors’.
BBC News - Egypt archaeologists discover huge tomb near Cairo
BBC News - Egypt archaeologists discover huge tomb near Cairo
My Facebook buddies have come up with a load of interesting links so I am passing them on
My Facebook buddies have come up with a load of interesting links so I am passing them on
Monday, 4 January 2010
Mummification Museum Lectures - Forensic Egyptology – Janet Davey
Forensic Egyptology – Janet Davey
Although in English this week, this lecture was one of those that was difficult to take notes from as it was very visual but I will do my best.
Firstly a plug for my course Certificate in Continuing Education in Egyptology at Manchester University. This is a totally online course and Janet was one of the early tutors on the course now we have Joyce Tyldesley and the course director is Rosalie David. I am in my second year now and not only is the course great but being friends with the many people that have been involved as students or as tutors is a privilege.
Janet talked about her ongoing project, child mummies. She is based in a working forensic laboratory and they did in fact do a mock inquest on one of the mummies. She is using modern medical techniques such as forensic odontology, entomology and sculpture to investigate the past. She is focussing on 2 methods Microscopy and Radiology.
Mummy research is very much a worldwide group activity
The age of a child can be estimated by the eruption of the teeth HOWEVER the comparison is done against tables that have been drawn up using modern children so you must always be aware there may be inaccuracies.
On the scalp investigations under an electron microscope show a thread of linen and one of cotton. IF this is ancient cotton and not contamination then this indicates a much earlier use of cotton.
Also under the microscope whilst looking for infestations they found sodium chloride (natron) and quartz crystals. Spectrum analysis can be done to confirm the presences of these where as in the past it was educated guesses
They also finding fungal hyphae which is dangerous, it is possible this is ancient or modern but the important thing it is dangerous and work with mummies should always be done with masks and gloves. When a tomb is first opened it should be investigated in full forensic gear to protect the staff.
CT scanning is fantastic and has moved on significantly since 1995. The data from the CT scan goes into software like Vitrea which can then be manipulated to thoroughly view all angles. Her British museum mummies were done at Blackheath hospital and judging by the nicknames given to the mummies by the staff of great interest to them.
Skeletal details can be sent to other experts using other software in order to make 3d reconstructions of the faces. Again it should be born in mind that the data used to do this (depth of flesh) are based on modern tables of data and take no account of obesity etc.
Investigations done in the past by plain x-ray can be clarified and confirmed, e.g. inclusions are confirmed as sand and previously identified fractures are actually suture closures.
By measuring long bone and feet age can be ascertained. Also these techniques give more accurate information about
• Skeletal integrity
• Injuries
• Dental conditions
• Age
• Sex
• Mummification procedures
By viewing the mummies it shows that mummification procedures are many and varied during the Greco roman period. We often take what Herodotus said as the only methods but in these mummies the brain was not removed through the nose as the ethmoid cartilage is present, the chins of these mummies are all the chest and it could be the damage to the cervical vertebrae was caused by either removal of the brain or the positioning of the chins on chest.
The children were all blond and the ones Janet investigated were not eviscerated. The CT scan clearly shows the presence of internal organs. Missing teeth were found tucked under the top lip
Summary of the British Museum Mummies
• All mummies are in good condition
• Disruption to all cervical spine regions
• Evidence of server injury in EA 30363
• Fungal hyphae detected on the tissue of EA3032
• Children’s ages at death range from 4 to 7 years
• EA 30362 and 30364 have missing teeth tucked under top lip
• No evidence of Excerebration via nose
• No evidence of evisceration
• Inclusions in all cranial cavities
In conclusion modern medical and scientific studies have revolutionised mummy research
If you want to know more about Janets work google on Janet Davey Forensic Egyptology
Next week it is Ankhtifi
Although in English this week, this lecture was one of those that was difficult to take notes from as it was very visual but I will do my best.
Firstly a plug for my course Certificate in Continuing Education in Egyptology at Manchester University. This is a totally online course and Janet was one of the early tutors on the course now we have Joyce Tyldesley and the course director is Rosalie David. I am in my second year now and not only is the course great but being friends with the many people that have been involved as students or as tutors is a privilege.
Janet talked about her ongoing project, child mummies. She is based in a working forensic laboratory and they did in fact do a mock inquest on one of the mummies. She is using modern medical techniques such as forensic odontology, entomology and sculpture to investigate the past. She is focussing on 2 methods Microscopy and Radiology.
Mummy research is very much a worldwide group activity
The age of a child can be estimated by the eruption of the teeth HOWEVER the comparison is done against tables that have been drawn up using modern children so you must always be aware there may be inaccuracies.
On the scalp investigations under an electron microscope show a thread of linen and one of cotton. IF this is ancient cotton and not contamination then this indicates a much earlier use of cotton.
Also under the microscope whilst looking for infestations they found sodium chloride (natron) and quartz crystals. Spectrum analysis can be done to confirm the presences of these where as in the past it was educated guesses
They also finding fungal hyphae which is dangerous, it is possible this is ancient or modern but the important thing it is dangerous and work with mummies should always be done with masks and gloves. When a tomb is first opened it should be investigated in full forensic gear to protect the staff.
CT scanning is fantastic and has moved on significantly since 1995. The data from the CT scan goes into software like Vitrea which can then be manipulated to thoroughly view all angles. Her British museum mummies were done at Blackheath hospital and judging by the nicknames given to the mummies by the staff of great interest to them.
Skeletal details can be sent to other experts using other software in order to make 3d reconstructions of the faces. Again it should be born in mind that the data used to do this (depth of flesh) are based on modern tables of data and take no account of obesity etc.
Investigations done in the past by plain x-ray can be clarified and confirmed, e.g. inclusions are confirmed as sand and previously identified fractures are actually suture closures.
By measuring long bone and feet age can be ascertained. Also these techniques give more accurate information about
• Skeletal integrity
• Injuries
• Dental conditions
• Age
• Sex
• Mummification procedures
By viewing the mummies it shows that mummification procedures are many and varied during the Greco roman period. We often take what Herodotus said as the only methods but in these mummies the brain was not removed through the nose as the ethmoid cartilage is present, the chins of these mummies are all the chest and it could be the damage to the cervical vertebrae was caused by either removal of the brain or the positioning of the chins on chest.
The children were all blond and the ones Janet investigated were not eviscerated. The CT scan clearly shows the presence of internal organs. Missing teeth were found tucked under the top lip
Summary of the British Museum Mummies
• All mummies are in good condition
• Disruption to all cervical spine regions
• Evidence of server injury in EA 30363
• Fungal hyphae detected on the tissue of EA3032
• Children’s ages at death range from 4 to 7 years
• EA 30362 and 30364 have missing teeth tucked under top lip
• No evidence of Excerebration via nose
• No evidence of evisceration
• Inclusions in all cranial cavities
In conclusion modern medical and scientific studies have revolutionised mummy research
If you want to know more about Janets work google on Janet Davey Forensic Egyptology
Next week it is Ankhtifi
Friday, 25 December 2009
Mummification Museum Lecture - TT33 Padiamenope ala Petamenophis – Pr Claude Traunecker.Petame
TT33 Padiamenope ala Petamenophis – Pr Claude Traunecker.
Sadly this lecture was in French so my notes are from the occasional English slide title
The tomb is situated in the Assasif next to Pabasa. It is the largest tomb in Egypt. In 1737 Richard Pocoke thought it was the subterranean palace of a king. It is described in Description de la Egypt and comprises a succession of rooms with an underground burial area. The opening of the tomb was mentioned in a novel by Paul Ivory
In 1881 W Johannes Dumuchen from the University of Strasbourg commented about the architecture, it is a very atypical layout and mentioned his family mother NamenKhetuset and wife Tudit
The tomb was used as storage for many years and many rooms were inaccessible. The tomb was reopened 5th December 2005. here he showed a photo of the reopening and yours truly was in shot!! I wrote some notes at that time which you may wish to look at the end.
The main areas they are working in is
1) Epigraphic
2) Excavating and clearing
3) Restoration of the mudbrick
He shows 2 uncles, 3 aunts, 5 male cousins and 2 female cousins on his mother’s side
He is described as Royal Scribe, Priest of Montu, chief lecture priest of Nekhbet, overseer of the secrets of the 2 royal cobra and house of morning, who takes care of the great of magic (crown).
There is a massive amount of inscriptions from a number of books of the dead it is like a stone subterranean library, an Osirian temple with him as a priest. All the texts hidden in the burial area are also available at the public levels.
My notes from the opening of the tomb
Today was the official opening of the tomb of Petamenophis (Padiamenope, Xry.y-Hb Hrj-tp) (TT33) by Dr Sabry Abd El Aziz, the deputy of Dr Zahi Hawass. It is located next to the tomb of Harwa (TT39). The tomb is hugely significant, being, well huge. At this point, it is the largest tomb in Egypt and yet we really do not know why the owner of it was so blessed, but perhaps future work may reveal this secret.
Indeed, he was a high official, describing himself as "Seal bearer and Sole Beloved Friend, Lector and Scribe of the Records in the Sight of the King". In this inscription the king is not named, but there is an inscription in the northern part of the great outer courtyard, discovered by Lepidus, with a Plan of the Tomb of Petamenophis, a cartouche containing the name of a King Haremhab (Horemheb?), next to the name of Petamenophis. However, stylistically, many scholars believe that Petamenophis' tomb could not be dated as early as the 18th or early 19th dynasty. In this regard, the tomb appears to date no earlier than the Ethiopian Period (when Nubians ruled Egypt). Some scholars believe that Petamenophis may have lived during the rule of Psammetichus I, the first king of the 26th Dynasty. In any event, Petamenophis must have been, to judge from his titles, a learned man and theologian. It should be noted that there is a statue of Petamenophis in the Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
The tomb of Petamenophis, located in the Assasif section of tombs on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes), was first described in detail by Lepidus in his pioneering work, Officials examining the reliefs within the tomb Denkmaeler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien. The tomb was later visited and described separately by Wilkinson, by Duemichen and others, before Maspero, seeing its deteriorating condition and realizing the necessity of protecting it from despoliation, had it sealed at the end of the last century. It remained closed until 1936 when W. F. von Bissing obtained permission to reopen it with the purpose of performing a definitive survey and publication. Braving the “billions of bats” infesting the place and the thick air (the ventilation shafts “left much to be desired”) he persevered, and within two years (1938) published a detailed description of the finds.
Thereafter, for decades, the tomb was used as a storeroom with boxes, some labelled, some not. There were boxes from the tomb of Tutankhamen with biological matter (plants), statues, sarcophagi and altogether some 1,000 objects. There were registers for some of these boxes. One from 1964 was compiled by the Polish team working at Deir el-Bahri, and showed lists which accompanied black and white photos. This material has now been moved to a storage facility near the Carter House near the Valley of the Kings.
Lately, actually over the last two years, a team from the University of Strasbourg, led by M. Traurecker, has been clearing the first three chambers of this huge tomb and it has just now been opened for a first official viewing. The opening was attended by many important officials from the Supreme Council and other archaeologists working in the area, such as Francesco Tiradritti. The next stage will be the cleaning, restoration and conservation of the tomb. It has important texts such as the Book of the Dead which need to be studied. In fact it is one of the most important, if not the most important, source for sacred texts during the period of Egyptian history. For example, there is also a Late Period version of the Book of Caverns in the tomb, which has yielded otherwise missing parts of this text. But the most amazing thing about this tomb is its sheer size, with some 330 meters of corridors.
It may be some time yet before this tomb is open to the public, but perhaps now we may see an end in sight when the public will be able to explore this vast monument. Perhaps, more importantly, there may be more to learn as work progresses toward that end
Sadly this lecture was in French so my notes are from the occasional English slide title
The tomb is situated in the Assasif next to Pabasa. It is the largest tomb in Egypt. In 1737 Richard Pocoke thought it was the subterranean palace of a king. It is described in Description de la Egypt and comprises a succession of rooms with an underground burial area. The opening of the tomb was mentioned in a novel by Paul Ivory
In 1881 W Johannes Dumuchen from the University of Strasbourg commented about the architecture, it is a very atypical layout and mentioned his family mother NamenKhetuset and wife Tudit
The tomb was used as storage for many years and many rooms were inaccessible. The tomb was reopened 5th December 2005. here he showed a photo of the reopening and yours truly was in shot!! I wrote some notes at that time which you may wish to look at the end.
The main areas they are working in is
1) Epigraphic
2) Excavating and clearing
3) Restoration of the mudbrick
He shows 2 uncles, 3 aunts, 5 male cousins and 2 female cousins on his mother’s side
He is described as Royal Scribe, Priest of Montu, chief lecture priest of Nekhbet, overseer of the secrets of the 2 royal cobra and house of morning, who takes care of the great of magic (crown).
There is a massive amount of inscriptions from a number of books of the dead it is like a stone subterranean library, an Osirian temple with him as a priest. All the texts hidden in the burial area are also available at the public levels.
My notes from the opening of the tomb
Today was the official opening of the tomb of Petamenophis (Padiamenope, Xry.y-Hb Hrj-tp) (TT33) by Dr Sabry Abd El Aziz, the deputy of Dr Zahi Hawass. It is located next to the tomb of Harwa (TT39). The tomb is hugely significant, being, well huge. At this point, it is the largest tomb in Egypt and yet we really do not know why the owner of it was so blessed, but perhaps future work may reveal this secret.
Indeed, he was a high official, describing himself as "Seal bearer and Sole Beloved Friend, Lector and Scribe of the Records in the Sight of the King". In this inscription the king is not named, but there is an inscription in the northern part of the great outer courtyard, discovered by Lepidus, with a Plan of the Tomb of Petamenophis, a cartouche containing the name of a King Haremhab (Horemheb?), next to the name of Petamenophis. However, stylistically, many scholars believe that Petamenophis' tomb could not be dated as early as the 18th or early 19th dynasty. In this regard, the tomb appears to date no earlier than the Ethiopian Period (when Nubians ruled Egypt). Some scholars believe that Petamenophis may have lived during the rule of Psammetichus I, the first king of the 26th Dynasty. In any event, Petamenophis must have been, to judge from his titles, a learned man and theologian. It should be noted that there is a statue of Petamenophis in the Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo.
The tomb of Petamenophis, located in the Assasif section of tombs on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes), was first described in detail by Lepidus in his pioneering work, Officials examining the reliefs within the tomb Denkmaeler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien. The tomb was later visited and described separately by Wilkinson, by Duemichen and others, before Maspero, seeing its deteriorating condition and realizing the necessity of protecting it from despoliation, had it sealed at the end of the last century. It remained closed until 1936 when W. F. von Bissing obtained permission to reopen it with the purpose of performing a definitive survey and publication. Braving the “billions of bats” infesting the place and the thick air (the ventilation shafts “left much to be desired”) he persevered, and within two years (1938) published a detailed description of the finds.
Thereafter, for decades, the tomb was used as a storeroom with boxes, some labelled, some not. There were boxes from the tomb of Tutankhamen with biological matter (plants), statues, sarcophagi and altogether some 1,000 objects. There were registers for some of these boxes. One from 1964 was compiled by the Polish team working at Deir el-Bahri, and showed lists which accompanied black and white photos. This material has now been moved to a storage facility near the Carter House near the Valley of the Kings.
Lately, actually over the last two years, a team from the University of Strasbourg, led by M. Traurecker, has been clearing the first three chambers of this huge tomb and it has just now been opened for a first official viewing. The opening was attended by many important officials from the Supreme Council and other archaeologists working in the area, such as Francesco Tiradritti. The next stage will be the cleaning, restoration and conservation of the tomb. It has important texts such as the Book of the Dead which need to be studied. In fact it is one of the most important, if not the most important, source for sacred texts during the period of Egyptian history. For example, there is also a Late Period version of the Book of Caverns in the tomb, which has yielded otherwise missing parts of this text. But the most amazing thing about this tomb is its sheer size, with some 330 meters of corridors.
It may be some time yet before this tomb is open to the public, but perhaps now we may see an end in sight when the public will be able to explore this vast monument. Perhaps, more importantly, there may be more to learn as work progresses toward that end
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
KV63
A new KV-63 Update is now available featuring:
The latest Otto's Dig Diary on Dr. Schaden's plans for the 2010 season
The Valley of the Kings since Howard Carter Symposium - Program summary
Photos from the Howard Carter Symposium and Tea Party (under Photos ~ 2009)
We are also pleased to announce the addition of a Paypal feature on the KV-63 Donation page. This added feature will now allow the mission to except both Domestic and International Donations through a secure channel.
The latest Otto's Dig Diary on Dr. Schaden's plans for the 2010 season
The Valley of the Kings since Howard Carter Symposium - Program summary
Photos from the Howard Carter Symposium and Tea Party (under Photos ~ 2009)
We are also pleased to announce the addition of a Paypal feature on the KV-63 Donation page. This added feature will now allow the mission to except both Domestic and International Donations through a secure channel.
Temples of Millions of Years Colloquium
The program for the upcoming Temples of Millions of Years Colloquium to be held in Luxor from 3-5 January 2010, under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and of the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), is now online (in PDF) at:
http://www.egyptologyforum.org/bbs/ConfTMY.pdf
The purpose of the colloquium is to engage the scientific community in discussions on the royal foundations known as Temples of Millions of Years, and to fully understand their multifaceted functions. Attention will be drawn to the most recent excavations and studies by researchers and scholars in this specific field, including the latest contributions of modern science and technologies to explore, restore and publicize these monuments.
Iman R. Abdulfattah
Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
3 el-Adel Abu Bakr Street
Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
http://www.sca.gov.eg/
http://www.egyptologyforum.org/bbs/ConfTMY.pdf
The purpose of the colloquium is to engage the scientific community in discussions on the royal foundations known as Temples of Millions of Years, and to fully understand their multifaceted functions. Attention will be drawn to the most recent excavations and studies by researchers and scholars in this specific field, including the latest contributions of modern science and technologies to explore, restore and publicize these monuments.
Iman R. Abdulfattah
Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)
3 el-Adel Abu Bakr Street
Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
http://www.sca.gov.eg/
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Mummification Museum Lectures - TT28
TT28 Amenhotep – Huy Dr Francisco Martin Valentine 12/12/9
Identified on Friederike Kampp’s catalogue Amenhotep was a vizier, Huy is a common abbreviation or nickname for someone called Amenhotep. The tomb is ahead and down from the XI dynasty tomb TT366 Dyar and next to the XVIII dynasty tomb of TT192 Kheruef. It was discovered in May 1978 by Andrew Gordon and Dieter Eigner and is from the time of Amenhotep III 1387-1348 BC.
There is other evidence about this individual
1) 2 jar inscriptions from Malkata mention Vizier Huy referring to first Heb Sed Year 30
2) Steele BM138 Decree of foundation for a funerary temple for Amenhotep son of Hapu in Year 34 of Amenhotep III
3) Chapel at Gebel Silsila year 35 Amenhotep III Le Grand discovered in 1893. It is very important as the inscriptions talk about the relationship between Amenhotep III and IV and prove that Amenhotep III was not at Amarna
4) Remains from quarries
5) TT55 Ramose tomb there is an unnamed vizier at the front of the tomb making offerings to Ramose. This successor is believed to be Amenhotep – Huy
6) The Amarna letter EA11 from Prince Rib-Hadda seem to establish that he was commissioned to make inspections in Syria/Byblos
7) Statue CG590 from Tel El Basta which has no head or hands show he was an important man in the north
8) Statue BM1068 also with head and hands destroyed has an unusual title man, the main one of Nekten
9) Relief in Sobeks temple which replaced one of Ramose as Vizier of the south
Tomb
Situated in the middle of the sacred area at the front of Deir el Bahri.
The layout of both tombs is similar and conforms to Kampp’s type VIII which is the biggest and most complicated T shape. It is in poor condition and filled with debris from the XXVI dynasty.
The tomb has a corridor access to a courtyard of 528 sq metres bordered on the north side by columns of which only one remains in a state of partial construction carved into the bedrock of the plateau. In the unfinished west façade of the courtyard there are three holes a central door with two windows. This is similar to TT71 and lets the sun in. This entrance leads to the solar court of 384 sq metres.
The solar chapel used to have 30 closed papyrus columns in three rows of 10. Today only 2 remain and the floor is covered with debris. The solar chapel is bigger than TT192, Kheruef who was Queen Tiye’s steward. The entry space extends into a whole dug in the rock mass designed to be the entrance passage to columned corridor as per other tombs of this period TT192 and TT48 Amen em Hat Surer
At the back there are two niches which would have been illuminated by this sun. Amen em Hat Surer TT148, TT192 and TT28 have similar design. On both sides north and south of the entrance there are two niches probably meant to contain statues of the deceased and would have been lit by the sun coming in through the windows.
The tomb belongs to the type built in the Theban necropolis during the reigns of Amenhotep II and IV. It features a courtyard and a spacious hall chapel whose ceiling is supported by a large number of columns or pillars. These tombs have another longitudinal room, that in some cases have pillars. Down a corridor with several changes of direction leads to a tripartite shrine from which hidden access leads to the burial chamber. TT28 could also have one or two ramps situated in the lower south west corner but only future exploration will confirm this.
Clearly TT28 is unfinished and the longitudinal hall, small room for statues of the deceased and his family remains to be constructed after the solar chapel. The tomb reflects the beliefs held at that time.
TT28, 192 and 55 are very similar both in size and number of columns TT107 Nefer Sekheru, TT48 Amen em Hat Surer and Amenhotep are similar size but fewer columns. TT28 is the biggest
It is in poor condition and very fragile, the debris is 3-4 meters high so they have a lot of work. The inscriptions are fragmentary and smoke damaged. One describes him as beloved Divine Father.
They found some reliefs from the door with some good quality carvings; it is a big jigsaw puzzle 600 pieces so far. Pottery from all periods up to Coptic. These will all be looked at because priorities are different these days and everything is valuable. Also a beautiful ivory woman which drew a gasp of delight from the audience from the late to third intermediate period.
They are doing a short season and will be back in July. So far work identified
• Need to install iron door
• Clear debris
• General survey
• Clear and consolidate objects found
• Identify work needed in the chapel
The Spanish ambassador has visited the site.
Next week TT33
Identified on Friederike Kampp’s catalogue Amenhotep was a vizier, Huy is a common abbreviation or nickname for someone called Amenhotep. The tomb is ahead and down from the XI dynasty tomb TT366 Dyar and next to the XVIII dynasty tomb of TT192 Kheruef. It was discovered in May 1978 by Andrew Gordon and Dieter Eigner and is from the time of Amenhotep III 1387-1348 BC.
There is other evidence about this individual
1) 2 jar inscriptions from Malkata mention Vizier Huy referring to first Heb Sed Year 30
2) Steele BM138 Decree of foundation for a funerary temple for Amenhotep son of Hapu in Year 34 of Amenhotep III
3) Chapel at Gebel Silsila year 35 Amenhotep III Le Grand discovered in 1893. It is very important as the inscriptions talk about the relationship between Amenhotep III and IV and prove that Amenhotep III was not at Amarna
4) Remains from quarries
5) TT55 Ramose tomb there is an unnamed vizier at the front of the tomb making offerings to Ramose. This successor is believed to be Amenhotep – Huy
6) The Amarna letter EA11 from Prince Rib-Hadda seem to establish that he was commissioned to make inspections in Syria/Byblos
7) Statue CG590 from Tel El Basta which has no head or hands show he was an important man in the north
8) Statue BM1068 also with head and hands destroyed has an unusual title man, the main one of Nekten
9) Relief in Sobeks temple which replaced one of Ramose as Vizier of the south
Tomb
Situated in the middle of the sacred area at the front of Deir el Bahri.
The layout of both tombs is similar and conforms to Kampp’s type VIII which is the biggest and most complicated T shape. It is in poor condition and filled with debris from the XXVI dynasty.
The tomb has a corridor access to a courtyard of 528 sq metres bordered on the north side by columns of which only one remains in a state of partial construction carved into the bedrock of the plateau. In the unfinished west façade of the courtyard there are three holes a central door with two windows. This is similar to TT71 and lets the sun in. This entrance leads to the solar court of 384 sq metres.
The solar chapel used to have 30 closed papyrus columns in three rows of 10. Today only 2 remain and the floor is covered with debris. The solar chapel is bigger than TT192, Kheruef who was Queen Tiye’s steward. The entry space extends into a whole dug in the rock mass designed to be the entrance passage to columned corridor as per other tombs of this period TT192 and TT48 Amen em Hat Surer
At the back there are two niches which would have been illuminated by this sun. Amen em Hat Surer TT148, TT192 and TT28 have similar design. On both sides north and south of the entrance there are two niches probably meant to contain statues of the deceased and would have been lit by the sun coming in through the windows.
The tomb belongs to the type built in the Theban necropolis during the reigns of Amenhotep II and IV. It features a courtyard and a spacious hall chapel whose ceiling is supported by a large number of columns or pillars. These tombs have another longitudinal room, that in some cases have pillars. Down a corridor with several changes of direction leads to a tripartite shrine from which hidden access leads to the burial chamber. TT28 could also have one or two ramps situated in the lower south west corner but only future exploration will confirm this.
Clearly TT28 is unfinished and the longitudinal hall, small room for statues of the deceased and his family remains to be constructed after the solar chapel. The tomb reflects the beliefs held at that time.
TT28, 192 and 55 are very similar both in size and number of columns TT107 Nefer Sekheru, TT48 Amen em Hat Surer and Amenhotep are similar size but fewer columns. TT28 is the biggest
It is in poor condition and very fragile, the debris is 3-4 meters high so they have a lot of work. The inscriptions are fragmentary and smoke damaged. One describes him as beloved Divine Father.
They found some reliefs from the door with some good quality carvings; it is a big jigsaw puzzle 600 pieces so far. Pottery from all periods up to Coptic. These will all be looked at because priorities are different these days and everything is valuable. Also a beautiful ivory woman which drew a gasp of delight from the audience from the late to third intermediate period.
They are doing a short season and will be back in July. So far work identified
• Need to install iron door
• Clear debris
• General survey
• Clear and consolidate objects found
• Identify work needed in the chapel
The Spanish ambassador has visited the site.
Next week TT33
Monday, 14 December 2009
Cairo Memorial Service for Susan Weeks tomorrow
From: AUC President
It is with great regret that we announce the death of Ms. Susan Weeks, wife of Egyptology Professor Emeritus Kent Weeks.
Susan received a Bachelor of Arts in graphic arts from the University of Washington. She and Kent met while working on the Nubian Salvage Project in Upper Egypt. In addition to being one of the foremost archaeological illustrators of the past half-century, she has built a career as one of the best general field archaeologists in Egypt, having worked on sites all over the country, both with her husband and as a specialist called by other teams. Members of the AUC community who knew and worked with Susan will always remember her sly wit (which her quiet demeanor never succeeded in obscuring), her keen and penetrating intelligence, and most of all the immense care and concern that she devoted to her friends, colleagues and students.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two children, Emily and Christopher, and one grandchild.
Those wishing to send condolences may do so by email care of magdiali @ aucegypt.edu, Dr. Weeks's assistant.
There will be a memorial service at AUC's Oriental Hall on Tuesday, December 15th at 4:00 pm.
It is with great regret that we announce the death of Ms. Susan Weeks, wife of Egyptology Professor Emeritus Kent Weeks.
Susan received a Bachelor of Arts in graphic arts from the University of Washington. She and Kent met while working on the Nubian Salvage Project in Upper Egypt. In addition to being one of the foremost archaeological illustrators of the past half-century, she has built a career as one of the best general field archaeologists in Egypt, having worked on sites all over the country, both with her husband and as a specialist called by other teams. Members of the AUC community who knew and worked with Susan will always remember her sly wit (which her quiet demeanor never succeeded in obscuring), her keen and penetrating intelligence, and most of all the immense care and concern that she devoted to her friends, colleagues and students.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two children, Emily and Christopher, and one grandchild.
Those wishing to send condolences may do so by email care of magdiali @ aucegypt.edu, Dr. Weeks's assistant.
There will be a memorial service at AUC's Oriental Hall on Tuesday, December 15th at 4:00 pm.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Susan Weeks Funeral
The funeral was tonight, in Egypt as everyone is buried immediately there are no facilities to do anything else.
It has been an incredible 24 hours, last night I came back from the lecture having had an wonderful 'welcome back' after my surgery. I had a nice dinner and was watching TV. Seconds later everything change. I got a phone call from a good friend who knows I always attend the lectures checking I was OK. Panic in her voice as she told the story of a European women who had drowned in the Nile after attending the lecture. Seconds later ex pats from all over are calling each other checking. Nobody knows who the missing lady is. I phoned out British Consul Ehab Gaddis and he had heard nothing but promised to phone me back with info.
His news was that a lady had been found and she might be American, could I help. So next thing I know police are phoning us and turn up 12:30 am. Very apologetic but can I help, they have photos, tasteful not upsetting but I don’t recognise her. There was a wedding ring inscribed SLH KRW 8/19/66. I explain this is an American format which does not mean she is American but is a definite clue. I told them husband’s name first (how wrong was I). they left and I set about contacting people. Isabella for Italians Anjte for Germans, Karin for Dutch but the American date format bugs me. I ask on forums and someone suggest Chicago House, I am big friends with the librarian so email her. It is 1am by now and I don’t expect an answer at this time.
2:50 I get a text message. I don’t pick up on it until 3:15 am. Marie thinks it is Susan Weeks. I reply immediately OMG. Then almost immediately get a phone call from Brett at Chicago House. He is with Marie. They think it is Susan. Brett volunteers to contact Kent.
Brett phones me back, Kent had not missed Susan, they had guests that night including Marie and Brett and had gone to bed separately. Brett asks gently is Susan there, Kent replies YES. Brett asks him to check. She is not on board the dahabiyya. It is confirmation we did not need. I often get requests from families for a boat and constantly say safety standards are not the same. We do not know what happened but it would be easy to slip and fall. There is a constant flurry of phones calls trying to identify police to talk to, Brett to get to Kent. It is a nightmare
Around 5 am we are sure, it is Susan, Brett is with Kent, the rest of us are praying. The call to prayer comes out and I spend an hour to praying for her and more for the living kent, the first grand child, the Luxor community. The phone continues
At 6:30 Ibrahim phones me, then call after call shock is the main emotion. Everyone is offering support, helping, wanting to help, the phone never stops, American Warden wanting info for the Embassy, shocked residents and missions. I phone as well, Melinda Hartwig answers with her chirpy reply. I bring her down to earth, I have bad news, she is gutted, Susan is truly loved and respected in the Egyptology community and as a person.
Eventually funeral plans are discussed, HamduAllah she is going to buried in Luxor, we have to wait until the authorities release the body and then with no undertakers or chapels of rest we have to bury her immediately. Mansour Boraik and Ibrahim Soliman senior SCA members spend the entire day helping with authorities, Speaking both English and Arabic and having credibility they are invaluable. The funeral is confirmed, more phone calls ... 5pm. A service that has respect and personality and with a few hours notice. Then we go to Tiba to the foreigners cemetery, a few get lost on the way as it miles away. Flowers on the grave, we honoured her. Then back to Chicago House, to see a tiny man replace the giant Kent Weeks. He starts to remember the good times and the happy life they have together.
Then I am back home, more calls from aboard ... 24 hours of pain, wonder, shock ……………………………… but let us all celebrate Susan Weeks life and remember her words
It has been an incredible 24 hours, last night I came back from the lecture having had an wonderful 'welcome back' after my surgery. I had a nice dinner and was watching TV. Seconds later everything change. I got a phone call from a good friend who knows I always attend the lectures checking I was OK. Panic in her voice as she told the story of a European women who had drowned in the Nile after attending the lecture. Seconds later ex pats from all over are calling each other checking. Nobody knows who the missing lady is. I phoned out British Consul Ehab Gaddis and he had heard nothing but promised to phone me back with info.
His news was that a lady had been found and she might be American, could I help. So next thing I know police are phoning us and turn up 12:30 am. Very apologetic but can I help, they have photos, tasteful not upsetting but I don’t recognise her. There was a wedding ring inscribed SLH KRW 8/19/66. I explain this is an American format which does not mean she is American but is a definite clue. I told them husband’s name first (how wrong was I). they left and I set about contacting people. Isabella for Italians Anjte for Germans, Karin for Dutch but the American date format bugs me. I ask on forums and someone suggest Chicago House, I am big friends with the librarian so email her. It is 1am by now and I don’t expect an answer at this time.
2:50 I get a text message. I don’t pick up on it until 3:15 am. Marie thinks it is Susan Weeks. I reply immediately OMG. Then almost immediately get a phone call from Brett at Chicago House. He is with Marie. They think it is Susan. Brett volunteers to contact Kent.
Brett phones me back, Kent had not missed Susan, they had guests that night including Marie and Brett and had gone to bed separately. Brett asks gently is Susan there, Kent replies YES. Brett asks him to check. She is not on board the dahabiyya. It is confirmation we did not need. I often get requests from families for a boat and constantly say safety standards are not the same. We do not know what happened but it would be easy to slip and fall. There is a constant flurry of phones calls trying to identify police to talk to, Brett to get to Kent. It is a nightmare
Around 5 am we are sure, it is Susan, Brett is with Kent, the rest of us are praying. The call to prayer comes out and I spend an hour to praying for her and more for the living kent, the first grand child, the Luxor community. The phone continues
At 6:30 Ibrahim phones me, then call after call shock is the main emotion. Everyone is offering support, helping, wanting to help, the phone never stops, American Warden wanting info for the Embassy, shocked residents and missions. I phone as well, Melinda Hartwig answers with her chirpy reply. I bring her down to earth, I have bad news, she is gutted, Susan is truly loved and respected in the Egyptology community and as a person.
Eventually funeral plans are discussed, HamduAllah she is going to buried in Luxor, we have to wait until the authorities release the body and then with no undertakers or chapels of rest we have to bury her immediately. Mansour Boraik and Ibrahim Soliman senior SCA members spend the entire day helping with authorities, Speaking both English and Arabic and having credibility they are invaluable. The funeral is confirmed, more phone calls ... 5pm. A service that has respect and personality and with a few hours notice. Then we go to Tiba to the foreigners cemetery, a few get lost on the way as it miles away. Flowers on the grave, we honoured her. Then back to Chicago House, to see a tiny man replace the giant Kent Weeks. He starts to remember the good times and the happy life they have together.
Then I am back home, more calls from aboard ... 24 hours of pain, wonder, shock ……………………………… but let us all celebrate Susan Weeks life and remember her words
"Every morning as we walk into the Valley towards the tomb, I count my blessings. It is a privilege to be able to work here and to share it with my husband. Every day is magic still."
RIP Susan Weeks
Susan tragically drowned in the Nile last night, my deepest condolences to Kent Weeks, the Weeks family and the Luxor Egyptology community
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Postcard from Thoth Hill
Dear Jane,
On top of the world! I am glad to have done it. In fact I out-climbed the other two, who may have been younger, but were not in condition, and were the first to call halts. From Mohammed's house it took one and a quarter hours of fairly steep climbing, with some difficult bits.
Also walked round the hebsed? court. As to that, my opinion is that if Montuhotep could climb up the mountain, he didn't need to do any running to prove his virility.
Mike aka Michael on the roof
The Mohammed he talks about is my walking guide, Mohammed Ismail who knows the hills like the back of his hand should you want to do the same walk
Friday, 11 December 2009
Tomb Closures
Obviously I am not quite on top of things not being allowed out but I have heard Horemheb has closed again and Meena is definately closing tomorrow for a few days. The team are in town
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Egyptian Coins
Just had some guests who try and collect coins where ever they go on holiday so we did our best to get them one of every sort. Thought I would share with you
From left to right
1 LE (100 pt = 1LE). These and the 50pt are the ones tourist are most likely to come across. It is silver and gold with Tutankamun on it. You can get them at a bank easily but less easily at shops and exchange bureaus
large 50pt and small 50pt exactly the same design but the newer one is slightly smaller, gold with Nefertari, I think this would make a lovely pendant
25pt with the hole in the middle
20pt I had never seen one of these until today
large silver 10pt again I had never seen one till today
small gold 10pt these I have seen, lovely picture of the citadel
gold 5pt with what looks like a vase on it
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