The Asyut Project: Eleventh Season of Fieldwork (2014)
Mahmoud El-Khadragy, Jochem Kahl, Hesham Faheed Ahmed, Ursula Verhoeven, Mohammed Abdelrahiem
From 18th August to 22th October 2014, the Egyptian-German joint mission of Sohag University, Freie Universität Berlin and Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz conducted its eleventh season of fieldwork in the ancient necropolis of Asyut situated in the western mountains (Gebel Asyut al-gharbi; Fig. 1).[1] Fieldwork focused on the following tombs/activities:
Level 7:
Near Tomb N13.1 a burial was cleaned on Level 7: The child/young adult was buried in a reed basket. According to the pottery, the burial can be dated to the end of the Old Kingdom.
Tomb V (nomarch Khety I, First Intermediate Period):
The biographical inscription in Tomb V was stabilized by the accompanying restorers. A small part of the northern forecourt was cleaned.
Northern Soldiers Tomb (Tomb H.11.1):
An intensive work was carried out for cleaning and documenting the Northern Soldier Tomb (Tomb H.11.1; Pls. 1-2). Our work focused on completing the cleaning of the tomb from the several tons of debris and huge stones covered its floor.
While cleaning, 11 new shafts came to the light (shafts nos 5-15). This new shafts indicate that the tomb was reused long time after the Middle Kingdom. Some pottery fragments were found in shaft no. 13 and can be dated to the Ptolemaic Period. A new plan of the tomb is produced by our architect Conny Goerlich (Fig. 2).
Like the other Middle Kingdom tombs in Gebel Assiut al-gharbi, the Northern Soldier Tomb was supported by pillars, since some parts of pillars decorated with friezes were found, also two huge blocks of the ceiling with some architectural elements were found. The following objects were found while cleaning the tomb:
- Bead from faience bearing the name of the god Amun (north of shaft 6 / S14/3 [Pl. 3]).
- Four ostraca with Demotic and Coptic inscriptions (west of shafts 9 and 11 / S14/11, 12, 13, 14 [Pls. 4-7]).
- Complete pottery vessel with stopper (in shaft 11 / S14/19 [Pl. 8]).
Tomb N13.1 (nomarch Iti-ibi-iqer, time of Mentuhotep II, 11th Dynasty):
This tomb was used as place of excursions during the New Kingdom, especially Dynasty 18. Already existing facsimiles of the original inscriptions and paintings as well as of New Kingdom visitors’ graffiti were collated and photos taken.
Tomb I (nomarch Djefai-Hapi I., time of Senwosret I, 12th Dynasty):
The mission continued cleaning the substructure of the tomb for architectural documentation. The c. 13 metres long sloping passage in the south wall of the inner hall leads to a shaft of several meters depth. About 5 metres of the debris in this shaft were removed including heavy stones and modern remains. At the ground of this shaft, there is a room (Pls. 9-10), from which another shaft and a horizontal passage branch off. The cleaning of this room, but also of the other substructures has to be continued next season.
In addition, facsimiles were collated, which were made from inscriptions in the first corridor of Tomb I during previous seasons, and a complete facsimile of the southern and northern walls of the inner shrine was taken. A very interesting feature is modern graffiti on these walls, written in Arabic by quarrymen. These graffiti mention the names of the quarrymen and depict a building (probably a mosque), mihrabs and mishqahs. Probably theses quarrymen were responsible for the destruction of parts of Tomb I or its surroundings. A study of western travellers’ reports allows the following chronological reconstruction of the destruction of parts of Tomb I and its surroundings: The first hall of Tomb I was destroyed between 1778 and 1798, parts of the inner shrine were destroyed between 1825 and 1851, the area in front of Tomb I was destroyed in 1884.[2]
The accompanying restorers[3] cleaned parts of the ceiling in the Great Transverse Hall of Tomb I (Pl. 11). Thus, it was possible to reconstruct for the first time the complete patterns on the ceiling of this hall. The ceiling pattern in Tomb I stands in a long tradition of using repetitive polychrome design, especially geometric mat patterns, such as checkers, zigzag or lozenges for the decoration. Originally used in houses or outdoor pavillons,[4] such mats probably were large and elegantly woven and arranged, that the guests would be able to view and enjoy the bright decorations.[5] Not only mats, but also rugs, leather or cloth were probably used for covering an outdoor pavillon.[6] The patterns in Tomb I are polychrome: Yellow, red, white, a lighter and a darker blue were used. The ceiling shows six different patterns and one line of inscription (Pl. 12). The inscription mentions the name, titles and epithets of Djefai-Hapi I. This line of hieroglyphs divides the ceiling into a mirror-symmetrical western and eastern half. The hieroglyphs start in the center of the ceiling and run from there to the left and to the right respectively. The hieroglyphs are to be read, when one enters the Great Transverse Hall from the First Corridor. Then their orientation is in the right way, so that the hieroglyphs representing animals for example stand on their feet. From the centre to the north one reads:
ir.i paw.t HA.ti-a.w xtm.w bit cmr wati im.i-rA Hm.w-nTr ni(.w) wp-wAi.wt nb sAw.ti im.i-ib ni nb [=f ...]
The hereditary noble, mayor, sealer of the king, outstanding companion, overseer of the priests of Wepwawet, lord of Asyut, favorite of [his] lord [...]
From the centre to the south one reads:
ir.i paw.t HA.ti-a.w xtm.w bit cmr wati im.i-rA Hm.w-nTr ni(.w) wp-wAi.wt nb sAw.ti
[...] qd=c wAH tp tA DfA=i-Hapi mc.n idy aA.t
The hereditary noble, mayor, sealer of the king, outstanding companion, overseer of the priests of Wepwawet, lord of Asyut, [...]her/its form, enduring on earth, Djefai-Hapi, whom Idy, the elder, gave birth.
Today situated in front of the modern entrance of Tomb I, the southern part of the original first room of the tomb was cleaned (Pl. 13). This first room was already destroyed before the French Expedition arrived at Asyut in 1798. Remains of a ceiling show that this room was roofed in originally and had a height of more than eleven metres. Old travellers’ reports give some hints that it was destroyed between 1778 and 1798.[7] The remaining parts of its northern and southern walls show rectangular openings leading to small side chambers with an original height of c. 3 metres.[8] These chambers are for the most part destroyed today. Cleaning of the southern chambers brought to light several, already disturbed shafts from the 12th Dynasty belonging to the original plan of Tomb I. Apparently Djefai-Hapi’s entourage (members of his family and/or high officials) were buried in these shafts. Objects found in these shafts were pottery (e.g. two late Middle Kingdom vessels [Pls. 14-15], imitating marl clay: S14/4, S14/6; both bear a blue painted inscription mentioning Djefa [S14/4] and Hapi [S14/6], thus giving evidence for the cult of Djefai-Hapi I at the end of the Middle Kingdom), fragments of coffins, and beads. Because of the minor quality of the rock, the ground of the shafts is wet by water which followes the carst funnels in this area.
Outside of the original layout of this first room, there were still other shafts. Two of them were unfinished; two others were finished, but already disturbed. They still showed pottery and coffin fragments. The pottery can be dated to the Middle Kingdom, the Ramesside Period, the Ptolemaic Period, and Late Roman Period. There were still complete vessels especially from the Ramesside Period; also two ushabtis from that time were found (S14/20, S14/21; Pls. 16-17).
Parts of the causeway of Tomb I were cleared. A suggestion brought forward in 2004[9] that the causeway has taken direction to the old city of Asyut, could be confirmed: Still on the geological level 2,[10] it branches off into the direction of the Old City (Pls. 18-19).
Tomb M12.3 (deputy Khety, time of Amenemhet II, 12th Dynasty):
This tomb was already seen by the members of the French Expedition (1799) and by Percy E. Newberry during the end of the Nineteenth century, but then forgotten[11] and rediscovered in 2012 by the Asyut Project. Apart from the deliberated damage and the usual weathering over time, the texts in Tomb M12.3 are mostly obscured by a layer of soot. Occasionally, wasp nests hamper the reading of the inscriptions. The plaster on which the texts were written is fragile and often became detached from the wall. The walls were cleaned and strengthened by the accompanying restorers.
The tomb consists of several rooms. The tomb entrance is lost, probably because of quarrying. The entrance to room x+2 is framed with monumental inscriptions. Although most part of the inscription is lost, three or four horzontal lines can be reconstructed above the door and three vertical columns on each side. The lower ends of the vertical inscriptions are the best readable parts and show that all six lines repeated the same text ending with the name of the 13th Upper Egyptian nome Nedjefet-khentet.
Room x+2 is completely decorated. The northern wall (Pl. 20) shows an offering formula and an offering list. Below the texts, there is an offering scene showing an offering table, a scene depicting female offering bearers and offerings, and another scene depicting a walking and a kneeling figure. A large part of the decoration is hacked away.
The eastern wall shows a biographical inscription (Pl. 21), an offering formula, two short lines identifying the son of the tomb owner, and a depiction of the tomb owner Khety and his son (Pl. 22). The biographical inscription reports on a visit of the deputy Khety in the capital of the neighbouring nome Shashotep.
The western wall is damaged. The remaining parts show an offering formula and a list of goods, including vessels, jewelry, hard stone vessels.
The southern wall is also damaged and still shows parts of an offering list, a hieroglyphic text, a depiction of an offering table, a depiction of the tomb owner and his family seated in front of an offering table.
The tomb can de dated to the reign of Amenemhat III as the date 22nd year mentioned in the autobiographic inscription shows. Therefore this tomb is a unique witness of Asyut during the end of the 12th Dynasty.
Tomb of the Dogs (Late Period – Ptolemaic Period):
Bones of dogs and other animals found in 2012 in the inner hall of this tomb were studied. Beside canids (dogs, jackals, foxes) also bones of cats, ibisses, and a crocodile were studied.
Coptic chapel J11.3:
The entrance of this chapel was cleaned to open the already existing iron door, which was installed by the SCA already before the Egyptian-German mission started its workin 2003. Photos of the remaining parts of the wall decoration (Pl. 23) and inscriptions were taken and the acconpanying restorers started to work there.
Shaft K6.1:
Situated near the modern cemetery, SCA brought several years ago a part of a granite sarcophagus from this shaft to the magazine at Shutb. The 2014 mission tried to find the remaining parts of the sarcophagus in the shaft; but ground water in the burial chamber prevented the mission from any cleaning.
Survey:
Survey activities were restricted to the study of some tombs on Level 8, situated directly above Tomb N13.1. Some pottery was collected for study purposes.
Map of the necropolis:
Mapping Gebel Asyut al-gharbi was continued. Tombs on Level 7 and Level 8 were recorded.
Tomb N13.91:
Iron doors were installed at the openings of the two tomb shafts in N13.91 to store bones of the previous seasons in the shaft, which still shall be studied.
Magazine at Shutb:
Objects of the previous seasons― especially leather work and objects from Level 7 ―were studied in the magazine of the MSA at Shutb. Objects, which were found during the 2014 season, were registered by the accompanying inspectors of the MSA.
List of Figures and Plates:
Figures
Fig. 1, Gebel Asyut al-gharbi, main structures
Fig. 2, Tomb H11.1, ground plan
Plates
Pl. 1, Tomb H11.1
Pl. 2, Tomb H11.1
Pl. 3, S14/3
Pl. 4, S14/11
Pl. 5, S14/12
Pl. 6, S14/13
Pl. 7, S14/14
Pl. 8, S14/19
Pl. 9, Tomb I, substructure
Pl. 10, Tomb I, substructure
Pl. 11, Tomb I, ceiling
Pl. 12, Tomb I, ceiling inscription
Pl. 13, Tomb I, first room
Pl. 14, S14/4
Pl. 15, S14/6
Pl. 16, S14/20
Pl. 17, S14/21
Pl. 18, Tomb I, causeway
Pl. 19, Tomb I, causeway
Pl. 20, M12.3, Northern wall
Pl. 21, M12.3, Eastern wall
Pl. 22, M12.3, Eastern wall
Pl. 23, Coptic Chapel J11.3
[1] During fieldwork we received full cooperation and encouragement from the Ministry of State for Archaeology. Thanks are due in particular to the State Minister of Antiquity, Prof. Dr .Mamdoh El Damati, to the Chairman, Dr. Mostafa Amin, to the Head of the Archaeology Sector, Dr. Yousef Kahlefa, to the Director General of Antiquities for Middle Egypt, Mr. Mohamed Abdelhamid Khalaf, to the Director General of Asyut, Mr. Abdel-Satar Ahmed Mohamed, and to the Head of the Foreign and Egyptian Mission Affairs and Permanent Committee, Hany Abo El-Azaim.
Members of the mission were: Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El-Khadragy, Prof. Dr. Jochem Kahl, Dr. Hesham Faheed Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahiem, Prof. Dr. Ursula Verhoeven, Prof. Dr. Abdel Nasser Yasin, Prof. Dr. Günter Vittmann, Dr. Sameh Shafik, Dr. Omar Nour ed-Din, Dr. Michael van Elsbergen, Dr. Teodozja Rzeuska, Dr. Meike Becker, Dr. Ilona Regulski, Andrea Kilian, Monika Zöller-Engelhardt, Svenja Gülden, Tina Beck, Fritz Barthel, Eva Gervers, Cornelia Goerlich-Lehrle, Mohamed Helmi, Mohamed Farag, Mohamed Alshafey, Aneta Cedro, Ewa Czyczewska, Stephan Hartlepp, Rebekka Pabst, Marcus Stecher, Chiori Kitagawa, Metoda Peršin, Philipp Jansen, Adel Refat.
The accompanying inspectors are: Mr. Abu-Bakr Hasan Mohamed Bakr, and Mrs. Dalia Mohamed Hasan.
[2] Cf. Jochem Kahl, Die Zeit selbst lag nun tot darnieder. Die Stadt Assiut und ihre Nekropolen nach westlichen Reiseberichten des 17. bis 19. Jahrhunderts: Konstruktion, Destruktion und Rekonstruktion (The Asyut Project 5; Wiesbaden 2013) 84.
[3] We thank Mr. Khaled Abdel-Malek Abou Zayed, Mr. Niasy Mostafa Mohamed, Mr. Samy Kamal Hamdy, Mr. Hussein Mostafa Hussein, and Mr. Mohamed Khalifa Mohamed for their excellent work during this season.
[4] E. J. W. Barber, Prehistoric Textiles. The Development of Cloth in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages (Princeton 1991) 341.
[5] E. J. W. Barber, Prehistoric Textiles. The Development of Cloth in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages (Princeton 1991) 341.
[6] E. J. W. Barber, Prehistoric Textiles. The Development of Cloth in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages (Princeton 1991) 342.
[7] Jochem Kahl, Die Zeit selbst lag nun tot darnieder. Die Stadt Assiut und ihre Nekropolen nach westlichen Reiseberichten des 17. bis 19. Jahrhunderts: Konstruktion, Destruktion und Rekonstruktion (The Asyut Project 5; Wiesbaden 2013) 79-80.
[8] Cf. Eva-Maria Engel / Jochem Kahl, Die Grabanlage Djefaihapis I. in Assiut: ein Rekonstruktionsversuch, in: Joanna Popielska-Grzybowska/Olga Białostocka (eds.), Proceedings of the Third Central European Conference of Young Egyptologists. Egypt 2004: Perspectives of Research. Warsaw 12-14 May 2004, 55-59.
[9] Eva-Maria Engel / Jochem Kahl, Die Grabanlage Djefaihapis I. in Assiut: ein Rekonstruktionsversuch, in: Joanna Popielska-Grzybowska/Olga Białostocka (eds.), Proceedings of the Third Central European Conference of Young Egyptologists. Egypt 2004: Perspectives of Research. Warsaw 12-14 May 2004, 55-59.
[10] For the geological Stepps on Gebel Asyut al-gharbi, cf. Jochem Kahl, Ancient Asyut. A First Synthesis after 300 Years of Research (The Asyut Project 1; Wiesbaden 2007) 59-60.
[11] Diana Magee, A Small Tomb at Asyut Based on the Mss of P.E. Newberry, in: C.J. Eyre (ed.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Congress of Egyptologists. Cambridge, 3-9 September 1995 (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 82; Leuven 1998) 717-729.