[Centre for Egyptological Studies of the RAS]

Archaeology

Memphis

Preliminary Report on the First Season of Archaeological
and Geophysical Survey at Kom Tuman, Tell Aziziya and Kom Dafbaby

The first season of works at Kom Tuman was concentrated on topographical, geological and geophysical survey, and the analysis of surface archeological material. The works were fulfilled by the Centre for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with SPC «Geotechnology» (Moscow).

The staff of the expedition was:

Dr. Galina A. Belova, Director of the expedition;
Mr. Ragab Turkey Shehata, Inspector of the SCA;
Mr. Sergej V. Ivanov, Egyptologist, Photographer;
Dr. Sergej B. Sokolov, Geologist;
Mr. Alexander Pelevine, Geologist;
Dr. Prof. Modin Igor, Geophysicist;
Mr. Michail J. Katz, Geophysicist;
Mr. Andrey Gidaspov, Geomorphologist;
Mr. Oleg Pomogaev, Topographer;
Mrs. Irina Nofal, Draughtsman.

Preparation to the magnetic survey

Topographical, geological and geophysical survey combined several methods — high-accuracy survey of the surface with aids of satellite navigation system GPS, magnetic prospecting, geoelectrical prospecting and georadar. The latter three methods allow studying geological structure of the site; determining architectural structures and finding archaeological objects, covered by earth. The high-accuracy topographical survey makes it possible to draw the details of landscape, which are not seen by eye. The survey was done using the up-to date equipment, which was made in Russia and tested at many archaeological sites.

During the first season the area 80 × 100 meters (Kom Tuman: west, central part) was thoroughly studied. The main results of the study became finding and describing of numerous archaeological structures, located under the earth in this area. They resemble the plan of living quarters with a part of large building (palace?). During the prospecting the plot to the depth of 50 meters from the distance from the surface to the geological base of the site, the size of cultural layer was defined, that is approximately 12 m.

The forthcoming interpretation of results of the sounding will make it possible to reconstruct the ancient landscape of the place, to build exact (with data precision of 3 cm) archaeological and geophysical maps of the area, to built 3-D model of the site, that is very important for further studies at Kom Tuman.

During this season Kom Tuman, Tell Azizia and Kom Dawbabi were properly measured, the exact plan of the site with the grid 10×10 meters, necessary for future excavations, was made; the position of all surface archaeological finds was fixed on the plan.

Numerous accumulations as well as separate architectural fragments, spread all over Kom Tuman, Tell Aziz and Kom Dawbabi were examined and described. They include mud- brick and brick walls, limestone building blocks, fragments of limestone cornices; bases, capitals and drums of columns made from granite and limestone; door-jambs, fragments of doorways; pavement slabs, etc.

Fragment of a vessel with a production mark

A rather important accumulation is situated on- and around a small hill at the southeastern corner of Kom Tuman. A large cavetto-cornise block, numerous building-blocks (all made of limestone) were reordered here. These may be the remains of a temple; this suggestion is proved by a number of fragments of cult vessels found there. Some of the limestone blocks bear the traces of reliefs. One of them contains a fragment of representation of a king (part of a royal kilt with uraeus-decoration). Due to the small sizes of the other fragments and bad weathering it is impossible to identify the subjects that were represented on the other blocks.

In the central part of Kom Tuman the remains of a large building with compartments, described by D.G. Jeffreys are still visible on the surface. Traces of mud-brick walls, pavement-slabs, door-jambs, etc. are found here. Plenty of Roman pottery and fragments of small faience vessels spread all over the area.

200 m to the south another accumulation of limestone architectural fragments is observed. A large doorway block, a semi-circular bullhead (?), door-jabs, building-blocks, etc. are recorded at the place. There were also found here two large badly damaged conical vessels made of limestone.

Another important accumulations are located along the ditch that marks the eastern border of Kom Tuman. The both sides of the ditch are marked with mud-brick walls, the upper part of which are visible on the surface. In the ditch itself there were found numerous limestone architectural fragments, including part of architrave, drums of columns and door-jambs of different sizes. The maximum concentration of the fragments is observed at the northern part of the ditch (region of the camp's gate, reordered by W.M.F. Petrie).

The central part of Kom Tuman is marked by a 1,8 meters-wide road, which was oriented from the east to the west and certainly led from the eastern gate of the enclosure to the palace of Apries. The visible remains of the road, 7 meters long, still have molded borders and a kind of drainage system (?).

Fragments of slakes, found at Kom Tuman

Another important finds were made in the central and northwestern parts of Kom Tuman, where two ovens were discovered. One of them was noted because of magnetic anomaly that it causes; another one — because of characteristic vaulted top, which was partly unearthed to the time of survey. There is a layer of charcoal in the both ovens. Around the sites there were found numerous pieces of slag of different sizes, pieces of oxidized copper alloy and fragments of pottery covered by the same substance. These by-products may indicate that there were metallurgical productions at these places.

A fragment of an amphora, damaged during firing, and pieces of cocked mass of glaze point on the existence of ceramics and faience production at this region. There were also found many samples of unfinished alabaster vessels. In 1909-1912 W.M. F. Petrie the same kind that was found here by, and mark alabaster workshop located at Kom Tuman in antiquity.

Fragment of a king's statue. XXVI Dynasty

During the survey more than 200 objects were collected or described. The most part of the material is represented by different kinds of ceramics; the most part of it is dated to Greco-Roman Period. The commonest types of vessels found here are amphoras, jugs, «kitchen» ceramics, pots, lids of vessels, etc. There were found several fragments of faience and black-varnished and red-polished containers as well parts of sandstone-, limestone- and granite dishes.

Some finds are pieces of round sculpture, the most significant of which is the unfinished head of a king the 26th Dynasty (a trial piece?), made of limestone. The other include terracotta figurine of women with a vessel in her right hand and a monkey on the left shoulder; and a fragment of a clay figurine of a naked women ?V both date to the Roman period. Another interesting find is a fragment of a vessel in the form of a cock with traces of painted decoration, also dated to the Roman period.

A rather unexpected find was made at the western part of Kom Tuman. Here a limestone model of a boat was found, that is exclusively characteristic for the Old Kingdom sites and usually considered to be temple votive offering. Among the rest material is a fragment of game-board for senet, made of limestone; several weights of different value, made of limestone and calcite.

G. Belova, S. Ivanov

Previous seasons:

Fifth season, 2005–2006
Fourth season, 2004–2005
Third season, 2003–2004
Second season, 2002
First season, 2001