Report of the 2006 field season
Introduction
The second field season of the joint project between the British Museum and the University of
Milan in the Aswan-Kom Ombo region has been undertaken from the 4th to the 23rd of February
2006. Its purpose was to continue the survey started in the previous year, to assess the condition of
important archaeological areas and to ensure they were recorded and preserved. The urgency of the
research, due to the building of new villages and cities along the Nile and land reclamation for
various purposes in the surrounding areas, adds to its significance.
Scientific members of this season were Dr. Maria Carmela Gatto, British Museum research curator
and co-director of the project, Prehistorian; Dr. Serena Giuliani, Società Italiana di Archeologia
Nilotica, Nubiologist; Mr. Marcel Marée, British Museum Assistant Keeper, Epigraphist; Miss
Bernadette Dickman, physical anthropologist, and Miss Sara Roma, graduate student at the
University of Rome “La Sapienza”. Inspector for the Supreme Council of Antiquities of the Esna
Inspectorate was Ahmed Hassan Amin. Field assistants were Redah Sayed Hassan and Mustafa
Abdl Kadr. Representative for the local tourism police were Adel Emaya Abd el Malak and
Mohammed Abdel Azim.
This season second has been funded by the British Museum, the Michaela Schiff-Georgini
Foundation and Italian private downers.
The project concession includes the following localities:
In the Aswan region (EGSA Map NG36 B3b Aswan): Wadi Abu Subeira, for some kilometres
along the main wadi and surrounding tributaries; Wadi Kubbaniya, for some kilometres along the
main wadi; the west bank of the Nile between Kubbaniya north and Qubbet el Hawa north to
include a stretch of some kilometres into the gebel.
In the Kom Ombo region (EGSA Map NG36 C1c Wadi Umm Rukbah): the desert edge behind the
villages of New Qustul and New Tushka, to include Wadi Umm Matras, Wadi el Kharit and Wadi
al Lawi, for some kilometres along the main wadi and surrounding tributaries.
This year work has been concentrated along the valley between Kubbaniya north and Qubbet el
Hawa north, in a stretch of land some 1.5-2 kilometres wide, and in the Wadi al Lawi area (fig. 1).
The survey work was undertaken using different methodologies according to the visibility and
accessibility of the ground. Field walking and car walking were used alternatively. Sites were
recorded using a hand GPS Garmin E-Trex. Pictures were made with digital cameras. Occasionally
surface artefacts were collected, analysed and later stored in the Kom Ombo magazine.
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In order to collect more information, a systematic work of recording was devoted to five specific
sites: SM2 at Sheikh Mohammed, WK4, WK11 and WK14 at Wadi Kubbaniya and Shaab Negema
at Wadi al Lawi.
The survey
This year survey has been concentrated on the west bank, from Qubbet el Hawa north to Kubbaniya
north. The main investigation of the area was undertaken at the end of the 19 th century and at the
beginning of the last century. In those occasions some sites were recorded, particularly Pharaonic
inscriptions (de Morgan 1894), rock engravings (Winkler 1938), Predynastic and Nubian cemeteries
(Junker 1919, 1920) and Greco-roman temple and town (Porter and Moss 1937). More recently the
Paleolithic evidence at Wadi Kubbaniya was explored by the Combined Prehistoric Expedition
(Wendorf et al. 1989).
The current survey, although preliminary, reviled the occurrence along the Nile valley of a high
number of sites (fig. 2), the majority of which was previously unknown. Chronologically they cover
a time span that goes from the Middle Paleolithic to the Islamic period. However, it must be pointed
out that, apart from rock inscriptions and the scatter of ceramics found right to the north of Qubbet
el Hawa (NQ1), true Pharaonic sites, such as settlements, cemeteries and temples, are missing. As a
matter of fact the only Pharaonic pottery recorded along the valley was found within Nubian CGroup or Pan-Grave contexts.
The typology of sites is very heterogeneous. They mainly consist of rock art stations and rock
inscriptions, surface scatters of potsherds, cemeteries, settlements, concentrations of lithic artefacts,
a temple and a possible Nubian rock cult place. Rock engravings are placed on the walls of the
sandstone formations rising steeply from the river edge, the same location of all the Greco-Roman
funerary remains. Pan-Grave, C-Group and Predynastic cemeteries are on the edge of the valley or
on the lower terraces of the gebel. Prehistoric sites are on the terraces overlooking the Nile or along
the wadis, while the Greco-Roman temple, as well as the town and another possible settlement are
right along the river.
Some of the Pharaonic rock inscriptions previously recorded by de Morgan (1894) were relocated,
including an inscription made by Unas, the owner of one of the Qubbet el Hawa rock tombs (site
ME2). The rock where it is engraved rolled down from the top gebel wall and now the inscription is
upside down, very close to the houses of the nearby village (Midan el Eisa). At site SM13
Pharaonic inscriptions and rock art are engraved in a section of the gebel wall close to the modern
bridge (figs. 3-5). They are seriously under threat because of their location in the area between
Sheikh Mohammed and Kubbaniya where the town of New Aswan is now under construction. The
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inscriptions are datable to the Middle and New Kingdoms, but also to later periods. Rock
engravings of different ages represent cattle, giraffes, boats, an archer with a cow, human figures,
and a representation of the sacred bull Neghen. Most of them are definitely of a Middle Nubian
tradition, particularly the archer and the bull Neghen. On the surface beneath the rock walls there
were many potsherds, some of which have to be connected to the C-Group culture. Also a Khnum
symbol (SM11) was found on top of one of the gebel overlooking the Nile.
Concentrations of lithic artefacts were noticed along the valley in the area of Sheikh Mohammed
(SM2) and along the wadis, again at Sheikh Mohammed (SM10) and at Midan el Faras (MF2). But
it has to be remembered that a great number of Late Paleolithic sites was already investigated by the
CPE at Wadi Kubbaniya (Wendorf et al. 1989). Some lithic artefacts of the same typology were
also found within the Predynastic sites, as evidence of possible different layers of occupation.
Another peculiar site is a concentration of rocky outcrops (SM9) overlooking the Nile on the edge
of the valley to the north of Sheikh Mohammed. There many carved cups and an engraved animal
were worked on the blocks (figs. 6-7). This locality may be connected with the Nubian religious
tradition of sacred rocks (the archaic temple of Satet at Elephantine island is an example), concept
at the base of the following Pharaonic Nubian rock temples.
Many other Nubian sites were found, including two C-Group cemeteries, one at Sheikh Mohammed
(SM7) and the other at Kubbaniya (SM6). Both of them were already excavated by Junker in 191011 but only the latter was published and mentioned in the literature (Junker 1920). Diagnostic CGroup potsherds were also found at the rock station SM13.
A Pan-Grave cemetery, labelled WK11 (fig. 9), was found north of Kubbaniya in the locality named
Nag el Qarmila. It is located in a spot of the gebel currently reclaimed by building activities. Tumuli
and possible offering trenches (those clearly visible on surface are approximately 30 in total) were
plundered, but a lot of well-preserved materials were found on surface anyway. The Egyptian
pottery has to be dated to the 13th Dynasty. Few Pan-grave potsherds were also found under a rock
shelter on top of the gebel at Midan el Eisa, right to the south of the Unas inscription (ME1).
Moreover, it is interesting to note the presence of some Pan-grave ceramic fragments, associated to
late Middle Kingdom pottery, on surface of a Greco-Roman settlement (WK 7) and on the
Predynastic Cemetery (WK 14). These scanty remains may be probably considered the only
evidence of Pan-grave settlements / camp sites in the area.
At Nag el Qarmila, and with the same problems of conservation of the Pan-Grave cemetery, there
are other two sites, this time dated to the Predynastic period: a settlement (WK15) with a nearby
cemetery (WK14). They are unknown in the literature and, according to what visible on surface
both are still in place, although heavily disturbed by modern activities. According to the Naqadian
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and A-Group pottery found on surface, both of them may be dated to Naqada Ic-IId1/Early AGroup phase.
Special mention has to be given to the Greco-Roman remains. Apart from the already known temple
(SM12) and town (WK12) (Porter and Moss 1937), many other sites have been found, both
settlements (WK7) and cemeteries. As for the latter, graves of this period are placed all along the
upper section of the gebel overlooking the Nile and on the mouth of the main wadis. The graves, cut
into the rock, are always plundered and remains of terracotta sarcophaguses (present in some cases),
human bones (including pieces of mummified bodies) and potsherds are scattered all around. A
more detailed study has to be devoted to this period sites, as they are definitely the most common in
the concession area, although very poorly understood.
Analysis of specific sites
A detailed epigraphic work has been carried out by Mr Marcel Marée at site WK4, a rock
inscription from the 6th Dynasty, carved by the leaders of a quarrying expedition (Baba and his son
Iqu-ibi the Elder), which has been re-located last year. A first transcription was made by A.H. Sayce
and published by de Morgan (1894). The first attempt to interpret the text came only a century later
(Kessler and Schulz 1995) but it was based only on a photograph. It is as part of the present mission
that a facsimile was traced from the inscription itself. Examination of the inscription has yielded
various improved readings for the lower three lines, whose signs were heavily eroded and often
incompletely carved. According to Mr Marée, results include a different name for one of the
expedition leaders, and a completely new reading of the final line.
Dr. Serena Giuliani concentrated her effort on the documentation of the Pan-Grave cemetery
WK11. A complete, although preliminary, plan of the grave yard was produced (fig. 11). A surface
assemblage of artefacts was systematically collected using a grid system of 1x1 m. It mainly
consists on potsherds, both Egyptian and Pan-Grave, but also some egg-shell beads, a fragment of
an animal horn and one mother-of-pearl spacer (figs. 12-13). As far as the pottery is concerned, a
large quantity of Egyptian jars of Mar l and Nile fabrics were collected around some tumuli and
three of the supposed offering places. A lot of diagnostic Pan-grave pottery was also recorded.
Some bowls show decorative patterns, both incised and impressed, never found so far in the Pangrave production (Giuliani 2001a, b, 2004, in press a). Following the quite regular rounded shape of
the tumuli, as well as the typology of Egyptian and Pan-grave pottery productions (fig. 10), the
cemetery may be dated to the Egyptian Late Middle Kingdom-Early Second Intermediate Period,
Fase I of the Pan-grave Culture (Giuliani in press b).
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A methodical surface collection was undertaken, under the direction of Dr. Gatto, at the Predynastic
cemetery WK14. There a grid of 2x2 m was set up for an area of 26x22 m. More than 350 potsherds
were found. Apart from some of a later date, the Predynastic assemblage is mainly composed of
Naqadian Black Topped vessels, followed by a remarkable number of coarse bowls made of a shale
tempered fabric (figs. 14-15). A-Group Black Mouthed vessels, sometimes showing a rippled
surface (figs. 16-17), are present as well but in a limited number compared to the Naqadian ones.
This preliminary result brings to light the strong relationship occurring between the Aswan
evidence and that from Hierakonpolis and the western desert behind the valley, where shale
tempered vessels are quite common (Friedman 1994; Darnell per. comm.). Moreover, it confirms
the hypothesis proposed by Gatto that the sites assigned to the A-Group in the First Cataract area
are in reality Egyptians, due to the high presence (around 80%) of Naqadian materials in their
assemblages (Gatto and Tiraterra 1996; Gatto 1997, 2000, 2003, in press). Also few lithics, a bead,
a fragment of a worked stone and a fragment of an incised egg-shell were collected on the site.
A surface collection has been made by Miss Sara Roma at the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene
sites at Sheikh Mohammed and Midan el Faras (SM2, MF2) and the lithic artefacts were
preliminarily analysed by Dr. Gatto. As far as the first site is concerned, four square meters were
systematically collected to be added to a random surface collection of a more larger area. The
assemblages consisted of a microlithic blade industry mostly on Nile pebbles, but some Egyptian
flint was used as well. Cores mostly shown single, multifaceted, platforms, while only few tools
were recorded: a backed blade and a “lame a crête”. Photographs are now under study by Dr.
Donatella Usai, Prehistorian and lithic specialist.
A work of recording and documentation has been undertaken also at the isolated tumulus of Shaab
Negema in the desert east of Kom Ombo. The cleaning of the structure has brought to light its
complexity as far as the building technique is concerned. It consists of two concentric stone rings
partially leaning on the bedrock and partially on sand or a layer of crushed bedrock. The removing
of the plunderers’ backfill from the shaft gave the opportunity to collect human bones, potsherds, a
quartz flake, and two bone awls, one of which had an incised herring bone pattern at the basal part
(fig. 18). According to Miss Bernadette Dickman the human bones were of two different adult
individuals: one male aged between 35 and 50 years of age, and one younger female aged between
20 and 35 years of age. In spite of the poor condition of the bone and the fact that all was
disarticulated, it was evident that one of these individuals suffered from osteoarthritis of the spine;
possibly the older male although this is only speculative. Unfortunately the plunderers have
completely disturbed the inhumation and now is difficult to reconstruct the relationship between the
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two bodies. Moreover, only a systematic excavation could confirm or disprove the presence of a
second shaft.
Conclusion
This second reconnaissance has been brought to light again the danger facing most of the
archaeological sites in Aswan and Kom Ombo. Many of them has been already destroyed or
plundered, and many others are seriously under threat.
Special note has to be given to:
o the sites included in the area of the new town of Aswan (fig. 2), particularly the rock
inscriptions and art, the Greco-Roman temple, the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene lithic
concentrations and the Nubian sacred rocks;
o the sites in the locality of Nag el Qarmila, north of Kubbaniya, where current building activities
will destroy any evidence in the next months.
All these sites need to be urgently preserved and recorded before will be too late.
With this priority in mind, we would like to undertake, for the next field season, a specific rescue
operation for the three sites at Nag el Qarmila.
Acknowledgements
For permission to work, we are very grateful to Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary-General of the Supreme
Council of Antiquities of Egypt, and to the Permanent Committee of the SCA. Much appreciated is
also the great help received during our work by Dr. Mohamed El Bialy, Director-General of the
Aswan and Nubian Antiquities, who strongly supported this project, and Dr. Mohi Eldi Mustafa,
responsible for the Aswan Antiquities. Many thanks also to our inspector Ahmed Hassan Amin,
which with great professionalism participate to our work.
London/Milan, 10-05-2006
Dr. Maria Carmela Gatto
Prof. Mauro Cremaschi
The British Museum
University of Milan
Bibliography
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Friedman R.F. 1994. Predynastic Settlement Ceramics of Upper Egypt: A Comparative Study of the
Ceramics of Hemamieh, Naqada and Hierakonpolis. Ann Arbor: UMI Dissertation Services.
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Gatto M.C. 1997. Regional differences in the so-called A-Group Culture of Lower Nubia”. In
Barich B. and M.C. Gatto (eds.), Dynamics of populations, movements and responses to climatic
changes in Africa. Rome, Forum for African Archaeology and Cultural Heritage and University of
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Gatto M.C. 2000. The most ancient evidence of the “A-Groups” Culture in Lower Nubia. In
Krzyzaniak, L., Kroeper, K. and Kobusiewicz, M. (eds.), Recent Research into the Stone Age of
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Gatto M.C. 2003. Hunting for the elusive Nubian A-Group. Nekhen News: 14-15.
Gatto M.C. in press. The Early A-Group in the north: Upper Lower Nubia, Upper Egypt and
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Gatto M.C. and F. Tiraterra 1996. Contacts between A-Groups Nubia and Predynastic Egypt. In
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Giuliani S. 2001a. Nubians at Hierakonpolis: Pottery from the Nubian Cemeteries. Sudan & Nubia
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Giuliani S. 2001b. Pottery from the Nubian Cemeteries Nekhen News 13: 26-27.
Giuliani S. 2004. The Nubian Cemetery at Hierakonpolis, Egypt. Preliminary remarks on the
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Giuliani S. in press a. Defining Pan-grave pottery. In Chlodnicki M., K. Kroeper and M.
Kobusiewicz (eds.), Archaeology of the Earliest Northeastern Africa, volume dedicated to the
memory of Lech Krzyzaniak. Poznan, Poznan Archaeological Museum.
Giuliani S. in press b. The Chronological and Regional distribution of the Pan-Grave Culture (late
12th – early 18th Dynasties). In M. Marée (ed.), The Second Intermediate Period (13th –17th
Dynasties): Current research, future prospects. London.
Junker H. 1919. Bericht über die Grabungen von der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, auf
den Friedhöfen von el Kubanieh-Sud. 1910-1911. DAWW 62.3. Vienna: Akademie der
Wissenschaften and Alfred Holder.
Junker H. 1920. Bericht über die Grabungen von der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, auf
den Friedhöfen von el Kubanieh-Nord. DAWW 64.3. Vienna: Akademie der Wissenschaften and
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Kessler D. and R. Schulz 1995. Gedenkschrift für Winfried Barta. Münchener Ägyptologische
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Porter B. and Moss R.L. 1937. Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic
Texts, Reliefs, and Paintings. Vol. V: Upper Egyptian sites. Oxford.
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Wendorf F., Schild R. and Close A. 1989. Prehistory of Wadi Kubbaniya. Vols. 2 and 3. SMU
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Captions
Fig. 1 General map of the concession area with the location of Shaab Negema and Gharb Aswan.
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Fig. 2 Map of Gharb Aswan with the location of the sites found in 2006.
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Fig. 3 – Site SM13: overview.
Fig. 4 – Site SM13: inscription.
Fig. 5 – Site SM13: rock art.
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Fig. 6 – Site SM9: engraved cups.
Fig. 7 – Site SM9: rock art.
12
Fig. 8 – Site WK11.
Fig. 9 – Map of site WK11.
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Fig. 10 – Materials from site WK11:
Egyptian pottery.
Fig. 12 – Materials from site WK11:
horn.
Fig. 11 – Materials from site WK11:
Pan-Grave pottery.
Fig. 13 – Materials from site WK11:
beads and spacer.
14
Fig. 14 – Naqadian pottery from WK14:
Black Topped wares.
Fig. 16 – A-Group pottery from WK14:
Black Mouthed wares.
Fig. 15 – Naqadian pottery from WK14:
Shale tempered wares.
Fig. 17 – A-Group pottery from WK14:
Rippled wares.
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Fig. 18 – Bone awls from Shaab Negema.
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