The Excavations at Ismant al-Kharab

The Excavations at Ismant al-Kharab
Author: Carlo Rindi Nuzzolo
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2023-02-28
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1789259061

Excavations by the Dakhleh Oasis Project at Ismant al-Kharab, ancient Kellis in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, revealed the presence of an extensive necropolis dating to the Roman Period, with hundreds of rock-cut tombs containing multiple burials. Termed the Kellis 1 Cemetery, it yielded a range of artifacts and many of the individuals were provided with elaborately decorated cartonnage coverings. This is the largest collection of such material yet discovered in Dakhleh. This book presents a detailed analysis of the entire corpus of cartonnage found at Kellis in a securely excavated context. These objects, which include mummy masks, foot-cases, and full body covers, were part of the burial accoutrements of the wealthier residents of the village. Stylistic and digital investigation of the artifacts suggests a well-defined craft production, with the presence of multiple groups of craftsmen using specific manufacturing techniques and local traits in their iconographic repertoire. The scale of evidence demonstrates that Kellis was a vibrant community with a dynamic funerary production in contact with nearby areas. Comparison with finds from the neighboring Oasis of Kharga, as well as with artifacts in museums collections and from the antiquities market, suggest a complex network of skilled craftsmen throughout the region. This is the first comprehensive study of the material. It has been studied in person by the author in the field enabling a detailed appraisal of the items, whether intact or fragmentary. It builds on recent research addressing regionalism and craftsmanship, and constitutes one of the main sources to investigate issues of permanence and change in the indigenous funerary customs of the area.

The Excavations at Ismant al-Kharab

The Excavations at Ismant al-Kharab
Author: Gillian E Bowen
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 490
Release: 2024-02-29
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1789259649

The adoption of Christianity by the Egyptian populace was well underway by the late third century, but evidence for its presence in the archaeological record from the Nile valley is sparse. This is due, in part, to the loss of ancient settlement sites beneath modern cultivation. By comparison, Ismant al-Kharab, ancient Kellis, in Dakhleh Oasis, was abandoned at the end of the fourth century and many of its structures survive intact. The villagers, moreover, left behind a wealth of artefacts and documentation. By the late third century some had converted to Christianity and by the early fourth century three churches were built to accommodate their growing numbers. The churches afford an unparalleled window into three ecclesiastical complexes that served a single village. The Large East Church, moreover, is the earliest surviving example of a purpose-built basilica in Egypt known thus far. It provides a better understanding of the development of Egyptian church architecture and has forced a reappraisal of the dates of certain features that were previously attributed to the fifth century. The community established three burial grounds: Kellis 2, with an estimated 3,500–4,000 graves, a funerary church and associated graveyard, and in a reused monumental mausoleum. Christian cemeteries are known throughout North Africa, Europe, and Britain, but in Egypt few are published in anything but a cursory manner. At Kellis, 800+ graves have been excavated; the earliest burials date to the late third century confirming the evidence of an early conversion by some villagers and its rapid expansion thereafter. This volume provides the first detailed publication of the churches and Christian burial grounds. It incorporates a discussion of the spread of Christianity in Egypt’s Southern Oasis, drawing upon data from the rich textual documentation from the site. The material culture is presented in detail, especially the extensive collection of ceramics, glass, and coins.

The Excavations at Ismant Al-Kharab

The Excavations at Ismant Al-Kharab
Author: Gillian E. Bowen
Publisher: Oxbow Books Limited
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023
Genre:
ISBN: 9781789259636

A fully illustrated catalogue and in-depth iconographical, technological and typological analysis of the entire corpus of cartonnage found at Kellis, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

The Excavations at Mut al-Kharab II

The Excavations at Mut al-Kharab II
Author: Richard J. Long
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2021-12-31
Genre: History
ISBN: 1789257166

For over a century our knowledge of Egypt’s Western Desert during the Third Intermediate Period relied almost entirely on the Greater and Smaller Dakhleh Stelae. These two significant documents were purchased by Henry Lyons in 1894 in Dakhleh Oasis and indicated the existence of a substantial temple at Mut al-Kharab dedicated to the god Seth. Apart from these sources, very little information from the Western Desert could be dated to this period. Excavations at Mut al-Kharab began in 2000 and in recent years, evidence from the Third Intermediate Period temple has grown considerably. A range of artefacts has been unearthed, including decorated temple blocks, stelae, ostraka, in situ architectural remains, other small finds, and a large collection of well-dated ceramics. The scale of evidence suggests Mut al-Kharab was probably the most significant Third Intermediate Period site in the Western Desert. In light of this new material, a re-examination of activity in the Western Desert during this period has been possible. This volume presents all the available evidence relating to the western oases during the Third Intermediate Period, with a particular focus on the ceramics. Occupation appears to have been more widespread than the limited evidence previously suggested, and these oasis communities were closely connected to the populations in the Nile Valley. The Egyptian central administration continued to be interested in the Western Desert, although political control does not seem to have been consistent. Moreover, subtle yet distinct variations in the material record, including aspects of pottery traditions and religious practices, may reveal the existence of an oasis culture. As such, we are developing a much clearer picture of activity in this region.

Dakhleh Oasis Project

Dakhleh Oasis Project
Author: Colin A. Hope
Publisher: Oxbow Books Limited
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2002
Genre: History
ISBN:

This volume is the second produced by the Dakhleh Oasis Project devoted to reporting the preliminary results of its field work. The volume is divided into two parts: the first part includes reports on the study of various prehistoric and historic sites; the second part is devoted to the work on the settlement of Ismant el-Kharab, ancient Kellis, and two of its cemeteries. The latter papers include a description of the excavations, a discussion of the architectural evolution of the Main Temple Complex and the significance of the Large East Church, an attempt to reconstruct the Temple of Tutu using 3D computer modelling, and a study of the main wall paintings found in the Main Temple Complex. Several papers also present the results of research carried out on specific categories of artefacts and materials, such as the textiles, basketry and leather goods, ceramics, metals and metallurgy, oils, terracotta figurines, and the flora and fauna of ancient Kellis.

Dakhleh Oasis Project

Dakhleh Oasis Project
Author: Colin A. Hope
Publisher: Oxbow Books Limited
Total Pages: 103
Release: 1999
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781900188951

This volume contains progress reports on the work of these two seasons as well as a number of short reports on excavations at the Roman site of Kellis (Ismant el-Kharab). Contents: Preliminary Reports on the 1992-3 and 1993-4 Seasons (A J Mills) ; Interim Report on the 1992 Season (M McDonald and K Walker) ; Interim Report on the 1993 Season (M McDonald) ; 'Ein Birbiyeh (A J Mills) ; Deir el-Haggar (A J Mills) ; Excavations at Ismant el-Kharab (ancient Kellis): Settlement and Cemeteries: Excavations in the Cemeteries of Ismant el-Kharab (M Birrell) ; Coinage Preliminary Report (G E Bowden) ; Progress on the Coptic texts from Ismant el-Kharab (I Gardner) ; Interim Report on the West Tombs (C A Hope and J McKenzie) ; Epigraphy at Ismant el-Kharab (C Marchini) ; Brief Report on the Study of Ceramics (S F Patten) ; Plant Remains from Ismant el-Kharab (U Thanheiser) ; A Painted Panel of Isis (H Whitehouse) .

An Oasis City

An Oasis City
Author: Roger S. Bagnall
Publisher: NYU Press
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2016-02-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 147986031X

Scattered through the vast expanse of stone and sand that makes up Egypt’s Western Desert are several oases. These islands of green in the midst of the Sahara owe their existence to springs and wells drawing on ancient aquifers. In antiquity, as today, they supported agricultural communities, going back to Neolithic times but expanding greatly in the millennium from the Saite pharaohs to the Roman emperors. New technologies of irrigation and transportation made the oases integral parts of an imperial economy. Amheida, ancient Trimithis, was one of those oasis communities. Located in the western part of the Dakhla Oasis, it was an important regional center, reaching a peak in the Roman period before being abandoned. Over the past decade, excavations at this well-preserved site have revealed its urban layout and brought to light houses, streets, a bath, a school, and a church. The only standing brick pyramid of the Roman period in Egypt has been restored. Wall-paintings, temple reliefs, pottery, and texts all contribute to give a lively sense of its political, religious, economic, and cultural life. This book presents these aspects of the city’s existence and its close ties to the Nile valley, by way of long desert roads, in an accessible and richly illustrated fashion.