Work commenced on 15 September 2021, to continue the surveying and excavations of the Temple of Sobek and the Necropolis, in readiness for tourism coming to the East bank.
The Covid 19 pandemic affected some of the work this season. Strict Covid 19 protocols were followed while on site.
The Necropolis
The Mission cut down and removed all vegetation in the Necropolis, stretching from the stela of Amenhotep IV to the guardians’ house in preparation for a tourist pathway to run throughout the site.
Archaeological work was undertaken in 18 previously uncovered burials this season, while a further eight new graves were found, to add to those already recorded.
All burials excavated were recorded daily using photogrammetry, to demonstrate the development of the excavation and gradually revealing each archaeological detail and architectural feature.
Cleaning and recording of the established graves revealed a quarried floor, previously undocumented dynastic graffiti, predynastic rock art and a possible rock-cut staircase.
The team also continued mapping the area using GIS (Geographic Information System). All exposed epigraphy, including rock art, inscriptions and graffiti, were recorded.
Temple of Sobek
The work this season consisted of a continuous investigation in and around the Pit of Sobek, including the recovery of dressed, painted and architectural elements from the destroyed temple.
The gate/pylon area was explored further, as was south of the hypostyle hall. The focus, however, was the investigation into the eastern boundary of the temple.
There, we discovered the foundation blocks of the south-east corner and the continuing eastern part of the sandstone enclosure wall along with fragments of the main cult statue (Sobek) and the statuary face of an 18th Dynasty pharaoh.
All work in the temple involved daily archaeological documentation, photography and photogrammetry, and all temple artefacts and stone fragments were registered.
Additional Archaeological Work
Phased cleaning and cutting of vegetation was undertaken, to create the first tourist pathway of the East Bank. The pathway includes a wall to both sides.
As part of the preparations for the pathway, we continued to clear debris and wind-driven sand in front of the 18th Dynasty Naos ‘D’.
This work facilitated the discovery of Stela ‘O’, located immediately south of and at a 90-degree angle from Naos ‘D’. The stela has undergone severe damage since its abandonment during antiquity. An overall survey of the inscribed and non-inscribed monuments of East Bank was carried out.
