ashraf senussi

In ancient Egypt, lakes, canals, and other water bodies were an essential part of the sacred landscape in which temples were embedded. In recent years, geoarchaeological research at the site of the Temple of Bastet at Bubastis in the southeastern Nile Delta has proven the existence of two water canals surrounding the temple. It has now been investigated whether these canals were connected to the Temple of Pepi I (2300-2250 B.C.E.), located approximately 100 m to the west of the Temple of

In the seasons 2018 and 2019, the Tell Basta-Project started archaeological fieldwork in the Ka-temple of Pepi I at Bubastis, probably the centre of the city in the Sixth Dynasty. Although Habachi discovered the temple already in 1939, considerable parts of the building remained unexcavated. Furthermore, nothing was known about its underlying strata. During two seasons, remains of a large building appeared under the temple of Pepi I, displaying columned yards and rooms as well as facilities for food processing and storage. Based on its architectural remains, the building, that underwent several changes, could be interpreted as a provincial palace. According to the pottery associated with the stages of the structure, it was in use at least from the middle of the Fourth until the end of the Fifth Dynasty. At the beginning of the Sixth Dynasty, the Ka-temple of Pepi I was erected on the levelled remains of the provincial palace.

<p>The temple areas in ancient Egypt were most sacred and characterized by a multitude of elements that emphasized their importance and enabled daily cultic activities. Very specific and important features of such temples were sacred water canals or lakes, the so-called <em>Isheru</em>, which provided water for all kinds of purification rites and activities. In addition to textual records, preliminary sedimentological analyses of core drillings and geophysical surveys provided geoarchaeological evidence of a sacred water body at the Temple of Bastet in the ancient city of Bubastis. To further explore the location, shape, or course of the already detected canal and to find evidence on the existence of a second waterway described by Herodotus in the 5th century BCE, 34 drillings and five 2D geoelectrical measurements were carried. Drilling and sediment analyses revealed loamy to clayey deposits with a thickness of up to five meters near the northern and southern enclosures of the Temple of Bastet. 2D electrical surveying confirmed the drilling results, indicating trench-formed layers of low resistivity values. The recovered deposits were interpreted as fluvial sediments, most likely deposited in a very low energy system, e.g. a canal or lake. Evidence of these fluvial sediments in numerous boreholes allows the reconstruction of two separate sacred canals both north and south of the Temple of Bastet. In addition to the course, the width of the canals of about 30 m can also be confirmed according to Herodotus' writings. The presence of numerous artefacts in the fluvial deposits, such as ceramic and limestone fragments, proves the anthropogenic use of the ancient canals. Presumably, these waterways were connected to the Nile via a tributary or canal located west or northwest of Bubastis.</p>

Sacred water canals or lakes, which provided water for all kinds of purification rites and other activities, were very specific and important features of temples in ancient Egypt. In addition to the longer-known textual record, preliminary geoarchaeological surveys have recently provided evidence of a sacred canal at the Temple of Bastet at Bubastis. In order to further explore the location, shape, and course of this canal and to find evidence of the existence of a second waterway, also described by Herodotus, 34 drillings and five 2D geoelectrical measurements were carried out in 2019 and 2020 near the temple. The drillings and 2D ERT surveying revealed loamy to clayey deposits with a thickness of up to five meters, most likely deposited in a very low energy fluvial system (i.e., a canal), allowing the reconstruction of two separate sacred canals both north and south of the Temple of Bastet. In addition to the course of the canals, the width of about 30 m fits Herodotus' descrip...

This article will focus on the history and current nature of both Egyptian museums and storehouses. We will present an account of the current situation with regard only to archaeological and historical museums and storehouses in Egypt which are under the Antiquities authorities. Discussion will be made about the challenges facing these museums, and ideas for future approaches. It should be noted that there are some Egyptological collections in some Egyptian museums that are not under the control of the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities such as the Agricultural Museum, which is owned by the Ministry of Agriculture.

This publication discusses the pottery that was discovered by Zahi Hawass's excavations at Giza, including the Cemetery of the Pyramid Builders, the Western Cemetery, and the settlement beneath the modern suburb of Nazlet el-Samman. It is a comprehensive study of Old Kingdom pottery that includes a typology for these recent finds, as well as discussing the interrelationship between pottery from cemetery and settlement contexts.