Understanding the news: Two large administrative buildings uncovered at Edfu, Old Kingdom

Understanding the news: Two large administrative buildings uncovered at Edfu, Old Kingdom
An American mission working at Tell Edfu, directed by Prof. Nadine Moeller and Dr. Gregory Marouard from The Oriental Institute/University of Chicago at a site close to the much later Ptolemaic Temple of Horus has revealed more about the history of the ancient city of Behdet (Edfu) during the Old Kingdom.
The buildings of day to day life were constructed from mudbrick rather than stone. This utilitarian building material was easy to make, quick to construct and could be modified with ease. The two structures found at the site, are however, of proportions commensurate with their importance, with walls 2m high and 2.5m thick.
Also found was evidence of metallurgy and food preparation (brewing of beer and breadmaking), which is common on many Egyptian sites, but this does not appear to be related to mortuary practice. Proximity to the nearby sanctuary of Horus suggests a connection to cultic activities.
Finds of come 220 clay sealings mentioning king Djedkare-Isesi (late 5th Dynasty, ca. 2400-2350 BC) strongly suggest the site's importance during the reign of this king. During the Old Kingdom the ancient Egyptians sent many formal expeditions to explore various regions away from the Nile Valley to look for resources such as minerals and semi-precious stones - a practice which would continue into later eras.
This is an important discovery as it sheds light on Old Kingdom expeditions into the Eastern Desert to mine, and demonstrates Edfu's importance as a departure point for the expeditions. Evidence suggests these buildings were not constructed over any previous habitation and were therefore newly constructed in order to serve the increased workforce and administrative requirements of the area in the latter part of the Old Kingdom.
The discoveries also add to our understanding of the specialised workers who undertook these expeditions, the sementiu who are mentioned on sealings and inscriptions at the site.
Linked is the Oriental Institute's Press release.
Mentioned in :
Ahram online: https://goo.gl/Q2rLVa
Egypt Today: https://goo.gl/Ht67b7
Further reading:
A basic introduction to King Djedkare from Egypt Today: https://goo.gl/QTdnyk
#oldkingdom #egyptology #multidisciplinaryegyptology
https://goo.gl/4dJrGC

Comments

  1. exelre gemar استخدام ترجمة غوغل!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aakheperure Merytsekhmet شكرا علي النصيحه يا صديقي

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  3. Beer and bread were the main staple of temple and pyramid workmen

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