La missione dell'Università di Pisa a Khelua e Medinet Madi (Fayum) - Aggiornamenti 2004

Medinet Madi

At Medinet Madi the new excavations have confirmed the interest of the site; here the groups of buildings are separated by streets, perpendicularly to the dromos and to the large street - running along the South side of Temple C- cleared during the season. The North insula of buildings has suffered by later installations and dwellings, but a great vaulted cellar is in perfect conditions.

For the urbanistic history of Fayum in Greco-roman period we must mention in this preliminary Rapport the large hall with two stone pillars and the walls covered bay plaster decorated with geometrical motifs; the coloured plaster in good part conserved and the hall has been protected with a complete wood roof covering upon the walls integrated. The hall – probably a hall for session of a association- is connected with the one-room house discovered in season 2003.

On the coloured plaster, many late (childish?) drawings, representing boats of different types; a vary interesting drawn is on the plaster in South wall, near the South pillar, and represents a bust of abreast pharaoh; the ureus on his head and the eyes are very clear. It could be a image of Amenemhat III-Premarres[1], and the hall could be for the reunion of a Premarres's cultural association.

The season has been generous in coins, in fayence objects, in glass and pottery; the written material (Greek papyri and ostraka) has been not very rich but interesting.

Members of the Mission 2004: E.Bresciani, R.Pintaudi, F.Silvano, and the architects Antonio Giammarusti and Sebastiano Amato.

The missions 2003 and 2004 have been accompanied by two SCA Inspectors.