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Mersa/Wadi Gawasis 2006-2007 Report, Rodolfo Fattovich and Kathryn A. Bard editors

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Sommario

  1. Introduction
  2. I. Paleoenvironment
  3. II. Survey
  4. III.1. Archaeology - Excavations
  5. III.2. Archaeology - Artifacts
  6. III.3. Archaeology - Botanical and Wood Remains
  7. IV. Dendrochronology
  8. V. Epigraphy
  9. VI. Conservation
  10. References

Introduction

Rodolfo Fattovich and Kathryn A. Bard, editors

MERSA/WADI GAWASIS 2006-2007

With contributions by
Trina Arpin, Mohamed Badr Eldin Omar, Ksenija Borojevic, Claire Calcagno, Alfredo Carannante, S. Terry Childs, Otto Cichocki, Duncan FitzGerald, Rainer Gerisch, Christopher Hein, Ilaria Incordino, Chen Sian Lim, Giuseppe Lebro, Giulio Lucarini, Elsayed Mahfouz, Mohammed Mustafa Abdel Maguid, Andrea Manzo, Giuseppe Morganti, Pasquale Musella, Carla Pepe, Cinzia Perlingieri, Rosanna Pirelli, Tracy Spurrier, André J. Veldmeijer, Benjamin Vining, Chiara Zazzaro

Introduction

In December 2006-January 2007 the Archaeological Expedition of the University of Naples "l'Orientale" (UNO), Naples, and Italian Institute for Africa and Orient (IsIAO), Rome, in collaboration with Boston University (BU), Boston (USA) conducted the sixth field season at the site of Mersa/Wadi Gawasis, 23 km to the south of the modern port of Safaga, Egypt, under the direction of Prof. Rodolfo Fattovich (UNO/IsIAO), and Prof. Kathryn A. Bard (BU)[1]. The team in the field included Italian, American, Egyptian, German, Dutch, Austrian, Singapore and French personnel with different specializations (archaeology, nautical archaeology, archaeometallurgy, epigraphy, geoarchaeology, geology, paleoethnobotany, malacology, topography, geophysics, and conservation)[2]. Mr. Mohammed Rayan represented the Supreme Council of Antiquities in the field, and greatly supported the fieldwork.

In 2006-07 the UNO/IsIAO and BU investigations focused on the following:
1) Paleoenvironment (geology, coastal geology, geoarchaeology, and malacology);
2) Survey (geophysical survey and mapping);
3) Archaeology (excavations and study of artifacts and ecofacts);
4) Dendrochronology;
5) Epigraphy;
6) Conservation.

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Note

[1] Funds for the expedition were granted by the Ministry for the University and Research, Rome, Italy (FIRB 2003); University of Naples "l'Orientale," Naples, Italy; Italian Institute for Africa and the Orient, Rome, Italy; and generous contributions by Mr. Wallace Sellers, Lahaska, PA, USA; and the Glen Dash Charitable Foundation, Woodstock, CT, USA. Prof. Otto Cichocki and Dr. Carla Pepe participated on their research funds from SCIEM 2000, Project 7, and the University of Naples "Suor Orsola di Benincasa," Naples, Italy, respectively.

[2] Members of the expedition were: Prof. Kathryn A. Bard, archaeologist, BU, Boston (USA) (director); Prof. Rodolfo Fattovich, archaeologist, UNO/IsIAO, Naples/Rome (Italy) (director); Dr. Trina Arpin, geoarchaeologist, BU, Boston (USA); Mr. Mohamed Badr Eldin Omar, geologist, EGMA, Cairo (Egypt); Prof. Ksenija Borojevic, paleoethnobotanist, BU, Boston (USA); Dr. Alfredo Carannante, malacologist, University of Naples "Suor Orsola di Benincasa," Naples (Italy); Dr. Claire Calcagno, nautical archaeologist, BU, Boston (USA); Prof. Otto Cichocki, dendrochronologist, University of Vienna, Vienna (Austria); Dr. Susan Terry Childs, archaeologist and archaeometalurgist, US National Park Service, Washington D.C. (USA); Prof. Duncan M. FitzGerald, geologist, BU, Boston (USA); Mr. Rainer Gerisch, wood analyst, Free University, Berlin (Germany); Mr. Christopher Hein, geologist, BU, Boston (USA); Ms. Ilaria Incordino, Egyptologist, UNO, Naples (Italy); Mr. Giuseppe Lebro, egyptologist, UNO, Naples (Italy); Dr. Giulio Lucarini, lithic analyst, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome (Italy); Mr. Chen Sian Lim, archaeologist, National University of Singapore, Singapore (Singapore); Mr. Mohamed Abd El-Maguid Mustafa, nautical archaeologist, SCA, Alexandria (Egypt); Dr. Elsayed Mahfouz, Egyptologist, University of Assiut, Assiut (Egypt); Dr. Andrea Manzo, archaeologist, UNO, Naples (Italy); Dr. Giuseppe Morganti, architect, Superintendency for Archaeology, Rome (Italy); Mr. Pasquale Musella, conservator, National Archaeological Museum, Naples (Italy); Dr. Carla Pepe, archaeologist, University of Naples "Suor Orsola di Benincasa," Naples (Italy); Dr. Cinzia Perlingieri, ceramic analyst and illustrator, UNO, Naples (Italy); Dr. Rosanna Pirelli, Egyptologist, UNO, Naples (Italy); Ms. Gwendoline Plisson, archaeologist, University of Paris "Sorbonne," Paris (Italy); Ms. Tracy Spurrier, archaeologist, BU, Boston (USA); Mr. Stefano Tilia, surface surveyor, Soc. Treerre, Rome (Italy); Dr. André J. Veldmeijer, rope analyst, PalArch Foundation, Amsterdam (The Netherlands); Mr. Benjamin Vining, geophysicist, BU, Boston (USA); Dr. Chiara Zazzaro, nautical archaeologist, UNO, Naples (Italy).






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Mersa/Wadi Gawasis 2006-2007 Report
Mersa/Wadi Gawasis 2006-2007 Report

Table 1
Table 1

Table 2
Table 2

Table 3
Table 3

Table 4
Table 4

Table 5
Table 5

Figure 1: a) Map of study area showing approximate locations of coring transects; b) Sample Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiles showing relatively steep wadi-ward (northward) dipping reflectors.
Figure 1: a) Map of study area showing approximate locations of coring transects; b) Sample Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiles showing relatively steep wadi-ward (northward) dipping reflectors.

Figure 2: a) Profile drawing of WG 41. Dotted line indicates halite impregnations; b) Photograph of northern end of WG 41 showing reddened layers 1 3.
Figure 2: a) Profile drawing of WG 41. Dotted line indicates halite impregnations; b) Photograph of northern end of WG 41 showing reddened layers 1 3.

Figure 3: a) Map showing the areas surveyed magnetically in seasons 2005–06 and 2006–07. Grids on the left and right are mapped with a gradiometer. Grids in the middle show total field measurements. Grids are overlain on a Quickbird true color composite (pan-sharpened). Contour interval = 50 cm. b) Total magnetic field data measured on the terrace top. Caves WG 1–7 are located along the western edge of the survey area, approximately 4–6 meters beneath the surface.
Figure 3: a) Map showing the areas surveyed magnetically in seasons 2005–06 and 2006–07. Grids on the left and right are mapped with a gradiometer. Grids in the middle show total field measurements. Grids are overlain on a Quickbird true color composite (pan-sharpened). Contour interval = 50 cm. b) Total magnetic field data measured on the terrace top. Caves WG 1–7 are located along the western edge of the survey area, approximately 4–6 meters beneath the surface.

Figure 4: a) Excavation unit profile showing laminated eolian sand deposits in front of Caves 5–7. b) radar profiles through the same deposit. Wooden boxes are visible as pronounced but low magnitude parabolic reflections (an example is indicated by the arrow). c) Radar transects for geomorphological profiling, Transects 1 – 4. d) Radar transects for geomorphological profiling, Transects 5 – 8.
Figure 4: a) Excavation unit profile showing laminated eolian sand deposits in front of Caves 5–7. b) radar profiles through the same deposit. Wooden boxes are visible as pronounced but low magnitude parabolic reflections (an example is indicated by the arrow). c) Radar transects for geomorphological profiling, Transects 1 – 4. d) Radar transects for geomorphological profiling, Transects 5 – 8.

Figure 5: WG site map. Figure 8: WG 39/Cave 3.
Figure 5: WG site map. Figure 8: WG 39/Cave 3.

Figure 6: WG 32.
Figure 6: WG 32.

Figure 7: a) WG 33, SU2, niche. b) WG 33, SU2, stela.
Figure 7: a) WG 33, SU2, niche. b) WG 33, SU2, stela.

Figure 8: WG 39/Cave 3.
Figure 8: WG 39/Cave 3.

Figure 9: a) WG 40, SU2, Feature A. b) WG 40, SU4, Feature B.
Figure 9: a) WG 40, SU2, Feature A. b) WG 40, SU4, Feature B.

Figure 10: WG 26, SU105, a complete pot found in a possible fire pit.
Figure 10: WG 26, SU105, a complete pot found in a possible fire pit.

Figure 11: WG 37, WG 38, WG 40, excavated areas.
Figure 11: WG 37, WG 38, WG 40, excavated areas.

Figure 12: WG 37 A4, north baulk profile.
Figure 12: WG 37 A4, north baulk profile.

Figure 13: a) WG 32, “ration bowls.” b) Sherd with impressed decoration from the Eritrean-Sudanese western lowlands.
Figure 13: a) WG 32, “ration bowls.” b) Sherd with impressed decoration from the Eritrean-Sudanese western lowlands.

Figure 14: a) Cave 3, T55. b) Cave 3, T64. Figure 16: a) Single platform core fragment from WG 26 C4-D4, SU95. b) Sidescraper from WG 26 C4-D3, surface. c) Notch from WG26 C4-D4, SU104. d) Sidescraper/perforator from WG 26 C4-D4, SU1.
Figure 14: a) Cave 3, T55. b) Cave 3, T64. Figure 16: a) Single platform core fragment from WG 26 C4-D4, SU95. b) Sidescraper from WG 26 C4-D3, surface. c) Notch from WG26 C4-D4, SU104. d) Sidescraper/perforator from WG 26 C4-D4, SU1.

Figure 15: a) Anchor A23 from Cave 2, northwest wall. b) Anchor A24 from WG 38, A4, SU7.
Figure 15: a) Anchor A23 from Cave 2, northwest wall. b) Anchor A24 from WG 38, A4, SU7.

Figure 16: a) Single platform core fragment from WG 26 C4-D4, SU95. b) Sidescraper from WG 26 C4-D3, surface. c) Notch from WG26 C4-D4, SU104. d) Sidescraper/perforator from WG 26 C4-D4, SU1.
Figure 16: a) Single platform core fragment from WG 26 C4-D4, SU95. b) Sidescraper from WG 26 C4-D3, surface. c) Notch from WG26 C4-D4, SU104. d) Sidescraper/perforator from WG 26 C4-D4, SU1.

Figure 17: a) Desiccated plant macro remains from WG 39, Cave 3 B2, SU8. b) Nutshell with rodent gnaw marks from WG 39, Cave 3 A1, SU1. c) Plaster spill (top) and impression of cave floor on the underside (bottom) from WG 39, Cave 3 B2. d) Charred, small pieces of burnt hulled grains of barley glued together: barley kasha (top) and detail of barely grains (bottom) from WG 19/25/26/27, SU72. e) An oval ecofact: possible whole nut (top) and detail of cross section (bottom) from WG 40, SU4 Feature C.
Figure 17: a) Desiccated plant macro remains from WG 39, Cave 3 B2, SU8. b) Nutshell with rodent gnaw marks from WG 39, Cave 3 A1, SU1. c) Plaster spill (top) and impression of cave floor on the underside (bottom) from WG 39, Cave 3 B2. d) Charred, small pieces of burnt hulled grains of barley glued together: barley kasha (top) and detail of barely grains (bottom) from WG 19/25/26/27, SU72. e) An oval ecofact: possible whole nut (top) and detail of cross section (bottom) from WG 40, SU4 Feature C.

Figure 18: a) Inscribed wooden box and inscription from WG 32, SU25. b) Stela 14 from WG 32, SU1.
Figure 18: a) Inscribed wooden box and inscription from WG 32, SU25. b) Stela 14 from WG 32, SU1.