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

III.1. Archaeology - Excavations

Ksenija Borojevic, Claire Calcagno, S. Terry Childs, Rainer Gerisch, Ilaria Incordino, Giuseppe Lebro, Chen Sian Lim, Giulio Lucarini, Mohammed Mustafa Abdel Maguid, Andrea Manzo, Cinzia Perlingieri, Tracy Spurrier, André J. Veldmeijer, Chiara Zazzaro

1. Excavations
Claire Calcagno, S. Terry Childs, Chen Sian Lim, Giuseppe Lebro, Ilaria Incordino, Andrea Manzo, Cinzia Perlingieri, Tracy Spurrier, Chiara Zazzaro

In 2006-07 excavations were conducted along the western and southern slope of the fossil coral terrace. Six trenches were opened: WG 32, WG 33, WG 39, WG 40, WG 19/25/26/27/44, and WG 37/38/42.

Western slope
WG 32 (Andrea Manzo) [3]
Excavation unit WG 32 was opened to the south of the entrance to Cave 2 in 2005–06. Three inscribed stelae, a concentration of clay sealings, some of which had seal impressions, 21 wooden boxes, and a box with a painted inscription were recovered in this trench in 2005-06. The entrance of a man-made cave (Cave 6) was also discovered in the rock terrace in the southern part of the excavation unit. In 2006–07 investigations were resumed in a 6 m x 12 m area of the excavation unit in order to: 1) find the surface on which the pile of wooden boxes was lying; 2) collect more evidence of administrative activities performed in the area; and 3) clear and investigate the entrance of Cave 6.
Also investigated was a later phase of abandonment marked by a stratum of windblown sand sometimes mixed with concentrations of sea grass (SU10). The windblown sand and sea grass covered 22 complete or fragmentary wooden boxes, one of them with a painted inscription dating to the reign of Amenemhat IV (ca. 1797-1790).[4]
The boxes were close to the 21 boxes and a large ship timber discovered in 2005–06, confirming that they were piled up there after being emptied.
The wooden boxes and all related materials were lying on a surface (SU25) associated with some small hearths in the western squares of the excavation unit (SU26, SU27, SU30). Most likely, these hearths were contemporary to those discovered in 2005–06 near the entrance to Cave 2.
Concentrations of clay sealings were associated with the boxes and the surface on top of which the boxes were placed. The sealings show the impressions of pegs and ropes used to close the wooden boxes, as well as the impressions of fabrics and ropes, vegetal fibers, leather and rope bags, and papyrus. On some seals inscriptions of the institution of the granary and treasury were recorded. Some fragments of pure clay for sealing the containers were also found, suggesting that containers were opened and closed in this area. The variety of impressions and containers confirm administrative activity in WG 32 and WG 16 as was suggested in 2005–06. Several thin ropes (one of which is very long), pieces of wood, pieces of partially baked clay, wooden lids or stoppers for jars, and several potsherds were also associated with the boxes (Figure 6).
This concentration of artifacts on top of a sand stratum (SU25) marks an occupation phase which can be dated to the end of the 12th Dynasty. This occupation phase was preceded by a phase of less intense use of the area when a thick stratum of sand (SU25) accumulated. This stratum also sealed the entrances to Cave 5 and Cave 6 along the wall of the coral terrace, suggesting that the entrances to the two caves were already covered with sand and the caves were no longer used when the boxes and a large ship timber were abandoned there.
Evidence of earlier layers (SU31) was found close to the entrance of Cave 6. These layers were sometimes covered with concentrations of organic materials (SU33), and represent the last phase of use of the entrance to Cave 6. A concentration of ca. 50 shallow complete or fragmentary bowls over a large broken but complete jar to the southwest of the entrance to Cave 6 dates to this phase.
The roughly rectangular entrance to Cave 6, ca. 140 cm x 110 cm, was cut in the wall of the terrace, and originally had two mud-brick walls at the entrance sides (SU32 and SU34). The wall on the northern side was better preserved because of a thick salt crust over it. In this phase two walls of coral and conglomerate stone were built immediately to the north of the entrance to Cave 6 and south of the entrance to Cave 5 (SU35 and SU36, respectively), delimiting a space between the two entrances. These two walls seem to abut the rock terrace (SU37) and may have been built and possibly used in earlier occupation phases.

WG 33 (Chen Sian Lim and Giuseppe Lebro) [5]
Excavations in WG 33 began in the 2005–06 field season when two large niches carved into the coral terrace bedrock were found. Also discovered in 2005–06 was a large pink granite stela. Excavation during this field season was in SU1. In 2006–07 the excavated unit was approximately 7 m x 3 m in area, with excavation resumed in SU2. This SU consisted primarily of windblown sand. A niche measuring 25 cm (base) x 35 cm (height) was uncovered approximately 2 m south of the large stela niches found in 2005-06, at a depth of 1 m (Figure 7). To the left, a second niche measuring 30 cm (base) x 45 cm (height) was uncovered. Both niches were empty.
Associated with these niches were an unfinished limestone anchor and a limestone stela. The stela, 50 cm x 30 cm x 10 cm in size, was found lying downward in the sand on its inscribed face (Figure 7). Deterioration of the limestone was too advanced and no inscription was discernable.[6] Other artifacts from SU2 include potsherds, a wooden dovetail, rope and cordage, and planks. WG 33, SU2 was excavated to a depth of 2 m.
The excavation was later extended to the north in an area of 8 m x 2 m. The whole unit was covered with a stratum of soft sand, ca. 1 m thick (SU1), where concentrations of sea grass were found. They may have been originated by a phase of abandonment, possibly during the Second Intermediate Period, when windblown sand and sea grass accumulated. Most likely, in this phase a limestone stela (37 cm high, 21 cm wide and 12 cm thick) from SU1 fell down from a niche in the coral terrace wall. Unfortunately, any inscriptions and images on the stela are gone.
Beneath SU1, at least two hearths (SU2 and SU3) with concentrations of burned wood were recorded. They will be excavated in the future. Several wood fragments, mostly burnt, were found to the west of the hearths. All these features may mark a living floor with large fragments of pottery and complete or fragmentary shells.
On the western side of the trench a huge coral rock, measuring ca. 6 m x 1.3 m and over 0.5 m thick, was found beneath SU1, extending over most of the excavation unit. In ancient times this massive rock had collapsed from the coral terrace wall. The upper surface of the rock was made harder by a stratum of salt covering it. The southern side of this rock is narrower and future excavation may be easier in that sector.

WG 39/Cave 3 [7] (Claire Calcagno and Chiara Zazzaro)
WG 39 consists of a 22 m x 4 m trench, divided into 2 m x 2 m squares. It is located within Cave 3, one of seven caves carved into the coral terrace in the western sector of the site (see Bard et al. 2005; Fattovich and Bard 2006, 2007). Some time soon after the 2005-2006 field season, thieves entered the cave compound and disturbed the archaeological surface. They dug a deep hole measuring 3-4 m in depth inside Cave 2 near its entrance. They also left several shallow pits (10-15 cm deep) on the floors of Caves 2, 3, and 4a-b.
During the 2006–07 field season Cave 3 was partially excavated in order to better investigate the original structure of the cave and the activities conducted within this area, as well as to study the relationship between Cave 3 and Cave 2, and between Cave 3 and the settlement outside the caves. Eight squares (A1-2-3-4 and B1-2-3-4) were investigated in the innermost part of the cave, while six squares (A9-10-11 and B9-10-11) were investigated in the shelter area near the cave entrance (Figure 8).
As noted in the previous season's survey, the cave walls are cut vertically and the ceiling is vaulted (Bard and Fattovich 2007). The surface (SU1) of the inner area (corresponding to squares A1-2-3-4 and B1-2-3-4) was characterized by a deposit of wood debris, fragments of rope, shells (mostly nerita), fish and small mammal bones. Six pits produced by thieves were recorded on the surface (SU2-SU3-SU4-SU5-SU6). An irregular deposit of sterile windblown sand (SU7, SU9) was found below the surface and covered part of what is presumed to be the ancient floor (SU10). A small, shallow concentration of seeds (see Borojevich, this report) and insects was found in the western side of squares B2 and B3 and close to the cave's wall (SU8). A splotch of white plaster ca. 15 cm in diameter was also found in the same area, which contained impressions and remains of seeds and insects (ibid., this report). A folded strip of copper was recovered in an isolated context in sand (B2, SU9). The piece measured 10 cm in length, 2.3 cm in width and ca. 0.1 cm in thickness, and had been folded over five times (making 6 layers). A section of a reworked ship plank was also recovered in the same square (T52). The cave's presumed floor consists of compacted sandy soil, loose cobbles and rocks, and extends through squares A2-3-4-5 and B2-3-4-5. Although the floor was not investigated completely, it was possible to estimate that the average height in the innermost part of the cave was ca. 1.80–1.60 m.
The central part of the cave is characterized on the surface by a large concentration of charcoal, a naturally mummified fish, several fish and small mammal bones, and collapsed rock and wood debris (squares A5-6-7). Squares B6-7-8 remain inaccessible beneath collapsed rock. This area was not excavated.
The shelter area deposit (SU1) consisted of an accumulation of windblown sand sloping down from the entrance toward the inner part of the cave. This extended through squares A9-10-11, B9-10-11 and partially within square A8. Concentrations of ash and very shallow hearths (ca. 4-5 hearths, 10-20 cm in diameter) were excavated a few centimeters beneath the surface in squares A9-10-11 and B9, corresponding to SU12. This level covered another more significant deposit of windblown sand extending throughout the shelter area (SU11 and SU13) that included a large concentration of wood debris, reworked timbers, rope and leather fragments of different sizes and configurations, and a few potsherds. A burnt block-like wooden object (ca. 39 cm x 17 cm x 12 cm) covered in what appears to be leather and filled by sand, was found in A9. These strata were very irregular, sloping downward from the cave entrance to the inner part of the cave. The maximum thickness was ca. 50 cm; the minimum thickness was ca. 5-10 cm.
A large hearth (SU15) measuring ca. 2.5 m by 1.5 m extends across squares A8-9. A concentration of gravel (likely from collapsed conglomerate stone) and sand is mixed with some fragments of wood debris in square A9 (SU14). The first (uppermost) level of this hearth is characterized by a concentration of burnt wood, fragmentary timbers, tongue and dovetail tenons and other wood debris. The second (middle) level comprised a concentration of large charcoal fragments and ash that extended into square A8 (SU16). The third (lowest) level was characterized by a reddish sandy soil; it was not completely excavated.
An assemblage of reworked ship timbers (T55, T61, T64, T65, T66, T67 and T69) was found lying on a prepared floor (SU18). Several timbers are partially covered by collapsed boulders (T61, T64, T66, T67 and T69); a deposit of windblown sand discerned between the timbers and boulders indicates that the collapse occurred after this occupation phase. The largest timber (T55) was found just within the shelter entrance, in considerably deteriorated condition. Four timbers were arranged across the cave width and two lay parallel to the cave walls. A preliminary hypothesis suggests that the timbers had been temporarily stored within the cave, and/or reused within the cave structure.
Alongside timber T64, the surface of the floor (SU18) had concentrations of organic materials including rope, textile fragments and sherds, and significant concentrations of seeds (SU17). A test pit was excavated along one edge of timber T64 in order to better investigate the extension and types of fastening joints featured on the timber edges. The pit measured 15 cm x 30 cm and was excavated to a depth of 6.5 cm. The first recorded level consisted of a stratum of gravel (SU19); beneath this stratum a layer of salt encrustation (SU20) was also recorded but not excavated. A fragment of a basket base or sandal was also recovered in SU19.
Two occupation phases were identified in Cave 3 based on preliminary data. The more recent phase is characterized by a deposit of sand with several small hearths and one large hearth concentrated in the shelter area, and wood debris associated with shells, a few rope fragments and animal bones scattered throughout the cave area. The most significant activity recorded during this phase involves the burning of ship timber parts. The assemblage of timbers placed on the floor characterizes an earlier phase of occupation. Activities recorded during this phase include the reworking of ship timbers, and food processing. This phase was only partially investigated because of the collapsed rocks lying on top of the timbers. The current investigation of this area suggests that Cave 3 was occupied at least twice during different periods, followed by a phase of abandonment during which a deposit of windblown sand formed and portions of the cave subsequently collapsed.

WG 40 [8] (Chen Sian Lim)
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted by Benjamin Vining (Boston University) and assisted by Chen Sian Lim on 26th and 27th December, 2006. A 10 m GPR transect was set up along the terrace approximately 2 m east of Cave 1 excavated in the 2004–05 field season. The 200 MHz GPR antenna signature suggested anomalies beneath the sand deposits, perhaps in the form of an artificial cavity with a straight cut feature. GPR survey on the morning of 27th December with the larger 400 MHz readings was inconclusive.
Ground testing was conducted through excavations by Lim and Vining and three workmen removing windblown sand deposits to a depth of 150 cm. The windblown sand was found to be occasionally interspersed with small pieces of fossil coral broken off from the conglomerate bedrock overhang. The 3 m wide unit WG 40 was excavated between the 5 m and 8 m mark off the GPR transect (see Vining's report on remote sensing transects).
Several layers of cultural deposits were uncovered in WG 40: SU1, surface, windblown sand deposits with few cultural remains (0-150 cm); SU2, Feature A, hearth (150-220 cm); SU3, windblown sand with cultural remains (220-250 cm); SU4, Feature B, fire pit and ceramic platter (250-300 cm); SU5, sterile sand (300-420 cm)
SU2 Feature A was a hearth (Figure 9 a) with mud-bricks flanking three sides and its base made up of potsherds lying upon a bed of charcoal and ash. Size of hearth is 80 cm (north-south) x 50 cm (east-west), and the mud-bricks are approximately 30 cm x 15cm in size. A palm print can be made out on one of the mud-bricks. The layer of charcoal and ash is approximately 5-7cm thick. Artifacts and ecofacts recovered associated with Feature A consist of wood, possibly mangrove leaves, linen, rope and cordage, and ceramics. A potsherd found within the hearth has painted decoration in red ocher, of a "triangle" motif on both sides.
SU3 is approximately 30 cm in depth: it continued to yield potsherds, cordage, wood remains, mangrove leaves, charcoal, etc.
SU4 revealed Feature B, a fire pit with a ceramic platter 30 cm below Feature A (Figure 9 b). The fragmentary platter was fired. 150 cm south of Feature B is Feature C, a salt encrustation with ash and charcoal some 5-7 cm thick and 50 x 50 cm in diameter. A limestone block measuring 50 x 45x 20 cm was found 1 m west of Feature C. The block is partially worked with chisel marks evident on its sides.
SU5 consists of sterile sand only, and excavation in WG 40 ceased when a depth of approximately 4.2 m was reached.

WG 19/25/26/27/44 [9] (Cinzia Perlingieri and S. Terry Childs)
Excavations in the production area during the 2005-06 field season were aimed at further investigating the types of crafts produced and practiced at the site. The many environmental factors affecting the preservation of the area and the frequent and repeated phases of intense use and abandonment in ancient times caused the structures to be covered and quickly filled with sand, potsherds, and debris. These environmental and human causes resulted in frequent mixing of the various activities that took place in the area and partial mixing of materials deposited in different phases. Fortunately, only the upper stratigraphic levels were heavily compromised; the lower levels were better preserved, which made the study of the area possible. Some evidence of new craft activities was added in 2006-07.
An eastward extension of the excavation area (WG 44) was established at the beginning of this field season. It demonstrated, as was already suspected by the lack of surface findings, that production activities involving fire structures did not extend there. However, evidence of interesting new activities was found. In particular, a concentration of barnacles (several hundred were collected) was found on a sandy living surface (SU106 at 70 cm deep) with few potsherds in the northwestern corner of WG 44. Some of the barnacles had impressions of wood fibers on the back (preliminarily identified by Rainer Gerisch as from a conifer), while others apparently showed traces of being cut. This evidence seems to demonstrate that maintenance activities of the boats were carried out in that area. Another concentration of barnacles began to appear along the north wall of WG 26 in square D4 on the living surface of SU104.
A large collection of lithic artifacts was found (now being studied by Giulio Lucarini). The lithic assemblage from the production area is characterized by the presence of many opportunistically made tools (e.g. rough scrapers), together with some better made retouched items.
One remarkable find of this season was a complete pot found in a possible fire pit (SU105) in WG 26 (Figure 10). This feature, approximately 65 cm in diameter at its top, was a concentration of very underfired platter pieces. The complete, red painted conical-based vessel, approximately 20 cm long, was found on the west side of this concentration. Also, in the general area of WG 26, there were significant amounts of bone and shell found around several fire pits, suggesting food preparation.
The five phases of occupation, already reconstructed during the 2005–06 field season, were confirmed this year. The pottery evidence from all units points to a massive occupation during the second half of the Middle Kingdom, with some early Middle Kingdom evidence. The general surface in the whole area investigated was characterized by loose sand with scattered concentration of wind eroded materials. Phase 1, the latest phase of occupation, is characterized by scattered small fire pits with a few potsherds. Phase 2 is represented by medium sized fire pits, and occasional dumps with associated animal bones. Phase 3 and Phase 4 have been distinguished by the presence of medium sized circular fire pits associated with living floors and well marked zoned activity areas with dumps of bread mold and other potsherds. Similarly, Phase 5 is also characterized by well marked zoned activity areas (the living surface WG 44, SU106).
The evidence suggests that this area was devoted to basic subsistence activities associated with an entire period of a seafaring expedition. These activities included making various objects of terra cotta, food production, minor tool repair or manufacture, gypsum plaster production, and other activities for the camp. The evidence for pottery manufacture used in bread making and brewing beer is particularly compelling, along with the presence of barley and emmer wheat in the area. The presence of wasters and fragments of unfired vessels indicate that pottery was produced at the site on a small scale. Types produced were simple, deep bowls, platters, bread molds, and probably large-size jars, all used to prepare food and drink. No important or prestige products were produced or worked in this area. The "extemporary" character of the production activities also seems to be confirmed by the total absence of elite products and any evidence of goods that could be linked to the expedition cargos.

Southern slope
A transect was excavated from the base of the southern slope to the present bed of Wadi Gawasis and a possible sequence of ancient sea beaches was recorded. The upper ones were associated with early Middle Kingdom pottery.

WG 37, WG 38 and WG 42 [10] (Tracy Spurrier and Ilaria Incordino)
Investigations of the southern slope of the terrace into the wadi consisted of excavation units WG 37, WG 38, and WG 42 (Figure 11). Eight squares were opened during the 2006–07 field season along a north-south transect, 20 m long, beginning at the base of the slope and finishing to the south where the slope merges with the wadi surface in order to acquire information from the most extreme sides of the area in terms of elevation. The north edge of WG 38 is approximately 140 cm higher than the south edge of WG 37. This area had not been fully excavated in the past, although a few test trenches had been dug (one on the slope and one into the wadi). The purpose of these excavations was to determine the ancient use of this area.
The southern slope of the terrace into the wadi is thought to be the area of the ancient harbor. There is geological evidence that the wadi has been intermittently full of water over the past 4,000 years and the current coastline may have receded considerably in that time period. All trenches were excavated as deep as the excavators could safely go. In every square, a deposit consistent with beach materials was reached. The composition matched the modern beach deposits found along the Red Sea coast. In the squares in WG 37, beach rock and coral at the bottom prevented further excavation. In WG 38 A1, excavations were conducted 25 cm into the "beach" layer and then continued with a geological auger for another 60 cm before the water table and rock were encountered. In some of the squares, for example WG 38 A1 and B1, Middle Kingdom pottery was found in the beach layer, suggesting that this was the level of the beach during that time period. In the upper layers of the trenches there was much re-worked pottery, which had been moved around and worked by wind, water, and gravity over the years. As the excavations were extended farther south larger potsherds were found.
The geologists opened a number of trenches along the boundary between the slope of the fossil coral terrace and the wadi floor. In these trenches, there were many large pieces of storage jars. This suggests that these sherds had been quickly covered over by sediments where they fell, possibly from a flood, or the potsherds moved down the slope into the wadi when it was already filled with water. This area may have been a marine environment at that time, possibly an inlet of the sea or a lagoon. The sizes and types of shells and coral indicate that there was a much larger body of water present in the past.
There was much bioturbation throughout the entire area of WG 37, WG 38, and WG 42. In all of the trenches there were orange spots in at least one of the stratigraphic layers, in deposits of damp, compact, brown/red medium fine sand. These spots are the residue from plant remains. At present, it is not known if they are the remains of modern plant roots or if they are deposits left from ancient water plants and evidence of a marine or brackish environment. In WG 37 A4, approximately 1 m below the surface, a very large live root was discovered which belonged to a bush approximately 3-4 meters away. In the same trench, and in nearby geological pits, root encasings were found within the first meter of excavation. These root encasings had the same orange color as the spots. Also, in many of the trenches there were very thin roots present, suggesting that there has been a significant amount of recent plant activity and that the small shrubs scattered throughout the wadi have very large networks of roots. There were also the remains of rodent holes (Figure 12).
The presence of the large storage jars indicates that this possible harbor area may have been where the ancient Egyptians were loading and unloading ships for their expeditions to Punt. They would have been carrying supplies such as grains in the large jars that came from the Nile Valley. In WG 38 A1 and B1 large mammal bones were found on the beach layer. This would suggest the Egyptians were using pack animals (donkeys?) to carry the storage jars from the Nile Valley. The abundance of jars supports the idea that the ancient Egyptians were leading large expeditions and needed to support the sailors and as well as the other personnel who stayed behind at the camp.
It is worth mentioning that in the WG 38 A4 (a few meters north of WG 37) a small anchor (21 cm x 15 cm x 7 cm) was found in SU7, 1.90 m below the surface and lying on the ancient beach, which consisted of a small pebbles and sand.