Archaeological Mission of the Pisa University, The Roman Castrum of Narmouthis. Preliminary Report - November 2007

The archaeological Mission of the Pisa University - with Prof. Rosary Pintaudi, Messina University has effected a mission during the month of November 2007, in the archaeological concession of the Pisa University at Medinet Madi in Fayum, in continuation with that of April 2007.
Inside the fortress has been continued the exploration in the lodgings of the soldiers, in the South half of the camp and the West-North area. The long wall, is confirmed as the raised base or bema; on the axle of the door North, existed the "Chapel" for the imperial cult, flanked by two rooms; the colonnade that departed from the door North (on the model of Kasr Qarun) arrived near the long wall, and the raised zone of bema was reached by 4-5 steps.
Outside of the castrum, in the north zone, has been discovered a "forno", maybe industrial maybe for alimentary aims.

In April 2007 had been discovered inside the castrum a complex hydraulic system and till now without parallel, certainly worthy example of the hydraulic engineering of the Romans, a square cistern (side: m. 3,35) inside the castrum cut in the rock, and entirely covered by a vault in fired bricks.
But it was necessary continue the control of the system of the adduction and derivation channels; during November 2007 expedition this has been obtained with trenches till the actual fields, under which the old channel continues.The old agricultural channel, oriented South-North, gave water to the castrum's cistern with a system of two tubs related by channel; an other water point present eleven steps to reach the cut-rock channel.
The place of two old saqyia is to recognize in the South section of the channel. This section of research (to be continue during next seasons) has been studied – for publication- in the exploration November 2007 by Emenuele Brienza.
It is clear that the explorations of this year show how it is necessary the control of the still existing areas around the archaeological sites, to avoid that the new cultivations could destroy the rests of ancient civilisation. We could call this interventions of our archaeological missions with the definition of "urgency excavations".Also during the mission of November 2007 has been devoted great care, time and money for the protection and the maintenance of the big walls of the castrum and of the inner installations and the channel line with the important water points.

The Pisa University mission, formed by E.Bresciani, R. Pintaudi, Flora Silvano, Angiolo Menchetti, Antonio Giammarusti architect and the archaeologist and topographer Emanuele Brienza- Rome University, was accompanied by the Inspector of the SCA Mohammed Hamed Mohammed Ahmed, who has been of great help and good collaboration.

Next season of work: March-April 2008.

Prof. Edda Bresciani Director of the Mission
Medinet Madi 26 November 2007