A Unique Middle Kingdom Funerary Garden in Thebes: documentation, interpretation and conservation
The recent findings of the Spanish archaeological mission at Dra Abu el-Naga include a funerary garden of the 12th Dynasty with seeds and pollen in a remarkable state of preservation. The main objective of the project was to document and preserve this unique funerary garden. Project Director: Jose Galan
| The recent findings of the Spanish archaeological mission at Dra Abu el-Naga include a funerary garden of the 12th Dynasty with seeds and pollen in a remarkable state of preservation. Next to it, there is evidence of a sequence of heavy rains preserved in the stratigraphy that covers between 2000 and 1500 BCE. Their analyses, combining the disciplines of archaeobotany and geoarchaeology within an Egyptological framework, will constitute a major contribution to our knowledge of ancient funerary rituals and the environment during the Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period. The project included the archaeological excavation and documentation of this part of the site, the systematic recovery and analysis of botanical remains and the analysis of sediments. Imaging technologies (photogrammetry, 3D laser scanning) will be developed for the documentation and for the preservation of the garden. The final aim of the project was to preserve this unique funerary structure for the future, and to establish a way of presenting it to the public: a replica was be mounted and displayed on top of the covered original garden for visitors. |
Project Details
Location: Luxor, Egypt, Northern Africa, Africa
Organiser(s):
Djehuty Association
Project partner(s): Spanish National Research Council
Funder(s):
American Research Center in Egypt-Antiquities Endowment Fund
Funding received: $92,885.40
Commencement Date: 12/2018
Project Status: Completed
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