Every morning, our team’s driver, Azzab, shows up ready for a new workday and proudly right on time. Although he is not directly part of the team of researchers, inspectors, or workmen, the contribution of Azzab and other people such as the staff at the Marsam Hotel is essential for the smooth development of each day and for achieving the goals set for the season. In our daily updates we do not acknowledge these colleagues as much as they deserve, even though they make our work so much easier. From here, we want to send them our warmest thanks for those small moments that lighten our efforts. Shukran gazilan, ashab!
Today we enjoyed the second visit of Mateo Piñeiro, a researcher from the University of Lyon who studies the decorative programs of tombs from the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom for his doctoral dissertation. Mateo is currently visiting various sites and monuments relevant to his research, and we have been fortunate to hear about his progress and learn from his ideas and hypotheses. The tomb of the director of the kheneret Djari is one of the most compelling examples for his work due to the antiquity of the complex and the diversity of its iconographic themes.
As we have been reporting, the removal of the wooden boards in Djari’s transversal corridor has revealed a truly unparalleled ensemble within the Theban necropolis. In fact, the uniqueness and vibrant colors of the paintings have drawn the attention of the authorities, whom we received today. The Director of the Upper Egypt Office, Dr. Abd el-Gaffar, and the Director of the Conservation and Restoration Office of the West Bank, Dr. Saadi, accompanied the manager of the central sector of the West Bank, Dr. Abu el-Hagag, on their visit to admire the religious and daily-life scenes. The team was able to engage in discussions regarding the activities represented in the tomb and the meaning of the scenes.
Also, this week we welcomed Sameh, our conservation inspector, who will undoubtedly contribute significantly to this season’s work. Sameh —sometimes accompanied by our inspector Aabla, by the rais Ali, or by Antonio— observes and discusses the scenes, and examines the various structural and pictorial challenges presented by these mural paintings. With his help and expertise —evident from several exceptional previous projects— we are confident that we will be able to achieve many of the objectives set for this tenth season.
