The study of the material culture allows us to identify categories, types, fabrics, modes of production and even uses and reuses of the objects in the everyday life as well as in the funerary domain. Besides, some critical information that can be obtained in occassions –and this is what really interests at first to the archaeologists– is the date or period of the object, which allows the specialist to contextualize an entire area, section or stratigraphic unit.
Through the cleaning of the shaft –already disturbed– in the transversal corridor of Djari’s tomb, we have recovered many objects to which we have applied the very same aforementioned rules (of interest): analysis of the types or categories, fabrics, modes of production, uses and reuses, as well as dating. For better or worse (here in the team everyone has an opinion in this respect!), our shaft was previously filled with remains of a completely different nature: model jars and fragments of model boats of the First Intermediate Period appear in contact with blue-painted ceramics and funerary cones of the New Kingdom, fragments of granite statues, remains of Late Period coffins, and Coptic as well as Bizantine ceramics. A good example of the diversity of materials is the collection of funerary cones of an individual called Iah-mes (Ahmose) found near a miniature offering tray of the First Intermediate Period. No doubt, the life of a funerary complex like this, situated in the center of Asasif among the tombs of Montuemhat (TT 34), Pedamenopet (TT 33), Pabasa (TT 279), and Padihorresnet (TT 196), was much more active than one could imagine. In fact, this justified the “thousand and one layers” of reuse of the monument and the diverse material obtained from the shaft.
In the complex of Dagi, Raúl and Jaime have continued collecting information about the sector excavated in the transversal corridor in relation to pillars 3 and 4. In this area, the team members have discussed the evidence, which seems to indicate several layers of use from the Eleventh Dynasty to the Coptic period. The strata above gebel (i.e., bedrock) show a sequence that expands from the preparation and plastering of the original floor for Dagi to the accumulation of debris and later preparation of –at least– two floors as well as benches and walls related to the initial two phases of Coptic occupation. In addition, in this area our archaeologists have found a depression with two roundy hollows which might have been used for a large loom installed there before the construction of some steps, a little gate, and benches against the wall.
On the other hand, in the tomb of Ipi (TT 315), Carmen and Antonio have continued with the collection of inventory numbers and objects to be packed and delivered to the Carter Magazine and the Luxor Museum. We still count with the coming season of November 2023 for completing this task and fulfill the requirements of the Ministry of Antiquities. The selection of the most interesting wrappings, shrouds, bandages, natron bags, stoppers, and large jars is conducted considering the role of these objects in the exhibition we plan to organize at the Luxor Museum and the later delivery of these materials to the Mummification Museum of Luxor.
Regarding our conservation work today, in the tomb of Dagi, Lily completed the assessment of the mural paintings preserved on-site. Meanwhile, Olivia and Ella performed urgent consolidation work on certain mural paintings surrounding the area being excavated by Raul. Finally, Jaume continued with the consolidation and storage tasks for several mural fragments originating from the tomb.
