The experience of conducting archaeological fieldwork does not allow to know what object or structure is going to be next! Our case is not different, and the excavation of the two large courtyards in the tombs of Henenu (TT 313) and Ipi (TT 315) seems promising. Today, Kelly and Lisa have continued with the excavation of the new squares in the complex of Henenu. The western square has offered some interesting materials, while the eastern one, unexpectedly, revealed the existence of a modern electrical installation in our area, probably for the light system at Deir el-Bahari. We hope to find levels of our interest under this modern construction, mainly dating to the Middle Kingdom up to the Grecorroman period. Regarding our work in the tomb of Ipi, Mohamed has supervised the excavation in the current area of work, where a stone wall –probably post-Middle Kingdom– has been found. In the next days, we hope to identify the context of reuse (habitat, burial, plunder) attested in this square of the middle-section of the courtyard in Ipi´s tomb.
This week we have had strenuous days with daily sessions of intensive work between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM, with a short lunch in the site and without much time for a rest in our tombs and haimas. It is clear that the high temperatures at mid-day affect our performance and capacity, more importantly in relation to our local workers who are the ones conducting real physical work. Therefore, it is better to focus on tasks and activities that can be done in the shade and stop any work that put in danger the health of any person in the site. For this reason, the afternoon sessions in the site consist on lab study, analysis of findings, organization of materials, photography, drawing, etc.
Indeed, we have had much progress in the last afternoons, mainly on the analysis of found objects and their study. Kei and Hazem have been working against the clock on the study and drawing of the jars proceeding from the mummification deposit. Dina continues with the collation of the texts found in Ipi´s sarcophagus, assisting other colleagues such as Raúl, and preparing the study of two new sealings, probably of the Middle Kingdom, that were found by Mohamed in one of the squares in the mid-courtyard. Rawda has continued with the cleaning of the sarcophagus while Patri prepares more photographic material for the team. Sebastian, who has been assisting Mohamed in the new archaeological squares in Ipi´s tomb, is preparing himself for the excavation of the Eastern sector, a new area of the necropolis offered by the Ministry of Antiquities to the MKTP. This sector seems promising, considering that Herbert Winlock did not complete the survey and excavation of it when he excavated there in the 20s and 30s.
Our day in our headquarters at the Marsam Hotel has been very hectic too. Having a team with 34 members in two annexed rooms with computers, notes, hard-drives, scientific discussions, technical work, devices, and conducting all kinds of tasks is certainly imposing. Fortunately, the Marsam Hotel takes into consideration the necessities of the archaeological missions and provides a great space for our work therein. In “our house” we all collaborate to continue one more day and study the findings and information obtained a few hours ago in the site. At this stage, we hope that the rest of our members will receive the security permissions and will incorporate into our team at least for the last ten days of work, so that we can achieve many of the goals originally planned for this season.
