Tell el-Murra (Northeastern Nile Delta Survey) (Egypt), 2017

Tell el-Murra (Northeastern Nile Delta Survey)

Dates of work: 12 March–12 April 2017

Team

Co-Directors: Mariusz A. Jucha, PhD (Institute of Archeology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków), Grzegorz Bąk-Pryc, archaeologist (PhD candidate, Institute of Archeology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków)
SCA representatives: Omar Haseeb Omar (Tanis SCA Inspectorate), Amira Husein Ebrahim (Tanis SCA Inspectorate)
Archaeologists: Natalia Małecka-Drozd (PhD candidate, Institute of Archeology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków)
Archaeologist/ceramologist: Magdalena Kazimierczak (PhD candidate, Institute of Archeology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków)
Documentalists: Katarzyna Cierlikowska, Konrad Grzyb, Bartosz Klose, Katarzyna Lajs, Natalia Puschhaus, Wojciech Mika, Sylwia Siast (all Institute of Archeology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków).
Archaeobotanists: Agata Bebel (Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw), Aldona Mueller-Bieniek, PhD (W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences)
Photographer: Ewa Kuciewicz (PhD candidate, Institute of Archeology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków)

 

(Joint description for seasons 2016 and 2017)

The paper deals with the results of excavation in 2016 and 2017 at the site of Tell el-Murra in the northeastern part of theNile Delta. The investigation focused on Trench T5, where settlement remains dated mostly from the Early Dynastic period were explored in its northern part, and early Old Kingdom structures in the southern part. Settlement remains of Lower Egyptian culture were also excavated in Trench S3B. Continued research on the Early Dynastic cemetery in Trench S3 yielded eight more graves, both pit burials and chambered tombs. In one case, the body was placed additionally in a pottery coffin. The results contribute new data on Early Dynastic settlement architecture and burial customs, as well as the oldest habitation associated with Lower Egyptian culture. The paper deals with the results of excavation in 2016 and 2017 at the site of Tell el-Murra in the northeastern part of the Nile Delta. The investigation focused on Trench T5, where settlement remains dated mostly from the Early Dynastic period were explored in its northern part, and early Old Kingdom structures in the southern part. Settlement remains of Lower Egyptian culture were also  excavated in Trench S3B. Continued research on the Early Dynastic cemetery in Trench S3 yielded eight more graves, both pit burials and chambered tombs. In one case, the body was placed additionally in a pottery coffin. The results contribute new data on Early Dynastic settlement architecture and burial customs, as well as the oldest habitation associated with Lower Egyptian culture.

Acknowledgments

The report concerning the 2016 season is the result of implementing a project financed with funds from the National Science Centre, Poland, allocated on the basis of decision number DEC-2013/09/B/HS3/03588.

[Text: Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 27/1]

Contact
M.A. Jucha: m.jucha@murra.pl