October’s session will consist of two papers – by Bonnie Nilhamn-Kuosmanen and Luisa M. García González – followed by a shared round of questions and discussion on the theme of the session: ‘Hands-on Approaches to Ancient Material’. The topics of the papers are:
‘Reinterpreting ancient Egyptian materials: from discovery to interdisciplinary research. A brief presentation of the Qubbet el-Hawa Project’ (Dr. Luisa M. García González)
The necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa (Aswan, Egypt) was the resting place of the local elite of Elephantine since the end of the Old Kingdom, being in use during all of the Pharaonic Period. However, there were two golden periods for the necropolis: the late 6th Dynasty and the 12th Dynasty, when local governors built their monumental rock-cut tombs (hypogea) at the sandstone hill. Elephantine was the capital of the First Nome of Upper Egypt, being the southernmost province and the natural border with ancient Nubia. Its strategic location made this area get a relevant importance in the political affairs of Egypt through time.
The University of Jaén is carrying out archaeological and research works at the site since 2008 under the direction of Prof. Dr. Alejandro Jiménez Serrano. From then, numerous and significant finds have been made, not only in terms of discovering new tombs but also for what they hid. The study of their architecture, the iconography on their walls, the hieroglyphic texts, the multiple burials and their grave goods, the material culture, as well as many other interdisciplinary studies, has provided prominent results for the Egyptological research. The completed and ongoing work by the interdisciplinary team of the Spanish mission has permitted us to provide a better understanding of the archaeological site and generate new knowledge about the local elite of Elephantine as the rulers of a geographical area with multiple particularities and with a special relevance for Egypt.
The talk will give a brief presentation of the archaeological works carried out by the University of Jaén at the Qubbet el-Hawa necropolis and will review the most relevant scientific achievements of the project in all these years, paying special attention to those related to tomb QH35p and the interesting data resulted from its excavation and the study of its materials.
‘Neolithic Plaster at Tell Sabi Abyad, North Syria’ (MA, MSc Bonnie Nilhamn-Kuosmanen)
Plaster was used at Neolithic Tell Sabi Abyad for containers (portable and stationary) and architectural features (floors, walls and ovens). The earliest attested plaster material in Pre-Pottery and Initial Pottery Neolithic (7100–6750 BC) are floors, walls and vessels. In the earliest levels, lime and gypsum plasters were used side by side. From 6400 BC and onwards gypsum dominates and a new phenomenon is introduced: the stationary plastered bin. In the later Halaf period (5900–5300 cal BC), plaster vessels are rare, but plaster is still used for sealing off bins and to plaster interior architectural features such as floors and walls.
Understanding production processes, organisational aspects, and material origins is important. Despite the availability of local limestone, non-local gypsum was the predominant plaster component at Tell Sabi Abyad. This choice is likely attributable to gypsum's low fuel requirements and fast production process. The acquisition of gypsum off-site does not appear to have been a significant obstacle, suggesting the existence of well-established trade networks. Furthermore, the presence of non-local dolomitic lime, bitumen, obsidian, and non-local pottery indicates a complex system of material exchange.
You are all most welcome to participate, so please share and join us in person or online!
- Joanna Töyräänvuori, Lena Tambs, Repekka Uotila & Samuel Reinikainen
Time: Thursday 31 October at 16:15–18:00 EET (UTC+2h).
Live venue (note: new location): Professori (Fabianinkatu 33, room F1055). To locate the venue: entering from the main entrance, go straight ahead, through the hall between the two stairs and to the right. ‘Professori’ (F1055) is the first room after the WC.
Virtual venue: Zoom (Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118 / https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/67889792118).
For a peek at the programme of the past spring, see: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/ancient-near-eastern-empires/news/amme-program-announcement-spring-2024.