Qena: A joint Egyptian-French archaeological mission has made a groundbreaking discovery at the Sheikh Al-Arab Hammam site in Al-Arki village, Qena Governorate. The team has unearthed parts of an 18th-century mudbrick residential city and a Coptic necropolis dating back to the Byzantine period, as reported by Ahram Online. This finding offers rare insights into the settlement patterns and daily life in a previously underexplored area of Upper Egypt.
According to Emirates News Agency, the residential structures date back to the time of Sheikh Al-Arab Hammam, a prominent figure in the region during the 18th century. The project aims to better understand and preserve the site, with plans to include it on Egypt's tourist map. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy emphasized its strategic location between the archaeological sites of Dendera and Abydos, which could enhance regional tourism.
Supreme Council of Antiquities Secretary-General Hisham El-Leithy highlighted the significance of the findings, noting the scarcity of historical sources about the area. The site provides valuable insights into Upper Egypt's past. Diaa Zahran, head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector, reported that excavations have uncovered six houses with service buildings and part of an industrial zone.
The architectural discoveries include homes topped with mudbrick domes and roofs made from palm trunks, with traces of white lime plaster found in several rooms. This suggests varied architectural styles and construction techniques. Artefacts such as bronze coins, pottery fragments, children's toys, jewellery, and textile remains reflect the vibrancy of life in the settlement.
Beneath the residential layers, archaeologists discovered part of a Coptic necropolis from the Byzantine era. Ahmed El-Shoky, head of the mission, explained that geophysical surveys led to the discovery after a limestone coffin lid was found repurposed as paving at one of the city's entrances. The necropolis features simple interments directly in the ground and others framed by mudbrick structures.
Finds at the necropolis include linen wrappings and tunics woven in the Coptic style, decorated with geometric, floral, and animal motifs, as well as crosses and inscriptions. A copper stamp used for decorating baked goods was also unearthed. Experts assert that the discovery provides crucial data on funerary practices, industrial activity, and population distribution in Upper Egypt from the Byzantine to the Islamic periods.
Further analysis is expected to enhance the understanding of the individuals buried at the site. Pierre Tallet, director of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology, confirmed that bio-archaeological studies will examine the remains of around 23 individuals to determine their diet, health, age, and sex, particularly in light of evidence suggesting mummification practices.