Where did time go? An entire month has passed since our last blog post, then promising continuous updates and images from the field... Now more than ever, Madam Silsila has kept us busy, so much so that we find ourselves in the latter part of our spring season and with discoveries and experiences that surpasses our wildest expectations when arriving here in the beginning of March.
So, what have we been up to? Well, the exact details will have to wait, but archaeological focus has been on the northern corridor in the Main Quarry and 'Tiberius' Stables'; the ceramic analysis moved on with Pottery Hill; Egyptian epigraphy was (re-)recorded in the east bank monuments as well as in the rock-cut temple of the west (the speos) and the Nile stelae in the south.
In addition to the already introduced members, the season has included geological studies by one of our scientific 'giants', Jim Harrell; epigraphy by our other 'giant' Philippe Martinez; archaeo-ceramic studies by Sarah K. Doherty; and digital recording by Stefan Lindgren (3D) (and the team is soon to be joined by digital recorder Kevin Cain). In addition, the team has been blessed with the lovely visits by ARCE's epigraphic fieldschool under J.J. Shirley and Will Schenck, as well as Dutch Mehen.
There is so much to summarize, but with so little time, we will leave you now with a photographic summary of the season so far.
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| Reis Shihad |
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Maria and Carter ready for another day of fieldwork
photo by Huib |
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| John looking dapper as per usual |
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| Liz and Hassan |
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| Huib |
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| Like previous seasons, Silsila always present nature's wonderful scenery |
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| flagging the survey area |
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| Kom Ombo's great inspectors and conservators... |
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| ... at work! |
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| work continues in the northern corridor of Q34 |
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| planning work in Tiberius' Stables |
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| morning cuddles on the way out |
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| prominent visit by General Director of Aswan, Mr. Nasr Salama; General Director of Kom Ombo, Mr. Abd el Menum, and members of the great inspectorate |
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| Chef Abdallah! |
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| Planning visit by Alex and Rob from DSP |
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| morning capture of Hassan within the speos at dawn |
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| another gorgeous sunrise over the east bank |
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| birthday party for Nanny Sussie |
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| Mr. Carter - born to protect the Silsila Team! |
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| Soon to be a doctor, Mr. Moamen Saad on his way to continue documenting the Nile Stelae |
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| Parts of the Silsila Team 2015 |
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| ARCE's epigraphic team on visit |
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| Nanny Sussie with Freja and proud mother |
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| Will, J.J. & Maria |
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| ARCE's epigraphic students with a few members of the Silsila Team, including Moamen on the scaffolding; a huge thank you to John Shearman and ARCE for lending us the scaffolding and ladders! |
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| Our French Einstein, Dr. Martinez, arriving with gifts to Lady Freja |
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| and with Belgian chocolate to the team! |
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| another glorious day at Silsila |
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| Digital recorder Stefan Lindgren |
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| early morning photography |
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| Our Geological Giant Jim Harrell discussing tool marks with Maria |
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| 3 men and a baby... (L-R: Philippe Martinez, John Ward, James Harrell, and of course baby Freja) |
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| gorgeous sunset over the speos |
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Philippe, Jim, Maria and John in a moment of great discussion!
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