Monday, June 18, 2007
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Adam continues to excavate under the temple’s porch at the north. In early 2006 the stone wall opposite him in the picture was partially dismantled and rebuilt, but now we are working at levels below that wall’s construction in the 25th Dynasty, ca. 700 B.C. Adam has worked to clarify the mud brick that runs regularly across the temple, nearly on line with the stone wall. This wall is preserved with some height at its east end (perhaps a meter), but it appears to have been added to over time – as is normally the case with mud brick construction. The indications are that the lowest courses of this wall represent a major enclosure of the Second Intermediate Period Temple of Mut, and the stone temple was placed directly above it. At the more western end of this mud brick cross wall construction atop may have obscured or even removed it, but we will continue to look for its continuation. Adam’s diligence is paying off! |
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Sarah is working now in a north south trench worked by Richard Fazzini some years ago. Here a narrow mud brick wall runs along the exterior of the stone temple. Its depth and breadth are in question, and Sarah and Betsy discuss whether it goes beneath the stone or simply lies beside it. Sarah will investigate this question next. In the next frame you see the result of that query, and the answer is that the wall is only one brick high and it does not go under the wall. It is very distinctly next to it. An interesting question arises now as to its original function – as actual architecture or as construction revetment. It is definitely an early wall from the pottery associated. |
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The tale of a restored block. One of the many parts of the original stone temple built by Hatshepsut and Thutmose III is moving to its new location in the display area behind the temple. Lotfi and Saadi work to maneuver the heavy block off the temporary mastaba, and the men then pull it across the site to the south west of the temple. Now it joins other blocks that are being placed to suggest elements (the porch, and several walls) of the 18th Dynasty temple. |
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For more images from today, click here. |
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