EXPEDITION 2025

Dates: 04 – 29 April 2025.

Area/site: Unit C, Fortified Settlement of Umm al-Dabadib.

Short description: The aim of this expedition was to complete the archaeological excavation of Unit C in the Fortified Settlement, continue the survey of the industrial area, assess the stability of selected structures, and carry out conservation measures where necessary. Excavation revealed that Unit C was originally a large domestic complex that was subsequently divided into smaller productive spaces, probably devoted to craft activities. The excavation exposed the complete layout of the building, including part of the adjacent street, while documenting its architectural phases through 3D photogrammetric surveys carried out before and after excavation. Numerous finds, including ceramic vessels, loom and leatherworking-related weights, reused jar handles, figurines, an ivory hairpin, coins and other small finds, confirmed the Fourth Century AD date of the occupation. A selection of finds was transferred to the Kharga Taftish, while the remainder was documented, recorded and reburied in situ after backfilling the excavated areas. A surface survey of the kiln area was completed in preparation for future excavation. The mission also documented and repaired damage caused by illegal excavations within the Fort, restoring disturbed contexts and strengthening the protection of vulnerable areas.

Team: Dr Corinna Rossi (Director), Dr Clementina Caputo (Ceramicist), Dr Alessandro Mandelli (Surveyor), Dr Stefania Alfarano (Archaeologist), Mr Cesare Iezzi (Archaeologist), Mohamed Abdelazeem (Inspector), Dr Adel Abdelhamed Abdo (Conservator), Ayub Kolib Younes Mustafa, Mustafa Ibrahim Ahmed Ali, Abdel Naser Orman Mohamed Orman, Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed, Gamal Hussein Mohamed Mahmoud, Hassan Hegazy Tuleib, Sahaaban Ahmed Ali Ibrahim, Mahmoud Hussein Mohamed Radwa and Mahmoud Mohamed Abdul Aziz Sayed (Workmen), Essam (chief driver, Pan Arab Tours), Mohamed and Mustafa (drivers, Pan Arab Tours), Shukri and Hossam (cooks, Pan Arab Tours), Mohamed and Shaaban (Policemen).

Acknowledgements: Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed (General Manager of the Kharga Antiquities), the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Ms Amal Moussa and Ms Marwa Fawzy (Pan Arab Tours), Magdy Ali (Project Representative in Cairo).

This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizion 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement n°  681673).