The Northern Necropolis of Gebelein in Light of Old and Current Fieldwork

Abstract

The Northern Necropolis of Gebelein was a place of important discoveries, e.g. an archive of Old Kingdom papyri, the Tomb of Unknowns, and the Tomb of the General Iti II. Several excavations have taken place there, but none have been sufficiently published. The archaeological contexts of these discoveries are poorly known, which limits their research value. Archival data from two unpublished excavations can help to understand the archaeological topography of the eastern part of this cemetery. The current survey of the area enables the authors to understand the progress of previous excavations, to locate in the field some of the archaeological features discovered during the twentieth century excavations, and contributes to contextualisation of some of the artefacts which were discovered at the cemetery. The necropolis in question presents the development of an important, provincial burial ground which can contribute to the understanding of the history of the region and the funerary traditions in provincial areas. Worth to note are the peculiarities, such as an Old Kingdom mastaba with subsidiary burials within its walls, mummified dogs in a Twelfth Dynasty tomb, and Nubian influence on local funerary customs.