Campaigns

campaign 2016

SPANISH-EGYPTIAN MISSION AT DRA ABU EL-NAGA TOMBS OF DJEHUTY AND HERY (TT 11-12)
15th Season Report: January 10 th – February 20 th

The Spanish mission working at Dra Abu el-Naga conducted its 15th season in January-February 2016. As in previous years, the excavation concentrated on Sector 10, south-west of the open courtyard of the tomb-chapel of Djehuty (TT 11). Three funerary shafts of the 17th and/or early 18th Dynasty were dug. One of them had been reused in the 22nd Dynasty by six individuals. Another shaft had at the bottom several inscribed pieces mentioning prince Intefmose, of the 17th Dynasty. In the southern area of Sector 10, the open courtyard of a rock-cut tomb was unearthed, with a number of 22nd Dynasty inscribed material. In a layer between the 17th and 13th Dynasties (according to the pottery) a mummy of a ram was found next to a plundered rectangular coffin. It seems to be the oldest ram mummy recorded to this day.

Plan of the areas excavated this season

View of Sector 10 from above the site

Burial chamber of shaft UE 165, 17th Dynasty reused in the 21st/22nd Dynasty

The excavation and analysis of the animal mummies of the 2nd century B.C., mainly ibis and falcons, stored in the burial chambers of Hery’s tomb-chapel (TT 12) and -399-, continued offering interesting data.

Funerary shaft UE 113, with inscribed blocks at the bottom

Fragment of inscription showing King Kheperkara (Senwosret I) adoring the god Anubis

View of the excavation in progress in Sector 10 South

Inside the tomb-chapel of Djehuty, four restorers worked hard in the cleaning, consolidation and restoration of the walls in the transverse hall. A safety ceiling was also installed there and new led-lighting, aiming to open the monument to the public in 2020.

22nd Dynasty stela found at Sector 10 South

17th Dynasty Mummified ram found at Sector 10 South

Seal impression, 2nd century BC, found together with the animal mummies stored down the shaft of Hery’s tomb (TT 12)