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The central building in Kab Marfu'a,
downhill from
a possible shrine, was obviously built in two or more phases:
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Apart from a large central building and a
possible
shrine, the settlement of Kab Marfu'a comprises numerous huts and
working
areas:
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Objective of visit:
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To draw a measured plan of the site and study
the surface
remains (including the ceramic finds). |
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Date of visit:
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January
2001 |
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Fellow visitors:
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Prof.Dr. Steve Sidebotham (University of
Delaware) and
Lisa Pintozzi (Berenike Project). |
| Results: |
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A survey was performed using the Global
Positioning System,
a theodolite and steel tape measures. Off-site assistance was given by
pottery expert Dr. Roberta Tomber (Museum of London). No excavations
took
place. A preliminary report was published in S.E. Sidebotham, H.
Barnard, L.A. Pintozzi and R.S. Tomber (2005). 'The enigma of Kab
Marfu'a: precious gems in Egypt's Eastern Desert,' Minerva 16,1:
pp. 24-26 (click
for pdf).
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| Approximate
position and date
of the site: |
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Kab Marfu'a is in the southern part of the
Egyptian Eastern
desert, south of the Edfu-Marsa Alam asphalt road, just north of the hydreuma
in Wadi Gamal. Surface pottery dated to the Roman period (ca. 30
BC - 600 AD). |
| Short description
of the site: |
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Judging by the lay-out of the site and the
large number
of small working platforms and quartz pounders, Kab Marfu'a was an
industrial
settlement. The nature of the activities, however, is still enigmatic
as
is the relation between this settlement and the nearby hydreuma
and the emerald (beryl) mines further to the east. In part of the
ancient settlement a small number of sherds of Eastern Desert Ware vessels
were found. |
| Additional
remarks: |
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The enigmatic character of the settlement is
further
enhanced by the find of imported pottery from the western parts of the
African province of the Roman Empire. Our work was sponsored by the Berenike
Project and private donors. |
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