Deir el-Medina in Graeco-Roman times
The resumption of research on the Ptolemaic Temple at Deir el-Medina will allow not only the continuation of the historical and architectural study of the building, but also a thorough study of the decorative program, which will include an iconographic, textual and religious analysis, as well as comparisons with other buildings. This work, which began in 2020, is accompanied by a paleographic study of the temple’s epigraphy and a study of the well-preserved colors.
This program will be complemented by the study of the Greco-Roman archaeological material found at Deir el-Medina. This will lead to a better understanding of the functioning of the site during this period, reconstruct the context in which the temple was in operation, and examine its role and integration into the cultic landscape on the western shore of Thebes.
Temple Research
The hieroglyphic inscriptions of the temple of Deir el Medina were published in the early 2000s, but the building has not been the subject of in-depth study in either its architecture or its theology. The work carried out at the temple aims at a comprehensive study of the temple decoration. This includes, on the one hand, the translation and interpretation of the inscriptions and representations and, on the other hand, the analysis of the content and distribution of the scenes. In addition, a study of the use of colors in the decoration was initiated.
A detailed study of the gods and goddesses that appear in the temple of Deir el-Medina will make it possible to grasp the nuances of local theology. The study of the genii guarding the temple is already underway. In addition, documentary sources are being considered to define cults as well as local festivals. Excavation material could also help paint a more reliable picture.
Architecture
An architectural study of the Ptolemaic temple will be carried out by Matthieu Vanpeene. It will allow a better understanding of the construction phases of the building and its particularities.
This collaboration will also allow to start further research on the layout of the temple rooms, which also falls in the field of theology. The so-called mammisi and the small lean-to temple are two additions that deserve further study.
In the long run, the study of the temple at Deir el-Medina will help to investigate the role and use of the small Theban temples on the western bank.
Paleography
The inscriptions of the temple of Deir el-Medina are executed in recessed relief rather than in raised relief, as is often the case with Greco-Roman temples. This fact alone justifies interest in studying the paleography of the temple’s hieroglyphs, but the temple also has several rare spellings that should be studied in detail. Several steps are planned to publish a volume devoted to the hieroglyphic signs of the temple of Deir el-Medina:
- Records and drawings of the signs
- Analysis of the shape of the signs
- Comparison with other specimens
- Study of the engraving techniques
- Study of the interactions between text and image
Examination of the archaeological material
The discovery of grave goods from the Greco-Roman period has, with few exceptions, often not attracted much attention. The work is aimed at finding and inventorying the material that still exists.
Part of the research takes place on site at Deir el-Medina with the identification of Greco-Roman funerary objects in the site’s magazines and storerooms. Another part takes place in museums and collections around the world.
In addition, an overview of the Greco-Roman burials at Deir el-Medina will be made. For this purpose, it is necessary to determine the location of the tombs that were built or filled in during this period and to reconstruct the documentation.
Address
Universität Basel
Departement Altertumswissenschaften
Petersgraben 51
CH-4051 Basel
Contact
info@beyondthetext.ch