Research
The archaeological mission at Deir el-Medina
info@museitorino.it
011 44 06 903
From Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Deir el-Medina:
The archaeological site of Deir el-Medina is located in Upper Egypt, on the western bank of the Nile, opposite the modern city of Luxor, in the area of ancient Thebes.
Situated in a valley at the edge of the desert, the site is close to the royal necropolis of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Its strategic location allowed the workers easy access to the burial sites while maintaining a relative separation from the urban life of Thebes.
Today, the site is known for the remains of the village, the tombs of the craftsmen, and the wealth of inscriptions and documents that offer a unique insight into daily life in ancient Egypt.
The Mission:
As part of the French archaeological mission at Deir el-Medina conducted by the IFAO, the Museo Egizio is carrying out research on several Ramesside tombs located in the western necropolis.
These tombs were chosen based on the numerous artifacts that belonged to their owners and are now housed in the museum. In addition to providing an opportunity to study these fragile structures using new technologies, this fieldwork is a unique chance to recontextualize many objects from the museum's collection, shedding new light on them.
Project Details:
During the 2024 campaign, a team from the Museo Egizio and the La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre continued the archaeological project at Deir el-Medina, under the auspices of the French IFAO mission. The 2024 season focused on tomb TT214, belonging to the guardian Khaui, who lived during the reign of Ramses II.
The main objective of this year's campaign was to begin conservation work in the tomb's burial chamber. The activities carried out included an initial phase of analysis and study of the wall paintings through careful observation. These activities allowed for a deeper understanding of the execution technique, the state of preservation of the paintings, and the reconstruction of the main historical and conservation events.
Based on the conservation issues, a priority scale was defined to guide subsequent activities aimed at stabilizing and securing the most compromised parts to prevent the irreversible loss of the decorative fragments.
The more difficult-to-interpret conservation issues will need to be clarified through future scientific analysis and further fieldwork seasons.
The archaeological site of Deir el-Medina is located in Upper Egypt, on the western bank of the Nile, opposite the modern city of Luxor, in the area of ancient Thebes.
Situated in a valley at the edge of the desert, the site is close to the royal necropolis of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Its strategic location allowed the workers easy access to the burial sites while maintaining a relative separation from the urban life of Thebes.
Today, the site is known for the remains of the village, the tombs of the craftsmen, and the wealth of inscriptions and documents that offer a unique insight into daily life in ancient Egypt.
The Mission:
As part of the French archaeological mission at Deir el-Medina conducted by the IFAO, the Museo Egizio is carrying out research on several Ramesside tombs located in the western necropolis.
These tombs were chosen based on the numerous artifacts that belonged to their owners and are now housed in the museum. In addition to providing an opportunity to study these fragile structures using new technologies, this fieldwork is a unique chance to recontextualize many objects from the museum's collection, shedding new light on them.
Project Details:
During the 2024 campaign, a team from the Museo Egizio and the La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Centre continued the archaeological project at Deir el-Medina, under the auspices of the French IFAO mission. The 2024 season focused on tomb TT214, belonging to the guardian Khaui, who lived during the reign of Ramses II.
The main objective of this year's campaign was to begin conservation work in the tomb's burial chamber. The activities carried out included an initial phase of analysis and study of the wall paintings through careful observation. These activities allowed for a deeper understanding of the execution technique, the state of preservation of the paintings, and the reconstruction of the main historical and conservation events.
Based on the conservation issues, a priority scale was defined to guide subsequent activities aimed at stabilizing and securing the most compromised parts to prevent the irreversible loss of the decorative fragments.
The more difficult-to-interpret conservation issues will need to be clarified through future scientific analysis and further fieldwork seasons.
info@museitorino.it
011 44 06 903
From Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
