Artefacts of Excavation

These excavations were part of the Graeco-Roman branch survey which was concerned with cartonnage from the Graeco-Roman period. 

The cemetery contains Late Period, Roman and Coptic graves. Excavations were started on February 6th and ended on the 18th. 

Taieba A: The high water table and the fact the tombs were plundered in antiquity means the cemetery lacked material. The bodies were often in groups and orientated east-west. Pot-coffins were common. The cartonnage was mainly papyrus. 

Taieba B: Located on a high gravel platform north ca. 640 metres from Taieba A the cemetery was earlier and contained 20 graves of well wrapped bodies in mostly cloth cartonnage. 

Taieba C: Located on a high gravel platform northeast ca. 640 metres from Taieba A the cemetery was earlier and contained 23 graves of well wrapped bodies in mostly cloth cartonnage.

Taieba D: Located on a high gravel platform west of A, B, and C but between A and B and C was a cemetery of 55 graves. There was some papyrus cartonnage.