Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

SHEIKH ABD EL-GURNA

EGYPT

SHEIKH ABD EL-GURNA
(HERMITAGE IN TOMB 1152)
PRELIMINARY REPORT, 2005
Tomasz Gorecki

The third season of excavations carried out at Sheikh Abd el-Gurna by a team from the Polish
Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology lasted from January 31 to March 3, 2003.1
The team concentrated on exploring the inside of a Pharaonic tomb inhabited by monks in
the Coptic period and a rubbish dump that had accumulated during the functioning of the
hermitage on a rock slope to the south and east of Tower B, now sealed under a thin layer of
eroded rock debris.
1 The team was directed by Mr. Tomasz Gorecki, archaeologist and ceramologist, and included Ms Eliza Szpakowska,
archaeologist-egyptologist; Ms Malgorzata Czapinska and Ms Teresa Kaczor, architects; Prof. Dr. Maciej Pawlikowski,
geologist; Mr. Maciej Jawornicki, photographer. Mrs. Janina Wielowieyska and Mrs. Izabela Mazur, book conservators,
joined the team for a period from March 4 until the end of the season. Mr. Sayed Mohamed Ahmed Salim, inspector
from the Islamic-Coptic Section of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, was attached to the Mission.
On behalt of the Mission, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Dr. Zahi Hawass, SCA Secretary General, for his
far-sightedness and efficiency in making it possible for book conservators to join the mission at short notice, following
the unexpected discovery of the Coptic codices. This decision helped ensure that the ancient books will be protected
satisfactorily until a proper conservation program is set in motion. I am also deeply grateful to Dr. Holeil Ghaly, Head
of the Central Directorate of Upper Egypt and the Oasis and Mr. All el-Asfar, Director of Antiquities in el-Gurna, both
of whom were generously ready to help the mission deal with the various logistical difficulties connected with the
unexpected discovery

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