Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

NAQLUN
(NEKLONI)
PRELIMINARY REPORT, 2006
Wiodzimierz Godlewski

Λ mission from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of
Warsaw, directed by Prof. Dr. Wiodzimierz Godlewski,1 completed another season of ex-
cavations (September 17 — October 21, 2006) on the site of the monastery of Nekloni in
Fayum (for the previous season, see Godlewski 2001a; and Maslak 2007; Dziedzic-
Dzierzbicka 2007; Zurek 2007; also Godlewski 2006; 2007b; 2007c).
Excavations were continued on two sites: the complex of monastic architecture situated in
the central part of the kom, south of Tower Λ — trench S.4 (8 x 5 m), and the cemetery C,
situated outside the modern monastery enclosure wall. A new site, Hermitage 85, was
explored in the area west of cemetery C. Anthropological examination of the skeletal material
from cemeteries C and Λ was carried out concurrently with studies of the other finds —
textiles, pottery, worked wood, glass and shoes. The Arabic documents discovered in 1997
were the object of further research by Dr. Christian Gaubert. Textile restorer B. Czaja-
Szewczak continued work on the conservation of textiles from cemeteries A and C.

1 The staff of the Mission included: Mrs. Barbara Czaja-Szewczak, restorer; Mrs. Dorota Dziedzic-Dzierzbicka,
archaeologist. Dr. Christian Gaubert, arabist; Mr. Robert Mahler, anthropologist; Mr. Szymon Maslak, archaeologist;
Dr. Maria Mossakowska-Gaubert, archaeologist; Dr. Magdalena Zurek, archaeologist; Mrs. Iwona Zych, archaeologist
and Ms Marzena Anna Ozarek, student of archaeology. The work of the Mission proceeded effectively and efficiently
thanks to the all-encompassing assistance of the SCA authorities, in Cairo as well as in Fayum. The Mission would like
to express its gratitude to Mrs. Rania Ahmad El-Sayed and to Mr. Ibrahim El-Ragab in charge of the Mission
Storehouse in Naqlun. The hospitality of the Fayum Coptic monastic community and the personal involvement of
Abuna Abraam in creating a proper environment for effective work is continuously appreciated.

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