Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON
GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
IN WEST SAQQARA

Jerzy Trzcmski, Kamil O. Kuraszkiewicz, Fabian Welc

Previous geological research in the area
(including sedimentological and petro-
graphical analyses) has demonstrated its
usefulness for in-depth archaeological
investigations conducted in the necropolis
of west Saqqara (Mycielska-Dowgiallo and
Woronko 1998: 106-115). An examination
of rock layers reveals, among others, the
geomorphological processes that shaped the
natural environment at the time (Mycielska-
Dowgiallo and Woronko 1999: 107-112).

The layers which are the effect of these
processes and the ancient topography are
closely interrelated with archaeological
features observed in the examined part of
the Saqqara necropolis. Indeed, one
observes distinctly the impact distribution
of rock units and geomorphological
processes exerted on human activities in the
necropolis during its functioning
(Mycielska-Dowgiallo, Szafrahski and
Woronko 1999: 167-178).

GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL
INVESTIGATIONS IN THE NECROPOLIS

In the 2007 season, comprehensive
geoarchaeological and geomorphological
research was carried out, concentrating on
the examination of exposures (sections)
from both earlier and current fieldwork.
The chief objective of the examination was
to identify genetically individual rock layers
and to determine their age, as well as
reconstruct ancient topography and
climate. In the end it proved possible to
establish the relations between
geomorphology and the geological and
archaeological layers in the excavated area.
The present research included the
following:
— geomorphological analysis of the

excavated area and immediately adjacent
ground,
— geological research on exposures in the
excavated area (sedimentological, petro-
graphical analyses),
— field documentation of the exposures.
The research was carried out at the
southeastern edge of the excavated area
(squares 2001, 2002, 2101, 2102; for
location of squares on the site plan,
cf. Mysliwiec et alii 2004: Pis I, II, IV) in the
immediate vicinity of the foundation of the
Netjerykhet enclosure wall. Altogether
14 exposures were analyzed in this area
[Figs 1, 2\. Two new exposures were also
examined in the northern part of the

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Polish Archaeology in die Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007