Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

NAQLUN 2007
PRELIMINARY REPORT

Wlodzimierz Godlewski

A mission from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of
Warsaw, directed by Prof. Wlodzimierz Godlewski,1 completed another season of
excavations on the site of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum between 8 September and
22 October 2007. The seasons prime objectives were research on the site of the
western hermitages, specifically Hermitage 87 to the west of cemetery C, and an
updating of site topography using state-of-the-art surveying equipment. Textile
restorers continued the conservation of textiles excavated from cemeteries A and C.
The missions arabist studied the Arabic documents discovered in 2005, while other
team members concentrated on documenting the Arabic and Coptic texts on paper
and parchment uncovered at Naqlun during excavations in 1986-1989 and
presently stored in the Coptic Museum in Cairo. The activities have also been
reported in Godlewski 2008.
1 The staff included: Barbara Czaja-Szewczak and Miroslawa Machulak, textile restorers; Dr. Christian Gaubert, arabist;
Wieslaw Malkowski, topographer and archaeologist; Szymon Maslak, archaeologist; Dr. Maria Mossakowska-Gaubert,
archaeologist; and Katarzyna Danys and Lukasz Krupski, students 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 Mr. Ibrahim El-Ragab, SCA
inspector, also 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 the proper environment for effective work are greatly
appreciated.

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007