A book collects archaeological finds made in the main tomb of the Egyptian site of Oxyrhynchus
On Friday 31 October, the Aula Magna of the Historic Building of the University of Barcelona (UB) hosts the presentation of the latest book published about the excavations that are being carried out in the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, developed by archaeologists from the UB, the Catalan Egyptology Society and the University of Montpellier. The publication collects scientific papers about the area of the site that includes the tomb number 1, which is particularly noteworthy because it was constructed during the Saite period, between 7th and 6th centuries BC and survives practically intact. One of the items found in the surroundings is a Roman children death mask covered with gold. Besides the book, an agreement that continues the collaboration between the UB and the University of Montpellier will be presented too. The collaboration between both institutions began in 1992, when the archaeological mission to Oxyrhynchus started.
On Friday 31 October, the Aula Magna of the Historic Building of the University of Barcelona (UB) hosts the presentation of the latest book published about the excavations that are being carried out in the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, developed by archaeologists from the UB, the Catalan Egyptology Society and the University of Montpellier. The publication collects scientific papers about the area of the site that includes the tomb number 1, which is particularly noteworthy because it was constructed during the Saite period, between 7th and 6th centuries BC and survives practically intact. One of the items found in the surroundings is a Roman children death mask covered with gold. Besides the book, an agreement that continues the collaboration between the UB and the University of Montpellier will be presented too. The collaboration between both institutions began in 1992, when the archaeological mission to Oxyrhynchus started.
The personalities who participate in the presentation of the book are: Enric Canela, vice-rector for Science Policy of the UB; Josep Padró, Emeritus Professor from the UB and director of the archaeological mission; Joan Sanmartí, UB professor; Adelina Millet, director of the Institute of Ancient Near Eastern Studies; Maite Mascort, vice-president of the Catalan Egyptology Society, and Fréderic Servajean, professor at the University of Montpellier. Besides the researchers from the University of Montpellier who collaborate in the excavations, the former institution also provides funds to the mission.
The tomb number 1 has a complex layout and is built of well-hewn and arranged blocks of white stone. The tombʼs chambers are covered by barrel vaults. Its structure has generated certain inner environmental conditions that have enabled to preserve the goods kept in it. The tomb was continuously used from its construction to the end of the 1st century AD. It was looted until its discovery, in 1982, when the Egyptian Antiquities Service stopped thefts. Archaeological expeditions found items such as the Roman death mask or the sarcophagus of Heret, made of grey lime , and analysed the large number of paintings found on the walls. In fact, one of these paintings shows the name of Oxyrhynchus, in the language of hieroglyphs (per-medjet). The area includes seven tombs more, which are also described on the book. The work, entitled La tombe nº 1 à la Nécropole Haute, describes the finds made in tombs and the analyses carried out at laboratories.
The work —edited by the UB, the University of Montpellier, the Government of Catalonia and the Catalan Egyptology Society— is the third monograph published about Oxyrhynchus excavations. The first one is entitled Fouilles archéologiques à El-Bahnasa (1982-2005) and the second La maison funéraire de la nécropole haute à Oxyrhynchos. More works are going to be published about other aspects concerning the site.
The city of Oxyrhynchus became important with the 25th Dynasty, or Nubian period, under its Pharaonic name Per-Medjed. It was the second most important city of the province, after the capital city, Sepermeru, but it is a forgotten city today. It was consecrated to the god Seth, which represented the war, the dark and the desert. The latest archaeological expedition to the site found paintings from the Coptic period of the first Christians and a large number of Roman mummies.