Thudmoside Palace Precint in Avaris

At `Ezbet Helmy, near Tell el-Dab`a, two palace districts were discovered by the Austrian Archaeological Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Egyptology of the University of Vienna. They were superimposed on each other. One dates to the late Hyksos Period and the other to the Tuthmoside Period (c. 1500-1400 BC). The latter became famous by the unearthing of fragments of wall painting, which could be identified by technique, style and motifs as Minoan. The palaces were situated at the western edge of the ancient site of Avaris on the eastern bank of the former Pelusiac branch of the Nile. Today the place is known as Tell el-Qirqafa/`Ezbet Helmi, just east of Tell el-Dab`a. Only a small part of the palatial quarters has been excavated so far. The total precinct can be estimated to about 4 ha in area, as compared to the 250 ha of the town in the Hyksos Period. It became clear that this place was one of the most important parts of ancient Avaris. The aim of this project is to assess the excavation material of this site in order to allow the interested scientific world quick access to the material. Especially the ceramics that have already been drawn have to be put into a database that has to be restructured and reprogrammed for the needs of the material from the New Kingdom. Especially the imports from Cyprus and the Middle to Late Bronze Age Imports from all over the Mediterranean will reveal new data about trade and economy in the Eastern Mediterranean in the time of the New Kingdom. Another task to be carried out in the framework of this project is to continue the restoration, reconstruction and drawing of the frescoes as well as of the small finds unearthed during the excavation process. To assess the overall layout of the settlement in order to aid further excavations and get to know the development of the settlement the geophysical survey work has to be continued as well.

At `Ezbet Helmy, near Tell el-Dab`a, two palace districts were discovered by the Austrian Archaeological Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Egyptology of the University of Vienna. They were superimposed on each other. One dates to the late Hyksos Period and the other to the Tuthmoside Period (c. 1500-1400 BC). The latter became famous by the unearthing of fragments of wall painting, which could be identified by technique, style and motifs as Minoan. The palaces were situated at the western edge of the ancient site of Avaris on the eastern bank of the former Pelusiac branch of the Nile. Today the place is known as Tell el-Qirqafa/`Ezbet Helmi, just east of Tell el-Dab`a. Only a small part of the palatial quarters has been excavated so far. The total precinct can be estimated to about 4 ha in area, as compared to the 250 ha of the town in the Hyksos Period. It became clear that this place was one of the most important parts of ancient Avaris. The aim of this project is to assess the excavation material of this site in order to allow the interested scientific world quick access to the material. Especially the ceramics that have already been drawn have to be put into a database that has to be restructured and reprogrammed for the needs of the material from the New Kingdom. Especially the imports from Cyprus and the Middle to Late Bronze Age Imports from all over the Mediterranean will reveal new data about trade and economy in the Eastern Mediterranean in the time of the New Kingdom. Another task to be carried out in the framework of this project is to continue the restoration, reconstruction and drawing of the frescoes as well as of the small finds unearthed during the excavation process. To assess the overall layout of the settlement in order to aid further excavations and get to know the development of the settlement the geophysical survey work has to be continued as well.