The Town of Kom Ombo in the 3rd Millenium B.C.

This project will investigate the ancient town of Kom Ombo in the 3rd millenium BC (Old Kingdom/First Intermediate Period). The site lies c45 km north of Aswan on the east bank of the Nile, several kilometres from the modern town of Kom Ombo. Its ancient Egyptian name, Nbyt or Nbw (the Golden One), is first attested in an inscription of the First Intermediate Period in the tomb of Ankhtifi at Moalla, but archaeological evidence shows that the town has an important earlier history. The aim of this project is to investigate the widespread well-preserved early settlement remains. The only previous work, a brief survey carried out in 1979, established that the settlement began at a significantly earlier date than previously assumed. In 2017, the Austrian Archaeological Institute Cairo Branch undertook survey and excavation there as part of its research into ancient Egyptian cities and urbanism. These revealed parts of a First Intermediate Period cemetery and an Old Kingdom settlement, separated by a flood level. The results demonstrated both the ease of archaeological access to early levels, and the important and widespread nature of the remains. The recent work shows that Kom Ombo was a sizeable settlement in the 3rd millennium BC, covering an area of at least 3 hectares. However, its role and status in the regional administrative organization is unclear, and will form a main research focus for the project. Also, changes in settlement patterns over time, their significance and interpretation will be examined in the context of the local and wider historical framework. Thus widespread fire damage seen over the tell, which mainly affected First Intermediate Period remains, raises the possibility of damage from military conflict, perhaps reflecting the unstable situation of Egypt in the First Intermediate Period. The research questions will be addressed firstly by archaeological excavation. Systematic excavation in selected areas of the settlement, using modern techniques, and including 3D- reconstructions of the architecture, and the study of the material culture will be used to reveal the towns spatial and functional organization. These data will then be combined into an overall interpretation of the towns development. In addition, the study and analysis of inscriptional evidence will add to our knowledge of the administration of the town. This project will be the first archaeological investigation of the ancient town of Kom Ombo and will provide an in-depth understanding of this major provincial centre in the 3rd millennium BC.

The project Kom Ombo in the 3rd Millennium BC focused extensively on urban development during the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period. Fieldwork was concentrated in the area north of the large Ptolemaic temple, where extensive excavations uncovered parts of the town. During the excavations, a large administrative building from the First Intermediate Period was discovered, characterized by numerous round silos. The discovery of these silos, found in large numbers and varying sizes, indicate a complex and highly developed administration. It is likely that they served as storage for grain and other essential supplies, highlighting Kom Ombo's central role as an administrative and economic center. The structure of the administrative building and the arrangement of the silos provide insights into how resource distribution and storage were organized during the First Intermediate Period. The findings suggest that there was overarching control and management of food supplies in the town, which was crucial for the city's survival and stability. These insights shed new light on the efficiency and organization of administration during a time known for its instability and political upheavals. Additionally, the continuous expansion of the administrative building suggests that Kom Ombo, despite the challenges of this turbulent period, was able to maintain and perhaps even expand its prosperity and continuity. Furthermore, the excavations offer remarkable insights into the town's history and the function of its various districts. It was observed that the transitions in the usability of different areas were fluid. For example, the town's necropolis was situated in close proximity to the administrative district and residential areas, with no discernible demarcation between them. To the north, a bakery from the Old Kingdom (4th Dynasty), was discovered. This bakery included more than 1,000 bread molds, ovens, and vats for dough preparation. These finds point to a large-scale bakery that was part of an industrial zone in the northern part of the town. This was not a simple household bakery but a large production facility that likely, along with other similar establishments, ensured the town's supply and underscored its economic significance. The dating of the individual structures was ensured through the analysis of ceramic finds and seal impressions. Among the seal impressions were official seals and objects bearing the names of kings, including Djoser (3rd Dynasty), Chephren (4th Dynasty), and Sahure (5th Dynasty). The oldest settlement traces found so far date back to the 2nd Dynasty (around 2800 BC). The results of the excavations thus contribute significantly to our understanding of urban and administrative development during the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period. They demonstrate that Kom Ombo was an important administrative and economic site, playing a key role in the region through its well-organized and efficient administration.