Archaeobotanical studies at Hierakonpolis Locality HK6: The Pre and Early Dynastic elite cemetery

Abstract

Plant macroremains were separated from samples taken from nine tombs (1-3, 5-7, 9-11) in an elite cemetery at locality HK6 at Hierakonpolis. These tombs are dated to the Predynastic Naqada IIA period and the Early Dynastic Naqada A2-IIIC1 (c. 3800 – 3650 B. C./ 3200 – 3050 B. C.). Human and/or animal skeletal remains were found in all of these tombs. A total of 1984 plant macroremains were identified. This botanical assemblage has been attributed to 23 plant taxa and classified into wild edible fruits, cultivated crops, wild herbs, wood and charcoal. The highest number and percentage of plant remains as well as the greatest number of plant species were recorded from Tombs 1, 3 and 11. The current study shows that the Predynastic inhabitants depended heavily for wood and fuel on native trees, e. g., Acacia nilotica, Ficus sp, Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix nilotica and Ziziphus spina-christi. From the remains it was also possible to reconstruct the characteristic habitats and plant communities that flourished in the general vicinity of the site : 1) a contracted desert vegetation dominated by Acacia nilotica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Capparis decidua, Fagonia bruguieri, Ficus sycomorus and Tamarix aphylla ; 2) a contracted ground water-bound desert vegetation included Acacia nilotica, Desmostachya/ Imperata and Tamarix ; 3) a swampy habitat characterized by stands of Phragmites, Desmostachya/Imperata, Cyperus alopecuroides and Tamarix nilotica. Remains of conifer trees, e. g., Cedrus libani, Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus halepensis, have been found in very small numbers. They may have been imported into Egypt from the Levant.