Preliminary Report on the Twenty-Second Excavation Season of the Archaeological Expedition to Wad Ben Naga

Abstract

The twenty-second excavation season of the Archaeological Expedition to Wad Ben Naga focused on the continued exploration of the so-called Isis Temple (WBN 300). The works covered the south-eastern part of the hypostyle hall (WBN 301), a part of the central vestibule (WBN 302) including its front entrance, the entire southern vestibule (WBN 310), and a large part of the southern corridor (WBN 312). The excavation in the hypostyle hall yielded most notably many fragments of columns and a complete abacus with relief decoration, which allowed for partial reconstruction of their decorative scheme. There were also many pieces of modelled and painted plaster fragments apparently coming from the southern tower of the pylon and depicting King Natakamani and the god Horus. The stone-built entrance from the hypostyle hall to the central vestibule was found to be covered with relief depictions of King Natakamani and Queen Amanitore and Egyptian hieroglyphic texts. The southern vestibule and the southern corridor were recognised to have had painted decoration, which was especially well preserved in the southern corridor. Besides the paintings, a stairway leading to the roof of the building and a later burial of a non-adult individual were located there as well.