Season 2016: April 20th -May 19th and May 20th -June 15th
Kom al-Ahmer, Beheira, Nile Delta, Egypt

The archaeological sites of Kom al-Ahmer and Kow Wasit are located in the Western Delta of Egypt, 50 km southeast of Alexandria, in the province of Beheira. In ancient times, this region was known as the Metelite nome and played a pivotal role on the trade routes that went through Alexandria and the Mediterranean Sea. The project includes work in two sites pertaining to the late Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman periods – two settlements inter-connected by their history. Kom Wasit was the administrative centre of the region during the late Pharaonic period until the early Roman period, when its inhabitants moved to the nearby settlement of Kom al-Ahmer. This became one of the wealthiest cities of the Metelite nome – perhaps its capital. Meterlis is the last nome capital yet to be located. Our mission is the first in 70 years to start a comprehensive study of these two sites. Archaeologists and Egyptologists are invited to join the team and share the search for the capital. Work will consist of: excavation, survey, conservation, and the study of material culture. Every participant will be assigned to an excavation unit and will be involved in all of the activities relevant to the dig: excavation – recording materials – onsite field documentation – photography – survey – cataloging of materials – cleaning and analysis of materials – report and date management.
For more information, please contact the mission directly (see information below). Those interested in participating must contact us before August 15th, 2015.
Coordinated by: il Centro Archeologico Italo-Egiziano, joint mission with the Universita di Padova.
Contact Info: info@komahmer.com — www.komahmer.com — www.facebook.com/komahmer