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    ASPS 2002-03Abydos Survey for Prehistoric Sites

    Preliminary Report of the 2002-2003 Season

    Prepared for the Supreme Council for Antiquities

    By

    Shannon R. McPherron, Deborah Olszewski, Harold A. Dibble and Jennifer Smith,with contributions by Dawn Landua-McCormick and Isabelle Couchoud

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    Isabelle CouchoudInstitut de Prhistoire et de Gologie de Quaternaire

    Batiment de Gologie

    Avenue des Facults33405 Talence

    France

    Harold A. DibbleDepartment of AnthropologyUniversity of Pennsylvania

    33rd and Spruce StreetsPhiladelphia, PA 19104

    USA

    Dawn Landua-McCormick

    University of Pennsylvania33rd and Spruce Streets

    Philadelphia, PA 19104USA

    Shannon R. McPherronDepartment of Anthropology

    George Washington University2110 G St. NWWashington DC, 20052

    USA

    Deborah OlszewskiUniversity of Pennsylvania Museum33rd and Spruce Streets

    Philadelphia, PA 19104USA

    Jennifer SmithDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences

    Washington UniversityCampus Box 1169

    1 Brookings DriveSaint Louis MO 63130-4899

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    Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 1Introduction......................................................................................................................... 2

    Geology (Jennifer Smith and Isabelle Couchoud) ............................................................. 3Regional Setting.............................................................................................................. 3

    Taphonomy ..................................................................................................................... 4

    Raw material................................................................................................................... 4Potential for stratified sites ............................................................................................. 5

    Prehistoric Period Survey ................................................................................................... 6Methods........................................................................................................................... 6

    Results ............................................................................................................................. 7Historic Period Survey (Dawn Landua-McCormack) ........................................................ 9

    Monastic Structures......................................................................................................... 9

    Roman Period Structures .............................................................................................. 10Shafts............................................................................................................................. 11

    Limestone Quarry ......................................................................................................... 11Historic Period Summary.............................................................................................. 11

    Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 12

    Acknowledgements........................................................................................................... 12References......................................................................................................................... 13

    Figures............................................................................................................................... 16

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    Abstract

    The Abydos Survey for Paleolithic Sites (ASPS) is a long-term effort to investigate thedistribution and character of Paleolithic occurrences in the high desert adjacent to

    Abydos, Egypt. ASPS uses a landscape approach to: 1) reconstruct Paleolithic landscape

    use in the Middle Egyptian high desert through systematic, intensive archaeologicalsurvey combined with geological studies of landscape formation processes; 2) pursue an

    in-depth examination of lithic raw material sources and raw material acquisition for usein the high desert; and 3) construct a comprehensive understanding of Paleolithic lithic

    technology present in the high desert, and its relationship to that of the Nile Valleycorridor and the oases. Data generated during this project will provide detailed insightinto Lower and Middle Paleolithic behaviors in a region considered one of the premier

    routes out-of-Africa.

    The 2002/03 season consisted of 18 field days in the high desert. During this time 60sites were identified. These are in addition to the 20 sites recorded in the 2000 ASPSseason. During the 2002/03 season, 196 survey sample units were also collected, and

    more extensive and intensive collection and excavation at Sites ASPS-A46 and ASPS-A49 was conducted. The analysis of these materials is still on-going, but it is clear that

    Middle Paleolithic remains are the most frequent in the project area. In addition to thesurvey for Paleolithic occurrences, a preliminary investigation of historic period sites wasalso undertaken. This work resulted in the identification of monastic and Roman period

    sites, quarry sites, and potential burial sites. Finally, an initial geological survey was alsoundertaken.

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    Introduction

    It is increasingly clear that subSaharan Africa was the source of several dispersal eventsthat took place over the late Pliocene and Pleistocene (Bar Yosef 2002; McBrearty and

    Brooks 2002Rightmire 2001; Van Peer 1998; Vermeersch 2001). The timing, nature and

    even the route of these dispersals are poorly understood. Egypt, situated betweensubSaharan Africa and Asia, is one likely route out of Africa, especially by the Middle

    Pleistocene as the Nile River formed its current course providing a natural passagethrough the Sahara. Although well-dated contexts are still relatively rare, the

    archaeological record of Egypt shows Middle and Upper Pleistocene (Lower and MiddlePaleolithic) occupation in a variety of contexts including the Nile Valley itself, desertoases, desert ancient river courses, and along the Red Sea coast.

    The Abydos Survey for Paleolithic Sites (ASPS) project is a landscape approach to

    collecting data about early Upper Pleistocene adaptations in the relatively unexploredMiddle Egyptian high desert (Libyan Plateau) (Figure 1). The lack of systematic researchin the high desert has meant that we do not have a comprehensive understanding of the

    adaptations in this region that lies on a route intermediate between subSaharan Africa,and the Near East/Europe. The goal is to combine data from the ASPS project with the

    already substantial information from the Nile Valley, its terraces, and the desert oases(eg. Churcher and Mills 1999; Churcher et al. 1999; Close 1980; Haynes et al. 1997; Hill2001; Lubell 1974; McDonald 1991; Phillips 1973; Vermeersch 2000; Wendorf 1965,

    1968a, 1986b; Wendorf and Schild 1976; Wendorf et al. 1989a, 1989b, 1993, 1994).

    From a landscape perspective, the Nile Valley is interesting because of the contrastbetween the Nile Valley proper (floodplain and low desert), the terraces of the NileValley, and the immediately adjacent high desert. Each of these zones, which are within

    a few kilometers of one another, offer potentially different resources and, therefore, mayreflect differing adaptations. Tightly defined landscape studies yield data that, when

    integrated with the existing site based dataset, offer an opportunity to examine behaviorat a scale that can capture its many dimensions (Blumenschine and Peters 1998; Potts etal. 1999; Rogers et al. 1994; Rossignol and Wandsnider 1992). The long-term goal is

    building predictive models that incorporate behavioral and taphonomic variables toexplain the distribution of artifactual materials across the paleolandscape.

    The focus of the ASPS project is on documenting the geological context of thearchaeological remains including building models of landscape formation and alteration,

    and on developing a methodology for sampling the archaeological landscape bothextensively, as well as intensively at some locales. In addition, because this was the first

    survey work of its kind in this area, and because it was likely that important historicperiod features would also be encountered, an historical period survey was alsoconducted.

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    Geology

    (Jennifer Smith and Isabelle Couchoud)

    The eastern edge of the Libyan Plateau near the site of Abydos is a diverse region,

    proving a variety of settings for occupation over the course of the Quaternary Period. Asthe Plateau occupies the local high ground, it has been subject to significant erosion, both

    eolian and fluvial. As a result, little sedimentary record of the recent geologic pastremains atop the Plateau. The lack of record makes direct paleoenvironmental

    reconstruction or establishing a relative stratigraphy for archaeological sites difficult.Geological investigation can still provide information about regional scale landscapeevolution, processes involved in site formation and preservation, and raw material

    availability and distribution.

    Regional Setting

    Geomorphology

    Most of the project area lies within the geomorphic province known as the LibyanPlateau, which occupies a sizable portion of the land area of Egypt. The Plateau typically

    represents a 150-200m offset in elevation from either the Nile Valley along its easternborder or the oasis depressions along its western border. In the Abydos region, there arerelatively mature, deeply incised drainage systems on the plateau surface. Numerous

    straight wadi reaches suggest underlying structural control on drainage patterns (i.e.,tectonically controlled sets of fractures (joints or faults) or planes of weakness within the

    bedrock create regions which are more easily eroded, and as such tend to becomeprincipal channels). Many of these straight reaches are oriented either NW-SE or NE-SW. No major faults are mapped within the surveyed area. The major embayment in

    the escarpment south of the survey area (Wadi Bani Hamil and southwards), however,does appear to be fault-controlled. The ampitheater-like heads of many of the wadis

    suggest that groundwater sapping has played an important role in the headward erosion ofthe wadis (Luo et al., 1997). The almost total lack of gravel terraces within the wadissuggests that fluvial sediments are routinely flushed out of wadis during storm events.

    In addition to fluvial processes, eolian erosion is indicated by fluted and polished

    limestone outcrops, and eolian deposition has resulted in both major dunes dammingseveral wadis and discontinuous silty layers in small hollows. The major dunes areprobably Holocene in age. However, dunes are likely to have existed in similar locations

    in earlier arid phases given that wind patterns have probably been relatively consistent insuccessive arid phases (though different in humid phases, Kutzbach and Liu, 1997). The

    desert pavement covering the majority of the Plateau surface is also a result of eolianprocesses (see taphonomy below).

    As the bulk of the bedrock on the Plateau is carbonate, solution weathering is alsoimportant, despite the current arid climate. Solution activity would have been enhanced

    during humid climatic phases. The most obvious evidence of enhanced solution

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    weathering is the caves, which are particularly frequent along the Wadi al-Jir. Some ofthe caves had a few meters of sediment, largely inblown eolian material and roof fall.

    Gravity-driven processes seem to have a relatively small role in this region. There are

    few obvious landslides, debris flows or slumps. Mass-wasting in this region takes the

    form only of talus (breccia) formation along slopes.

    Over the region, rates of surface lowering can be expected to have exceeded the 3-8m/my (30-80 cm/100ka) rate of weathering on granite inselbergs in the Central Namib

    desert where the climate is similar to that of Egypt (Cockburn et al., 1999). The presenceof salts (presumably gypsum and halite) in subsurface profiles suggests that saltweathering may have played an important role in surface lowering. Estimates on surface

    lowering at the base of the Libyan Plateau in Dakhla (where the materials being erodedare sandstone, shale, lacustrine carbonates and gravels which are probably less resistant

    than the plateau top limestones near Abydos) are on the order of 10 m/100 ka(Kleindienst, personal communication). Thus current elevations along the Plateau areprobably not drastically different from those of the Middle-Upper Pleistocene.

    Taphonomy

    The vast majority of archaeological materials are from desert pavement localities, while afew are from areas disturbed by colluvial or fluvial processes. Thus, understanding theformation of desert pavements is critical to understanding site formation processes for

    most of the archaeological remains. Though desert pavements are often considered oneof the most stable of landforms, they actually represent a dynamic equilibrium.

    Experimental clearing of small plots of desert pavement showed that over 5 years 1-10%of the cleared area was resurfaced per year, with bioturbation being a major factor in themovement of clasts (Haff and Werner, 1996). Stones moved in to a cleared patch of

    pavement are on average smaller than what had been there originally. Thus, pavementstones cannot be assumed to move only vertically, nor to retain the same size distribution

    with time. However, movement is likely to happen only over a small scale (on the orderof 10-30 cm). On the meter scale, pavements should be fairly stable. The desertpavement surface is likely to integrate multiple occupations, as there is no burial of

    artifacts. Eolian dust trapped by the eddies surrounding artifacts accumulates below thesurface clasts, growing the stratum up (e.g., Wells et al., 1995). Thus there is no

    stratigraphic separation between successive habitation phases.

    Raw material

    Several varieties of chert were frequently observed either cropping out or as a part of thedesert pavement in the surveyed area. The most common is a gray-brown chert with a

    dark red-brown varnish. Other cherts can be found weathering out of the limestonewithin the survey area, with the morphology, color, and cortex of the chert beingparticular to different limestone strata. We repeatedly observed a succession of

    distinctive strata with characteristic chert nodules. It is most likely that each stratumrepresents one sequence (such as a transgression or regression) which is repeated

    throughout the deposition of the formation (this is typical in carbonate deposition).

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    The most obvious source we noted for large (10 cm and up) well-rounded cobbles ofbrown chert are the gravel mounds which occur intermittently throughout the survey area

    but principally in the western portion. These gravels probably never were particularlywell-cemented, so extracting the nodules would require little to no effort. We rarely saw

    similar ball-shaped nodules actually weathering out of limestone outcrop. Despite the

    current ubiquity of chert as a principal component of the desert pavement covering thevast majority of the Libyan Plateau, chert in intact nodules, or even large pieces, is only

    found locally and generally at freshly eroding outcrops. Salt and hydration shattering ofrock in desert climate have been well-documented (Amit et al., 1993), and are the likely

    culprits in breaking up chert.

    Potential for stratified sites

    Plateau topThere is little potential for Middle Pleistocene or older stratified sites on the Plateau topin the absence of playa basins. It is possible that these exist outside the area covered by

    satellite imagery. For example, significant playa deposits are known from the LibyanPlateau near Kharga and Dakhla oases (Caton-Thompson, 1952; Brookes, 1993). It is

    more likely that Epipalaeolithic or Neolithic sites leeward of bedrock prominences maybe preserved within a stratigraphic context.

    Wadi systemsGravel terrace remnants within the Plateau drainage system are rare. When they do exist,

    they can several meters thick, but often the outcrops are less than a meter wide, with agreat likelihood that the artifacts within the gravel were transported to that locale. Thebest chances for intact sites associated with the wadis would be to find remnants of

    lacustrine sediments which were deposited when a dune dammed a wadi. Despite theirporosity, dunes can impound lakes significant enough to represent valuable water

    resources for animals; there are examples of Holocene playas from the Gilf Kebir whichwere formed from dune dams (Kropelin, 1987).

    Escarpment flanks and baseThe potential for stratified archaeological materials along the base of the escarpment is

    high. The loss of stream carrying capacity at the edge of the escarpment, due todecreased gradient, results in all the material eroded off the Plateau being dumped at itsbase. The potential for untransported stratified archaeological materials is much lower.

    It is possible, however, that inactive or rarely flooded terraces would have been attractivelocations. If deposition were renewed after a period of stability, it would be possible to

    preserve relatively undisturbed artifacts. This would probably be the exception ratherthan the rule in these deposits.

    CavesCave deposits hold moderate promise for buried archaeological material. The

    stratigraphic sections in the caves visited, however, did not appear to be very thick, on theorder of 3-10 m. Either the caves are flushed out relatively frequently, in which case little

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    will be preserved, or deposition rates are very slow, which would result in littlestratigraphic separation between temporally distinct artifact horizons. The lack of

    precipitates within the caves rules out the use of U-Th dating techniques, leaving onlyluminescence-based techniques to date Pleistocene deposits.

    Spring depositsThough spring deposits have not been identified within the survey area, Said (1990b)

    mentions and Klitzsch et al. (1987) maps such deposits south of the Wadi Bani Hamil.These deposits could yield stratified, directly datable sites. A reconnaissance survey of

    this area will be included in the next ASPS season.

    Prehistoric Period Survey

    Methods

    Survey of the high desert consisted primarily of one or two teams of three to fourindividuals spaced at approximately 5-10 meter intervals walking transects across thelandscape (Figure 3a). Initially these transect lines crossed the landscape without regard

    to topography. Later, as patterns started to emerge, transect lines focused on ridge topsand intermediate terrace features in the high desert. As described below, two kinds of

    data were collected. First, collections were made every 100 meters regardless of artifactdensities. Second, if an area of high artifact densities was encountered, it was collectedseparately and given a separate name.

    Based on an initial reconnaissance survey in 2000, it was clear a) that artifacts were

    distributed over a large areas of the high desert and b) that some locations have elevateddensities in contrast to the immediately surrounding area. In the 2000 survey, highdensity areas were called sites and recorded in more detail. In all, 20 such sites were

    identified. In the 2002/03 survey a minimum of approximately 5 artifacts per squaremeter was used to define sites or localities with high artifact densities. When the survey

    crews identified a site, a datum was placed roughly at its center. These datums were latersurveyed with a total station, and, in addition, were given UTM coordinates based on anon-differential GPS reading. A collection of material from each site was made from a

    one meter radius circle centered on the datum (Figure 3b). Sites were named with a lettercode of A followed by a sequential number (eg. ASPS-A45).

    In addition, regardless of whether a site was located, survey teams also made similarcollections each 100 meters. At these locations a one meter radius circle was collected

    and the UTM coordinates of the point were recorded with non-differential GPS. A datumwas not left at these locations, and they were not surveyed with the total station. These

    locations are called samples, and they were named with a letter code of S followedby a sequential number. Because two teams surveyed simultaneously, one team wasassigned odd numbers and the other team was assigned even numbers. Thus, while the

    numbers are sequential, they do not necessarily follow one after the other in terms of theorder in which they were identified.

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    The second focus of this field season addressed the nature of these high density locales orsites. We wanted to gain a better understanding of the distribution of materials within

    these locations, the relationship between the high density areas and the artifact densitiesin the surrounding landscape, the nature of the stone tool industries at these locations, and

    the potential for subsurface deposits. Two sites were identified for further work to

    address these goals: ASPS-A46 and ASPS-A49. The methodology at both of these siteswas similar. First, a grid of approximately 5 x 5 meters was placed in the area of the

    highest concentration and all artifacts were collected from the surface. This resulted in alarge sample of artifacts from adjacent collection units and increased the probability that

    the artifacts can be examined for refits as part of the same assemblage. Second, in orderto determine the limits of the site and its relationship with the surrounding landscape,units were placed radiating from the central point. These units were sometimes

    contiguous and sometimes placed at intervals of 3-5 meters. At these locations, sampleswere collected in either one meter square units or in .5 meter radius circles. Third, test

    excavations were conducted to assess the possibility of subsurface deposits. Fourth, adetailed topographic map was made of each site using the total station.

    Results

    In the 2002/03 season, 196 sample units were collected (see Figure 1) representingapproximately 20 kilometers of transect survey. Given that each transect covered an areaapproximately 20 meters wide, the survey area comprised about 40 hectares. While the

    analysis of the data from these sample units is still underway, what is immediately clearis that the high desert is rich in traces of Paleolithic behavior. Of the 196 samples, 148

    (75%) contained at least one artifact. Of the samples with at least one artifact, theaverage artifact density was 3.49 artifacts per square meter and the highest densityrecorded was 53.4 artifacts per square meter. In addition, in the process of surveying this

    area, 62 (60?) additional high-density locations (sites) were also identified and sampled.The average density in these locations was 21.16 artifacts per square meter with a

    maximum density of 144.83.

    Some patterns can be preliminarily identified on the basis of the work to date. First, the

    highest artifact densities are on the ridges adjacent to the central wadi system of Umm al-Qaab and its tributaries (Figure 4). Artifact densities are highest in the upper reaches of

    this wadi system where access to the wadi was easiest. In the lower reaches of the wadisystem, the walls of the wadi are too steep to allow access to the ridges. Second, itappears that artifact densities are quite low at the edge of the escarpment overlooking the

    Nile Valley itself. This pattern is the opposite of what was initially anticipated. It wasexpected that artifact densities would be greatest at the valley edge and would fall-off as

    one penetrated deeper into the high desert. This pattern may still hold true at a largescale, but at a smaller scale, such as within the current ASPS project area, micro-topographic features are structuring the distribution of artifacts.

    Third, Middle Paleolithic artifacts, primarily Levallois cores, Nubian cores and Levallois

    flakes (Figure 5, 6, 9 artifact ASPS-A56-1), are the most common in this landscape.Middle Paleolithic artifacts occur in high-density clusters and as isolated finds. Lower

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    Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic/Early Neolithic artifacts are less common. The LowerPaleolithic is marked by Acheulian style handaxes (Figure 7). With one exception, these

    occur as isolated finds. The one exception is Site ASPS-A20 which was identified in the2000 season. This site consisted of multiple, large, and fairly crude handaxes. The

    Epipaleolithic/Early Neolithic shows a different pattern. These artifacts, including blade

    cores, end-scrapers, backed blades, truncated elements, and burins, are found in high-density clusters rather than as isolated finds, and these high density locations are

    relatively close to the Nile Valley (Figures 8 and 9 except artifact ASPS-A56-1). In otherwords, specific locations on the landscape attracted Epipaleolithic/Early Neolithic

    peoples.

    In addition to this survey work, two sites were identified for more intensive investigation:

    ASPS-A46 and ASPS-A49. ASPS-A46 is situated on a crescent shaped ridgeoverlooking the junction of several major tributaries to the Wadi Umm al-Qaab (Figure

    10). One of these tributaries provides relatively easy access to the site. A quickreconnaissance of the ridge showed that artifact densities are quite high throughout, butalso that there are at least two areas of particularly high artifact densities. One of these is

    at the southwestern limit of the ridge and was subsequently named ASPS-A46A. Thisarea was characterized primarily by large, broken bedrock boulders with sand between

    them and Middle Paleolithic artifacts distributed in such at way that they appeared torepresent possible knapping episodes. These lithics were piece-provenienced with a totalstation and numbered individually for analysis.

    The other high density area (ASPS-A46) is at the bend in the ridge on a piece of high

    ground that has a commanding view of the Wadi Umm al-Qaab and offers one of the bestlines of sight back into the Nile Valley. A desert pavement of shattered flintcharacterizes this portion of the ridge. As a result, the area of highest artifact density was

    not discovered until we began systematically collecting artifacts from a grid of meter-square units (Figure 11). The extent, orientation and density of collection units were

    modified as the collection progressed. Additionally, a five by five meter grid was placednear the area of highest density to collect artifacts that might form behavioral units (i.e.,lithic reduction episodes). The analysis of these lithics is still underway, but it is

    primarily characterized by Epipaleolithic/Early Neolithic elements. Units were thencollected along the ridge to get a better idea of how this high-density area articulated with

    surrounding landscape. As one moves away from the high-density area, the artifactdensity quickly falls to an average of 5 artifacts per square meter and remains fairlyconstant. However, this background density is mainly Middle Paleolithic. Thus, a high-

    density Epipaleolithic/Early Neolithic pattern is superimposed on a low-densitybackground pattern of Middle Paleolithic use of this ridge.

    The other site selected for this kind of sampling was ASPS-A49. ASPS-A49 is on theopposite (east) side of Wadi Umm al-Qaab from ASPS-A46 (Figure 12). It is closer to

    the Nile Valley escarpment than ASPS-A46 and somewhat further from the Wadi Ummal-Qaab and its tributaries. As with ASPS-A46, it occupies the high ground in the

    immediate vicinity and artifact densities within the site appear to be directly correlatedwith changes in elevation. A desert pavement of shattered flint characterizes the surface

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    of this site. Intensive collection was undertaken in order to better understand therelationship between the high-density areas and the surrounding landscape . In this case,

    a radial system centered on the area of highest artifact densities was used (Figure 13).The stone tool industries are characterized by Middle Paleolithic elements and horizontal

    integrity of the assemblages is shown by numerous instances of multiple refits

    encountered during collection.

    Historic Period Survey(Dawn Landua-McCormack)

    Although the focus of the ASPS project is on understanding Pleistocene use of the highdesert, a survey for historic period activity in this area was also undertaken in the 2002/03

    season. This work included the basic recording of architectural features and ceramicmaterial as well as the evaluation of the potential for future large-scale projects in the

    region. As this work represents an initial attempt to understand the diversity of historicperiod remains in the Abydos high desert, the survey methodology emphasized non-systematic coverage of large areas with diverse topographic settings.

    The recording of sites included obtaining GPS coordinates, sketching plans, and taking

    photos of all cultural remains encountered. In many localities, modern treasurehunting, graffiti (in paint and in stones), and camping are threatening the survival of theancient structures and the preservation of cultural data. One of the Roman Period

    encampment clusters is almost completely destroyed as the majority of the stonestructures have been dismantled so that the rocks can be arranged to form Arabic phrases

    on the plateau.

    Ceramics were recorded in detail as 449 sherds were collected, and 117 profiles were

    drawn. All diagnostic and decorated examples were photographed. The sample iscurrently too small to create a comprehensive typology of the forms, but the means of

    solving this problem is outlined in the conclusion below. In the future, research will beundertaken to compare the Roman Period and Early Christian material gathered from theAbydos area cliffs with that found in other contexts within Egypt.

    The final goal of the historic period survey was to determine the potential for future and

    more in-depth projects in the ASPS concession. As a result of the 2002/03 season, it isclear that many such opportunities are present.

    Monastic StructuresDuring the Monastic movement within the Coptic Church, many monks chose to live in

    the desert away from the distractions of everyday life. In the cliffs above the Abydosregion, there are many examples of simple, makeshift shelters used for the living quartersof such religious figures. During the 2002/03 ASPS season, ten of these structures were

    identified.

    In most cases, the structures were built into natural caves, caverns, or rock shelters.Rooms were delineated with the use of walls constructed of uncut stones. Stairs of the

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    same material were also not uncommon. The majority of the shelters were not decorated,but two examples did have paintings and/or texts.

    The most elaborately decorated of the structures was composed of three rooms, a

    courtyard with two benches, a staircase, and a water diversion system (Figure 14). This

    monastic structure is on the edge of the cliffs within the upper section of a wadi. Ceramicdebris was found within the structure, as well as down the hill in front of the courtyard.

    Around the walls of the two largest rooms, there was a beautifully rendered Copticinscription along with graffiti in other hands. Many times, the textual material was

    outlined with decorative borders including a yellow, green, and red braided ropepattern. Other features of this shelter included multiple niches and a basin.

    Another shelter had complex architecture as well as painted decoration. This structureoccupied an area at the edge of a wadi within a gallery in a large-scale limestone quarry

    (see below). The shelter had multiple rooms extending beyond where one could gowithout adequate light and may have supported many people.

    Roman Period StructuresOn the cliffs to the east and west of Wadi Umm al-Qaab, there were areas with

    encampment structures in which Roman Period pottery was found. In the east, multipleclusters seem to form a giant complex, which occupies two different levels of the cliffs.Unfortunately, the structures closest to the mouth of the wadi have almost been destroyed

    by modern activities. Other areas, however, are preserved very well, and ceramicevidence seems to indicate that there was specialization of space and location. The main

    cluster in this area had an estimated 70-80 individual structures.

    To the west of the wadi, there are two other main groups of encampment structures. One

    seems to have an area for settlement, a lookout tower, and a possible cemetery as part ofa single complex. Further toward Wadi al-Jir, there was another cluster on two different

    levels of the cliff (Figure 15).

    In both the eastern and western areas, towers occupy the ridges with the best vantage

    points for looking out over the valley. The presence of these structures must have playedan important role in the encampment complexes. In fact, these towers may have been

    positioned to ensure the protection of the sacred space around the Early Dynastic royalcemetery, which was the center of the cult of the god Osiris and is known in moderntimes as Umm al-Qaab, in the valley below. Other reasons for the construction of the

    encampments could have been to observe travel in the Nile Valley or for supportingmining operations (though no quarrying was found in this area).

    Another important problem with the encampments is the means by which they weresupplied with food and water. An attempt was made during the ASPS 2002/03 season to

    identify the existence of wells, but none were found. There are water diversion systems,but they do not seem to collect rain and are often associated with the Early Christian

    structures rather than the encampments. Nonetheless, there is a hill on the eastern side ofthe wadi, which has a large deposit of sherds (Pottery Hill). It is possible that this area

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    served as a support and distribution center for the complexes below it. From this point,trails lead over a thin ridge from which South Abydos may be accessible from paths

    leading up the face of the cliffs.

    Elsewhere in the upper desert, more Roman structures, including windbreaks, are present.

    Though the purpose of many of these features is unclear, some of them are along trails.One horseshoe-shaped example, found during the survey, was located at the intersection

    of two footpaths. Many cairns also line trails or points of interest while others seem tohave no obvious significance.

    ShaftsIn the area behind Wadi al-Jir, on the upper desert plain, two shafts were discovered.

    They are about 4 x 3 meters and have a depth of about 30 meters. Roman Period/EarlyChristian pottery was found in the area along with a shelter, an unnatural pile of rubble

    topped with a cairn, and the possible outline of additional shafts. Modern digging hadoccurred as ropes, a basket, cans, and a hoe were found nearby.

    Limestone QuarryOne of the more significant finds in the project area is an extremely large limestone

    quarry (Figure 16). This quarry was previously located by survey expeditions (searchingfor quarries in the Nile Valley) such as that of James Harrell (personal communication),but it has been neither extensively studied nor published. The huge amount of stone

    removed from this site might suggest that many monuments of Abydos may have beenconstructed from stone locally mined from here. In future seasons it is expected that one

    or more encampments, which housed the stonecutters of the quarry, will be found,providing data as to the date of the site.

    Historic Period SummaryThe information collected during the ASPS 2002/03 season suggests several lines of

    further research. The area of highest research value is the limestone quarry. With theanticipation of related encampments and possible inscriptions, this region will requireadditional survey. Ceramic, inscriptional, geologic, and cultural evidence will need to be

    collected and studied to understand the nature of this quarry and its contribution to thedevelopment of the Abydos cult complexes.

    The second most important area is Pottery Hill and the nearby complex of 70-80Roman encampment structures. A detailed ceramic analysis of the vessels atop the hill in

    the proposed supply/distribution center could be used to establish a comprehensivetypology of the vessels found in the clusters. An archaeological investigation of the large

    encampment could be undertaken to determine the nature of these structures through theobjects and pottery types found within them. Mapping would also be an important part ofthis proposed project.

    An additional line of research could be directed at an epigraphic and ceramic study of the

    more interesting monastic sites, as well as a distributional study of the shelters as awhole.

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    Conclusion

    The 2002/03 ASPS season was the first of what will likely be a 4-5 year project to

    systematically survey a portion of the high desert adjacent to Abydos, Egypt. Theprimary focus of this work is on the identification Paleolithic occurrences, but numerous

    historic period sites were also identified. Based on the geological evidence and on testexcavations in two locations, stratified deposits with cultural materials are unlikely. Most

    of the prehistoric archaeology comes from the desert pavement that characterizes most ofthe study area and which has likely been fairly stable for the last several hundredthousand years. Thus far, there is extensive evidence of Middle Paleolithic occupation of

    the high desert as shown by the presence of Levallois and Nubian style cores. SomeMiddle Paleolithic locations have very high artifact densities and appear to have been

    favored locations on the landscape. Lower Paleolithic occurrences, seen in the presenceof Acheulian style handaxes, are relatively rare. Only one location, identified in the2000 season, has multiple handaxes. The remaining handaxe finds are isolated

    occurrences. Similarly, artifacts from the Epipaleolithic/Early Neolithic period are alsorelatively rare in the landscape. From the historic period, multiple Coptic and Roman

    period sites were identified. These include both habitation sites and perhaps cemeteries.The most significant and impressive historic period feature in the survey area is anextremely large limestone quarry.

    Acknowledgements

    We would like to thank the Supreme Council for Antiquities and Dr. Zahi Hawass

    Secretary General for granting us permission to do this work. We would also like tothank Mr. Zein el Abdin Zaki Director General of Antiquities for Sohag, Mr. Mohammed

    Abd El Aziz Chief Inspector Balliana, and Mr. Ashraf Sayeed Mahmoud Inspector ofAntiquities. We would also like to extend our warm and appreciative thanks for MadameAmira of the ARCE for all her help in making this project possible, and we thank

    Matthew Adams and David OConnor of the Penn-Yale-IFA Expedition to Abydos forfacilitating our work in the desert. Lastly, thanks to the crew of 2002/03 for their efforts.

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    Figures

    Figure 1. Map of the project area showing all sample locations and all high density

    locations (sites).

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    Figure 2. Bedrock geologic map with collection localities shown for reference. (Klitzschet al., 1987)

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    Figure 3. a) Walking survey transects across the high desert (above) and b) collecting

    artifacts from a 1 meter radius circle at ASPS-A67 (below).

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    Figure 4. Density of lithic remains across the landscape.

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    Figure 5. ASPS-A22-4 Nubian core. S92-1 l Levallois core. S58-1 Nubian core.

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    Figure 6. ASPS-A17-6 Levallois point. ASPS-A33-20. Levallois point. ASPS-A22-1Levallois flake. ASPS-A46A-805 Levallois point.

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    Figure 7. S85-4 Handaxe.

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    Figure 8. ASPS-A46-84.1 Blade core. ASPS-A46-80.53 Backed bladelet. ASPS-A46-87.12 Burin. ASPS-A46-81.11 Bladelet core. ASPS-A46-102.62 Truncation.

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    Figure 9. ASPS-A56-1. Foliate biface. ASPS-A46-80.52 Microburin. ASPS-A16A-305 Backed bladelet. ASPS-A46-88.41 Truncation. ASPS-A46-78.84 Endscraper.

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    Figure 10. View of site ASPS-A46 (looking just east of north).

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    Figure 11. Density of finds on Site ASPS-A46. Contours are every .25 meters.

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    Figure 12. View of Site ASPS-A49 (looking approximately north).

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    Figure 13. Density of finds on Site ASPS-A49. Contours are every .25 meters.

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    Figure 14. Complex Monastic structure with three rooms.

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    Figure 15. Lower level of Roman Period encampment.

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    Figure 16. The limestone quarries near the site of Abydos.