Speaker Details

Dr Ursula   Verhoeven
Johannes Gutenberg – University of Mainz

Presentation Abstract:

Inscriptions and Graffiti on the Gebel Asyut al-gharbi, Middle Egypt

“The Asyut Project”

 A cooperation between the Freie Universität Berlin, the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz and the Sohag University, has been working in the necropolis of the Western Mountain of Asyut since 2005. One of the aims of the project is the documentation and publication of the huge wall inscriptions in the famous tombs of the nomarchs of the First Intermediate period, another one is focusing on 200 ink graffiti from the New Kingdom in the newly discovered rock tomb (N13.1). These graffiti were written by priests and scribes during their visits in the mountain describing the temples of the city or adoring local gods and ancestors. Several large graffiti present also copies of some well-known teachings what seems to be a unique feature up to now.The paper will concentrate on the different layouts and hands as well as on the content and purpose of the graffiti.