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The Necropolis of Dahshur
Fifth Excavation Report Spring 2008
German Archaeological Institute and Free University of Berlin
For ASAE
Nicole Alexanian, Sandra Lösch, Andreas Nerlich, Stephan Johannes Seidlmayer
Contents
Abstract
Introduction
The location of the valley temple of the Bent Pyramid, the southern pyramid town
of Snefru and the reconstruction of the ancient landscape in and around the wadi of
the Bent Pyramid
Caesium-magnetometry
Analysis of the anthropological and paleopathological results (S. Lösch, A.
Nerlich)
Study of the pottery and small finds
Abstract
In spring 2008, the work of the German Archaeological Institute, Cairo and of the Free
University of Berlin at Dahshur was continued. The focus of this season was laid on analysing
and documenting the pottery and objects stored in the excavation house of the mission. Parts of
the wadi leading to the Bent Pyramid were prospected by Caesium magnetometry. Furthermore a
series of drill cores was taken in the wadi and its mouth, in order to collect data for the
reconstruction of the ancient landscape in this area and in order to localize the valley temple of
the Bent Pyramid and the southern pyramid town of Snefru.
1
Introduction
The excavations of the German Institute of Archaeology, Cairo1 and the Free University (Berlin)
funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) at Dahshur were continued from March
1st until April 8th 20082.
The valley temple of the Bent Pyramid, the southern pyramid town of Snefru and the
reconstruction of the ancient landscape in and around the wadi of the Bent Pyramid
The focus of the field work was laid on the examination of the valley leading to the Bent Pyramid
at Dahshur-South. Therefore parts of the valley were prospected by Caesium magnetometry3 and
a series of 30 drill cores was taken4. The drillings B 1-21 are situated in the cultivated area or at
the edge of the desert (Pl. 1). The drillings B 22-30 were executed in the wadi itself (Pl. 2). The
aim of the investigation was to determine the Old and Middle Kingdom levels. About 700
samples were taken for future analysis by a team of geographers /geomorphologists of the Free
University of Berlin in order to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions of the Nile valley
of the Dahshur region and the appearance of the ancient landscape within a GIS system5. The
archaeological aims are the localization of the southern pyramid town of Snefru and -if it exists-
the valley temple of the Bent Pyramid.
The drill cores in the cultivated area led to the identification of mud levels with pottery
fragments of the Old Kingdom and limestone fragments in several instances (B 12, B 14, B
18-20) at depths of 3.50-6.00 meters (18.00-15.50 m NN) below the present surface. This
corresponds to the levels of the Old Kingdom that could be identified in a depth of 4.00/ 5.00 m
to 6.50 m (between 18.25 m and 15.50 m NN) in the area of the northern pyramid town of Snefru
at northern Dahshur6. It is therefore clear that levels of the Old Kingdom were reached. The
scarcity of the pottery and mudbrick material shows that we have hit most probably the area of
2
ancient fields and small huts of the Old Kingdom but did not identify the southern pyramid town
of Snefru. The fluvial natural soil of yellow clayey mud with sand and pebbles in a depth of
14.50 m NN and deeper is possibly to be interpreted as the alluvial fan of the wadi.
It is most probable, but not yet to be proven, that in addition to the temple excavated by
Ahmed Fakhry a valley temple of the Bent Pyramid existed at the edge of the cultivated area. An
indication for its location could be provided by the point where the causeway of the temple in the
wadi of the Bent Pyramid leads into the cultivated area. In fact Ahmed Fakhry discovered two
accesses with mudbrick walls on the eastern side of the temple and excavated them about a length
of 30 m (Pl. 3)7. He interpreted the northern access as the older causeway and dated it to the Old
Kingdom. This causeway was altered several times and was finally (in the Middle Kingdom?)
replaced by a southern causeway and a new temple entrance leading directly to the outer
forecourt of the stone temple. The massive northern and southern mudbrick walls of the northern
causeway can still be recognized on the surface. A magnetometric investigation of an area
measuring 400 x 80 m (Pl. 2) showed that the causeway continues for about a length of 130 m.
Then it disappears. Drilling B 30, which is situated at a distance of 1.40 m to the east of the
temple enclosure wall, proved, however, that the causeway continues further to the east, but can
not be verified with magnetic prospection because of its deep location (Pl. 4). The drilling B 30
showed the existence of a mudbrick wall still standing to a height of 2.50 to 2.70 m and having its
base point at a depth of 7.50/ 7.70 m. This wall can be identified with the southern wall of the
causeway. Under the wall a foundation layer of 30 cm thickness consisting of taffla and
limestone chips mixed with pottery fragments has been identified. The natural taffla layer begins
at a depth of 8 meters. The southern mudbrick wall of the causeway was also identified in drilling
B 26 and B 29 where it was preserved to a height of 2.00-2.50 m. Drillings B 22, B 23 and B 29
provided a stratum of 1.50 m thickness consisting of taffla and limestone chips below the
3
causeway. This material most probably accumulated during the construction of the Bent Pyramid
and was later used to compensate for the steep slope of the wadi and to level the terrain before
building the temple and the causeway. The causeway could not be traced further in direction of
the valley. Therefore additional information for the location of the valley temple is missing until
now. Hopefully future investigation will supply more data, although it will be difficult to follow
the causeway further on with drillings, due to the vast size of the research area. In fact the wadi
from the cultivated area up to the temple ranges over an area of 1100 x 100-200 m and only one
tenth of the assumed overall length of the causeway is substantiated until now. Moreover
magnetometric and radar prospection are not promising because the causeway is situated at a
depth of more than 5 meters and the groundwater level rises higher the closer one gets to the
cultivated area.
Our investigation made clear, however, that the temple excavated by Ahmed Fakhry was
situated on a natural, high taffla-tongue and that the causeway had to bridge, within the last 140
m towards the temple, the enormous difference in height of 12 m (today the difference in level is
only 4 m). It is evident that the current appearance of the valley differs substantially from the
ancient one (Pl. 5). In relation to the foot of the wadi and the causeway the temple in the valley of
the Bent Pyramid was situated much higher than it appears today. The sand covering the wadi
today was possibly blown into it after the Old Kingdom, perhaps in the 1st Intermediate Period8.
The drillings showed in addition that the valley ground under the causeway was filled with
foundation material (taffla and limestone chips) to level the ground and to compensate for the
steep slope leading to the temple.
The magnetogram further shows a straight line, for about a length of 140 m, at the
southern flank of the wadi. Then the line disappears but 55 m to the east an irregular structure can
be recognized which is identifiable as local taffla already visible on the surface in this area.
4
Drilling B 25 yielded a mixture of clay, sand and pottery fragments at a depth of 4 to 5 meters.
The interpretation of the structure is not yet clear but it seems to be most probable that the
structure was at least partly formed by human impact.
Caesium-magnetomety in the wadi to the east of the Red Pyramid
The magnetometric survey of H. Becker was continued in the wadi to the east of the Red Pyramid
(DAM 8). A dense concentration of mudbrick mastabas could be identified in the northeastern
part of the wadi. The limits of the cemetery were reached here and in the southern area.
Anthropological analysis of the anthropological and paleopathological results
During the anthropological and paleopathological study season 2008 we were able to extend our
previous analysis of the human skeletal remains of the cemetery in the wadi to the east of the Red
Pyramid (DAM). To date, 41 individuals (previously: eight individuals) have been analyzed (Tab.
1). Three were assigned to Middle Kingdom burials, and 38 to Old Kingdom tombs. In the
following analysis the three individuals of the Middle Kingdom are considered separately and
they are not included in the demographical data.
All remains revealed good to excellent preservation; most of the skeletons were also fairly
complete with high degree of representation of the skeletal regions/ elements. There was an
almost balanced ratio between males with 53% of all adult individuals versus females with 41%
(Fig. 1). Most of the individuals had died within the age range between 20 and 30 years (28%),
followed by those within the age range of 30 to 40 years (18%). Three children (8%) had died
under the age of six years (“Infans I”) (Fig. 2). We did not find any newborns, suggesting that the
significant deficit of infants could possibly be due to separate burial places for neonates and
children. This observation requires further substantial evaluation, e.g. by analysis of further
5
regions of the cemetery.
The analysis of the adult body statures revealed mean body heights of 164cm ± 4.7
(males) and 154cm ± 6.0 (females) (Fig. 3). The three individuals of the Middle Kingdom burials
showed similar values.
The paleopathological investigation showed a significant amount of lesions, such as
trauma, metabolic alterations, joint and vertebral degeneration, and dental pathologies. Likewise
ten individuals had residues of intravital traumata with healed fractures of long bones or digital
bones, one case (DAM 8/21) had suffered from a severe intravital trauma to the left skull, with a
massive osseous reaction, which he survived for at least some time. Seven individuals revealed a
loss of bone mass suggesting a chronic deficiency of vitamin D (osteomalazia) which is
frequently seen in chronic intestinal infections (e.g. by worms). The large weight-bearing joints
showed moderate degeneration which was seen most frequently in the right shoulder and both hip
joints. Both sexes were affected to a fairly similar degree; the male individuals often additionally
showed degenerative lesions of the right wrist joint suggesting a right-handed overload in this
population group. Furthermore, the majority of adults showed strong abrasion of the teeth,
frequent caries lesions, intravital loss of teeth and occasional dental abscesses. Isolated cases
were also affected by chronic anemia (“cribra orbitalia”). Three individuals showed severe
chronic osseous tuberculosis with typical angulation of isolated vertebral bodies (“gibbus”) and
focal destruction of the spine. These findings suggest a significant infection rate by this chronic
infection among the small population.
One of the investigated individuals was identified by the accompanying archaeological
findings as Hekenu-Ba and some higher clerical functions were attributed to him (Pl. 6). He was
buried in the complex DAM 8/20. The typically male skeleton was almost complete and the state
of preservation was excellent. Based on the anthropological analysis, he had died at an age of 30–
6
40 years. His body height was 164 cm, which puts him within the range of all the other
individuals of the so far analyzed tombs. Here, similar to the other individuals, the most severe
degenerative joint lesions were present at the right shoulder (grade 3.0) and both hip joints (each
grade 2.8) indicating a degree of physical load comparable to the rest of the general population.
These observations suggest that Hekenu-Ba – despite his status as a priest – had experienced
similar living conditions as the rest of the population.
In summary, our ongoing anthropological and paleopathological analysis of the
population buried in the necropolis of DAM provides us with an intriguing insight into the
ancient population, its composition and distinct aspects of living conditions including heavy
stress by certain chronic infectious diseases (e.g. tuberculosis), moderate physical stress and
severe alterations of the dental apparatus, most presumably due to the sand contamination and the
debris of stone mills in daily food.
Study of the pottery and small finds
The focus of the season´s work lay on the work on the pottery and stored objects. The small finds
and wooden coffins from the cemetery in the valley east of the Red Pyramid at Dahshur (DAM 8)
were documented by drawings and professional photographs. The work on the pottery of the
cemetery was continued. The study of pottery collected during a survey in the valley showed that
the cemetery to the east of the wadi of the Red Pyramid was used from the 4th Dynasty until the
end of the Old Kingdom and developed from the western to the eastern part of the valley. The
pottery of the fillings of the excavated shafts and the burial chambers was studied with great care
because it reveals important information about the dating of the burials and about ritual activities
which were executed in the substructures of the tombs. (Pl. 7)
7
Pl. 1: Series of drill sondages in the valley leading to the Bent Pyramid (detail of the map le Caire
H-26, 1978, 1:5000)
8
Pl. 2: Series of drill sondages and the result of a prospection with Caesium magnetometry in the wadi
leading to the Bent Pyramid assembled in a detail of the maps le Caire H-25 and H-26, 1978, 1:5000
9
Pl. 3: Taking drill cores in the wadi leading to the Bent Pyramid
10
Pl. 4: Plan of the temple at the causeway leading to the Bent Pyramid (after Ahmed Fakhry, The
Monuments of Sneferu at Dahshur I, The Bent Pyramid, Cairo 1959, Fig. 62).
11
Pl. 5: The wadi leading to the Bent Pyramid from the east
Pl. 6: Skeleton of Hekenu-Ba
12
Pl. 7: Pottery ensemble from the filling of the shaft DAM 8/19
Table 1: All analysed individuals of the cemetery in the wadi to the east of the Red Pyramid ( DAM 8)
Number Sex Age of death
(years)
Stature
Estimation (cm) Representation Preservation
DAM 8/2-2 male 30-x not determined bad moderate
DAM 8/2-4 female 30-40 158 excellent excellent
DAM 8/2-6a not
determined 3-5 81 good good
DAM 8/2-6b male 40-50 169 good good
DAM 8/2-8 male 20-25 173 excellent excellent
DAM 8/2-9 male 30-x not determined moderate excellent
DAM 8/2-10 female 20-23 157 good excellent
DAM 8/2-11 probably
female 15-18 158 excellent excellent
DAM
8/2-11a
not
determined
(probably
female)
2-4 80 excellent excellent
13
DAM
8/2-11b
probably
male 7-11 121 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/3-1 male 30-x not determined good Moderate
DAM 8/3-2 female 40-x 145 moderate Good
DAM 8/3-4 male 25-30 159 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/3-5 probably
male 8-11 131 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/4 male 40-50 167 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/5
06-517
probably
male 4-6 89 good Excellent
DAM 8/5
06-136
06-149
male 30-x not determined bad Moderate
DAM 8/14
02-215
probably
female 30-40 152 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/16
02-228 male 40-60 157 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/17-1 not
determined 30-50 not determined moderate Moderate
DAM 8/17-2 male 20-30 160 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/17-3 female 20-30 153 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/17-4 male 20-30 161 good Good
DAM 8/17-5 probably
female 20-30 not determined moderate Moderate
DAM 8/17-7 female > 60 157 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/17-8 male 50-60 165 good Good
DAM 8/17-9 probably
male 30-40 168 good Moderate
DAM 8/17
Oberbau
06-394
female 30-40 169 good Good
DAM 8/17
Oberbau
Zweites
Skelett
06-535,
06-537
female 25-30 150 excellent Good
DAM 8/17
Oberbau
Drittes
Skelett
female 40-60 150 moderate Moderate
DAM 8/19
03-280 female 20-30 149 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/20-3
HKNW
07-203
male 30-40 164 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/20-4 female 30-40 157 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/20-5 not
determined 15-19 not determined bad Excellent
DAM 8/21 male 14-17 130 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/32-1 female 25-30 151 excellent Excellent
DAM 8/32-2 male 20-30 161 excellent Excellent
14
DAM 8/32-3 male 40-50 164 moderate Excellent
DAM SF 08
MK male 30-40 170 excellent Excellent
DAM SF 28
MK
probably
female 20-30 151 bad Excellent
DAM SF
28a MK
probably
female 20-x not determined bad Bad
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
percent
male (n=18) female (n=14) not determined (n=2)
Figure 1: Distribution of sex (DAM 8). Individuals older 15 years
15
0
10
20
30
40
percent
Inf I
(n=3)
Inf II
(n=2)
12-20
(n=3)
20-30
(n=11)
30-40
(n=7)
40-50
(n=3)
50-60
(n=1)
>60
(n=1)
30-x
(n=4)
30-50
(n=1)
40-60
(n=3)
years
Figure 2: Age at death (DAM 8)
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
Stature estimation (cm)
males (n=12) females (n=13)
Figure 3: Stature estimation of full-grown individuals (DAM 8). Mean and standard deviation of all
Old Kingdom burials
16
1 For earlier reports see N. Alexanian, S.J. Seidlmayer, „Die Residenznekropole von Dahschur, Erster Grabungsbericht“,
MDAIK 58 (2002) 1-28; N. Alexanian, S.J. Seidlmayer, „Survey and Excavations at Dahshur“, Egyptian Archaeology 20
(2002) 3-4; N. Alexanian, S. J. Seidlmayer, „Die Nekropole von Dahschur. Forschungsgeschichte und Perspektiven“, in M.
Bárta, J. Krejci (eds.), Abusir and Saqqara in the Year 2000, Archiv Orientalni Supplement IX (Prague, 2000) 283-304; N.
Alexanian, H. Becker, M. Müller, S.J. Seidlmayer, „Die Residenznekropole von Dahschur. Zweiter Grabungsbericht“,
MDAIK 62 (2006) 7-41; preliminary reports on three previous excavation seasons (spring 2002, autumn 2003, spring 2006
and spring 2007) are in press for ASAE.
2 The work is funded by the German Archaeological Institute (Cairo) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The
authors are grateful to both institutions for their support. We also wish to thank the members of the excavation team M.
Beer, D. Blaschta, L. Borrmann, R. Döhl, T. Gutmann,, J. Malur, A. Paasch (photographer), J. Pinke and R. Schiestl for
their substantial contribution. H. Becker and F. Becker carried out the magnetometric survey. The anthropological analysis
of the human remains was carried out by S. Lösch, A. Nerlich and K. Seitz. We also wish to thank the Supreme Council of
Antiquities, represented by the inspector Mohammed Sabr Mohammed el-Daly, the director of Dahshur Samy el-Husseiny,
the director of Saqqara Osama Shimy and the Secretary General of the SCA Dr Zahi Hawass for their support. We are
indebted to R. Schiestl for correcting our English and to K. Seitz for editorial work.
3 We are grateful to H. Becker who carried out the magnetic prospection with a caesium-magnetometer.
4 We are indebted to D. Blaschta who directed the drillings in the field.
5 The analysis will be executed by W. Bebermeier and B. Schütt, Free University Berlin in context of a research project of
the Excellence Cluster “TOPOI-The Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilisations”.
6 S.J. Seidlmayer, in: N. Alexanian, S.J. Seidlmayer, in: MDAIK 58, 2002, 19-27, Abb. 13-15.
7 Ahmed Fakhry, The Monuments of Sneferu at Dahshur, Volume I, The Bent Pyramid, Cairo 1959, 113, Fig. 60-62.
8 Seidlmayer, in: Alexanian, Seidlmayer, in: MDAIK 58, 2002, 26 with note 75.
