EXCAVATING KHENY: New Discoveries from the Gebel el-Silsila Project with Dr. Maria Nilsson and John Ward

SATURDAY JANUARY 21st, 10:30 GMT

FIRST EXPLORERS EGYPTOLOGY OF 2023! A joint presentation with RAMASES (Rainham and Medway and Swale Egypt Society)

John Ward and Maria Nilsson are the archaeologists currently working on the Gebel el Silsila project.

The Gebel el Silsila Archaeological Project, is the first ever comprehensive archaeological survey of the vast New Kingdom necropolis (situated between Edfu and Aswan) which includes quarries, shrines, chapels and temples and fascinating historical sites such as a large family cemetery and the recently rediscovered temple of Kheny (Temple of Sobek).

Gebel el-Silsila was an important quarrying site from earliest times, offering a plentiful supply of good quality sandstone for pharaoh’s building projects, as well as being a vital strategic trading point on the boundary between Egypt and Nubia.

The ancient Egyptian name of Gebel el-Silsila was Kheny or Khenu which is generally translated as the “Rowing Place”, but could equally signify the “Mouth of the River”. Its earliest attestation is a reference from a Fourth Dynasty mastaba at Dahshur belonging to prince Iynefer, son of Sneferu. Shortly thereafter the earliest hieroglyphic inscription at Gebel el- Silsila itself appears: a cartouche of Pepy I, located along the main cenotaph pathway on the West Bank. Surrounding this royal name is a vast number of Middle Kingdom signatures as well as a couple of Predynastic giraffes, and graffiti from later visitors to the site. No other Old Kingdom texts have been confirmed thus far. It is plausible that the site had already become a state-controlled quarry by this time, considering Pepy’s other quarry expeditions to Nubia. However, the strategic location of Gebel el-Silsila, with a clear line of sight in all directions, may also have inspired the army to set up a camp there and use the site as a forward base for military campaigns into Nubia.

Dr. Maria Nilsson is a Swedish archaeologist and Egyptologist. She is Associate Professor at Lund University in Sweden and directs the Gebel el Silsila archaeological mission. She has published widely on both Epigraphy and Rock Art, and for the last decade on her work at the largest stone quarry in Egypt. Maria shares her life's passion with her husband and research partner John Ward.

J ohn Ward is a British archaeologist. Since 2012 John has worked as assistant director of the extensive archaeological dig site of Gebel el Silsila.

John and Maria are familiar faces on international television having appeared on National Geographic's 'Egypt's Treasure Guardians' and numerous other documentary channels. Both Maria and John are National Geographic Explorer & Explorers Club fellows.