EGYPTIAN
ARCHAEOLOGY
Offering bearers in the top register of the north portico decoration. Digital collage by Francesco Tiradritti from photographs by Giacomo Lovera, 2006, 2009
The 2001 archaeological season led to an unexpected discovery when the removal of some layers in the northern portico revealed a decorated register with a row of offering bearers on the rear wall (above and on p.1). The stratigraphic excavation of the courtyard delayed the complete uncovering of the scenes on the wall until 2003 when two further registers, both abandoned in the initial drawing stage at their east ends, were discovered beneath that found in 2001. The reason why the upper part of northern wall was left undecorated can be explained by the sudden interruption of the work when a group of artists had just begun the hieroglyphic inscription to the west and another team was finishing the reliefs to the east. The middle register on the northern wall bears images of men making and carrying pieces of furniture while the lowermost register is filled by scenes of different dances. The three registers are in a style different from that of
Excavation in the courtyard. Photograph: NataĹĄa Cijan, 2012
The northern wall of the niche entrance in 2007, showing Harwa at the left with the head of his nephew, also named Harwa, just visible. Photograph: Francesco Tiradritti
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