Berenike

The main aim of this thesis is to investigate whether the socio-political similarities between the Amarna and Hellenistic periods have had a (partially) similar impact on the portrait sculptures that emerged from each period. Despite being roughly 1000 years apart in time and in geographically different locations, the Amarna and Hellenistic periods share a number of similarities. Both are characterised by sudden cultural, political and religious changes that occurred on a vast scale, resulting in the mass relocation of people who had to adjust to a new way of life.
Major innovations occurred within the art and iconography that
was produced in each of these periods, too, particularly in regards to portrait sculptures. Art is generally accepted to be a reflection of the socio-political climate of a given historical period. Therefore, by making a comparison between the sculpture of these two ancient cultures, I hope to discover why particular sculptural elements and themes became favoured within portrait sculptures that emerged in these periods. Realism and individualism became more prominent stylistic choices, breaking with the popular idealised portrait styles that were typical of pre-Amarna pharaonic Egypt and pre-Hellenistic Classical Greece. Another common element within portrait sculptures from both periods is the inclusion of features that suggest signs of ageing, which again was not typical before these periods. Lastly, gender- bending also occurs within some of the sculptures from each period, meaning that male portraits are given effeminate attributes, whilst female ones are given masculine attributes; these thematic elements within sculpture spark interesting questions about gender and power, and how they may have been viewed in society during the unusual times that encapsulate these periods. This is not to say that other elements are not present; for example, the portraits from both periods also display an increased emphasis on depicting rulers as divine; however, the three themes that I will focus on are, in my opinion, the most prevalent and relevant. comparison of two ancient cultures with similar trajectories may also allow for a deeper understanding of the psychology of ancient peoples and how they reacted to times of political turmoil and uncertainty.

Brief overview of two seasons of archaeological survey and excavation carried out in 2012 and 2013 at the site of Berenike on the Red Sea coast and in two sub-projects in the Eastern Desert: the prehistoric cattle cemetery at Wadi Khashab and the Roman-era emerald mines at Sikait and Nugrus. Highpoints of the work at Berenike included discovery of the Hellenistic fort and fortifications that mark the original settlement of the site in the third quarter of the 3rd century BC, continued clearance of harbor-related structures in the southwestern bay interpreted as the early Roman harbor of Berenike and the uncovering of an earlier phase of the late Roman harbor temple (so-called Lotus Temple) of the 5th– 6th century AD in the harbor.

The report brings a comprehensive summary of archaeological fieldwork and survey carried out in Berenike on the Red Sea coast of Egypt and in the Eastern Desert hinterland over the course of two seasons in 2014 and 2015. The completed magnetic map of the site is discussed in some detail, assessing the potential for future excavations. The report covers the most important discoveries of the two seasons, which include fragments of Middle Kingdom Pharaonic stelae, possibly pushing back the foundation of the harbor, archaeological evidence of a rock-cut watercollection system forming part of the Hellenistic-age fortifications and two inscribed stone bases, one of which records a secretary of an aromatics warehouse at Berenike, discovered undisturbed in the courtyard of the Great Temple of Berenike (also called the Serapis Temple). A previously unknown religious(?) complex was discovered on the western outskirts of the site thanks to work with Corona satellite imagery. In turn, analysis ...

The report brings a comprehensive summary of archaeological fieldwork and survey carried out in Berenike on the Red Sea coast of Egypt and in the Eastern Desert hinterland over the course of two seasons in 2014 and 2015. The completed magnetic map of the site is discussed in some detail, assessing the potential for future excavations. The report covers the most important discoveries of the two seasons, which include fragments of Middle Kingdom Pharaonic stelae, possibly pushing back the foundation of the harbor, archaeological evidence of a rock-cut watercollection system forming part of the Hellenistic-age fortifications and two inscribed stone bases, one of which records a secretary of an aromatics warehouse at Berenike, discovered undisturbed in the courtyard of the Great Temple of Berenike (also called the Serapis Temple). A previously unknown religious(?) complex was discovered on the western outskirts of the site thanks to work with Corona satellite imagery. In turn, analysis ...

Brief overview of two seasons of archaeological survey and excavation carried out in 2012 and 2013 at the site of Berenike on the Red Sea coast and in two sub-projects in the Eastern Desert: the prehistoric cattle cemetery at Wadi Khashab and the Roman-era emerald mines at Sikait and Nugrus. Highpoints of the work at Berenike included discovery of the Hellenistic fort and fortifications that mark the original settlement of the site in the third quarter of the 3rd century BC, continued clearance of harbor-related structures in the southwestern bay interpreted as the early Roman harbor of Berenike and the uncovering of an earlier phase of the late Roman harbor temple (so-called Lotus Temple) of the 5th-6th century AD in the harbor.

Amphorae and jar stoppers found during the 2010–2014 seasons of the Polish–American excavations at Berenike in the Red Sea are found mainly in the early Roman trash dumps, although single finds come from all over the ancient city. Altogether 54 stoppers were studied. More than 60% were preserved fragmentarily, some were stamped and colored. As a category they are typical of the Eastern Dessert. Numerous finds come from Myos Hormos and Mons Claudianus, single finds from Mons Porphyrites and Sikait. They reflect Egyptian wine production during the Roman and late Roman periods. They consist of plug and sealing mixture, made from various materials like plaster and mud, ceramic elements (bowls, lids, roudcuts(?), sherds), natural cork, wood or textile.

The Red Sea region is unfavourable for long-shore nautical
activity as it lacks natural topographic features that could
be used as harbours; there are only a few suitable bays for
landing along its coasts, where wadi mouths allow for a
break in the reef. However, experiencing seasonally
variable winds and currents, parts of the Red Sea constituted
favourable marine environments for sea voyaging,
contact and trade for millennia. This paper focuses on the
influence that the local environmental and climatic context
(including land- and sea-scape), had on the location,
development, and ultimate success or decline of key
Classical (Greco-Roman) ports of trade on the Red Sea
coast, most pertinently those involved in exchange on the
Spice, Incense and Maritime Silk Routes. The importance
of changes in geomorphological, climatic, landscape and
sea level configurations that led to the alternation of these
human-adapted landscapes will be discussed within the
new theoretical framework of ‘Parameters of Attractiveness’
developed whilst focusing on a case study, the
Greco-Roman port town of Berenike Troglodytica on the
southern Red Sea coast of Egypt. These parameters—
grouped into 4 main categories: Sea, Land, Resources, and
Socio-Economic and Political—were designed in order to
statistically quantify the attractiveness of particular sites
along the rims of the Red Sea for use as trade ports.