Chapter 3 The Northern Quarries

In: Greek Inscriptions on the East Bank
Authors:
Maria Nilsson
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,
Adrienn Almásy-Martin
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, and
John Ward
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Type:
Chapter
Pages:
36–51
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004540699_004
Open Access

1 Introduction

The northern part of the East bank incorporates 23 quarries (GeSE.Q1–23), primarily of 18th Dynasty date with sporadic re-use in the early Roman Period. Four of these quarries, Q11, 13, 14 and 19, preserve Greek graffiti. Among the ten texts that were recorded in the northern quarries, nine represent short names, and one is a proskynema without any information on its producer. In addition to the nine names in the nominative there are two patronyms, although barely legible. Overall, these texts are not well-preserved, including poorly executed graffiti, and/or produced on poor quality surfaces. No. 7 is the only text which is provided with a date (year 21).

d333733425e5237

Figure 12

Google Earth overview of the northern quarries, marked with the Greek texts (nos. 1–10)

Courtesy of Google Earth

2 Quarry 11 (Q11)

Quarry 11 (approximately 40 × 21 m at its longest and widest) is an underground gallery (Fig. 13) situated approximately 300 m south-east of the guardian’s house, and 325 m east of the Nile. Footprints in the sandstone reveal a traditional step-extraction, in which a small tunnel was created along the ceiling towards the back of the quarry, from which stone was removed in a direction towards the entrance. The blocks vary in width, but are generally rather narrow and short, no deeper and higher than 30 cm respectively, and include examples of talatat blocks. The tool marks are ad hoc or of ‘herringbone’ character, created by shorter tool grooves (c. 8–12 cm). Q11 borders a larger, dynastic gallery (Q10) to the north, and an early Roman quarry (Q12) to the south. It consists of three main quarry faces (N, E, S), and opens up towards the north and south.

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Figure 13

Southern entrance to Q11, looking north

Photo by Robert Mittelstaedt

Epigraphic documentation in Q11 was difficult due to poor light and bat and pigeon habitation, combined with heavy layers of dirt. Despite the conditions, at least five dipinti have been recorded, including four pictorial illustrations and a unique four-line hieratic ‘opening of the quarry’ text in black ink dated to the 4th regal year of Amenhotep IV.1 In addition to the dipinti there is a shallowly inscribed Greek textual graffito (no. 1). There are no indications of Roman extraction activity within the quarry, but rather on the outside and to the south of Q11, with the Greek graffito likely having been produced by a visitor/worker searching for a cool and shady place.

3 Corpus

No. 1

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q11.Inscr.2

Measurements: L. 14.5, W. 39 cm

Height above the ground: 0.5 m

Condition: Poorly preserved, shallowly etched

Bibliography: Unpublished, although visible on the facsimile in Nilsson et al. (2021: no. 22).

1.

ΑΠΕΛΛΩϹ
2.

ΑΠ
1.

Ἀπελλῶς
2.

{Ἀπ}
1.

Apellos
2.

{Ap}

Commentary

Line 2 is likely an erroneous, unfinished repetition of Line 1.

The text superimposes a shallowly etched boat. The rare name is known only from two sources in the Western Desert.2 It may be a variant of Ἀπελλᾶς or Ἀπολλῶς.3

4 Quarry 13 (Q13)

The smaller quarry Q13 (40 × 20 m at its longest and widest) is an open-surface quarry situated at an elevated position above the subterranean gallery, Q14. It consists of four main quarry faces (A–D) to the east, south, and west, while the northern section is open and drops down to Q12 (Fig. 14). Evidence of older quarry activity is preserved in the south-eastern part, including drum extraction. The quarry is best accessed via the plateau road, with its entrance in the east, but also from the north through a climb from Q12. The western quarry face represents the highest part, with 12 horizontal extraction levels, a block size of approximately 55–65 cm (height and width) and double or more (c. 120–170 cm) in depth. The tool grooves follow a diagonal, parallel pattern. Extracted stone was likely transported either via the plateau, or lifted down to Q12 or Q14 (supported by the presence of a large rope hole in the corner of A–B), from where it was transported to the Nile at a distance of approximately 300 m to the west.

The quarry is more or less empty of any surface material, other than quarry spoil, a few pottery sherds and a diorite pounder. Excavations, however, have not taken place. All four quarry faces have received ancient graffiti, predominately quarry marks, including an embossed composition of two flanking was sceptres oriented towards a central obelisk as the more prominent example. Other images include an ankh, offering tables, single was sceptres, horned altars, a horse, and a few more obelisk-was sceptre compositions of less elaborate style. In addition to the incised material there is a series of rope holes and postholes, which together with retaining walls in all partitions provide evidence of the ancient quarrying process.

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Figure 14

Topographic plan of Q13 marked with its sections (A–D), quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions

Line drawing by Maria Nilsson

5 The Inscriptions

In addition to 20 pictorial quarry marks the quarry displays three demotic and four Greek inscriptions (and one scratched Arabic graffito), none of which has been published before (see Fig. 15 for quarry face B).4 The Greek texts include an adoration/proskynema without further information (no. 2) and three signatures (nos 3–5). No. 4 is relatively well preserved with clear lettering, while nos 3 and 5 are in a poor state of preservation with a few illegible letters. None of the texts is provided with a date.

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Figure 15

Spatial distribution of epigraphic documents, quarry face B

Photo and editing by Maria Nilsson

6 Corpus

No. 2

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q13.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 7.5, W. 51 cm

Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m above the ledge (9.5 m above the ground)

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΤΟΠΡΟϹΚΥΝΗΜΑ
1.

Τὸ προσκύνημα
1.

The proskynema

Commentary

The proskynema is situated below an exquisitely produced quarry mark composition consisting of a central obelisk flanked by two was sceptres; all carved in raised relief and coloured.

No. 3

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q13.Inscr.3

Measurements: L. 12, W. 37 cm

Height above the ground: c. 3 m above the ledge (10 m above the ground)

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

..ΠΑΗΑΥ

Commentary

The initial two signs are illegible and they do not seem to be part of the Greek text. A possible reading is Παν̣αῦ(ς) where the -ν looks like an -η, a frequent error in graffiti.

No. 4

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q13.Inscr.7

Measurements: L. 8, W. 38 cm

Height above the ground: c. 3.5 m above the ledge (10.5 m above the ground)

Condition: well preserved, although unfinished

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΑΡΠΑΗϹΙϹΡ̣ΑΙ
1.

Ἁρπάησις Φ̣αι[…]
1.

Harpaesis son of Phai…

Commentary

Similar to no. 2, this signature is situated below a quarry mark composition of a central obelisk flanked by two was sceptres. Slightly to the right is an unfinished tabula, and below no. 4 is situated a was sceptre.

No. 5

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q13.Inscr.8

Measurements: L. 12.5 (if including the was), W. 27.5 cm

Height above the ground: c. 3.5 m above the ledge (10.5 m above the ground)

Condition: Poorly preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΙΟΚ(?) ΗΙΠΑΡ

Commentary

A was sceptre is situated between the alpha and rho and it may be applied as an iota, while simultaneously retaining its symbolic value (as there are several other was sceptres on the quarry face). The inscription is badly damaged and illegible.

7 Quarry 14 (Q14)

Quarry 14 (Fig. 16) is one of five subterranean galleries on the East bank. Its interior measures approximately 80 × 50 m at its longest and widest, including nine ‘rooms’ or extraction chambers, and is a massive cathedral-like (rock-cut) structure with a sandstone ceiling held up by 11 square pillars, some more than 10 m tall. Its neighbours are Roman quarry ‘Q12’ to the north and 18th Dynasty collapsed gallery ‘Q15’, including its workshops, to the south. ‘Q13’ is situated above its northern partition, followed by a series of rough stone huts to its south-east. To its west are situated monumental spoil heaps created by the extensive quarrying and further down is situated the river bank, followed by the Nile. The quarry is accessed via a series of ancient pathways meandering through enormous spoil heaps and its ancient, main transportation route is preserved and still connects the quarry with the Nile.

d333733425e5884

Figure 16

Topographic drawing of Q14 interior, marked with Quarry Marks and Greek inscriptions. GIS recording by Moamen Saad, Tony Jibbefors, and Philippe Martinez

Line drawing by Maria Nilsson

The gallery was primarily in use during the reigns of Amenhotep III and IV, as accounted for in a series of hieratic texts that provide dates and a few names, including that of a sandal bearer.5 For the archaeological team, the gallery is referred to as the ‘White Stela Gallery’, named after a large white stela with iconographical traces of Amarna-like features. Activity during the reigns of father and son, Amenhotep III–IV, is further indicated by the in situ occurrence of prepared, but not extracted, talatat-blocks. Its northern section was backfilled as the extraction work progressed in a southern direction. A series of horizontal and vertical gridlines was painted on the ceiling, guiding the ancient workers to the preferred block size in relation to the geological stratification in the stone. In addition to the indicator lines there is the depiction of a papyrus plant in bloom.

8 The Inscriptions

Complementing three pictorial dipinti and four engraved quarry marks (was sceptres), Q14 contains 20 hieratic and two Greek inscriptions (and one scratched Arabic graffito).6 The unpublished Greek texts include an unfinished name (no. 6), and a name provided with the year 21 (no. 7). The texts are relatively well preserved and legible.

9 Corpus

No. 6

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q14.Inscr.21

Measurements: L. 20, W. 49 cm

Height above the ground: c. 1 m

Condition: Poorly preserved and unfinished

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΑϹΚΛΗ
1.

Ἀσκλη(…)
1.

Askle(…)

Commentary

The final letter, η, is rather shallowly scratched. The abbreviated name may be Ἀσκληπιάδης, Ἀσκληπίων, Ἀσκληπιόδωρος etc.

No. 7

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q14.Inscr.22

Measurements: L. 14 (excluding the was), W. 42 cm

Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

KΛΜΑΞΙΜΟϹ
1.

. Κλ(…) Μάξιμος
1.

Claudius Maximus

Commentary

The interpretation of the first sign is not clear. It seems to be a sigla  for ἔτους, but it is not followed by numerals.

  • A lambda is written above the κ, which indicates the abbreviation. The name is possibly Κλαύδιος.

10 Quarry 19 (Q19)

Q19 (Fig. 17) is a larger open-surface quarry of approximately 130 × 80 m at its maximum. Initially, it was an 18th Dynasty subterranean gallery that collapsed and was reused by the Romans. It follows the mountainscape and is divided into eight partitions (A–H) with its widest quarry faces opening up towards the west. Remains, or rather footprints, of the original pillars are visible primarily in the southern part. Three ancient transportation routes (north, south and central) are preserved and still enable access to the Nile in the west, after passing a series of large spoil heaps.

d333733425e6175

Figure 17

Topographic plan of Q19 marked with its sections (A–H), Quarry Marks, and Greek inscriptions

Line drawing by Maria Nilsson

The tool marks on the large open quarry faces follow a diagonal, parallel pattern, but smaller sections are preserved with shorter irregular and herringbone tool marks, which combined with lever marks and smaller rope holes provide evidence of pre-Roman extraction. This is especially true with regards to two cave-like chambers that indicate an initial subterranean gallery, likely contemporaneous with Q14, i.e. 18th Dynasty.7 Still unexcavated, the quarry displays limited surface material: a few reed-ropes with knots, smaller stone blocks (approximately talatat size), and a pounder. Blue-painted pottery found within the older spoil heap supports 18th Dynasty activity, although the ceramic remains in general are of a Roman date, including an intact drinking cup. Roman presence is also noted on the top of one of the larger spoil heaps, into which was placed a station/look out and a structure consisting of at least eight rooms.

Four areas have received quarry marks, including a characteristic open-winged Roman eagle, a couple of altars, and two more elaborate compositions: 1) a combination of two obelisks and two was sceptres flanking a centrally placed ankh (which appears to hold the sceptres); and 2) two obelisks flanking a central ankh, with a bird placed above the right obelisk. In addition to the epigraphic material there is a series of foot holes used for climbing, rope holes and postholes, which together with retaining walls in all the partitions provide evidence of the ancient quarrying process.

11 The Inscriptions

Despite the great size of the area, only a single, unpublished text has been documented. It was produced in a hap-hazardous manner, and it is illegible and perhaps unfinished.

12 Corpus

No. 8

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q19.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 8.5, W. 26 cm

Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m

Condition: Poorly preserved/illegible

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΠΕΘP̣ΙC̣

Commentary

The inscription is illegible.

13 Rock Art Site 11 (RAS11)

RAS11 was a Roman outlook or station (approximately 50 × 30 m), located on the second-to-highest point of the east bank (Fig. 18), immediately above the main plateau transportation route, and with a clear line of sight across the bank, the Nile, and the west bank respectively. At the base of the hill on which the station sits is located a series of drystone shelters, including an area likely to have been used to pen animals. In short, the station marks a strategic location from which the entire site of Gebel el-Silsila could be controlled.

The epigraphic context at RAS11 includes some stylistic examples of falcons, several game boards (latrunculi),8 and miniature drawings of objects represented as quarry marks (such as situlae, ankhs, and stone vessels) in the contemporary quarries below. Two poorly preserved Greek names were noted. Surface archaeology mainly consists of early Roman pottery, some charred coal, flints and (perhaps intentionally?) fragmented latrunculi boards.

d333733425e6328

Figure 18

View from the Roman station (RAS11), including the Nile and Gebel el-Silsila’s west bank

Photo by Maria Nilsson

14 Corpus

No. 9

Inv.no.: GeSE.RAS11.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 21, W. 44 cm

Height above the ground: c. 0.5 m

Condition: Poorly preserved/Illegible

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΑΙΝ̣Τ̣
2.

ΜΑ̣ΧΟ̣Ι Π

Commentary

The inscription was poorly executed and is damaged by later erasure. The text is illegible.

No. 10

Inv.no.: GeSE.RAS11.Inscr.2

Measurements: L. 11.5, W. 26 cm

Height above the ground: c. 1 m

Condition: Illegible

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΚΟΛΛ Ϲ Ω Ι
2.

Α Ι Η
1.

Κολλ[ούθη]ς̣? [.]ω[..]σι[…]
2.

α[..]ι[..]η
1.

Koll[outhe]s? ….
2.

….

Commentary

Only the reading of the first four letters is secure and the rest of the text is illegible. The first name might be Κολλούθης or Κολλούθος.

Table 4

Individuals listed in the northern quarries (Type of text: I = Illegible; P = Proskynemata; S = Signature)

No.

Type of text

Name in transliteration

Name transcribed

Type of individual

Location

1

S

Ἀπελλῶς

Apellos

1st

Q11

2

P

Q13

3

I

Q13

4

S

Ἁρπάησις

Harpaesis

1st

Q13

4

I

Φ̣αι[…]

Phai[…]

Father

Q13

5

I

Q13

6

S

Ἀσκλη(…)

Askle(…)

1st

Q14

7

S

. Κλ(…)

Claudius

1st

Q14

7

S

Μάξιμος

Maximus

Father

Q14

8

I

Q19

9

I

RAS11

10

S

Κολλ[ούθη]ς̣?

Koll[outhe]s?

1st

RAS11

10

I

RAS11
1

Nilsson et al. (2021: nos. 18, 20–23).

2

TM Name ID 8515: O. Douch 3: 203 line 3 and O. Douch 4: 407 line 5.

3

Cf. TM Name ID 39519 and 2136, (NB 42), respectively.

4

The east-facing quarry face is marked in chalk with nos 77–78, in which no. 77 represent an ankh, but it is unclear if no. 78 refers to the Greek text (no. 4), surrounding demotic texts or the obelisk/was sceptre composition.

5

Nilsson et al. (2021: no. 16).

6

For the hieratic, see Nilsson et al. (2021).

7

Nilsson et al. (2021: 8–13 with nos 1–17, 24–27).

8

Cf. de Voogt et al. (2020: 6).

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Greek Inscriptions on the East Bank

Series:  The Swedish Expedition to Gebel el-Silsila, Volume: 1
Cover Greek Inscriptions on the East Bank
E-Book ISBN:
9789004540699
Publisher:
Brill
Print Publication Date:
09 May 2023

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