Mudbricks, construction methods, and stratigraphic analysis : a case study at Tell Timai (Ancient Thmuis) in the Egyptian Delta
Date
2020-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Archaeological Institute of America
Abstract
The Graeco-Roman site of Tell Timai (ancient Thmuis) in Lower Egypt is among
the largest urban tells in the Nile Delta, boasting substantial amounts of preserved
earthen architecture. Although earthen architecture made up the vast majority of
public and domestic structures in ancient Egypt, it still does not receive the same
analytical attention from archaeologists as other categories of evidence. This paper
presents a case study for the archaeological investigation of the earthen architecture
at Tell Timai. The goal was to develop a methodology that can be implemented in the
field by excavators with little geoarchaeological training and limited laboratory access
in order to generate useful data for determining building stratigraphy and studying
construction processes. Through the close examination and sampling of three build-
ings of different periods and scales, we tested a new field methodology combining
geoarchaeological techniques and mensiochronology. The results provide informa-
tion useful for stratigraphy and phasing as well as for identifying specific patterns of
mudbrick manufacturing, production, and construction during the Graeco-Roman
period at Tell Timai.
Description
CITATION: Lorenzon, Marta et al. 2020. Mudbricks, construction methods and stratigraphic analysis : a case study at Tell Timai (Ancient Thmuis) in the Egyptian Delta. American Journal of Archaeology, 124 (1):105–131, doi:10.3764/aja.124.1.0105.
The original publication is available at: https://www.ajaonline.org
The original publication is available at: https://www.ajaonline.org
Keywords
Adobe brick, Excavations (Archaeology) -- Egypt, Tell Timai Archaeological Project, Earth construction -- Egypt, Egypt -- Antiquities -- Construction, Deltas -- Egypt, Nile River
Citation
Lorenzon, Marta et al. 2020. Mudbricks, construction methods and stratigraphic analysis : a case study at Tell Timai (Ancient Thmuis) in the Egyptian Delta. American Journal of Archaeology, 124 (1):105–131, doi:10.3764/aja.124.1.0105