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Qaw el-Kebir Expedition

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Alcalá de Henares
Qaw el-Kebir Expedition

Información de contacto, mapa y direcciones, formulario de contacto, horario de apertura, servicios, puntuaciones, fotos, videos y anuncios de Qaw el-Kebir Expedition, Servicios arqueológicos, University of Alcalá (UAH), Alcalá de Henares.

The Qaw el-Kebir Expedition is a joint initiative of the University of Alcalá and the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities aiming to conduct archaeological, epigraphic, conservation and site management interventions at Qaw (Tjebu/Antaeopolis) in Middle Egypt.

13/05/2026

Our colleague Tommaso Montonati successfully defended his doctoral thesis on Monday, May 11, 2026. Titled “Qaw el-Kebir: A Study of the Archaeological Site and Its Governors in the Middle Kingdom”, the thesis was defended at the University of Leipzig under the supervision of Dr. Dietrich Raue and Dr. Holger Kockelman, before an examining committee composed of Dr. Michael Peter Streck, Dr. Dietrich Raue, and Dr. Holger Kockelman. We are delighted and very proud of our colleague’s important work. Congratulations, Tommaso! 🎓🎓🎓

Il nostro collega Tommaso Montonati ha discusso con successo la sua tesi di dottorato lunedì 11 maggio 2026. Intitolata “Qaw el-Kebir: A Study of the Archaeological Site and Its Governors in the Middle Kingdom,” la tesi è stata discussa presso l’Università di Leipzig sotto la supervisione del Dr. Dietrich Raue e del Dr. Holger Kockelman, davanti a una commissione esaminatrice composta dal Dr. Michael Peter Streck, dal Dr. Dietrich Raue e dal Dr. Holger Kockelman. Siamo molto felici e orgogliosi di questo importante lavoro del nostro collega. Congratulazioni, Tommaso! 🎓🎓🎓

El pasado lunes 11 de mayo nuestro colega Tommaso Montonati defendió con éxito su tesis doctoral titulada “Qaw el-Kebir: A study of the archaeological site and its governors in the Middle Kingdom“, en la Universidad de Leipzig bajo la supervisión de Dr. Dietrich Raue y Dr Holger Kockelman, y con un tribunal compuesto por Dr Michael Peter Streck, Dr. Dietrich Raue y Dr Holger Kockelman. Estamos de enhorabuena y muy orgullosos de este trabajo tan importante de nuestro compañero. ¡Muchas felicidades Tommaso! 🎓🎓🎓

13/04/2026

The nomarchal tombs at Qaw el-Kebir are one of the most important pieces of evidence to understand the power of these provincial rulers in the Middle Kingdom and the impact of their rulership on the land of Wadjet.

Unfortunately, today marks the end of our fieldwork at the site: the doors of the funerary complexes have been sealed.

After organizing all the material, part of the team has departed for Luxor while others have traveled to Cairo; now begins the vital task of assembling all the information, studying the data obtained, writing, researching, and starting to plan for the upcoming 2027 campaign.

It was time to say goodbye to the inspectors Abu Bakar, Tariq Mahmoud, and Samy Kamal, to the gafirs and the police who ensure our safety, and to the workers and the Egyptian team—Hesham Salah, Ahmed Mahmoud, and Sarhan Hussein—who provided all their support and made this campaign much easier through both research and logistics.

We are very excited to share everything we have discovered and studied this season with you very soon, keeping you informed about the progress of the research and its future.

We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude once again to our sponsors, as this organizational effort and the financial and institutional support of entities committed to science are what make it possible to know our past to understand our future. We are deeply grateful for the support of the MoTA, the University of Alcalá (UAH) Universidad de Alcalá and its research group ‘CIARQ – Sciences in Archaeology’ (CH-CT2019/803), the Palarq Foundation Fundación Palarq, and the Spanish Association of Egyptology (AEDE) Asociación Española de Egiptología, while also counting on the close scientific collaboration of the Museo Egizio of Turin Museo Egizio, Torino and the collaboration of the University of Jaén Universidad de Jaén.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

12/04/2026

A wave of sadness always hits as the campaign draws to a close. Over the last few days, many team members have begun returning to their home countries, but it isn’t until these final moments that it truly sinks in: we are nearing the end of another season with these breathtaking landscapes, this magnificent site, and the deep friendships forged here. This year, our team chose to stay close to the excavation site, and the hospitality from the local people has been nothing short of wonderful. We truly feel welcomed and like a part of their community.

The final days are always the most intense. It is a race against time to meet every objective and close every front; the stress is real when you realize nothing can be left pending. Today has been a whirlwind of activity. We pushed forward with the photographic documentation of the stunning paintings in the Great Hall of Wahka II (QK18), while simultaneously documenting materials and ensuring that every find is stored correctly and securely. We also conducted a final supervision of the ongoing structural work at the Tomb of Sobekhotep (QK16). Tomorrow will be our final day on-site, when we will officially seal the tombs.

In line with our mission’s commitment to site preservation, we recently installed a new metal door at the entrance of QK16. Beyond the door itself, we carried out essential technical work to repair and stabilize the entrance bay, ensuring its structural integrity and protecting the interior from wildlife and unauthorized entry. We are eager to begin full operations in this tomb next season. Although Flinders Petrie noted in Antaeopolis that QK16 attempts to imitate the grandeur of the great funerary complex with a much simpler and more "careless" ex*****on, its skewed chambers and lack of fine reliefs make it a fascinating study in provincial architecture. We face our final day tomorrow with heavy hearts but immense pride in everything we have achieved during this mission.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

11/04/2026

As we approach the end of the campaign, the pace of work is accelerating in order to close the various open fronts and meet the objectives that had been set for this year.

Today, Ahmed has continued with the documentation and drawing of the ceramic fragments from the tomb of Wahka II. The study of the pottery is essential to understand the chronological development of the site and its different phases of use.

Meanwhile, Patricia and Raúl have continued with the photographic and epigraphic documentation of the walls of the Great Hall of Wahka II, a task that is not easy, since the scenes are located at a considerable height and require our specialists to use a large scaffold installed inside the tomb.

In the tomb of Sobekhotep, Hissan has been supervising the transport of materials for the installation of the metal door that will secure the tomb by preventing the entry of animals such as pigeons and bats, which have negatively affected its state of preservation.

We should acknowledge the enormous effort of the bricklayers who worked hard to carry the materials up to the entrance of the tomb, located several meters up the hill.

At the end of the morning, the team moved to the tomb of Ibu, where Raúl and Patricia have been documenting the burial chamber, which still preserves some remains of its original decoration. All of this, of course, under the attentive supervision of our mudir Jose Alba.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

10/04/2026

The second week is drawing to a close as we approach the final days of this campaign, which we began with such enthusiasm, drive, and energy.

Today marked the last day for our colleague Jesús Martínez, who will be setting off on his return journey to Spain tomorrow after performing an exceptional role at Qaw el-Kebir. Jesús has been fundamentally responsible for all GIS work and research, leading remote sensing analysis, topography, and the archaeomorphological study of the site. As a key archaeologist on the team, his dedication focused on fieldwork, surveying, and advancing digital preservation research throughout our entire concession area, ensuring every discovery is documented for the future with the highest technical precision. At times, it was hard to even catch a glimpse of him, as he was constantly running from one spot to another, recording coordinates for the many structures found during the first campaign while capturing new data points for this second one; he even spent today finalizing the models for some of the shafts in the Tomb of Ibu, where we plan to work during next year's campaign.

Meanwhile, Raúl has continued his study of another wall in the Great Hall of the Tomb of Wahka II—a section never before documented by any of the previous expeditions that worked at this site—while Patricia has been working right alongside him, capturing every photographic detail to ensure none of these magnificent scenes are lost.

We have many fronts open and the current season is ending, but there is still so much to be done in the coming years, and we hope you will continue to join us on this fantastic adventure.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

08/04/2026

Today we had the great honor of welcoming the highest authorities of Middle Egypt’s heritage to our site for a day of productive institutional cooperation. We were joined by Dr. Sami el-Darderi, codirector of the mission and head of the central administration of Middle Egypt, alongside Dr. Mohamed Sedky Abd el-Sabor, general director of Assiut Antiquities, and Mr. Gamal Abdel Malek Abd el-Monem, Director of the Excavation Department. We also welcomed the presence of Mr. Sabry, Manager of the Southern Asyut Area, and Ms. Enas Mohamed Tawfik, director of the Heritage Department and Archaeological Awareness. It is a true privilege to work hand-in-hand with such a distinguished team of professionals to restore the necropolis of Qaw el-Kebir to its rightful place in the history of Egyptology.

In parallel with these institutional milestones, our team continues its transition as we wrap up this phase of the mission. In this regard, we want to share that another valued member of our team is heading home; Tommaso Montonati has concluded his research at the site and is now on his way back to Italy. We are deeply grateful for his hard work, his invaluable collaboration, and the immense support he provided throughout this second campaign. We wish him a safe journey and are already looking forward to working with him again in the third season.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

07/04/2026

Behind every discovery, there is a work of organization and logistics that is often unseen, but vital for everything to run smoothly. From the complex bureaucracy of permits to the coordination of a multidisciplinary team, every detail counts in bringing back to life sites that have been forgotten by time. Although the Qaw el-Kebir Expedition is a young project, our team has a vast trajectory in the archaeology of the Nile Valley. The experts leading the work provide decades of accumulated experience in international missions, guaranteeing excellence in every find.

This second campaign is a reality today thanks to the organizational effort and the financial and institutional support of entities committed to science. We are deeply grateful for the support of the University of Alcalá (UAH) and its research group 'CIARQ – Sciences in Archaeology' (CH-CT2019/803), the Palarq Foundation, and the Spanish Association of Egyptology (AEDE), also counting on the close collaboration of the University of Jaén and the Museo Egizio of Turin.

Likewise, we wish to extend a very special thank you to our workers Mohamed, Yousef, Fuad, Naggah y Mohamed. Thanks to their constant help, their effort, and their daily support, this campaign is moving forward steadily and fulfilling all its objectives. Without them, the fieldwork would not be possible.

What began in 2024 as a joint UAH-MoTA expedition, under the current direction of Dr. José Manuel Alba Gómez and Dr. Sami El-Darderi, is today consolidated as a key effort to understand the Middle Kingdom. Thank you to all the institutions and collaborators for believing in this project and for being the driving force of this research that unites past, present, and future!

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

07/04/2026

As the days go by, our campaign continues to unfold exceptionally well, driven by a deep sense of cooperation. Our work with our Egyptian colleagues remains a cornerstone of the project; Ahmed continues his vital work documenting ceramic materials, while Sarhan, Hissan, and Samy provide essential support across all campaign tasks. We are truly proud to work side by side with such a talented local team!

Meanwhile, the site has been a hub of transitions. Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our colleague Seria, who is returning to Japan, but at the same time, we are excited to welcome Raúl Sánchez, who has hit the ground running. Raúl is currently in charge of studying the epigraphy and iconography of the Tomb of Wahka II, a task he began during our first campaign. It is no easy feat, as he must work at considerable heights to document the decorations best preserved on the upper sections of the walls.

To support this delicate work, Raúl is preparing a detailed report to assist our restorers in preserving these magnificent scenes—rare and precious examples of Middle Kingdom artistry. This effort is carried out in close collaboration with the photographic documentation of Patricia Mora and the creation of orthomosaics by Jesús Martínez. In archaeology, this technique is essential for generating a metrically accurate graphic record, allowing for direct, precise measurements without the distortions of conventional photography. By working "hand in hand" with these digital tools, Raúl ensures that every inscription in the Tomb of Wahka II is documented with the highest scientific rigor.

Building on this spirit of excellence, the Museo Egizio, Torino joined the Qaw el-Kebir Expedition as a scientific collaborator. As part of this institutional cooperation, we are proud to introduce the newest member of our team! This year, Tommaso Montonati joined our project team. Tommaso is an Egyptologist and archivist currently serving as a Junior Curator at the Museo Egizio in Turin. As a PhD candidate at the University of Leipzig, he is preparing to defend his dissertation on The site of Qaw el-Kebir and its governors in the Middle Kingdom. Beyond his academic research and knowledge, he brings valuable field experience to our team, including his work in Coptos. We are honored to have such a dedicated scholar helping us preserve and share history.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

05/04/2026

Working with these breathtaking views from the archaeological site over the lush green fields is an absolute joy. Each day, we are fortunate enough to observe the daily rhythms of the local Egyptian community tending to their crops and livestock; being so closely connected to nature is truly a privilege. Today, our team grew as we welcomed back Raúl Sánchez, who is taking on the epigraphic work in the Tomb of Wahka II. We are so happy to see him again and to have him tackle this challenging task, as the paintings are situated at a significant height and are in a very fragile state of conservation. Despite the wear of time, these walls are already yielding incredible surprises that have never been recorded before.

As some faces return to Qaw el-Kebir, others must depart, leaving a significant void in our team. Our colleague Seria is heading back to Japan tomorrow, and we are immensely grateful for her tireless work and dedication. She has successfully completed the complex task of studying and documenting all the lithic fragments, even reconstructing their possible original locations and designs—an excellent contribution from a brilliant Japanese Egyptologist. We wish her a safe journey and hope to see her very soon.

The rest of the team has been equally busy; Patricia has been photographically documenting the shafts located in the Great Hall of Wahka II, while Jesús worked on creating their 3D models. Meanwhile, Tommaso continued with the cleaning of the burial chamber of Wahka I and the systematic registration and storage of the materials found. On the artistic and technical front, Ahmed has begun drawing the ceramics alongside Jose Alba, and Sarhan assisted Jesús in taking precise survey points across the tombs. It is an honor to share this journey of discovery with such a dedicated group.

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

04/04/2026

There is no better way to begin the week than with several active fronts and the excitement of the new discoveries that await us. Today, the atmosphere is one of total concentration, especially in the Hall of Wahka II's tomb. This year, we are honored to have the presence of the researcher Dr. Seria Yamazaki, an Assistant Professor at the Waseda University (Japan). Seria is continuing the meticulous task of studying every fragment recovered from this area, attempting to reconstruct what was once the magnificent sarcophagus of this influential Middle Kingdom nomarch. Her expertise in funerary rituals and material culture is a cornerstone of our joint mission.

The activity doesn’t stop there. In parallel, our colleague Jesús continues his impeccable technical work, surveying all the tombs to advance our photogrammetry and create detailed 3D models of both our current findings and the tombs excavated by previous missions. Meanwhile, José Alba and Ahmed have begun clearing the burial chamber of Wahka I and its access ramp. Their work in inventorying every material is vital for reconstructing the history of this tomb, its later occupations, and its uses over time.

Furthermore, we have initiated the study of the shafts and burial chambers of Wahka II's tomb to evaluate their conservation and plan future campaigns with the help of Tommaso and Samy. It is always a welcome surprise to discover how much remains to be researched; it is striking how previous publications overlooked details that we now consider fundamental to understanding the site. We continue to work with rigor to restore the history of these nomarchs!

📷: Patricia Mora Photography

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University Of Alcalá (UAH)
Alcalá De Henares
28801

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