Khelua - Egittologia Pisa

Between 1992 and 1994 the University of Pisa made remarkable discoveries in the Fayum region, at the southwest boundary of the oasis, at Khelua, a necropolis never archaeologically explored before the excavation mission of Pisa.

In 1981 exactly among the fallen rock mass of Khelua, a survey lead by the Pisan group in southwest Fayum discovered a limestone statue with inscriptions in the name of the prince and governor Wadje. The monumental area, excavated in the calcareous cliff, includes two large adjoining tombs, which communicate with an inner entrance. The first and larger tomb, through the inscriptions which accompany the reliefs, has been ascribed to the prince and governor Wadje. The second tomb, without inscriptions, probably belonged to Wadje’s mother; whose name Nebetmut is provided by her son’s texts. The two tombs, similar in the structure and archaeological features, collapsed in ancient age probably due to an earthquake. The entrance of Wadje’s tomb probably was through a staircase. The vestibule, with twelve columns built with blocks and not digged in the rock, was partially preserved.

Near the back wall of the vestibule, at the time of the discovery, there were the bases and the feet with elegant sandals of six monolithic statues, representing the prince Uage standing with a hand on his chest and the other holding the hem of his cloak which wrapped him up to his ankles. The acephalous bodies of the statues laid on the ground, each one near its base. The statues decrease symmetrically in height, from the center to the corner of the room, in order to obtain an enlarged prospective of space. This ingenious system has not yet been recorded for any era of Egyptian civilization. The following room, a large hypogeum hall, has twelve pillars, carved with the figure of the tomb’s owner on each side; the hieroglyphic texts carved next to each figure give an important series of priestly and court titles, which are added to those that had been documented by the statue of Wadje in 1981.

Among the most notable texts we find: prince and governor, best friend, chancellor of the King of Lower Egypt, confident of his lord, chief of the debanu of the jubilee festival, leader of the prophets of the Sobek temple. The funerary pit gives access to three underground rooms, which have been looted in ancient times. The main room located at the center, was built within the cavity with the use of regulars slabs of stone (a system known in a Middle Kingdom tomb in Dashur). From the wooden coffins survived only few traces of decomposed wood, and few bones were collected. Fragments were found of the four canopies of alabaster, with human head lids, such so also of the many lithic statues of various sizes and different types of stones. The two small chambers, intended for relatives of Wadje, had also been looted and they revealed ceramic material and fragmentary statues.

The anthropological material collected in the tomb of Uage and studied by Mallegni of the University of Pisa, gave information on the prince; he died at 56 years of age, afflicted by osteoporosis and arthritis. A physiognomic reconstruction of the features of a young Uage has been proposed. The 3D visualization with the use of computerized technologies (So.be.c.a of Rome) applied to the tomb of Wadje gave very appreciable results, and is connected with a project of preservation and reconstruction of the two rock tombs. It is now acknowledged that 3D reconstruction of monuments plays an important role in the aesthetic and environmental restoration on the monument and can greatly help the understanding of the monument as well as having a positive teaching function. Some clips that are shown here are taken from “Pisa calls Fayum”, a documentary film produced (1994) by “Sirio Film Trento” (directed by A.Siliotti; sponsored by the “Cassa di risparmio di Lucca”) to celebrate the 650^th anniversary of the establishment (foundation) of the University of Pisa.

Mission 2001

Il team dell’Università di Pisa diretta dalla Prof.ssa Edda Bresciani ha portato avanti il lavoro di restauto nella tomba MK del principe Wadje.
Membri della Missione: Edda Bresciani, Direttore; Francesco Mallegni, Antropologo; Flora Silvano, Egittologo; Antonio Giammarusti, Architetto; Lucia Grassi, Disegnatrice; Walter Ferri, Fotografo; Helal di Moh.Mostafa di Sayed, Ispettore delle Antichità del Fayum.

Mission 2004

La prima parte della stagione è stata dedicata ai lavori di restauro a Khelua (tomba rupestre del principe Wadje), dove sono stati compiuti grandi progressi (ricostruzione di muri e porte, consolidamento e ristrutturazione dei pilastri 11 e 12). Per la prossima stagione sono state predisposte la copertura dell’ipostila e la realizzazione delle porte in ferro.

Mission 2007

For the Pisa’s concession of Khelua, the problem of the hall covering, after discussion in October 2007 with the competent authorities of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in the person of the arch. Waad, we are proposing to Dr. Sabri Abd el Aziz General Director for Upper Egypt Antiquities, to effect the covering of the hall (around 170 m2s) through plates of stone supported by the 12 reconstructed pillars. The stone that we will use will be extracted from the same quarry from which we extracted the blocks for the reconstruction of the walls and pillars; the limestone has been selected for geologic affinity with the rock where the grave is cut; the choice of the stone and quarry were done according the study performed by the Dpt of geology-Cairo University for Pisa expedition. After the approval of this proposition, we can proceed realize the works under the supervision of Fayum Architecture Dpt, during the season 2008.
The Pisa University mission, formed by E.Bresciani, R. Pintaudi, Flora Silvano, Angiolo Menchetti, Antonio Giammarusti architect and the archaeologist and topographer Emanuele Brienza- Rome University, was accompanied by the Inspector of the SCA Mohammed Hamed Mohammed Ahmed, who has been of great help and good collaboration.
Next season of work: March-April 2008.

Prof. Edda Bresciani Director of the Mission
Medinet Madi 26 November 2007

Mission 2010

The Pisa University Archaeological Mission, directed by Prof. Edda Bresciani, carried out its Campaign in Fayum, during the February 2010. The Supreme Council of Antiquities was represented by Inspector Ines Mohammed and by the Eng. Abdel Halim, responsible with us for the works of covering and restoring of the Tomb of Prince and Governor Wadj at Khelua, monument of the Middle Kingdom, explored and published by Pisa University.
The blocks used for the reconstruction of the walls and 12 pillars on the inner hypostyle – and the pillars of the outer hall- have been extracted from a limestone quarry selected for geologic affinity with the rock where the grave had been cut in ancient time; the choice of the stone and quarry were done according the study performed by the Dpt of geology of the Cairo University for Pisa expedition; so we have been able to proceed in realize the reconstruction works under the supervision of Fayum Architecture Dpt, during the seasons 2008-2009.
The problem of covering, the hall (around 170 m2s). after discussion with the competent authorities of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has been resolute by choosing an iron covering; the project of the covering, the choose of the materials, the guide of the operations have been executed under the responsibility of the architectural bureau of the SCA in Fayum.
The parts of the monument non exposable have been any way protected. We can say that the engageant works at Khelua have been concluded, grace to the collaboration of the competent authorities of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The long and delicate work of musealizing of the Wadj’s Tomb- published in 1998- had culminate with the 8 didactic panels, the panels give all important informations on the history, the archaeology and about the hieroglyphic texts of the tomb..
Pisa University prepared already a folding to be distribute to the visitors. The panels are now deposed in the tomb, which will be open to the public next months.
The collaboration with the authorities of SCA-Inspectorate of Fayum and architectonic Section have been, as always, very cordial.
The parts of the monument non exposable have been any way protected. We can say that the engageant works at Khelua have been concluded, grace to the collaboration of the competent authorities of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The long and delicate work of musealizing of the Wadj’s Tomb- published in 1998- had culminate with the 8 didactic panels, the panels give all important informations on the history, the archaeology and about the hieroglyphic texts of the tomb..
Pisa University prepared already a folding to be distribute to the visitors. The panels are now deposed in the tomb, which will be open to the public next months.
The collaboration with the authorities of SCA-Inspectorate of Fayum and architectonic Section have been, as always, very cordial.

Prof. Edda Bresciani Director of the Mission