A Royal Building in the Capital

Mødedato: Torsdag d. 8/3 2018, kl. 19.00
Lokale: 23.0.49

A Royal Building in the Capital. Results of the Recent Excavations at Qantir-Piramesse, ved Dr. Henning Franzmeier, Field Director Qantir-Piramesse-Project
Roemer- and Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim

Qantir-Piramesse can be considered one of the largest archaeological sites of the Late Bronze Age far beyond the borders of Egypt. Between 1996 and 2012 large scale magnetic measurements were carried out at Qantir-Piramesse which give an impression of the layout of whole parts of the capital of Ramesside Egypt. Amongst the structures visible is a monumental building complex, interpreted as a temple and/or palace.

During two seasons of fieldwork in 2016 and 2017 excavations were carried out within this area to complement the magnetic measurements by archaeological excavation and to gather information concerning the buildings function. This work for the first time gave an insight into a building of a truly monumental scale at Piramesse, producing many unexpected features and finds such as colourfully painted plaster, burnt mudbricks and a mortar pit preserving the imprints of feet from 3,200 years ago.

The lecture will present the recent results and present some preliminary interpretations regarding the dating and function of this building which must have had an important role in Ramesside Piramesse.