Quarry Marks of the Amarna Period: The limestone quarries of Dayr Abu Hinnis

The Dayr al-Barsha Project (KU Leuven, Belgium) revealed that the quarry area of Amarna is noticeably larger than was expected. One of the largest quarry sites of the Amarna Period is located at Dayr Abu Hinnis, c. 15 km north of Amarna. The main exploitation phase can be dated in the Amarna Period, while quarrying continued on a smaller scale in the Ramesside Period, Late Period and Roman/Early Christian Period. The most remarkable item of these quarries, apart from their size and number, is the large collection of markings and inscriptions on the ceilings. The majority of the inscriptions is connected to the quarrying process. However, marking the work progress on the ceiling of an exploited quarry seems to have been restricted to the Amarna Period, with a revival in the Late Period. Among the inscriptions, a number of quarry marks can be found. The quarry marks resemble the known mason's marks and pot marks of the Amarna Period, but in the quarries they are often combined with painted ochre lines and (hieratic) dates, confimring a close connection with the work progress administration.

ISBN:978-3-943955-16-3

Jaar van publicatie:2015

Toegankelijkheid:Closed