Lectures Saturday 9th May 2026 ~ 2:00 - 5:00pm
Face to Face at:- Elvet Hill House, Oriental Museum, Durham, DH1 3TH doors to open at 1:30pm
Teams hybrid ~ Teams to open at 1:30pm
Lecture 1: Recent investigations in the Western Nile Delta, Kom al-Ahmer and Kom Wasit.
The year 2026 marks the fourteenth year of an interdisciplinary project, started in 2012, and dedicated to the study of the interconnected sites of Kom al-Ahmer and Kom Wasit (ancient Metelis). This investigation seeks to shed light on the historical and archaeological significance of the Western Nile Delta, while addressing key questions surrounding ancient communities, including patterns of human adaptation, religious life, and daily practices. The lecture will examine these settlements from the Late Dynastic through the Late Roman period and early Islamic one.
Recent excavations in 2025 and study season in spring 2026 have further enriched our understanding of these sites, uncovering sections of an early Roman necropolis as well as a significance workshop dating to the Late Dynastic period.
3.15 pm: Lecture 2:
Living Archaeology in Middle Egypt and the Case of Deir al-Ganadla
The ongoing documentary efforts carried out by the Regions in Flux project focus on two different regions in Egypt to make obscure heritage sites more widely known. Therefore, a higher number of researchers, experts, and students can use these data and enjoy the heritage in a different way.
This lecture will present some of the collected data, focusing on the transformation of the landscape in Middle Egypt. Many tens of ancient Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Roman sites were inhabited, converted to Christianity, and in some cases to Islamic sites. Continuous changes in the landscape are still happening today.
Particular attention will be given to Deir al-Ganadla, an example of a unique quarry church in the Asyut region, on which a dedicated new book has recently been published.
Mohamed Kenawi is a Research Associate at the School of Archaeology and Ancient History University of Leicester. He was a Researcher and Training Manager at the School of Archaeology University of Oxford for the Endangered Archaeology of the Middle East and North Africa project. He was Head Researcher (2011-16) followed by Acting Director (2016-17) of the Hellenistic Centre of Bibliotheca Alexandrina. He taught at the American University in Cairo and at Catania University. He has participated in various archaeological missions in Libya, Italy and Egypt among them those at Kom al-Ahmer/Kom Wasit Athribis Dionysias and Manqbad. He currently collaborates on projects with Padua University in Italy and Tübingen University in Germany.
TICKETS
Entry Price for Non-Members ~ £8.00 (GBP) pay at the door
Teams tickets can be purchased for £8.00 (GBP) via PayPal
PayPal: Log into your PayPal account and use neaesoc@googlemail.com as payee, to make your PayPal payment, please click donation
Please make sure you add your e-mail address, so I can send you the Teams Codes.
Any problems, e-mail neaesoc@googlemail.com
from 7th March 2026 until February 2027
Barnsley Museums
Step into the mesmerising world of ancient Egypt this spring at Experience Barnsley.
Get ready to take an unforgettable journey through Cleopatra’s incredible life, from her childhood and rise to power, to her famous relationships and lasting legacy. This one-of-a-kind exhibition spans 5,000 years of history, starting with Queen Neith-Hotep, the earliest named woman in human history, and introducing you to some of the inspiring female figures who shaped Cleopatra’s story.
Designed and curated by Barnsley-born, BAFTA-winning Egyptologist Professor Joann Fletcher, a patron of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, you’ll also uncover some surprising connections between Barnsley, Cleopatra and ancient Egypt. Packed with fascinating artefacts and displays shown together for the first time, it’s history like you’ve never experienced before!
Keep an eye out for further updates coming soon