The UAB directs archaeological project in Egypt

The “Sikait Project” campaign was directed by Joan Oller Guzmán, Professor of the Department of and Middle Age Studies. This new archaeological research project focuses on studying the area of the Wadi El Gamal National Park. It is an area of top scientific and patrimonial interest, which in the classical antiquity stood out as being the only area in all of the Roman Empire in which emeralds could be found, hence the name found in classical texts referring to Mount Smaragdus. The project is the continuation of the “Wadi El Gamal Project” directed by S.E. Sidebotham, Professor of the University of Delaware, and also includes the collaboration of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology.

The objective of this first excavation campaign was to continue with the archaeological digs at the area's most important site, Wadi Sikait, an extensive settlement from the Roman era (1st to 6th centuries CE) dedicated to the mining of emeralds. This site is particularly remarkable for the excellent state of conservation of its structures (with house walls reaching 3 and 4 metres high). Archaeologists in this first campaign conducted up to six archaeological loggings of three singular buildings and highlight the settlement's main temple. The results of this research will be published in the coming months.

The team also included the participation of three archaeologists and two conservators/restorers. The campaign was made possible by the financial support of the Palarq Foundation and the permits granted by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.