List of Figures

1.1 Map of the Nile Delta showing the location of Kom in relation to other major Old Kingdom sites

2.1 Some Predynastic sites

2.2 Some Old Kingdom sites

2.3 Reconstructed landscape of the western Nile Delta the Old Kingdom

2.4 Topographic map of Kom el-Hisn showing the location of 1986 and 1988 excavation units

4.1 Topographic map of Kom el-Hisn showing the location of 1986 and 1988 excavation units

4.2 Detail of excavation units carried out in 1986 and 1988

4.3a Mean and 95% confidence intervals for transformed ceramic densities among deposit types

4.3b Mean and 95% confidence intervals for transformed bone densities among deposit types

4.3c Mean and 95% confidence intervals for transformed lithic densities among deposit types

5.1 West profile drawing for 1166/1066

5.2 Depositional sequence for unit 1166/1066

5.3 West profile drawing for unit 1192/1035

5.4 Depositional sequence for unit 1192/1035

5.5 East profile drawing for unit 1204/1060

5.6 Depositional sequence 1204/1060

5.7 East profile drawing for unit 1219/1095

5.8 Depositional sequence for unit 1219/1095

5.9 South profile drawing for unit 1235/1056

5.10 Depositional sequence for unit 1235/1056

5.11 Schematic plan drawing of unit 1235/1056 below the DU-7 capping deposit

5.12 West profile drawing for unit 1261/1074

5.13 Depositional sequence for unit 1261/1074

5.14 Depositional sequence for Room 1

5.15 Depositional sequence for Room 2

5.16 West profile drawing for Room 4

5.17 Depositional sequence for Room 4

5.18 Depositional sequence for Room 5

5.19 Depositional sequence for Room 6

5.20 Depositional sequence for Room 7

5.21 Depositional sequence for 1220/1072

5.22 East profile drawing for Room 8 (1216/1068)

5.23 Depositional seqence for Room 8

5.24 Depositional sequence for Room 9

5.25 Plan drawing of the occupation surface of Room 9 (sectioned for excavation)

5.26 East profile drawing for Room 10 (1212/1064)

5.27 Depositional sequence for Room 10

5.28 East profile drawing for Room 12 (1214/1062)

5.29 Depositional sequence for Room 12

5.30 South profile drawing for Room 13

5.31 Depositional sequence for Room 13

5.32 Depositional sequence for Room 14

5.33 Depositional sequence for Room 15

5.34 Depositional sequence for Room 17

5.35 Schematic plan of Room 17 architecture

5.36 West profile, south section drawing for Room 18

5.37 Depositional sequence for Room 18

5.38 Schematic plan of Room 18 architecture

5.39 East profile drawing for Room 22 (1210/0788)

5.40 Depositional sequence for Room 22

5.41 North profile drawing for Room 23 (1214/0788)

5.42 Depositional sequence for Room 23

6.1 Densities of plant taxa by deposit type

7.1 Dendrogram of Ward's method hierarchical cluster analysis of Level 3 deposits using Old Kingdom ceramic types

7.2 Bar graph showing the relative percentages of each ceramic type for the first 4-Cluster solution

7.3 2nd cluster analysis using only deposits in Cluster #2 from the first 4-cluster solution

7.4 Bar graph showing the relative percentages of each ceramic type for the second 3-Cluster solution

7.5 Dendrogram of Ward's method hierarchical cluster analysis of Level 3 deposits for identified faunal remains

7.6 Bar graph showing the relative percentages of the major taxa of faunal remains for the 4-Cluster solution

7.7 Plot of Type C ceramic proportions (logarithmically transformed) against ovicaprid proportions for Level 3 deposits

7.8ab Plots of average richness and standard deviation against sample size for simulated sample of Kom el-Hisn ceramic types

7.9ab Plots of average evenness and standard deviation against sample size for simulated sample of Kom el-Hisn ceramic types

7.10ab Plots of sample size against richness and evenness for actual and simulated samples

Figure II.1 Type A. Bowl with tubular spout (D-XXXV and DXXXVI)

Figure II.2 Type B. Jars with rounded or pointed base (A-II), subtypes 9A, B, and C

Figure II.3 Type B. Whole vessel (#Y6108) from Room 12 DU-3 (actual size)

Figure II.4 Type C. ‘Ordinary traditional offering jar’ (A-IV), subtype 11A

Figure II.5 Type C. ‘Ordinary traditional offering jar’ (A-IV), subtype 11B

Figure II.6 Type C. ‘Ordinary traditional offering jar’ (A-IV), subtype 11C

Figure II.7 Type C. ‘Ordinary traditional offering jar’ (A-IV), subtype 1A base

Figure II.8 Type C. ‘Ordinary traditional offering jar’ (A-IV) whole vessel, subtype 11C

Figure II.9 Type C. ‘Ordinary traditional offering jar’ (A-IV) whole vessel, subtype 11C

Figure II.10 Type D. Bread/serving platters (F-XXVI)

Figure II.11 Type E. Bread mold (F-XXV). Both examples are subtype 3E

Figure II.12 Type F. Flared bowl (D-XXXIX), subtype 17

Figure II.13 Type F. Flared bowl (D-XXXIX), subtypes 35A and 49A

Figure II.14 Type G. Bent-sided bowls (C-XXX). Subtypes 23A and B

Figure II.15 Type G. Bent-sided bowls (C-XXX). Subtypes 27A and B

Figure II.16 Type G. Bent-sided bowls (C-XXX), subtypes 35A, 37A and B

Figure II.17 TypeH. Meidum bowl (C-XXXII), subtypes 31A, F, and G, and 33D.

Figure II.18 Type I. Round-bottom bowl with molded rim (C-LXII), subtypes 29A, B, and C

Figure II.19 Type I. Round-bottom bowl with molded rim (C-LXII), subtypes 29D and E

Figure II.20 Type J. Little brown bowl of Middle Kingdom age, subtype 39

Figure II.21 Type K. Basin with roll rim (C-XXIX), subtypes 25A, B, and C

Figure II.22 Type K reconstructed bowl from Room 15 DU-3, a dump not directly associated with the burial in this structure

Figure II.23 Type L. Flat bowl or plate with contracting mouth (D-LXXII), subtype 61A

Figure II.24 Type O. Round or flat-bottomed bowl (C-LXII/LxII), subtypes 41A and B

Figure II.25 Type O. Round or flat-bottomed bowl (C-LXII/LxII), whole vessel

Figure II.26 Upper grinding stone (mano) from Room 17 DU-2 (GS-12)

Figure II.27 Ground stone (net weight?) from Room 23 DU-2 (GS-7)

Figure II.28a-e Retouched tools from Kom el-Hisn

Figure II.28f,g Retouched tools from Kom el-Hisn (continued)

Figure II.29 A selection of sickle blades from Kom el-Hisn

III.1 Tablet found by Petrie

III.2 Sketch plan of the Kom el-Hisn enclosure walls and pylons drawn by Griffith in 1885

III.3a-c Statues drawn by Griffith in 1885

III.4 Inscriptions surrounding the door of the tomb of Khesu-wer at Kom el-Hisn