2016

Remote and field study of the archaeological site of Umm al-Dabadib, Kharga Oasis (Egyptian Western Desert), funded by ERC CoGrant 681673.
The overall aim of LIFE is to offer a comprehensive set of archaeological and environmental data to be used to investigate late Roman settlements along frontier desert areas and to reconstruct the strategy adopted for controlling the desert fringes of the empire. The specific case study is the late Roman archaeological site of Umm al-Dabadib, located on the outskirts of the Kharga Oasis (western desert of Egypt), which in the 4th century AD represented a portion of the southern border of the empire.
LIFE is a multidisciplinary project and consists of the combination of different lines of investigation and research activities. It was divided into four main domains:
the acquisition of new information and the processing of 3 D survey of remains;the development of innovative tools for recording and documenting archaeological activities;the historical and strategic interpretation of the site in connection with the other late Roman sites that dot the oasis;the dissemination of results through classic and innovative channels.
Since its inception, LIFE has faced a major problem: the lack of permits to carry out the fieldwork that had been planned. This problem, which concerns all archaeological missions wishing to work in the Western Desert, has led to the development of alternative directions of research and collaborations.
The research team was divided into an Architectural/Archaeological Unit, based at the Polytechnic University of Milan, and an Environmental Unit, based at the Federico II University of Naples.
These two groups reflect the duality of ancient vestiges: the settlements and the agricultural system, both preserved in excellent condition. Unlike other archaeological sites where only one (or only fragments) of these two components survive, Umm al-Dabadib represents a unique opportunity to study both elements simultaneously.
Teams

Prof. Corinna Rossi (PI), Prof. Fausta Fiorillo, Dr Clementina Caputo, Dr Alessandro Mandelli, Francesca Lori, Andrea Pasqui
Partner museums
Centro MUSA (Musei delle Scienze Agrarie), Portici (NA)
Collaborations
Federico II University of Naples, Ministry of Antiquities and Egyptian Tourism
Link

LIFE Polimi