Program > By author > Lorenzon Marta

Evidence of multiple manufacturing practices regarding mudbrick standardization have been recorded at the archaeological site of Tell Timai, identified with the ancient city of Thmuis located in the Northeastern Egyptian delta. The analysis of multiple buildings identified so far three mudbrick traditions, which are characterized by different size, recipes and bricklaying. Notably, one of the domestic structures displayed two separate construction phases with diverse mudbricks. The mudbricks used in one of these phases showed strong similarity to the mudbricks used in separate, monumental public construction analyzed at the site. 

This new study builds on this foundation and expands the scope of this research to earlier protohistoric period by including new structures at Tell Timai and other sites in the Egyptian Delta in order to fully understand process of mudbrick standardization over time (e.g. central standardization vs local regional traditions). The samples are analyzed macroscopically by investigating their architectural characteristics, and microscopically by investigating geochemical and petrological features. This provides us with quantitative data that can then be used to understand skill transfer over time, the persistency of local traditions, and search for possible markers of centralization in mudbrick production in Egypt.