Nubian excavation workers shine in excavation work with foreign missions in western Aswan

Nasr Salama

Archaeological missions continue their excavations in  west of Aswan region to make further archaeological and historical discoveries about this area. A joint Italian-Egyptian archaeological mission is working near the Monastery of St. Simeon, a Spanish mission is working at the Tombs of the Nobles, and a joint German-Egyptian mission at the site north of the Nobles’ Tombs
Each archaeological mission includes a team of specialists in various fields, such as documentation, historiography, restoration, and others. In the past, these missions relied on specialized workers from the governorate of Luxor for their excavation work, until the heads of the missions decided to hire young workers from the Nubian village of West Aswan and train them in excavation work until they became fully proficient. Archaeologist Dr. Alejandro Jiménez, head of the Spanish expedition, wrote on his Facebook page, “We would like to praise and highlight the valuable work done by our Nubian workers. They assist and support us in many of our daily tasks and are an essential part of this project. Thank you for your dedication
Alejandro also mentioned that this area was a major site for the tombs of the rulers of the Old and Middle Kingdoms, and that this site is of utmost importance for understanding Egypt’s power and its relations with Nubia on its southern border over a period of nearly a thousand years
It is worth noting that the tombs of the nobles in Aswan are considered important tourist attractions. The tombs are carved into the mountainside and belong to the most important princes of Elephanten island