Since 2015, the project led by Prof. Kahl explores the temple buildings in the city of Asyut – an exceptional archaeological environment because the temple of the city god Upuaut is located 8-12 meters under the modern city and is not directly accessible. However, confiscated objects from illegal digs and documentation of local inspectors facilitate new scientific approaches. Confiscated stones and precise location data of illegal digs provide clues to accurate dating, function, location and area of the temple that was used from 2100BCE until the first century CE.

The project follows a holistic approach: Instead of viewing objects in an isolated manner, the cultural and geographical environment of Asyut is being viewed in its entirety which creates new research questions and cooperations, for example about the exploration of the nearby environment and the systematic documentation of contexts that have so far been ignored.  

Flexible funds of the Division International Affairs provided partial funding for many aspects of the project: 

• Photo documentation of the grave of Lady Idy in cooperation with the University Sohag, the Kanazawa University and the Polish Academy of Science 
• Research stay in Asyut of Dr. Beck-Hasselbach (FU Berlin) and Dr. Ruffinato (University Turin) to identify and document certain funereal woods 
• Guest stay of Prof. Abdelrahiem of the University Sohag at FU Berlin to develop international projects 

The project is conducted in close cooperation with Egyptian partner institutions and is at its core international: In this case, researchers from Japan and Poland are involved, researching, documenting and publishing together. At the same time, the project supports the education of young researchers in Germany and Egypt. This cooperation also stresses the importance of taking responsibility in honoring the cultural heritage of Egypt and contributes to a scientific partnership.

The international dimension also affects teaching: Current research projects enrich topical teaching and inspire students to participate in global research projects. Over the years, the Asyut project developed a network that gave FU Berlin an excellent reputation abroad and also supports other international projects.

The project exemplifies how long-term research cooperation can work and connect science, teaching and cultural exchange, and how research in one specific location can facilitate bigger scientific partnerships. 

https://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/internationales/Projekte/Asyut/index.html