ISOTOPIC DATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOURCE(S) OF OSIREION GROUNDWATER, ABYDOS, EGYPT
A, P., A, A., M, F., J, W., B, I. (2011). ISOTOPIC DATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOURCE(S) OF OSIREION GROUNDWATER, ABYDOS, EGYPT. EKB Journal Management System, 1(1), 61-72. doi: 10.21608/ejars.2011.7476
Parizek A; Abdel Moneim A; Fantle M; Westerman J; Issawi B. "ISOTOPIC DATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOURCE(S) OF OSIREION GROUNDWATER, ABYDOS, EGYPT". EKB Journal Management System, 1, 1, 2011, 61-72. doi: 10.21608/ejars.2011.7476
A, P., A, A., M, F., J, W., B, I. (2011). 'ISOTOPIC DATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOURCE(S) OF OSIREION GROUNDWATER, ABYDOS, EGYPT', EKB Journal Management System, 1(1), pp. 61-72. doi: 10.21608/ejars.2011.7476
A, P., A, A., M, F., J, W., B, I. ISOTOPIC DATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOURCE(S) OF OSIREION GROUNDWATER, ABYDOS, EGYPT. EKB Journal Management System, 2011; 1(1): 61-72. doi: 10.21608/ejars.2011.7476

ISOTOPIC DATA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOURCE(S) OF OSIREION GROUNDWATER, ABYDOS, EGYPT

Egyptian Journal of Archaeological and Restoration Studies
Article 7, Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2011, Page 61-72  XML PDF (404.31 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejars.2011.7476
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Authors
Parizek A1; Abdel Moneim A2; Fantle M1; Westerman J3; Issawi B4
1Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA 16802,
2Department of Geosciences,Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
3Department of Geosciences,Chicago, IL USA
4Department of Geosciences,Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Among the many wars which depicted and documented at the ancient Egyptian history, little of them
The Osireion, formerly concealed within a West Bank Nile terrace, is thought to have been an
important building to the Ancient Egyptians. Its huge building blocks define a rectangular central
stone island surrounded by a water-filled channel nearly 13m below the surrounding land surface.
The channel was cleared of debris to 4.3m in 1925, but not to its original depth. Westerman (2008)
successfully probed to 10.4m using a metal rod. Seismic data suggest its walls may extend 15m
below the water table. Westerman listed six questions that elude archeologists and Egyptologists.
Why, when and how was the Osireion built? Is in the interior of the island hollow? Why was it built in
water? What is the source of the water? Eleven water samples were collected including the Nile,
Osireion, two nearby idle dewatering wells, an active eastern French drain and six active water
supply wells. ä18O and äD were measured by EAEA and PO4, Cl, Na+K and TDS by Sohag
University. Factors such as evaporation, mixing, relative humidity, surface elevation and recharge
climate can influence isotopic contents. The Nile sample appears most affected by evaporation,
consistent with Lake Nasser’s great size and arid climate. Water samples fall below the GMWL and
paleowater line in a region expected of modern precipitation in arid, low latitude climates. Sinai
groundwater by contrast are isotopically lighter, suggestive of recharge at higher elevation during
cooler climates. ä18O, äD, PO4, Cl, Na+K and TDS concentrations suggest Osireion waters are not
easily explained by simple evaporation of any supposed end member. ä18O and äD concentrations
are strikingly different from two nearby down groundwater gradient, dewatering wells most likely from
a mixed source not typical of the ten other samples. Upfllowing from a semi-confined artesian
aquifer, possibly also diffuse regional leakage through the Esna Shale are suggested.
Keywords
Abydos temple; Groundwater; Isotope Data; Archaeology; Egypt
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