The 2003 season ran from January 4 to 26. We established the boundaries of the archaeological site of Umm el-Dabadib and completed the theodolite and GPS survey of the antiquities.
The area covered by the theodolite survey runs from the Temple in the north to the end of Aqueducts 3 and 4 to the south (R. Knisely-Marpole assisted by A. Knisely-Marpole, J. Angell, M. Jeuck, L. Jones and Y. Sasada). The perimeters of the Northern and Fortified Settlements were established and marked, and the field systems that separated them studied and included in the map.
The Northern Settlement appears to consist of approximately 50 discrete building units, a number of which were planned in detail (N. Warner). The area was photographed from the air with the aid of a kite (R. Knisely-Marpole). During this season's work the five branches of the aqueducts that were already noted in previous seasons were plotted using a Global Positioning System (C. Rossi, S. Ikram, N. Warner and A. Gascoigne). Other irrigation and water supply features were also explored and recorded. The archaeobotanical analysis shows that several crops were cultivated in the past at the site, (A. Clapham), whilst little archaeozoological evidence was found (S. Ikram). Several areas with Prehistoric remains were also located in the surroundings.
A study of the Fortified Settlement was undertaken (C. Rossi). The fort had been studied in detail during the 2002 season and so the 2003 season focused on its surroundings. The settlement appears to consist of rather luxurious houses, sometimes up to three storeys high (N. Warner). A sign was planted along the south-east corner of the Fortified Settlement warning visitors not to damage the site.
The church that forms part of the Fortified Settlement, the isolated temple in the north-east of the site the tower-like structure in the north-east, close to Aqueduct 5, were planned and studied in detail (N. Warner). New discoveries include a round building identified as a mill near Aqueduct 2 (S. Ikram and N. Warner) and a small Hermitage along Aqueduct 4 (A. Gascoigne and N. Warner). A few small clusters of habitation were identified in the area between Aqueducts 1 and 2 (S. Ikram).
Ten cemeteries were identified, mapped and studied (S. Ikram assisted by L. Warden and K. Bandy). Tombs include rock cut examples and shallow graves, sometimes lined with mudbricks or fronted with mudbrick façades. The method of mummification was also studied. The scattered remains of dismembered bodies from each area were gathered together and placed in the closest tomb to prevent further damage.
All the ceramics from previous seasons were studied, drawn, and recorded (A. Dunsmore). Those that were no longer necessary were disposed of at their original sites. Ceramics from Umm el-Dabadib were collected (two one metre square collections of rim sherds from the North and Fortified settlements), studied and drawn (A. Dunsmore assisted by A. Gascoigne and L. Warden). Ceramic analysis was also carried out at a range of outlying areas, including the temple and associated well the small Hermitage at the north end of AQ 4, and the cemeteries. Four pots from the Hermitage were reconstructed and drawn (A. Gascoigne).
