The Wadi Natrun
The Wadi Natrun is a series of ephemeral evaporitic lakes that lie some 70km west of Cairo on the edge of the great Libyan Desert. Since at least the third millennium BC it was the major source of salt and soda for Egypt for use in various industries and crafts for example mummification, washing, dying and food preparation. During the Roman period it the Wadi Natrun was an important glass production area using the same mineral sources.
The Wadi is the subject of a major study led by Cranfield University, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Getty Institute of Conservation
Four field seasons have been completed in the Wadi investigating the mineralogy of the lake deposits, their formation processes and the impact of man’s activities on these processes, both historically and in recent times.
More articles on this topic:
Surveying Ancient Raw Materials: The Egyptian Deserts Expedition
Return to Archaeological Science Research Projects
Dr Andrew J Shortland
T: +44 (0)1793 785642
E: a.shortland@cranfield.ac.uk
Centre for Archaeological and Forensic Analysis
Centre for Forensic Anthropology Research
