Abstract:

Reviving Ptolemaic Pathyris

In her talk, Dr. Aneta Skalec (Insititute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, PAS) will present her recent research on Pathyris (Per-Hathor).
Pathyris, a provincial Egyptian town situated approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Luxor in the Gebelein micro-region, is renowned for its extensive collection of Greek and Demotic papyri and ostraca dating to the Ptolemaic period. Thousands of texts, originating from the local temple, notary's office, and, most significantly, the archives of ordinary families, provide a unique view on various socio-economical aspects of Ptolemaic society.
Despite the significant textual evidence, Pathyris remains largely unknown from an archaeological perspective, as most traces of the ancient town have been lost over time. Furthermore, previous research findings have not been adequately published. The main research goal of the Ptolemaic Pathyris Project, which will be presented during this seminar, is to bridge this gap by conducting interdisciplinary research on the town's urban layout and residential architecture. This research will draw upon a diverse range of sources, including papyrological, archival, and geospatial data.