Our project has successfully studied more than 150 objects, and we are still counting! Most of these are colorful daily-life objects from two Roman Egyptian towns: Karanis and Terenouthis. Teams led by University of Michigan archaeologists excavated these towns in the 1920s and 1930s.
Karanis, known today in Arabic as Kom Aushim, is located in the Fayoum region and was occupied from roughly the 1st through the 5th century CE. At Karanis, the team uncovered a complete town, with houses, streets, markets, temples, and many associated objects. “Investigating Color in Roman Egypt” has has studied painted stone sculpture, wall paintings, terracotta figures, and even textiles from Karanis.
Terenouthis, known today as Kom Abou Billou, is located in the Nile Delta. At Terenouthis, the archaeological team excavated a cemetery dating to the 2nd century CE, and today, about 200 painted gravestones from the site are at the Kelsey Museum in Ann Arbor.
Our project has also examined several Roman Egyptian objects that were purchased by or given to the Kelsey in the early 20th century. These include stone sculptures as well as portraits painted on wood panels.