Today’s item comes in the form of an inscribed vessel fragment! Found in the wall of a shaft tomb, we were so hopeful another piece could be lurking nearby (the duck hieroglyph means son - could it say son of Re?! Wishful thinking!), but no luck was had. We still think it’s an incredible piece!

Did you know that Osiris was the primary god of Abydos? Although the site was associated with Khentiamentiu early in history, Osiris eventually overtook the god as the primary deity, first becoming synchronized into Osiris-Khentiamentiu. The jackal god, however, remained an important god at Abydos.

1/4 For our first Team Member Spotlight in the new year we have the beloved Ashraf Zeydan. Ashraf Zeydan is the Reis for ASP, the head of the Egyptian work team, a truly central and critical figure to all our work in Abydos. Ashraf is from Quft and was raised on archaeology!

We’re going teeny tiny for this week’s #FridayFind! The beautiful little scarab bead is made of gorgeous blue faience, which makes her super noticeable, even at her small size. The underside is inscribed…https://www.instagram.com/p/DTlXtdriRMS/?igsh=MTFpZ3draDFyNzVxOA==

We hit 500 followers on Instagram! Join our little celebratory post below, and share with friends 🤗 www.instagram.com/p/DTaOyDfjAX...

Would you believe that BOTH of our co-directors were born on January 9th?! We think that makes ASP extra lucky 😉 join us in wishing Deb Vischak and Ayman Damarany very happy birthdays!

The entrance of the Tetisheri Pyramid perfectly framing the Wadi in the Abydene cliffs 😍 we don’t know about you, but we definitely brought our sense of wonder for Abydos with us into the new year! We cannot wait to be back. www.instagram.com/p/DTOx3rXjGg...

The ASP, and all of Abydos, suffered a terrible loss at the end of the year, as our dear friend and colleague, Qufti Waji Hamid el-Bendary passed away unexpectedly. Below is a eulogy written by our colleague Dr. Mohamed Abuel-Yazid, but from all of us, Waji was a… www.instagram.com/p/DTGA6sVjqy...

A reminder to our friends who can utilize tax deductions by donating to a 501(c)3 - the 31st is your last chance to make qualifying donations for your tax filing! If you’re able & interested, please consider donating to ASP to support our 2026 work (Abydossouth.org) www.instagram.com/p/DS0a9Xeicw...

In this week of relaxation for many, our #FridayFind reflects the relaxing and cooling qualities of sitting beneath a tree 🌴 This coffins fragment, one of a few reflecting similar motifs, seems to show the upper part of a [palm?] tree … www.instagram.com/p/DSvD1tcj6v...

We’re back with our team member #SundaySpotlights! Today we have conservation specialist Mahrous Mohamed Abdel Fattah He earned a BA in Antiquities Restoration from Sohag University, and he has worked on high profile conservation projects for the MoTA. www.instagram.com/p/DSjBGIMify...

While excavation is exciting, it’s only part of a project’s responsibilities! One of the most important responsibilities is site management, and the ASP takes our role as protectors and stewards of South Abydos very seriously. Read about our current actions and future plans at abydossouth.org!

All of us at ASP are happy to announce the official launch of the Abydos South Project website, available in both English and Arabic! Find the link in our bio (abydossouth.org) and explore our mission goals, past work at the site, and even the history of Abydos itself, all in one online space.

We’ve been rather quiet here as we plan for a big debut early next week! To encourage you to keep your eyes and ears peeled, this week’s #FridayFinds are two ears! One plaster and one wood - both likely off of separate coffins. Read more here - www.instagram.com/p/DSLyeYxDxu...

It’s time for a #SundaySpotlight! Mohammed Gamal is ASP’s exceptional surveyor. He earned a BA in archaeology from South Valley University, followed by post-graduate studies Egyptology and an additional diploma in Survey from Assiut University. Read more here: www.instagram.com/p/DR-VUO2kox...

This weeks #FridayFinds is all about mud bricks and the amazing data they can provide archaeologists! Read more here: www.instagram.com/p/DR5PvKgkpO...

This week, meet Hazem Salah! Hazem is an Egyptologist and archaeologist who earned his BA in archaeology from Sohag University. He is a senior Inspector with MoTA based in Al-Balyana/Abydos, and he has worked in Giza, Luxor, Assiut, and all over Abydos. Read more: www.instagram.com/p/DRZeeZsEkO...

For this week’s #FridayFinds we’re moving into the world of primates with this gorgeous fragmented kohl pot in the shape of a seated monkey holding a vessel. Found in the ancient dump near the Ahmose Cemetery, it offers valuable insight into cosmetic use and vessel styles for the New Kingdom.

Today’s teammate #SundaySpotlight is focused on Dr. Mohammed Abuel-Yazid, author of the 2024 book, “The Tomb of the Mayor of Athribis.” Read more here: www.instagram.com/p/DRHeAkkkvT...

We have another Team Member Spotlight up for your enjoyment! Today we’re talking about the amazing Tony Crosby: www.instagram.com/p/DQ16kwkCZ5...

A *slightly belated* #fridayfinds post to brighten your day! If you’re dog lovers, like most of the ASP team is, you’ll love this gorgeous ostracon depicting a canine, found in the fill of the Tetisheri Pyramid! Read more here: www.instagram.com/p/DQxwDx_iSv...

Today’s #SundaySpotlight is focused on Dr. Mohammed Naguib Reda! Learn more about him and his role with ASP here - www.instagram.com/p/DQja3niiRs...

🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃 but also, happy #FridayFinds ! One of our favorite treats (and a favorite of the ancient Egyptians) is the date! In the first 📸 you can see dates collected from one of the tombs of the Ahmose Cemetery during Dr. Smith-Sangster’s excavations. The second 📸 is a modern date tree!

Another team spotlight? Yes please! Today is all about our Associate Director, Dr. Emily Smith Sangster! www.instagram.com/p/DQSDicdkqx...

Today we have a special #FridayFinds item for our cat lovers. Found within the necropolis, this reclined cat figurine is actually a bead. Cats were beloved in ancient Egypt, favored for their pest control skills, as well as their connection to the Goddess Bastet, the god Re’, and fertility.

🤔 Did you know? Because of the angle and placement of the Ahmose Pyramid, for most of the year it looks like the sun rises from the pyramid mound 🤓 🏔️ This optical illusion likely created an ideologically significant view for the Abydene population!

Today’s Spotlight Sunday is focused on ASP’s Co-Director Deborah Vischak! www.instagram.com/p/DQACk2JCQ1...

The third and final part of the ASP Logo was inspired by the Terrace Temple of Ahmose - although now primarily visible only through the copious amount of stone chips along the cliff line, future work should give us more information about this incredible architecture!

Team member spotlights have started over on our instagram! First up - ASP Co-Director Ayman Damarany! www.instagram.com/p/DPtutvBkdU...

Time to breakdown the most dangerous (but arguably, the cutest) part of our logo - the snake! While taking the shape of the Ahmose Tomb, it also makes reference to ASP’s early history as an Egyptian led project, started in 2018 and known as the Ahmose Tomb Project.

Can you spot the easter eggs in our logo? The two pyramids make reference to the pyramids of the Ahmose Mortuary Complex! ASP has undertaken some major work at the Tetisheri Pyramid, allowing researchers and visitors alike to better understand the structure. See our instagram for more info!

Welcome to the official Bluesky page of the 𓆓 Abydos South Project (ASP) 𓆓 a joint Egyptian - American mission and 501 (c) (3) working in and around the Ahmose Mortuary Complex at Abydos. We’re excited to bring you along as we recount past seasons and plan for new work at the site.