Power in the Delta: A Review of Ancient Egypt’s Northern Capitals
Following other EES projects focused on archaeological research in the Nile Delta, including the Delta Survey Conference and our Delta Survey Online, earlier in the year, our study day explored Delta Dynasties: Cities of Power in Ancient Egypt on Saturday 12 July 2025. This year, we returned to the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), which many members will remember from events held there before the Covid pandemic. The event took place in a different room, the Khalili Lecture Theatre, and was livestreamed via Zoom, similar to our past three study days. This was again a successful event with over 160 people joining us in-person, online or registering for our recordings.
Discussion session in the Khalili Lecture Theatre in the Society of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) during the EES' 2025 Study Day.
This study day journeyed into the heart of the Nile Delta to explore the rise, fall and legacy of four great capital cities that shaped over five centuries of ancient Egyptian history. EES Director Carl Graves chaired the event and brought together our two virtual and two venue-based presenters for the afternoon, where attendees experienced how these sites fit into the wider history of Egypt.
Our first online presenter, Dr Henning Franzmeier presenting the digital reconstruction of Piramesse during our hybrid study day.
Our first online presenter was Dr Henning Franzmeier, who has recently become Senior Research Affiliate at the Cyprus Institute at Nikosia and is the Field Director of the Qantir-Piramesse Project. He presented how Piramesse was made both a capital and an international hub, explaining the development of its importance under the reign of Ramesses II. The Qantir-Piramesse Project's latest digital reconstruction of Piramesse was also shared, which presents the large scale of this settlement during the 11th–10th Century BCE. The first talk was closed with mention of the city's life after Ramesses II, including links to biblical history and Exodus.
Fragments bearing inscriptions of Ramseses II, Shoshenq I and Khufu at Tanis presented by our second online speaker Dr Frédéric Payraudeau.
The day moved onto our second speaker Dr Frédéric Payraudeau, who was recently elected as Full Professor at Sorbonne Université, and is the Director of the French Mission in Tanis. After an introduction to its archaeological history, this city was considered from a religious angle, discussing its similarities with the site of Karnak. He followed with the evidence of reuse at the site, presenting various fragments featuring royal inscriptions. Moving to arguably the most well-known area of Tanis: the Royal Necropolis and tombs of the 21st Dynasty kings were explored. The online portion of this event finished with scientific analyses of the site and the ongoing site management to ensure the safety and security of areas such as the royal necropolis for future generations.
Our in-person speaker, Dr Eva Lange-Athinodorou presenting monumental sculpture from Bubastis in the Khalili Lecture Theatre at SOAS.
Our first in-person presenter was Dr Eva Lange-Athinodorou, who is Assistant Professor at the University of Würzburg, and Director of the Tell Basta Project. She introduced Bubastis and its link to the goddess Bastet. The overall history and architecture of the city were discussed, including the best-preserved palace from the Middle Kingdom and one of the most extensive temples from the Nile Delta. The Tell Basta Project provided archaeological evidence to support the presence of sacred water canals at this temple, as referenced by Herodotus. To close, Dr Lange-Athinodorou asked whether there are royal tombs at Bubastis, with some fragmentary evidence from falcon-headed sarcophagi available, but more excavation is required to confirm this.
An example of pottery being investigated at the site of Sais presented by Dr Penelope Wilson in the Khalili Lecture Theatre at SOAS.
Our final in-person presenter was Dr Penelope Wilson, who is Associate Professor in Egyptian Archaeology at Durham University, Field Director at Sais, and Director of the Special British Academy Project, the Delta Survey. Dr Wilson presented the significance of deciphering the large piles of pottery scattered throughout the site. For example, there is a marked difference between the lower phases, which incorporate Levantine imports across the site, and the later phases, which do not feature any at all. The pottery reveals how the site transformed from an administrative city to a walled city, and also comments on the wider mentality of Egypt, which began to look inward during this era.
Dr Carl Graves (left of panel) chairing the discussion session of the Hybrid Study Day with online speakers Dr Henning Franzmeier (bottom of screen) and Dr Frédéric Payraudeau (left of screen), and in-person speakers Dr Eva Lange-Athinodorou (middle of panel) and Dr Penelope Wilson (right of panel), and Charlotte Jordan assisting with questions (far left).
The online event concluded with a lively discussion, featuring questions from our audience both in the room and online. Those joining in person were able to partake in our wine reception, which was held in memory of former EES member Ian Flinn. Many members shared stories about previous EES events with Ian and raised a glass to his memory.
This year’s theme—Delta Capitals—offered a sweeping view of political power, urban development, and cultural identity, firmly marking Egypt’s northern frontier on the map. Check out #EESstudyday on X (formerly Twitter) or Bluesky to see the live posts about the presentations and add your own to our thread! Make sure to follow us on social media to hear about our events in future.
