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Amheida, Archaeology of

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Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology

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Introduction

Amheida is a substantial ancient settlement located in the northwest extent of Egypt’s Dakhleh Oasis. Amheida is a multiphase site that reached its greatest expanse under Roman rule (first century CE to fourth century CE). Its ancient name was Set-wah (“resting place”), and it was known as Trimithis during the Roman Period. This site is the largest surviving ancient settlement within the oasis.

Definition

Amheida was one of the most important towns in the Dakhleh Oasis during the Roman and Byzantine centuries. Documentary sources indicate that it became a city by the fourth century and was regarded on the same level as other significant cities in the Oasis Magna, which consisted of Dakhleh and the Khargah Oases to the east (Wagner 1987: 191). The diversity and extent of archaeological remains at Amheida attest to this significance. The substantial aboveground remains and surface pottery scattered across the urban center and cemeteries extend from at least 2.5 km...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, Reading, UK

    Anna Lucille Boozer

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  1. Anna Lucille Boozer
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Correspondence to Anna Lucille Boozer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Claire Smith

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Boozer, A.L. (2014). Amheida, Archaeology of. In: Smith, C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_1108

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_1108

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