A Multifaceted Spatial Analysis of Tomb Distribution in Blemmyan Berenike (Eastern Desert of Egypt)

Abstract

This study examines the spatial and visual organisation of tombs in the post–Roman Berenike located in Egypt's Eastern Desert. Archaeological surveys, remote sensing, geophysical methods, excavations and GIS-based analyses are used for a comprehensive understanding of the spatial patterns and cultural significance behind the positions and layouts of 865 tumuli and 13 chamber tombs associated with the Blemmyes, an indigenous Eastern Desert people. The results indicate the existence of shared practices that shaped the sepulchral landscape of Berenike between the late fourth and fifth centuries CE, highlighting the deliberate placement of tombs in visually prominent locations, and a symbolic connection between the living community and their ancestors. This is argued to be an expression of establishing control over the town during a period when the Blemmyes transitioned from a nomadic to a more settled lifestyle and created state structures. The clustering of tombs at the site has been linked to the segmented nature of the local society. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of mortuary practices in the post–Roman period Eastern Desert and offer new perspectives on the social organisation of the Blemmyes. The results also provide a foundation for future comparative studies of sepulchral landscapes in northeast Africa, offering a spatial analysis model for other archaeological sites. This study offers a replicable spatial analysis model for archaeological sites globally.