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| Map of Hierakonpolis |
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In use for over 500 year (Naqada IIA - Dynasty 1), the center of HK29A (Ceremonial Center) at Hierakonpolis underwent several renovations, and the structure was composed in part of a walled, oval courtyard 45m long and 13m wide, on the south side of which was a monumental gateway framed by four enormous wooden pillars of acacia wood and the eight smaller ones (arranged in 2 rows).
At HK29A, around 15% of the faunal remains are from wild mammals compared to 1.6% at Hierakonpolis excluding HK29A. There are also a number of species not found in food refuse anywhere else: striped hyena, fennec, hartebeest, and dama gazelle (much larger than the common dorcas gazelle). In addition, there are more crocodile and soft-shell turtle remains at HK29A than elsewhere. The high number of remains from Nile perch and Nile oyster may be significant, as these species were easier to obtain when the river waters were low.
Together with the lithic evidence for butchery, the faunal assemblage—which contains the larger average size of cattle, young sheep and goat, and the Nile perch (up to 2 metres)— suggests that feasting took place here. However, the wide range of wild animals, including crocodile, hippopotamus, Barbary sheep and aurochs (which is only represented by its horn cores), implies something more than just fine dining.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dating | Food production like brewing took place in an earlier phase (Naqada I-IIA) in the vicinity of HK 25. |
| Structural Features | Contained the remains of a monumental columned hall. The foundation featured a layer of 'High Sand' (clean white sand) and was likely covered by a reed roof, evidenced by long, hardened sand "tubes." |
| Artifact Features | Around 14% of the lithic pieces at HK25 are burnt. This burnt material, consisting of dozens of bifacial flint knives, arrowheads, mace heads and "flint rings" dating to Naqada I-IIA, might have been put down as a foundation deposit for the columned hall. The function or role of the "flint rings" is unknown. |
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| Burnt "flint rings" from HK25 |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dating | Based on ceramic evidence, the area at HK29B was in use from Naqada IIB-D. |
| Structural Features | The two phases of onstruction detected for the wood post wall at HK29B may correspond to periods of renovation at HK29A. Dozens of larger postholes were discovered, which could once have held large posts rising 6-7 m above ground. |
| Artifact Features | Ceramic assemblage includes unique special forms (e.g., black-topped beakers and matte red collared jars) also found at deposits in the complex surrounding Tomb 23 at the HK6 elite cemetery. A few sherds from HK29B were identified as Palestinian imports. |
References:
http://www.hierakonpolis-online.org/index.php/nekhen-news
Hikade, T., 2011. Origins of monumental architecture: recent excavations at Hierakonpolis HK29B and HK25 [in:] Friedman, R.F. & Fiske, P.N. (eds.), Egypt at its Origins 3. Proceedings of the Third International Conference ‘Origins of the State. Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt. London, 27th July- 1st August 2008. Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 205. Peeters: Leuven: 81-107
November 24, 2025 Takahiko Nakagawa