User:Adurree/Kom K and Kom W

Kom K and Kom W are Neolithic archaeological sites in the northern Fayum desert of Egypt dating to the mid-5th millennium BCE with evidence of human occupation for approximately three centuries (4650-4350 BCE) and radiocarbon dates that yield older yet scattered dates well into the 6th millennium BCE. Both sites are situated near the shores of Lake Moeris, which was extensively researched due to its water level fluctuation and its effect during human occupation periods. Kom K and Kom W were both situated within 1 km of the lake during most of its human occupation when lake levels were much higher. The first academic fieldwork was carried out by archaeologist Gertrude Caton-Thompson and geologist Elinor Wight Gardner in the three seasons of 1924-5, 1925-6, and 1927-8. Kom K and Kom W yielded archaeological findings that differ from the culture units within the Egyptian Neolithic known at the time leading Caton-Thompson and Gardner to claim the sites as part of Fayum A culture (also called the Faiyumian).

Kom K
Discovered by Elinor Wight Gardner while she was mapping the area in the preliminary seasons, the Kom K mound measures 6568 m² and is distinguished by its two granary groups, the first located about a half mile northeast of Kom K and the second located a half mile north of Kom K and west of the first granary, totaling to 165 granaries. The first granary group was identified as having 67 pits; 56 which were silos and the rest accounting for holes with pots, wooden artifacts and/or basketry. 42 of the silos were lined with coiled straw and 4 of them had a significant amount of cereal samples which were identified as a barley-wheat mixture.

Although cited as a village in older literature, recent studies show Kom K lacking in evidence of definite settlement structures that would convey permanent and continuous settlement. Rather, Kom K likely had intermittent occupation settlements and strong associations as a storage center, yet a village is not necessarily ruled out.

Kom W
The mound covering an area of approximately 7196 m², Kom W was situated by an inlet of Lake Moeris whose clays and sands made the area arable with evidence of a concentration of querns upon them. Kom W referred to be the origin of the "Fayum industry" by Caton-Thompson and Gardner.