Talk:Dihmit South

Mineral extraction at Dihmit South

Was this mine used for Gold/Copper mining or for Amethyst extraction? The most comprehensive and expansive article written by James A. Harrell and Robert E. Mittelstaedt on the issue published in The Sudan Archaeological Research Society's' No.19 Bulletin in 2015 ([1]https://issuu.com/sudarchrs/docs/s_n19_harrell-mittelstaedt - Free Online Access) states that:

"The longest and best-preserved of the texts (Plate 20) reads: (line 1) Regnal year 31 under the majesty of Horus, Life of Births; (line 2) the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Kheper-Ka-Re, Son of Re, Senusret [I], may he live like Re forever and ever; (line 3) his true and favorite servant, a man of...[possibly the hometown of this official as a city determinative appears to be written] who does what is praised by the one who sent can mean amethyst, bronze (or copper) or natron depending on the context (Harris 1961, 63-64, 121-122 and 195-196), but in this case it can only refer to either amethyst or cop- per. If the gemstone is meant, it must come from the Wadi el-Hudi mine because no trace of amethyst has been found at Dihmit-South. And if it is the metal that Hsmn refers to, this could well be the copper ore in the Dihmit-South mine."

Thus it seems that the already existing article for Wadi el-Hudi about the amethyst extraction is already covered, and Dihmit South was certainly a Gold mine as covered by this source earlier, and also most likely a Copper and not Amethyst mine. Zelenogradskiy (talk) 15:10, 26 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The Wadi el-Hudi Expedition found extensive amounts of amethyst at Dihmit South. And their work post dates Jim Harrell's. https://wadielhudi.com/archaeological-sites/. Plus in Jim's recent book from May 2024, https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/Products/9781803275819 [archaeopress.com] He also says its amethyst. Please update your sources. Plus Hsmn in Egyptian means "bronze" not "copper". Hsmn only refers to the alloy, not the original material. So the inscription does NOT refer to copper. There is no evidence for copper at Dihmit South. It is definitively an amethyst mine. KateLiszka (talk) 15:28, 30 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

@KateLiszka Great sources, thanks for clarifying my confusion. I'll try and get access for the book through my university and add the information with the quote.

Thanks again, have a good day. Zelenogradskiy (talk) 16:06, 30 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]