Bi3w Pwnt in the archaeological record. Preliminary results and perspective of research

This paper is devoted to the study of occurrence of the bi3w, the products from Punt, in the archaeological record and, more generally, to the contribution archaeology can provide to the study of the Egypt-Punt trade. In particular, special emphasis is given to the reconstruction of aspects of this trade which can be only partially studied through texts and iconographic evidence, such as trade organization, the management of commodities, and the trade routes. Ebony, obsidian, baboons and dogs are discussed as study cases. Finds from Mersa/Wadi Gawasis, the Middle Kingdom harbor on the Egyptian Red Sea coast from where the maritime expeditions to the land of Punt were launched, as well as from Eastern Sudan, a region which may have been part of Punt, are discussed. Finally, the potential of the contribution archaeometry can provide to the study of the Egypt-Punt trade is emphasized and an agenda is suggested.