Expedition Report - Egypt (Francis Kelsey, November 12, 1924)
Photographs - Near East Expeditions, Box 3, Francis W. Kelsey Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
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This report, written by Francis Kelsey and submitted to the University of Michigan Near East Research Fund, details Kelsey's search for a suitable excavation site in Egypt in late 1924. He and his colleagues first visited an area in El Ma'abda, about 200 miles south of Cairo, but Kelsey says that he found the site disappointing, and that the local mayor demanded too high a rate of pay for his laborers. The second site the UM crew visited was Kom Aushim, and Kelsey writes that his colleagues were "literally amazed" at how promising the site seemed. He then enthusiastically lists several reasons why he feels the University should fund an excavation at Kom Aushim, and notes that even before permission to dig there had been received, the staff ordered the construction of a camp at the site, anticipating approval and eager to start the excavation as soon as possible.