Last Days in Saqqara: Closing to Begin Again
Autumn has officially arrived here in Saqqara. Work now begins with the sun already high, but the atmosphere has changed: the intense heat of the past weeks has given way to a steady breeze and clouds scattered across the horizon. At times, it almost feels like it might rain.
It’s time to wrap up the excavation. After weeks of fieldwork, the tasks remain the same, but the rhythm shifts - it’s no longer about uncovering, but about checking, completing, and putting things in order.

Photography on Site: Capturing to Document
The weather has been changing these days in Saqqara: the light arrives earlier, and the days have turned unusually warm—almost humid. It’s strange for this time of year; the air should be cooling down. As a result, work on site has become more demanding: the sand is hotter, the air thicker. 
And yet, every morning we can’t help but marvel at the spectacle of dawn.

Saqqara in Fragments: The Story Told by Pottery 
We’re already into the second week of the mission, and the rhythm of excavation has become part of our daily life. 
The minibus drives off quickly, raising a cloud of dust and sand, while we remain south of Djoser’s pyramid, just a few steps away from the area we’re exploring. The morning air is still cool: bundled up in windbreakers and scarves, we shoulder our backpacks and head toward the site. It’s exactly 7:00 a.m. 

Saqqara, here we go again. 
When we leave the mission house in Abusir, it’s just daybreak—exactly 6:20 a.m. The first rays of light paint the sky red and reflect off the sand, which glows with golden hues. Someone hurriedly finishes a cup of coffee before getting on the minibus; someone else adjusts backpacks and equipment. Few words are spoken—everyone still feels the pull of sleep. Some silently review the tasks ahead, while others simply stare out the window. 

Starting today, July 8, 2025, visitors can explore the newly redesigned gallery dedicated to Iti and Neferu, as well as the small room devoted to Princess Ahmose, thanks to the important research and curatorial work carried out by Beppe Moiso, Enrico Ferraris, and Cinzia Soddu, and the exhibition design by Enrico Barbero and Piera Luisolo.

After nearly eight months of renovation work, the Temple of Ellesiya have reopened to the public, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing restoration and reorganization efforts