The site of Gurob lies in the south-eastern section of the Faiyum region, on a desert plain, adjacent to the fertile land. It is located in the area that would have formed the entrance to the Faiyum in the New Kingdom. As with Amarna, it has also been possible to undertake a spatial analysis for Gurob, at least with the material recorded in recent years through the work of the active mission. Artefactual evidence from previous missions, such as Petrie’s and Hughes-Hughes’, was also considered, but can only be discussed with regard to its nature, as precise find locations were, unfortunately, not recorded. Gurob, like Amarna, can be regarded as an atypical settlement. The palace, which is this site’s main element, has been interpreted as a harem palace, the dwelling of the ladies belonging to the royal household. A variety of Ramesside papyri making reference to high officials belonging to the royal harem of Mer-Wer (translated as ‘the Great Canal’) form the largest group of evidence of this interpretation. Other factors in this connection are the purchase of the famous head of Queen Tiye by Borchardt, as well as the very frequent finding of clay woman-on-bed figurines by the present mission, which probably had a place in ritual activities. Gurob, with its position at the entrance to the Faiyum in the New Kingdom, would have played an important role for trade and diplomacy in the area. Despite its somewhat specialized function the settlement has been included in this analysis, as it was occupied for a considerable amount of time and thus represents a valid example of a New Kingdom royal city. Petrie excavated at Gurob for two seasons, in 1888 and in 1889–90. He excavated in the cemeteries, but mainly in the palace buildings and enclosure, as well as the area he initially interpreted as a temple. The majority of finds from his excavations are in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London, although only about forty finds can be regarded with certainty as having come from Gurob.
