The Soknopaiou Nesos Project (SNP) operates in Egypt with public funding for research allocated annually by the University of Salento and by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with private sponsorships.

Thanks to the tireless activity of Cav. Luca Trombi a faithful group of Friends of SNP has been formed. Their sponsorship has been fundamental and allowed to restore objects and monuments of fine workmanship and of great scientific interest. It was also possible to realize the 3D reconstruction of the temple and the Virtual Tour at the archaeological site visible in this web site. In the future we would like to complete the 3D virtual reconstruction of the temple and of the entire archaeological site and proceed to complete the survey of the territory and of the cemeteries in order to propose a reconstruction of the landscape in the various periods in antiquity.

A scale model 1:200 of Dime, now hosted in the Museo Papirologico of the University of Salento, was realized in 2013 with contributions of L. Trombi.

The Friends of Soknopaiou Nesos Project receive constant updates on research activities of the Centro di Studi Papirologici, participate in lectures, round tables and conferences organized by the Centro and receive free publications related to Soknopaiou Nesos. They are also allowed to visit Dime during our archaeological excavations, thanks to the Mission of the University of Salento in collaboration with the Inspectorate of the SCA and the local security. A special visit to the site with archaeologists and directors of the SNP is organized every year.

Luca Trombi is a manager and entrepreneur who, beside the professional activities, has been an active supporter of cultural and social actions in Egypt and Italy. He financed some Italian archaeological projects in Egypt, as the Archaeological Mission of the Centro di Studi Papirologici of the University of Salento at Soknopaiou Nesos. Moreover, he distinguished himself by helping humanitarian associations in Africa and by supporting the Catholic Church in Cairo in favour of Italian old people and orphans resident in Egypt. The Egyptological and Papyrological Library of the Museo Papirologico of the University of Salento was entitled to Luca Trombi as a sign of gratitude for his important support to the cultural activities of the Centro di Studi Papirologici.

The Project has benefited by Sandro Vannini’ s professional photography in 2014 (http://www.laboratoriorosso.com/eng/).

How to join the Friends of Soknopaiou Nesos Project

Just send an email request to paola.davoli@unisalento.it and you will receive all the information you need for your membership.

Your help can be of fundamental importance for the prosecution of the archaeological excavations, restorations and reasearch in this important Graeco-Roman town in the Western Destert of Egypt. Join us!