Egyptian cubits and Late Roman architecture: the design of the forts of the Kharga Oasis (Egypt)

Abstract: The Kharga Oasis, in Egypt’s Western Desert, is endowed with a scatter of Late Roman forts and fortified settlements. The architectural remains of Umm al-Dabadib, the largest and best-preserved site, were surveyed in 3D in 2014 at a high level of accuracy and precision. The ensuing 3D model allowed a detailed metrological study of the fort, which revealed that this building was planned and built using Egyptian cubits. The other Late Roman forts of Kharga have not been surveyed as accurately as Umm al-Dabadib, but nevertheless a careful analysis of their architectural remains reveals that the same conclusions may be extended to these buildings also. This article presents the results of this investigation, which represent the latest attestation of the use of this unit of measurement in architecture, and suggest that these buildings were the outcome of a joint Roman and Egyptian effort to guard the empire’s frontier.