Berenike
Most of the structures in Berenike are built of semi-fossilized coral and are now completely filled in with wind-blown sand. The putative Roman harbour, south of the town, can be seen in the top-left of the picture below:
 
The centrally located temple of Serapis, built of anhydride gypsum blocks, has received most of the attention of earlier visitors but is now seriously weathered and covered with sand:
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Objective of visit:
 
 To participate in the on-going survey, excavations and study of the finds of Berenike as a member of the Berenike Project. Specific tasks included planning, the study of humans remains, photography (1994-'95), assisting in the publication process and the design of a web-site.
Date of visit:
   - January-February 1994
- January-February 1995
- January-February 1996
- February 1997
- January-February 1998
- January 2000
- January-February 2001
Fellow visitors:
   The large teams of scholars and local workmen were co-directed by Dr. Steve Sidebotham (University of Delaware) and Dr. Willeke Wendrich (University of Leiden and UCLA).
Results:
The results of the expeditions to Berenike are published by Leiden University (CNWS) and in a number of monographs and articles.
Approximate position and date of the site:   Berenike is in the extreme south of Egypt on the Red Sea coast where it was founded as a harbour by Ptolemy II in 275 BC. The main reason at first was the import of African elephants for the army, but the infrastructure was soon also used for the trade with Arabia and India. Berenike was active until about 600 AD.
Short description of the site:   The town of Berenike had to follow the retreating sea and the Ptolemaic remains are therefore inland and west from the later, Roman remains. The town is surrounded by graves and a number of ancient wells, close to the foothills, must have supplied the town with drinking water. There is no obvious harbour but this too must have moved. Excavations have shown the mix of cultures typical for a harbour. 
Additional remarks:
More information, including a list of sponsors, can be found on the Berenike web-site.
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