Austria's archaeological activity in Egypt represents a long tradition which dates back to Hermann Junker; this tradition necessitated a stable base, active all year round, in Cairo. The next step was the establishment of a scientific Secretariat at the Austrian Cultural Institute in Cairo, later the Cultural Department of the Austrian Embassy in Cairo. In 1971, Manfred Bietak was instructed to build up Austria's own archaeological research institute in Egypt; at that time, such research was carried out under the auspices of the Institute for Egyptology and African Affairs of the University of Vienna. In 1973, this new research institute was affiliated to the OEAI and thereby achieved official status in Austria.
The main focus of activity of the OEAI in Cairo is Tell el-Dab'a in the eastern Nile Delta (the Director of Excavations since 1966 is Manfred Bietak). Here, a trading centre of the Middle Kingdom, the capital city of the Hyksos, Avaris, and the Delta residence of the 19th and 20th Dynasties, Piramesse, have been located. In recent years, the citadel of the Hyksos and of the early 18th Dynasty has been discovered at the western border of the city near 'Ezbet Helmi, where numerous wall plaster fragments with Minoan frescoes have come to light. These were attached to a palace of the early 18th Dynasty, which perhaps is to be associated with the founder of the New Kingdom, King Ahmose (ca. 1542-1525 B.C.).
The research of the OEAI Cairo led in 1975 to the creation of the publication series "Untersuchungen der Zweigstelle Kairo des Österreichischen Archäologischen Institutes," (Investigations of the Cairo Branch of the Austrian Archaeological Institute) of which Volumes 1-24 have appeared. The journal "Egypt and the Levant" is published jointly with the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Institute for Egyptology of the University of Vienna.
Close cooperation exists between the OEAI Cairo and the Institute for Egyptology of the University of Vienna, a cooperation which is underscored by the fact that the same individual serves as Director of both institutions.

The library is open to the public upon application.

Address:
Zamalek, Sharia Ismail Muhammed Apt. 62/72
ET-Kairo
Tel.: 00202-7362356, 00202-7356871, 00202-7356268
Fax: 00202-7355426
E-Mail: kairo@oeai.at

Bibliography:
M. Bietak, Die Zweigstelle Kairo, in: 100 Jahre Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut 1898 - 1998, SoSchrÖAI 31 (1998) 89-92.

Contact:
irene.forstner_mueller@oeai.at