Andrews University, MI, USA

Tomb A 82SE was one of three parts of tomb A 82 and was located between the other two chambers and directly against another tomb, Tomb A 85. Tomb A 82SE was unearthed when Dr. Lapp’s team while they were excavating its neighboring tomb, A 82SW. Due to a weak barrier between the Southwest chamber (A 82SW) and the Southeast chamber (A 82SE), the ceiling and entrance of the tomb collapsed which forced Lapp’s team to excavate from outside the tomb, where they were able to find a number of ceramic vessels surrounding a small pile of human remains in the center. Tomb cutters working on A 85 had made a hole between A 82 SE and A 85, presumably while preparing the later tomb. It is thought that these two tombs are close in time due to the similarity in pottery present.^[2]Thomas R. Schaub and Walter E. Rast,Bâb Edh-Dhra: Excavation in the Cemetery Directed by Paul W. Lapp (Winona Lake: American School of Oriental Research, 1989) (p.166-168)

The pottery found in Tomb A 82SE were tiny ceramics pieces whose purpose, while unknown, was hypothesized to be utensils with which to eat.^[3]Thomas R. Schaub and Walter E. Rast,Bâb Edh-Dhra: Excavation in the Cemetery Directed by Paul W. Lapp (Winona Lake: American School of Oriental Research, 1989) (p.248)

These tiny ceramics were a rare find amongst the other types of pottery in the tombs of Bab edh-Dhra. Because of the unique qualities of this tomb group, many institutions were interested in purchasing it. Nancy Lapp ended up selling the tomb group to the Lowie Museum of University of California, Berkeley. However, the staff of Museum were not happy with what they received. Originally, the Lowie Museum had wanted a charnel house tomb group for their display case in the museum lobby.^[4]Correspondence from Frank Norick to Nancy Lapp, 17 February 1978.

However, charnel house tomb groups were in high demand, so they were sent tomb group A 82 SE instead. The Lowie Museum was far from satisfied with their purchase once the materials arrived, writing to Lapp “What we received is totally different from the advertisement—with its photograph of full-sized, complete, and some decorated vessels—led us to expect…We feel deceived and wonder whether those 15 institutions requesting groups in excess of the pottery available aren’t the fortunate ones after all.”^[5]Correspondence from George F. Dales to Nancy Lapp, 2 June 1978.   The Lowie Museum was refunded by Nancy Lapp and the A 82SE tomb group was sent to Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan.^[6]Correspondence from Nancy Lapp to Frank Norick, 7 March 1979.    While being transported, some of the vessels were broken, yet Andrews University still put them on display^[7]Correspondence from Lawrence Geraty to Nancy Lapp, 13 October 1978.

While not currently on display, due to renovations to the Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Museum at Andrews University, there are plans to use some of the artifacts for a new and permanent Early Bronze Age themed-display. The pots that remain in the collection vault at Andrews University will be available for study by qualified scholars and for educational uses by the professors of Near Eastern Archaeology courses and other related classes.^[8]Correspondence from Robert Bates to Lily Zenger, 6 February 2018.