The University of Michigan Near East Research Expedition has been engaged since 1924–25 in the excavation of the site of ancient Karanis, now known as Kom Aushim or Kom Washim, on the northern border of the Fayyum to the east of Birket Qarun. Kom Aushim was selected as the target site in October 1924, because the ruins there were in a better state of preservation than at other Greco-Roman sites.