DOI issue:
Egypt
DOI article:Majcherek, Grzegorz: Kom el-Dikka: excavations, 1998/99
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41274#0033
ALEXANDRIA
EGYPT
Two tombs (nos. M 255 and M 256)
located in the western part of the excava-
tion trench were exceptionally well pre-
served {Fig. 4). The aboveground struc-
tures measured 1.60 x 2.40 m. The smooth
mortar lining them was decorated with
incised geometrical design. Floors inside
the tombs were also plastered with lime
mortar. Each had a small run-off opening
for rain water pierced through the eastern
wall.
Examples of simple internment were
also recorded between the built tombs.
Bodies were buried in shallow trenches
without any additional, protective struc-
tures.
Exploration of the overlying layers pro-
duced the usual broad spectrum of finds,
including several fragments of glazed
lamps, coins, and quite a number of sherds
of Medieval ceramics representing various
production centers, both Egyptian and for-
eign. Wares originating from the Eastern
Mediterranean (Cypriot and Aegean), as
well as fragments of vessels produced in
Tunisia and Sicily were recorded. The
Egyptian ceramic industry was represented
mostly by Fatimid and Ayyubid pottery, as
well as a variety of Mamluk Slip Painted
and Sgrafif wares. The layers accompanying
the burials yielded a surprisingly small
number of finds: a few dozen locally pro-
duced plain wares, a small piece of an
Arabic funerary inscription, and several
fragments of aeolipiles dated mostly to the
Fatimid period.
A level of the Lower Necropolis was
cleared immediately below the layer of
debris, ashes and rubble (c. 8.10-6.85 m
above sea level). Ten graves dated to the
8th-9th centuries AD were explored
(M 270-279). Burials belonging to this
phase of the cemetery were largely dug
into the pavement of the portico, destroy-
ing much of it in the process.
THEATER PORTICO
A large section (c. 13 m) of the massive
Portico backwall was cleared close to the east-
ern edge of the trench. It is in surprisingly
good condition, rising in places to a height of
some 2.50 m above the level of the pavement.
The bond of this wall comprises small irreg-
ular stones interrupted with triple courses of
brick tiles at intervals, all set in ashy lime
mortar, with an ashlar casing (similarly as in
certain parts of the Theater).
Two levels of the portico paving were
cleared, both found to be seriously dam-
aged by later Medieval burials. The upper
one made of smaller slabs showed signs of
prolonged use and frequent patching
with the help of smaller irregular slabs or
rubble bonded in lime mortar. The lower
level of the pavement appeared more reg-
ular with better matching slabs measur-
ing some 0.50 x 0.70 m. The presence of
two superimposed pavements indicates
a major rebuilding of the entire portico,
an operation that is also evidenced by
some clearly discernible signs of restruc-
turing in the Portico stylobate. In the
initial phase, columns had stood on low
pedestals lined with marble tiles. In the
phase that followed, the intercolumnar
spaces were filled with two additional
courses of large blocks corresponding to
the raised paving. It is tempting to asso-
ciate this event with a major rebuilding
of the Theater that followed the earth-
quake in AD 535, though this hypothesis
should be tested against more reliable
dating evidence.
A column of gray Aswan granite was
found lying close to its original position in
the Portico, extending to the west under
31
EGYPT
Two tombs (nos. M 255 and M 256)
located in the western part of the excava-
tion trench were exceptionally well pre-
served {Fig. 4). The aboveground struc-
tures measured 1.60 x 2.40 m. The smooth
mortar lining them was decorated with
incised geometrical design. Floors inside
the tombs were also plastered with lime
mortar. Each had a small run-off opening
for rain water pierced through the eastern
wall.
Examples of simple internment were
also recorded between the built tombs.
Bodies were buried in shallow trenches
without any additional, protective struc-
tures.
Exploration of the overlying layers pro-
duced the usual broad spectrum of finds,
including several fragments of glazed
lamps, coins, and quite a number of sherds
of Medieval ceramics representing various
production centers, both Egyptian and for-
eign. Wares originating from the Eastern
Mediterranean (Cypriot and Aegean), as
well as fragments of vessels produced in
Tunisia and Sicily were recorded. The
Egyptian ceramic industry was represented
mostly by Fatimid and Ayyubid pottery, as
well as a variety of Mamluk Slip Painted
and Sgrafif wares. The layers accompanying
the burials yielded a surprisingly small
number of finds: a few dozen locally pro-
duced plain wares, a small piece of an
Arabic funerary inscription, and several
fragments of aeolipiles dated mostly to the
Fatimid period.
A level of the Lower Necropolis was
cleared immediately below the layer of
debris, ashes and rubble (c. 8.10-6.85 m
above sea level). Ten graves dated to the
8th-9th centuries AD were explored
(M 270-279). Burials belonging to this
phase of the cemetery were largely dug
into the pavement of the portico, destroy-
ing much of it in the process.
THEATER PORTICO
A large section (c. 13 m) of the massive
Portico backwall was cleared close to the east-
ern edge of the trench. It is in surprisingly
good condition, rising in places to a height of
some 2.50 m above the level of the pavement.
The bond of this wall comprises small irreg-
ular stones interrupted with triple courses of
brick tiles at intervals, all set in ashy lime
mortar, with an ashlar casing (similarly as in
certain parts of the Theater).
Two levels of the portico paving were
cleared, both found to be seriously dam-
aged by later Medieval burials. The upper
one made of smaller slabs showed signs of
prolonged use and frequent patching
with the help of smaller irregular slabs or
rubble bonded in lime mortar. The lower
level of the pavement appeared more reg-
ular with better matching slabs measur-
ing some 0.50 x 0.70 m. The presence of
two superimposed pavements indicates
a major rebuilding of the entire portico,
an operation that is also evidenced by
some clearly discernible signs of restruc-
turing in the Portico stylobate. In the
initial phase, columns had stood on low
pedestals lined with marble tiles. In the
phase that followed, the intercolumnar
spaces were filled with two additional
courses of large blocks corresponding to
the raised paving. It is tempting to asso-
ciate this event with a major rebuilding
of the Theater that followed the earth-
quake in AD 535, though this hypothesis
should be tested against more reliable
dating evidence.
A column of gray Aswan granite was
found lying close to its original position in
the Portico, extending to the west under
31