Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (11.1999(2000))

WEST SAQQARA

Ptolemaic and Roman times. Numerous
burials (mummies in cartonnages,
wooden, clay or reed coffins, or without
any box) were deposited in the upper
layers of the sand stratum, occasionally
buried in deeper pits cut into the under-
lying Old Kingdom structures (e.g.
Burial 74, deposited in the SE corner of
Chapel 2). The only architectural
remains (apart from the enigmatic brick
platform) that are to be connected with
this phase comprise a broad wall run-
ning NS immediately to the east of

Meref-nebef's mastaba, constructed of
limestone blocks (presumably robbed
from the temenos wall of Netjerykhet's
complex) discovered in 1997.17) It was
founded on a thick layer of sand. The
purpose of such a structure (traces of
which are still visible in the south wall
of the trench) remains obscure. To this
period one can also attribute the above-
mentioned layers of limestone fragments
and powder, reflecting extensive plun-
dering of stone from earlier structures
and its reworking.


Fig. 4. Area I/I. East wall of the sector above the brick platform
(Interpreted drawing A Cwiek, after field drawing by M. Radomska)

17) Mysliwiec, PAM IX, Reports 1997, op. cit., 90.19-

116