Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (11.1999(2000))

HAWARTE

SYRIA


Our activities during this season were
meant to complete the excavation and
restoration of the mithraeum (Fig. 1)
found recently under the church of
Archbishop Photios, excavated by Maria
Teresa and Pierre Canivet in the 1970s.2)
Last year we were able to determine the
approximate dimensions of the under-
ground room and to uncover its north and
east walls, decorated with mural paint-
ings. We were, however, hindered in our

investigations by a large piece of rock
ceiling fallen on the fill of the room. The
ceiling has largely preserved its painted
decoration and had to be handled with the
utmost care.
Over the course of the season the rock
ceiling was removed and the room was
excavated, but the third objective, build-
ing a permanent shelter over it, could not
be carried out based on the prepared
design, as the mithraeum complex turned


Fig. 1. General situation of the Mithraeum within the Photios church
(Drawing G. Majcherek)

2) T. and P. Canivet, Huarte. Sanctuaire chretien d'Apamene (IVe-VIe s.) (Paris 1987).

262