Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

strata overlying the cemetery. Two frag-
mentary stelae bearing Quranic verses in
Kufic script were found in different
locations (nos. 5063-5064) (Fig- 3);
unfortunately, they cannot be ascribed to
specific graves . Several examples of lead-
glazed lamps dated to the 11th-12th
century AD were also recovered (e.g. no.
5057).5) Apart from minute fragments of
glass vessels and an assortment of
commonwares, such as cooking pots,
frying pans, bowls and dishes, there was
quite a variety of tableware. The types are
a representative cross-section of the glazed
ware repertoire. As before, Egyptian wares,

both Mamluk Sgraff and Slip Painted,
form a group that is numerically the
largest. They were accompanied by a few
finds of wares imported from production
centers in the Byzantine realm, notably
Cyprus, as well as Tunisia. Some fragments
of Yemeni pottery were also recorded. The
evidence taken as a whole is fully in accord
with the results obtained previously,
confirming the 12th-13th century AD
dating of the cemetery.
This year's large-scale clearing of the
topmost cemetery layer in Sector E prepares
the ground for comprehensive exploration
to follow in the next campaign.


Fig. 3- Sector E. Funerary stela fragment, no. 3064
(Photo W. Jerke)
5) W. Kubiak, “Medieval Ceramic Oil Lamps from Fustat”, Ars Orientalis VIII (1970), 1-18, type H.

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