Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

MAREA

EGYPT

cellar and the southernmost of the
hypocaust walls, altogether in five places
along this section.
An arched niche, constructed of brick,
was revealed in the east wall of the
hypocaust cellar, next to pool R.
Substantial evidence of burned brick could
indicate the presence of chimney flues
meant to heat the walls of this pool.
Burned brick and ashes — presumed as
evidence of a furnace — were revealed by its
west wall, close to the passage leading to
the space under room A2. Its location is
entirely logical in this spot, yet it is also

possible that the cellar was heated by the
furnace O, uncovered last year, which
served to heat the washbasin in the
apodyterium. On top of this furnace there
was ample room for two instead of just one
boiler. There were four smoke flues
installed here, as well as a channel leading
to the hypocaust cellar. In small public
bathing establishments, especially in
Egypt,systems of this kind were used in
conjunction with appropriate installations
for water-circulation management.
The south wall of the hypocaust cellar,
slightly off-set, was furnished with two


Fig. 6. Hypocaust cellar under room A1, view from the west
(Photo T. Kalarus)

3) In Karanis, for example, cf. S. A. El-Nassery, G. Wagner, G. Castel, Un grand bain greco-romain a Karanis, BIFAO 76
(1976), 265-266. Similarly in a villa in Boscoreale in Italy, where one of the furnaces heated the hypocaust cellar and a water
boiler, cf. J. Durm, Die Baukunst der Romer (Stuttgart 1905), figs. 772, 773.

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