Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

MAREA

EGYPT

or leaf-shaped pattern and covering
practically all of the body.5)
Amphorae present a more diversified
picture (Fig. 2). Nonetheless, the bulk of
the containers is again made up of locally
produced amphorae.6) Most of them be-
long to small bag-shaped vessels (Fig. 2:1),
(Kellia forms 187-190), usually dated to
the mid 7th-mid 8th centuries ADM The
same shapes, however, are also repeated in
dark red, hard, metallic Nile silt fabric
with considerable straw temper.8’ Their
bigger counterpart (Fig. 2:2) (Late Roman
5/6, Kellia form 186), believed to be
manufactured in the nearby Abu Mena

district, is also present.9) All these am-
phorae were presumably used as wine
containers. Wine production in the region
was apparently still flourishing in the Late
Roman period. This phenomenon is
perhaps best evidenced by wineries,
a growing number of which is being
discovered in the neighboring region.10)
For the first time this season we came across
numerous fragments of a fairly ephemeral
class of amphorae (Kellia 167), produced in
typical Nile silt fabric, much like that of
the bag-shaped amphorae.1 D Given their
characteristic shape, they can be considered
an Egyptian version of the widespread


Fig. 1. Mareotic carinated bowls. Scale 1:4
[Drawing G. Majcherek)

5) M. Rodziewicz, “Mareotic incised pottery of Coptic period”, in: Le site monastique Copte des Kellia, Actes du Colloque
de Geneve (Geneve 1986), 311-321.
6) On the amphora production in the Mareotic region, cf. J.-Y. Empereur, M. Picon, “Les ateliers d'amphores du Lac
Mariut”, BCH Suppl. 33 (1998), 75-91, listing 28 different sites in the Mareotic region.
7) M. Egloff, Kellia. La poterie Copte (Geneve 1977), 115, pi. 22:3-5,11; 61:4-6.
8) Amphorae of the type produced of alluvial clays are common in Egypt, even in the 9th-10th centuries. For a recently
discovered kiln, cf. P. Ballet, “Un atelier d'amphores LRA5/6 a Kom Abu Billou”, Chronique d'Egypte LXIX (1994), 353-
365.
9) J. Engemann, “A propos des amphores d'Abou Mina”, CCE 3 (1992), 153-159.
10) M. Rodziewicz, “Classification of wineries from Mareotis”, BCH Suppl. 33 (1998), 27-36; F. Ashmawy, “Pottery kiln
and wine factory at Burg el Arab”, BCH Suppl. 33 (1998), 55-64.
11) M. Egloff, op.cit., 113, pi. 57,7. Amphorae of this class in Alexandria are normally associated with the 7th-8th century
deposits, cf. G. Majcherek, “The Late Roman ceramics from sector G”, ET XVI (1992), 81-117. Several examples have been
reported also from Fayum, cf. W. Godlewski et all., “Deir el Naqlun, 1988-89, Second preliminary report”, Nubica III/l
(1994), 232, pi. 21,2-3.

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