Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

MAREA

EGYPT

production centers are represented by
several fragments of jpatheia of North
African origin.
The low representation of imported Late
Roman tablewares was noted previously,
particularly the notable absence of common
trans-Mediterranean ware-groups, like Af-
rican Red Slip or Phocaean Red Ware,
usually quite frequent in the not so distant
Alexandria.13) Only occasional sherds of
7th-century Cypriot Red Slip Ware (LRP
form 9) were identified in the collected
assemblage {Fig. 3:1). Egyptian Red Slip A
Ware (Aswan) is represented by some dozen
or so pieces: mostly plates (Elephantine
forms: T273, T279) {Fig. 3:2), and bowls
(Elephantine forms: T324, T344, T367,
T370) (Fig. 3:4-6), invariably dated to the
same period.1-0 Some fragments of the
white-slip variety of bowls and plates
(Elephantine forms: T357b, T255) were
also noted {Fig. 3:7). Although most of the

relevant pottery provides only summary
datings, it is clear that the excavated
material as a whole should be attributed to
a chronological horizon ranging from the
late 6th to the end of the 7th century AD,
with some forms continuing well into the
8th century.
Other finds, including numerous glass
fragments and lamps typical to that
period, largely corroborate the overall
chronological picture. The coins found in
the bath are still awaiting proper
identification, but most of them could be
tentatively attributed to the 7th century;
a few might be even later post-reform fils.
In any case, not a single sherd of glazed
pottery has been recorded — a fact which
may be viewed as tangible proof that the
baths were abandoned sometime in the
early 8th century at the latest, before the
early lead-glazed pottery had been intro-
duced on a larger scale.n)

13) G. Majcherek, “The Late Roman Ceramics...”, op. cit., 91-92.
14) R. Gempeler, Elephantine X. Die Keramik romischer bis friiharabischer Zeit (Mainz 1992), 86-87, 96, 101, 108-110.
15) For a discussion of the beginning of glazing in Islamic Egypt, cf. particularly G.T. Scanlon, “Slip-Painted Lead-Glazed
Wares From Fustat: A Dilemma of Nomenclature”, in: Colloque international d'archeologie islamique, ed. R.-P. Gayraud
(Cairo 1998), 21-53; id., “Early Lead Glazed Wares in Egypt: An Imported Wrinkle”, in: Quest for Understanding: Arabic
and Islamic Studies in Memory of Malcolm H. Kerr, eds. S. Seikaly et ah, (Beirut 1991), 253-262; Scanlon argues
convincingly that the glazing technique in Egypt commenced around AD 700. For early glazed ware in Abu Mena, cf.
J. Engemann, “Das Ende der Wallfahrten nach Abu Mina und die Datierung fruher islamischer glasierter Keramik in
Agypten", Jahrbuch fur Antike und Christentum 32 (1989), 161-177.

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