Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

WEST SAQQARA

EGYPT

Unas pyramid),4) Dashur (tomb of Netjer-
aperef),51 and Giza (early mastabas).61
The jar with modeled rim and internal
groove is rarer. The only rim found in this
campaign (SQ 01-999, Fig. 1) was made of
Marl Cl clay. The rim was thrown, while
the rest was handmade. Jars of Marl C clay,
but dating from the Sixth Dynasty, were
shaped in the same way.71 Rims of a similar
shape, but made of Marl A or Nile B, were
found in the previous seasons. Parallels
come from Dashur.8)
Bowls with internal ledge below the
rim constitute the third recognized type.

They are made of Nile silt Bl, B2 or C,
probably on a turntable. The surface is
uncoated and the base scraped. One
example (SQ 01-1000) is preserved suf-
ficiently to reconstruct practically the
entire shape. There are two main varieties:
small with a diameter of c. 20 cm, and big
with a diameter of c. 30-32 cm. They are
usually fired in a reduced atmosphere,
resulting in a gray or reddish-gray color.
Bowls of this type are well known from the
Memphite necropolis: Saqqara (tomb of
Hesi-Ra)91 Dashur (North Pyramid of
Snofru,10’ tomb of Netjer-aperef,111) Giza.121

SHAFT 51

Shaft 51 contained a secondary filling
composed of mud brick — probably from
the mastaba superstructure — and several
sherds.131 Their original provenance is not
known. All of the pots are dated to the
early Sixth Dynasty. The beer jars are like
those from the complex of Meref-nebef.
A broken vessel (SQ 01-1035) (Fig. 2)
was found in the burial chamber, east of
the sarcophagus. It seems to have been part
of the original tomb equipment. It is

a globular jar with flat base, a collar on the
shoulders, probably narrow neck and
vestigial loop handle. It was handmade of
at least four parts, joined at the shoulder
and the lower part of the body. The base is
shaped with a tool (knife?) and the outside
surface is red-slipped and burnished. There
are five vertical marks on the lower body,
made with a rope impressed into the
leather-hard clay before firing. The clay is
hard, dense and contains a quantity of

4) H. Ghaly, “Ein Friedhof von Ziegelmastabas des Alten Reiches am Unasweg in Saqqara”, MDAIK 50 (1994), 66-69,
Abb. 5.
5) N. Alexanian, “Das Grab des Prinzen Netjer-aperef. Die Mastaba II/l in Dahschur. Dahschur II”, AV 56 (1999), 132-
134, Abb. 54, M 28-39.
6) Type A LVI, cf.: G. A. Reisner, A History of the Giza Necropolis, vol. I (Cambridge Massachusetts 1942), figs. 279,
285, 289, 287; vol. II, completed and revised by W. S. Smith (Cambridge Massachusetts 1955), 72, fig. 88.
7) This method was still in use during the Middle Kingdom, as revealed in the present author's study of Middle Kingdom
material from Elephantine, Qubett el-Hawa.
8) Alexanian, Dahschur II, op. cit., 138, Abb. M 68-69, made of Nile D; R. Stadelmann, N. Alexanian, “Die Friedhofe
des Alten und Mittleren Reiches in Dahschur”, MDAIK 54 (1998), Abb. 6.9.; D. Faltings, “Die Keramik aus den
Grabungen an der nordlichen Pyramiden des Snofru in Dahschur. Arbeitsbericht liber die Kampagnen 1983-1986”,
MDAIK 45 (1989), Abb. 12, no. A 54.
9) J. E. Quibell, The Tomb of Hesy (Le Caire 1913), pi. 27.
10) Faltings, op. cit., 146-147, Abb. 12 a, no. A 28.
11) Alexanian, Dahschur II, op. cit., 144-147, Abb. 59, Tf. 19, M. 110.
12) The tomb of Hetep-heres, cf. Reisner, Giza II, op. cit., fig. 75; mastaba at Nezlet Batran, cf. K. Kromer, Nezlet Batran.
Eine Mastaba aus dem Alten Reich bei Giseh (Agypten). Osterreichische Ausgrabungen 1981-1983 (Wien 1991), Taf. 24,2.
13) For details, see contribution of K. O. Kuraszkiewicz in this volume.

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