Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

ALEXANDRIA

EXCAVATIONS

Large-scale soil removal from the western
section of the site permitted a stepping up
of archaeological work in the area of the
Theater Portico, where in the past four
campaigns approximately 800 sq.m had
been cleared.2) The key objective this
season was to extend the excavation north-
wards and uncover yet another portion of
the so-called Upper Necropolis phase
(11th-12th century AD) of the vast Moslem
graveyard overlying the Theatre Portico.3)
AREA E
Altogether some 32 graves cleared last
season (E 1-E 31) were excavated in toto.

This fragment of the cemetery shows clear
signs of internal patterning, Some graves
were grouped together forming separate
entities enclosed within a perimeter wall. In
most cases, however, the extant walls did
not survive beyond the lowermost courses.
At least three such enclosures were
recognized (E 3, E 8, E 16), each grouping
four to six graves. In all probability they
may be viewed as familial groups. The
anthropological research planned for the
next season may shed more light on this
question.
Remains of wooden coffins came to
light most unexpectedly in two graves (E 3


Fig. 1. Area E. Moslem necropolis. Graves E 49-E 52, viewed from the west
(Photo G. Majcherek)

2) For a general situation plan of the site, cf. G. Majcherek, PAM XII, Reports 2000 (2001), Fig. 1 on page 24.
3) For previous exploration in the area, cf. G. Majcherek, “Excavations at Kom el-Dikka 1997-98. A Preliminary Report”,
ASAE 1A (1999), 39-55; id., PAM XI, Reports 1999 (2000), 27-38; id., PAM XII, op. cit., 23-34; id., PAM XIII, Reports
2001 (2002), 31-44.

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