Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

intervals, the ones at either end being
approximately 15 to 20 cm away from the
endboards {Fig. 5). The condition of these
strips (split and with holes torn out of their
substance) suggests that they were affixed
to the long boards in some form of inside
reinforcement of the coffin bottom or lid.
This hypothesis is substantiated by what
was noted on one of the boards believed to
be from the lid: on the inside surface,
which (as in the case of all of the boards)
bears some kind of limewash (?), there is
a crosswise strip that failed to be covered
with the substance, and it is exactly along
this strip that holes (nails?) were ripped in
the wood, resulting in the board breaking
in two in this place {Fig. 6).
The position of the presumed end-
boards confirms that the coffin had
disintegrated without being moved, ac-
cidentally or otherwise, later on. The
boards were 36 cm wide and at least 26 cm
high; their thickness fell in the range of
2.5 and 3 cm and, while none of the nails
have survived, the jagged sides can be
presumed as evidence of iron nails having
been used to fix the endboards to the
coffin body.


Fig. 3. Remains of a wooden coffin found in
grave E 9 A. The crosswise strips have
been marked in black
(Drawing E. Szpakowska)


Fig. 6. Piece of wooden coffin from grave E 9A. Evidence of inside limewash?
(Photo I. Zych)

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