Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

MAREA

EGYPT

LATRINE

Behind the north wall of the courtyard ran
a passage leading to a rectangular stone
structure, F5, which was enclosed by
a separate wall. Between the wall and the
building there was a narrow ditch that was
2 m deep. The only possible interpretation
of the function of this structure was that it
had been used as a latrine — toilets were
essential to the functioning of a bath
(Fig. 6). The facilities itself above this deep

and narrow ditch have not been preserved,
but it should be assumed that they were
flushed with water from the bath pools,
discharged through channel Q7, as well as
by rainwater and sewage from the drainage
system starting in the courtyard. A further
section of the channel (Q7) was traced in the
east wall of the latrine, where it turned at
right angles to the north and joined the
course of the E-W channel.

AREA F3

The space between the courtyard and the
other site of concentrated activities this
season was occupied by a number of struc-
tures of unidentified purpose. The reused
column shafts set up in a semicircle in F3
could have been used as a screen for
a bonfire that may have burned here, to

judge by the 10-20 cm thick layer of ashes
visible in the eastern trench wall, as well as
in a baulk left in the northern part of the
area. One of the shafts, which appeared to be
damaged by erosion, had been plastered and
painted red. The assemblage from the actual
fireplace was quite uniform, including


Fig. 6. Latrine. View from the north, area of the courtyard in the background
(Photo T. Kalarus)

43