Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

MARINA EL-ALAMEIN

EGYPT

band c. 0.30 m wide. Loculi were in
principle 0.70-0.77 m wide and separated
by partitions 0.28 m wide.
Interestingly, two ships were drawn in
black charcoal on the east wall (Fig. 6),
more or less in the band between the two
rows of drafted loculi. One of the ships,
drawn very cursorily, is probably a large
cargo vessel. The other seems to be a faster
ship, probably a galley. It has a pointed
prow, curving back at the top. It was
probably decorated. Along the sides there
was probably a row of oars. The galley ship
was in use both in the Hellenistic period
and in Early Imperial times.
Three offering tables had been placed in
front of the loculi (Fig. 7). A round one had
a wide top (wider on the upper surface,

with a diameter 0.725 m and 0.14 m
thick). It was probably set up on a square
leg, but two smaller stones found lying
nearby may have been used just as well.
The table stood in the southeastern corner
not far from the east wall. A rectangular
table in the middle of the south wall
(Fig. 8) had a wide molded top (the plain
strap edges were 3.5 /3.8 cm at front, the
molded band was 2.2-2.5 cm wide) that
was 0.96 m long, 0.56 m wide and some
0.125 m thick. It was supported on two
legs carved in the front with a flat foot and
a widening upper part, measuring 0.62 m
high, 0.17 m wide and 0.36 m deep. These
rested on a low rectangular podium
measuring 1.01 m long in the front, 0.63-
0.65 m wide and 0.21 m high with its


Fig. 7. Tomb 29. View of the burial chamber after exploration, the offering tables standing in
place (Photo W.A. Daszewski)
4) L. Casson, Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World (1971); RE XIII, 1, l43ff s.v. Libuma; also Kleine Pauly, 3, 627.

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