Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

TELL EL-LARKHA

EGYPT

EXCAVATIONS ON THE CENTRAL KOM

TRENCH C53-75
Excavations on the summit of the Central
Tell were carried out in the same trench
where work was conducted in 2000-2001
(sections 53bd, 54a,d, 55a,d, 63bd, 64a,d,
65a,d, 73d, 74c,d, 75c,d) over an area of
506 sq. m. This year saw the exploration of
level 18 (c. 6.40 m) to level 28 (c. 5.50 m)
removing around 0.9-1-0 m of cultural
deposits. The building remains recorded in
these levels can be dated to phase 4 of the
Tell el-Farkha settlement, i.e., to the
Nagada IIIb,c period. Exploration was also
completed of the service buildings whose
walls had come into view during the
previous season's work, and of three relict

silos situated in the northern end of the
trench. Excavation in the southeastern part
of the trench concentrated on a series of
small rooms surrounding the courtyard
from the south. These rooms were found to
contain stoves, some with entire vessels
inside them.
Little change was observed in the
layout of the buildings revealed in lower
occupation levels. The one exception to
this was noted in the northwestern corner
of the trench, where the three silos were
later built. Prior to their construction,
a number of small rooms stood in this area
(Fig. 6). Their narrow walls were 1-1.5
bricks thick. A richly decorated ceramic


Fig. 6. Central Kom. Mud brick structures
(Photo R. Slabonski)

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