Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

weaving resulted in a mixed-weave tech-
nique: irregular “panama”8) next to the
long-edge selvage and regular “panama”9)
for the center (except for the decorated
parts).
MATS WOVEN IN ONE-STRAND
TECHNIQUE
Eight plain-weave mats manufactured in
one-strand technique, all undecorated,
were found this year (Fig. 1). In length
they range from 1.6 to 1.97 m, in width
from 1.2 to 1.52 m. The warp/dm2
number varies from 5 to 6, the weft/dm2
from 12 to 15.
MATS WOVEN IN TWO-STRAND
TECHNIQUE
Of the 20 mats woven in the two-strand
technique in mixed irregular and regular
“panama” weave, five were absolutely plain,
ten decorated and another five doubled.
The plain mats were from 1.75 to
2.12 m long and from 0.8 to 1.6 m wide.
The warp/dm2 number was 6 or 7, the
weft/dm2 between 20 and 30 (Fig. 2).
The decorated mats featured ornamental
bands, a checker composition of rectangular
fields or a geometric element or composi-
tion made with an added different-color
plant member woven into the body of the
mat.
Ornamental bands were found on three
mats, which were from 1.72 m long at the
least to 1.9 rn at the most, the width
running from 0.93 to 1.57 m (but in none
of the examples has the entire width sur-
vived). The warp/dm2 number was constant
at 7 in all three examples, while the
weft/dm2 number ranged from 20 to 27.

The bands ran lengthwise and consisted
of a checker pattern of modules (over 3,
under 1 with a shift of one). Two bands of
such a module composition decorated mat
Nd.02.311 (T. 307); each band was 1.20 m
long and 18 cm wide. An added orange-
colored plant member was woven into the
fabric to form ornamental crosswise lines.
On the other two mats the checker bands
alternated with bands of plain weave, one in
each case. Mat Nd.02.287 (T. 330) has three
ornamental bands: two of a checker pattern,
which are 1.13 ra long and 21 and 14 cm
wide, framing a center plain-weave band
that is 26 cm wide and runs the length of
the matting. Finally, there is mat
Nd.02.234 (T. 318) with four long bands:
three of the checker module pattern (18, 18
and 11 cm wide) and one of plain-weave
(12 cm wide), adding to the decor (Fig. 3).
Four mats have instead of bands
rectangular panels of the same module
pattern (over 3, under 1 with a shift of one)
appearing in pairs that are a mirror
reflection of one another. These four mats
are from 1.75 to 1.80 m long, and from
0.85 to 1.10 m wide. The warp/dm2
number stands at 6 or 7, the weft/dm2 is
between 20 and 24. Mat Nd.02.137 is
decorated with six rectangular panels, each
panel 10 cm long and 16 cm wide, forming
three pairs of mirror ornament. Mat
Nd.02.154 has 14 rectangular panels,
measuring 8.5 by 16 cm, in seven sym-
metrical pairs. The other two mats are
additionally decorated with a geometrical
pattern between the panels, made of an
extra plant member of brown or perhaps
red color woven into the base structure.
The module panels in mat Nd.02.136 form

9) Regular “panama” weave consists of two parallel strands actively weaving up and down around two parallel passive
elements: 2(over):2(under):2(over), etc. with a shift of two.
8) In irregular "panama" weave the active element or weft consists of two parallel strands weaving around the passive
strand in two directions, up and down: l(over):2(under): I(over), etc., again with a shift of one.

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