Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

Nd.02.290) are decorated; they are divided
into segments of varying width by
crosswise bands consisting of either one or
two V-shaped interlaces. In mat Nd.02.289
these bands have been dyed black and in
Nd.02.290 the particular segments are
ornamented with added geometrical pat-
terns consisting of, successively, a checker

pattern of small rhomboids, big rhomboids
and a wavy line. The mat Nd.02.232 is not
of a typical shape for it resembles most
closely a lid with loops of 1 cm diameter
woven at the edge of the long ends. These
loops were made of palm rope twined with
the same kind of plant member as the mat
(Fig. 8).

FINAL REMARKS

The burial context of the mats discovered at
Naqlun leaves no doubt as to their part in
the funerary ritual. The mats were pre-
sumably meant to protect the burial at the
moment of internment and this they ap-
parently did with considerable effectiveness,
especially in the case of the less durable
jerid crates or biers or when the body was
buried simply wrapped in a shroud. The

large number of mats discovered suggests
that they were of common use in
households. The large number of mats
discovered suggests that they were of
common use in households. Considering
the conditions and circumstances in which
these mats were found, it is surprising how
many of them are in very good condition, as
if they had not been made use of earlier.

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