Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

MAREA

EGYPT

violated, little could be said of the original
position of the burials. Numerous poorly
preserved coins were discovered with the
burials, as well as a single ring of bronze,
sherds of a big Early-Roman amphora and
a considerable quantity of clay loom-
weights that constituted an unusual
addition to the regular repertory of grave
furnishings.
Many fragments of a rich interior
decoration were recovered from the fill
inside the apse of the church and between
the walls of the pastophories. Foremost,
there are the numerous column shafts
{Fig- 8) with diameters of 60, 30 and


Fig. 8. Marble column shaft with sgraffito
of an orant
(Photo T. Kalarus)

22 cm. The biggest shafts, carved from
a gray, striped marble, must have originally
stood in the nave; the lesser ones
presumably supported the ciborium above
the altar or else constituted some
architectural elements difficult to
reconstruct today. The two Corinthian
capitals that were discovered once topped
columns of average size. The interior
decoration of the basilica also included
engaged columns of stone with Corinthian
capitals of unpainted stucco. Numerous
pieces of stucco were brought to light while
removing the debris from the southern end
of the apse.


Fig. 9- Fragment of screen with a cross from
the cancelli of the church
(Photo T. Kalarus)

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