Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

PALMYRA

SYRIA

THE BELLEROPHON HALL

The mosaic pavement discovered last year
and cleared entirely this season consists of
two parts: the original 3rd century pave-
ment, very well preserved and apparently
missing only insignificant parts on the
edges, and a later addition, entirely
different in style, at the southern end
(Figs. 2,3). The original floor is not
associated at present with any walls that
could be contemporary with it, but adjoins
a short portico of four columns on the
north. This we were able to restore,
putting back in place four square pedestals

carrying Attic bases that had been found
pushed down into a deep ancient trench on
the northern side. They were not made
originally for this location, however, as
their mouldings show traces of the original
destination in a portico on a higher storey
somewhere. The western wall of the room
should have run not very differently from
the preserved one, as it divided the room
from the street.
The older part of the mosaic measures
at present slightly over 9 m by 5.50 m.
Assuming that the yellow band around it


Fig. 1. General view of the excavations toward the portico of Basilica I
(Photo M. Gawlikowski)

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