Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

for a small elevated platform located at the
southern end. Fortunately, its original
layout was easily traced thanks to the
extant pavement witnessing the exedra-
like shape of the benches. The pavement is
in generally good condition, made of well
fitted limestone slabs, measuring mostly
0.40 x 0.75 m. Some damages, observed
mostly at the west end, were caused by the
excavation of burial pits belonging to the
Lower Necropolis. In the middle of the
hall, equidistant from both side walls,
there was a marble capital inserted into the
paving and found in situ. It rose c. 0.30 m
above the pavement, apparently marking
a place of significance inside the hall.
Similar installations were discovered also
in halls K and H. The precise nature of this

'pedestal' eludes us, although an elevated
platform for an orator could be the most
plausible explanation. Apart from the
dismantled benches, the auditorium is
quite well preserved. Both the eastern and
western walls rise to 1.60-1.90 m above
the floor. Contrary to the other halls, the
wall dividing it from the neighboring Hall
K is surprisingly thin (0.40 m) and was
introduced obviously at a later date. This
raises some questions as to the original
layout of both halls. It seems that orig-
inally they formed one long hall and the
subdivision occurred only as a result of
turning them into auditoria.
Further to the north, auditorium H
constitutes a practically complete, although
not as well preserved example of an audi-


Fig. 3 ■ Auditorium H. View from the north
(Photo G. Majcherek)

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