DOI issue:
Egypt
DOI article:Szymańska, Hanna; Babraj, Krzysztof: Marea: excavations 2004
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42090#0052
MAREA
EGYPT
of marble architectural decoration in the
form of shattered column shafts. Two of
these shaft fragments bear evidence of
mounting techniques. One found in the fill
on the southern side of the trench (dia.
0.235 m) had a metal (lead ?) peg; the other,
0.20 m in diameter, had a groove c. 3 cm
Fig. 8. Chancel post from the altar, recovered
from underlying rubble
(Photo J.M. Kucy)
deep down one side, still filled with
remnants of lime mortar, which had served
to fix the column to a wall. It may have been
used in the secondary walls, aligned N-S,
that were found standing in front of the apse
(to support the ciborium above the altar ?).
Of the same diameter is a column base dis-
covered 0.10 m above the floor, at a distance
of 3.50 m from the said wall. The fill
yielded more column shaft fragments, one
of nummulithic limestone, the other of
marble with a diameter of 0.66 cm.
The bottom of the kiln was explored
further down in order to remove another
chancel post standing inside it. This ele-
ment (H. 1.30 m; W. 0.21 m) differs in size
from the pillar found last year; it also bears
evidence of reuse [Fig. 8]. Originally, it may
have flanked the entrance to the bema, but
was later moved to the corner of the balus-
trade, as indicated by modified profiling
with secondarily cut grooves for mounting
screens. It adds to the list of finds testifying
to alterations introduced in the interior
decoration of the church.
Similarly as in the previous campaign,
fragments of red-painted plaster were
recovered from above the kiln, near its clay
wall. Some of these pieces of plaster were
evidently from the joining of wall and
ceiling. Behind this wall, lying on the
dislodged pavement is a collapsed block of
bricks held together with coarse mortar.
Similar blocks of bricks were found last year
on either side of the alleged altar. They
appear to be part of the ruined barrel vault
of the apse.
Trial pits dug under the steps of the apse
in the north and south confirmed yet again
that the lower floor of the apse was laid
directly on top of the kiln's firing grid.
Pottery from under this floor has been dated
to the 2nd century at the latest.
50
EGYPT
of marble architectural decoration in the
form of shattered column shafts. Two of
these shaft fragments bear evidence of
mounting techniques. One found in the fill
on the southern side of the trench (dia.
0.235 m) had a metal (lead ?) peg; the other,
0.20 m in diameter, had a groove c. 3 cm
Fig. 8. Chancel post from the altar, recovered
from underlying rubble
(Photo J.M. Kucy)
deep down one side, still filled with
remnants of lime mortar, which had served
to fix the column to a wall. It may have been
used in the secondary walls, aligned N-S,
that were found standing in front of the apse
(to support the ciborium above the altar ?).
Of the same diameter is a column base dis-
covered 0.10 m above the floor, at a distance
of 3.50 m from the said wall. The fill
yielded more column shaft fragments, one
of nummulithic limestone, the other of
marble with a diameter of 0.66 cm.
The bottom of the kiln was explored
further down in order to remove another
chancel post standing inside it. This ele-
ment (H. 1.30 m; W. 0.21 m) differs in size
from the pillar found last year; it also bears
evidence of reuse [Fig. 8]. Originally, it may
have flanked the entrance to the bema, but
was later moved to the corner of the balus-
trade, as indicated by modified profiling
with secondarily cut grooves for mounting
screens. It adds to the list of finds testifying
to alterations introduced in the interior
decoration of the church.
Similarly as in the previous campaign,
fragments of red-painted plaster were
recovered from above the kiln, near its clay
wall. Some of these pieces of plaster were
evidently from the joining of wall and
ceiling. Behind this wall, lying on the
dislodged pavement is a collapsed block of
bricks held together with coarse mortar.
Similar blocks of bricks were found last year
on either side of the alleged altar. They
appear to be part of the ruined barrel vault
of the apse.
Trial pits dug under the steps of the apse
in the north and south confirmed yet again
that the lower floor of the apse was laid
directly on top of the kiln's firing grid.
Pottery from under this floor has been dated
to the 2nd century at the latest.
50