Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

TELL EL-LARKHA

EGYPT

poorly preserved, possibly disarticulated; it
had lain probably on its left side with the
head to the north.
Grave goods consisted of 24 vessels of
various sizes. Large vessels stood in a group
by the south wall of the grave, whilst
smaller ones were positioned by the north
wall. In the central section of the grave lay
a deposit of bone artifacts: miniature
cylindrical vessels (at least three) and
fragments of bone figurines, three of which
depicted fish. Next to these there were two
bone awls, one of which survived intact.
The remains of mats, which would have
covered the burial goods and lined the
sides of the grave, were also recorded.

Grave 26 was a single chamber burial
measuring 2.06 x 1.10 x 0.63 m, sur-
rounded by a single row of mud-bricks laid
end to end. It had probably been looted, as
some of the pottery was found at its edges.
The surviving grave goods consisted of 19
vessels, a flint knife, 19 stone beads and
animal bones. The body of a male (35-40
years old) lay in strongly flexed position on
its left side, with the head to the north.
Some of the pottery was positioned on
a type of bench surrounding the body. The
largest vessels stood on the north side of
the grave, concealing beneath them several
smaller vessel, and the remainder were
spread around the other sides.


Fig. 8. Eastern Kom. Grave 24
(Photo R. Siabonski)

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