Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

An interesting globular jar (SQ 04-
1331) was found near Shaft 62 [Fig. 3]. It
was made of Nile silt B2, red-slipped out-
side, with horizontal grooving on the shoul-
ders (H. 29-5 cm; max. dia. 25.8 cm; rim
dia. 6 cm). Traces of a stopper can be seen
under the rim. Dating based on the archae-
ological context is impossible, as the jar
was found near Shaft 62 but in a layer of
windblown sand, not in the layer of lime-
stone chips from the original fill of the
shaft. Jars of this type appeared in the late
Fifth Dynasty, but our example should
rather be assigned to the late Sixth, if the
fabric is any indication (Nile silt B2
instead of the better Nile silt A or B1 used
for the earlier jars, poorly fired (mixed), red
slip peeling and of poor quality).
SLOPING PASAGE
The sloping passage in square 2003, only
partly excavated, proved to be filled with


Fig. 2. Medium-size jar made of mixed day
P. 60 found in Shaft 38, dated to the late
Old Kingdom. Not to scale (Drawing
XI. Rzeuska, inking M. Orzechowska)
6 Cf. T.I. Rzeuska, "The Pottery", in: K. Mysliwiec et al.,
XCII, CXIIg.

limestone chips and pottery with the beer
jar being the predominant type again. A re-
gularity of distribution was noted, the jars
from the northern part of the passage (south
of burial Shaft 35) being different from
those found in the southern part (by shaft
68 and south of it). Prevalent in the north-
ern part of the passage were beer-jars of
types 4, 9 and 10 (spindle-shaped body and
conical foot), some of which were white-
washed. The opposite end of the passage
contained beer-jar types 1 and 2.6 In the
middle part of the passage, where the two
fills intermixed, all types of jars were
present. Also recorded were multiple false
fillings, fragments of inner and outer stop-
pers and the occasional Medum bowl, va.-
rious types of plates, bread moulds, bread
trays with flat edge, platters with grooved
rim, charcoal, and animal bones. Beer jars
with a filling of ashes, representing re-
mains of burnt offerings, were also noted


Fig. 3- Fate Old Kingdom globular jar found
near burial Shaft 62. Not to scale
(Drawing T.I. Rzeuska, inking M. Orze-
chowska)
e Tomb of Merefnebef (Warsaw 2004), 210-212, Pis. XCI-

174