Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

JIYEH

LEBANON

The third group (after amphorae and
cooking pots) strongly represented in the
assemblage, in quantity as well as variety,
are the bowls. Some variants could be iden-
tified, including the ones (less frequently
encountered) characterized by a flat rim
and base, and diameter up to 0.40 m, as
well as another variant with a grooved rim.
Other fragments represented imitations
of Italian-type orlo bifido pans.10 Moreover,
large numbers of dishes with flat, deeply
grooved rim were found, some of them de-
IMPORTED POTTEP
Very few sherds of imported fine-ware
vessels were found among the masses of
coarse pottery. They embraced some small
and worn fragments of bowls and plates of
black-gloss ware Estern Sigillata A (ESA)11
forms 3-4, as well as so-called Cypriot Sigil-
lata (CS) form 22A.12 All these early pieces
can be dated to the 1st century BC and the
beginning of the 1st century AD. Bigger
and best represented fragments, much less

corated on the outer edge of the rim with
impressed twisted rope-like patterns. The
last form collected in relatively large quan-
tities are the pot stands. Their homogenous
fabric could also indicate their local origin.
Finally, jugs made up a small but varied
group with a few virtually complete items.
The rich diversity of standardized vessel
forms in this sealed deposit is noteworthy.
Almost all the fragments bear no sign of
daily use, which means that they were re-
jected during or right after manufacture.
FROM WELL 1 (B4)
worn, belong to ESA plates, forms 35 and
37, as well as bowls, forms 46-47, includ-
ing a base of a bowl featuring a rectan-
gular XAPIC stamp. They dated the termi-
nation of the well deposit to no earlier than
the late 1st century AD. Additionally, some
single fragments of mould-made Roman
lamps and amphorae from North Africa
(probably Tunisia or Libya) were identified
among the finds.

RECTANGULAR STONE STRUCTURE (B5)

A rectangular structure (B5) situated about
50 m to the west of trial pits B1-B3 was
brought to light during bulldozer work.
The feature measured c. 8 by 6 m and had
walls preserved up to a heigh two courses
of big sandstone blocks. Its general
appearance gave the impression of a sort of
platform rather than chamber. The earth
WELL 2 AND
Another well was found c. 10 m to the
southwest of the above described one (well
1, B4) [Fig. 10]. Its upper part, built of re-

around the walls was compact, containing
numerous potsherds, charcoal and other
organic material. The charcoal, recorded in
the northern and eastern stratigraphic cross-
sections, evidenced long-term burning
processes. As it was not possible to explore
this feature thoroughly, its function
remains unknown.
BASIN (B 6)
gular sandstone blocks, had been damaged
by bulldozer. The well was excavated to
a depth of only about 4 m below the sur-

10 Cf. Hayes, Hellenistic and Roman..., op. cit., Fig. XXVII:8,9-
11 Cf. note 5 above.
12 Hayes, "Sigillate orientali...", op. cit., 79-91, Pis. XVIII-XXII.

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