Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

A few other forms in various sizes with
unworked rims have also been observed.
They include hemispherical [Fig. 2:1] and
shallow bowls with slightly S-shaped
curved sides [Fig. 2:2}. One large fragment
probably represents a bulbous jar [Fig. 2:3}.
TUMBLER-SHAPED LAMPS
In addition to the lamps with cracked-off
rims, the auditoria also produced fragments
of tumbler-shaped lamps. They are repres-
ented by segments of a slightly flaring side-
wall of bowls with rims folded outward and
downward and with one surviving handle
[Fig. 2:4-5}. Such lamps are usually equip-

ped with three short vertical handles, ar-
ranged in a triangle, drawn from the wall up
to the edge of the rim. A characteristic
feature of such handles is that they are often
made in contrasted, coloured glass, usually
dark blue, on lighter-colored bodies. This
type of lamp could be again suspended or,
alternately, freestanding, either on a table or
altar.
Tumbler-shaped lamps with slight
variations of the rims and hand treatment
were common items found in many parts of
the Mediterranean region between the 5 th
and 7th centuries AD. It was a long-lived
type and continued to be produced until


Fig. 2. Vessels with cracked-off rims (1-3), lamps (4-8)
(Drawing R. Kucharczyk and E. Kulicka, digitizing R. Mahler)

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