Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

VESSELS WITH VARIOUS BASES

Bases with tooling marks were one of the
most characteristic items of the assem-
blage. Small bases bearing such marks
appeared in significant quantities. It
argues strongly not only for Egyptian, but
most probably for local manufacture as
well. They were used for a variety of shapes
and were connected with smaller forms
like goblets and wineglasses, and also
bottles [Fig. 3:6-9]- The edges were very
often irregular. These bases were made of
high quality glass of different shades of
green. Their surface is shiny and they show
no signs of weathering. Similarly treated
bases have been noted in Marea,23 Marina
(personal observation) and the Fayum
24
area.
Another type of base (ring base) with
tooling impressions on the outside and
inside, is also present, although in limited
quantities. These bases are usually con-
nected with open forms, both with shallow
dishes/broad plates and bowls [Fig. 3:10-

72}. Such bases, introduced during the
Roman period, are widely distributed
throughout Egypt and are usually regarded
as products of the region.25 This seems to
be supported by a significant amount of
such specimens in the assemblage from
Kom el-Dikka. Evidence from Istabl'Antar
suggests that this form was still current
during the Islamic period.26
Coil-wound bases can be used in many
ways and for many shapes and sizes of ves-
sels. Although, they are usually connected
with jugs or flasks, they may have come also
from a bowl. This type of base used to be
regarded as the product of Egyptian
glasshouses of the Late Roman period;
hence, it seems surprising that only three
pieces have been attested so far at Kom el-
Dikka [Fig. 3:13]. Findplaces in Egypt in-
clude several sites.2 Our pieces are pa-
ralleled by examples from Carthage28 and
Rome,29 where they seem to have been
especially popular.

23 R. Kucharczyk, "Glass finds from the bath in Marea", forthcoming.
24 M. Mossakowska-Gaubert, "La verrerie utilisee par des anachoretes: L'ermitage no 44 a Naqlun (Fayyoum)", in:
M. Immerzeel and J. van der Vliet (eds), Coptic Studies on the Threshold of a New Millennium (Leuven 2004), 1446-
1448, Fig. 2 (type 3); F. Silvano, "Vetri romani dai recenti scavi a Medinet Madi (Egitto)", in: Vetri di Ogni Tempo,
Atti della V Giornata Nazionale di Studio, Massa Martana, ottobre 1999 (Milano 2001), 14, 17, Fig. 7; Foy 2001, op.
cit., 469-470, 483:35,37-41,43-43.
25 Karams: Harden, op. cit., PI. X: 83, 89, 90, 101, 107-108, 116, XI: 1, 15, 17 and PI. XIV: 228. Esna: H. Jacquet-
Gordon, "Les ermitages chretiens du desert d'Esna, III, Ceramiques et objects (IFAO: Le Caire 1972), 94, PI.
CCXXXIII: 5. Naqlun: Mossakowska-Gaubert 2004, op. cit., 1449-1450, Fig. 3 (type 1-4), Fig. 10. Tebtynis: Foy
2001, op. cit., 467-468, 482, Fig. 1: 20. They have been attested recently in the Alexandrian region, e.g. Marea:
Kucharczyk (forthcoming) and Marina el-Alamein (personal observation).
26 D. Foy, "L'heritage antique et byzantin dans la verrerie islamique: exemples d'Istabl'Antar-Fostat , Anlsl 34 (2000),
152-155, Fig. 2: 7 excavated in a 9th-century context, and Fig. 2: 6,8 from the Fatimid period.
27 Marina el-Alamein (personal observation). Gabbari necropolis in Alexandria: M.-D. Nenna, "Le mobilier en verre", in:
J.-Y. Empereur et M.-D. Nenna (eds), Necropolis 1 (Le Caire 2001), 505-512, 14.13- Karams: Harden, op. cit., 217-
218, Nos. 641-71, PI. XIX: 658 (one illustrated). Khargah Oasis: Hill and Nenna, op. cit., 91.
28 Sternini, "I vetri provenienti dagli scavi della missione Italiana a Cartagine (1973-1977)", JGS 41 (1999), 98-99, Fig.
9: 116, 118, 119, 120-130, 132. Foy 2003, op. cit., 72, Figs. 41-43, with more references to previous excavations.
29 D. Whitehouse, "The Glass", in: D. Whitehouse et al., The Schola Praeconum II, PBSR 53 (1985), 164-171, Fig. 5:
55-58; M. Sternini, "Reperti in vetro da un deposito tardoantico sul colie Palatino'k/CLS' 43 (2001), 68-70, Fig. 20:
204-219.

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