Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

MAREA

EGYPT

three pit walls revealed clear stratigraphical
evidence of four successive lime-mortar
floors [Fig. 33- The earliest floor (IV) was
laid after the last occupation level, which
included the above-mentioned wall, had
ceased to function. Over it, on a leveling
layer nearly 0.40 m thick, another floor (III)
was laid. It was carefully constructed, on
a substructure made of two layers: pebbles
set in mortar mixed with ash, and sand with
crushed shells. Above it, there was a wall of
mud-brick preserving patches of thick
plaster. Only floors II and I belonged to the
basilica. Level measurements indicated that

particular layers in the described pit
corresponded to the occupation levels
uncovered in the nave of the church (see
below). There is much to show that the
basilica was founded on top of an older
mud-brick structure.
Sections of the nave (7.00 m) and
northern aisle (3.80 m) were cleared
excavating westward. A baptistery [Fig. 2:
no. 15] was found 1.80 m from the wall of
the pottery kiln uncovered in 2003. This
structure, originally part of the mud-brick
building, reached down to the level of the
grate of the kiln. Despite considerable


Fig. 3. Section through strata underlying the basilica (south trench wall in pit C). Scale 1:10. Note
successive floors: I and ll (lime mortar); III (lime mortar on a substructure of pebbles poured
with mortar mixed with ashes, on top of a layer of sand with crushed shells and a leveling
layer of soil mixed with potsherds, plaster, rock); and IV (lime mortar on top of a similar
leveling layer) (Drawing D. Dziedzic)

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