Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

MARINA EL-ALAMEIN

EGYPT

work was preceded by tests under controlled in an effort to achieve WTA-system plaster
conditions. Should the need arise, the (that is, renovation plaster highly resistant
porosity of the said mortar can be increased, to ground salinity).
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTROL13

All the archaeological work conducted in
the course of the season was strictly in
preparation for building-conservation works
in particular objects. The present report
summarizes the most important findings.
HOUSE H 1
Clearing work traced the perimeter walls
of the building, revealing that the north-
eastern, northwestern and southwestern
outer corners of the structure had been
robbed out already in antiquity. The foun-
dations proved to be made of small ir-
regular stones. In a number of places, stone
slabs (c. 0.50 x 0.20 x 0.18 m) had been
placed under the foundation and perpen-
dicular to the wall. These slabs may have
served to stabilize the wall foundation.
The ceramic evidence from layers cor-
responding to the plundering was dated to
the 4th-5th century AD. Elsewhere in the
structure, layers of the 4th-5th century
yielded lamp fragments, bronze coins
(including one of Constantius II, AD 348-
361), bronze and iron nails, glass frag-
ments and bone pins. These finds were
associated with fireplaces built of large
stones, and deposits of animal bones and
shells. Surface layers from this area yielded
a substantial quantity of World War II
bullets, as well as metal food cans and
a glass bottle.
Work in the southwestern corner of the
house led to the clearing of rooms 19, 6 and
6a [cf. Fig. 2]. Plaster fragments from Room
6 bear decoration in the form of two bands,

red and cream, and plant motifs. Associated
coin finds point to the 4th century
(Constantius II) [Tig. 13} as the last phase of
use. In room 4, a painted cornice fragment
was found immured in the north wall by the
doorway. Assorted finds from various parts of
the house include bronze coins, glass
fragments, bone pins, various beads, pottery,
bronze and iron nails, marble tiles, the foot
of a larger marble statue, as well as organic
deposits associated with traces of burning
(animal bones, shells). A well (0.78 x 0.64 m)
was explored in room 14. Small niches in the
east and west walls permitted inspection
right down to the water level (water
appeared at a depth of 4.20 m below ground
surface). Finds from the well dated the last
phase of use (presumably as a rubbish dump)
to the 4th-5th century. The objects included
pottery, some heavily corroded bronze coins,
a bronze ring, two bronze needles, an iron
knife, bronze and iron nails, a bone pin,
fragments of lamps and large stone vessels.
Meriting special attention is a bone
medallion decorated with the bust of a god-
dess holding a scepter topped with a star
and with seven stars surrounding the head
[Fig. 14}- Traces of polychromy indicate
that the mantle had been red.
The much damaged room 21 had a water
-proofed channel running by the northern
(section 2.65 m long) and western (section
1.66 m long) walls. The channel was 0.40 m
wide and about 0.22 m deep. The fill
yielded, apart from large quantities of pot-
tery, burned fragments of round wooden

13 Text contributed by G. B^kowska.

112