Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

TELL EL-LARKHA

EGYPT

in the building's exploitation. In the older
layers (Naqada III), there is only one wall,
but very thick (1.50 m). It served as a base
for a narrower wall built in the Early
Dynastic period, and later other walls were
added. Remains of floors, silos and hearths
were found in the vicinity.
Fieldwork in the southern part of the
main trench aimed at reaching a level cor-
responding with the northern end of the
excavations (achieved in 2003). Thirteen
successive layers, a total of 1.30 m in depth,
were explored, uncovering late Naqadian
buildings, which proved to be organized

along the same thick wall running NE-SW,
discovered in higher layers. The setting of
the buildings around a square space, c. 5 x
5 m, is still clearly visible. Oblong rooms
are up to 3-50 m wide and almost 10 m
long. The group of buildings is located east
of the said wall and was exploited during
the entire Naqada III period until Early
Dynastic times [Fig. 5].
Explorations were interrupted this year
at early Naqada IIIB — late Naqada IIB
levels, at which time the area east of the
above-mentioned wall was built upon
scarcely and a complex of oblong rooms


Fig. 5. Central Kom. Naqadian mud-brick constructions, level 42
(Photo A. Biel)

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