Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

MAREA

EGYPT

BYZANTINE BATHS

The first task was to finish the excavation
of the baths. The western courtyard (F6),
which was excavated partly in 2001, had to
be cleared completely. It turned out to
measure 14.72 by 13.83 m and was paved
with marble slabs, of which only imprints
in the limestone bedding have survived
[Figs 1, 2]. Apart from sections that were
repaired, the slabs followed no size
standards, ranging from 1.80 x 0.89 m to
0.80 x 0.80 m. Two marble slabs found in
the rubble, a surprising 0.04 m thick, most
likely originated from the courtyard.
A small fragment of the marble revetment
was preserved in the northwestern corner.
The upper floor of limestone tiles,
which replaced the previous pavement

when it was destroyed, was recorded in the
southern part of the courtyard. The
courtyard had porticoes on the south and
north. The two stylobates were uncovered,
both constructed of stone blocks oriented
E-W. Marks left by the columns, five on
each side, can be observed easily on the
stones of the stylobate, the span being
2.44 m [cf. Fig. 2). The westernmost mark
on the south was left by a much smaller
column, indicating that the columns were
of different size, which means that the
architectural members originated from
other buildings in similarity to most of the
marble architectural elements in Marea.
The space of the courtyard between the
porticoes was open.


Fig. 1. Byzantine baths. Courtyard F6 with imprints of the marble pavement slabs preserved in
the limestone bedding. View from the southwest (Photo P. Suszek)

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