Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

MAREA

EGYPT

The courtyard was surrounded by a wall
characterized by very varied structure. On
the south and west it was built of stone
blocks; an average three courses (1.50 m)
bonded in mortar have been preserved. The
north wall, which extended the wall
behind the shops, was built in the same
technology, that is, mortared rubble work2
[Fig. 3}· The main entrance to the men's
part, measuring 2.51 m in width, was in
this wall [cf. Fig. 2}. The difference in the
bondwork is not proof of a different time of
construction, because Byzantine building
allowed different bonds in the same
building. The original doorways leading to
the courtyard, observed in the west and

south walls, were blocked, presumably
when the main western gate was installed.
A short wall 0.60 m long was attached to
the west wall; there was a slot in it pre-
sumably for mounting a bench.
Two pools, X and T, were built
immediately adjoining the west wall; they
are contemporary with the courtyard
[cf. Fig. 2}. Other features are not, however,
like a perpendicular N-S wall attached to
the south wall and an enclosure formed by
two walls set up on the pavement in the
southwestern corner. These are later
additions that find no justification during
the operation of the baths. In both cases,
a single course of blocks was preserved.


Fig. 3- Byzantine baths. Technology of mortared rubble work employed in the north wall. View
from the north (Photo P. Suszek)

2 The north wall of the baths is constructed in typically Byzantine technology: pillars built of one or two courses of stone
blocks in lime mortar and the space between them of mortared rubble. The surface of the wall was subsequently coated
with a thick layer of mortar.

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