Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

TELL LARAMA

EGYPT

1978: 141). Judging by the quality and
the fabric, the lamp is undoubtedly locally
made. Consequently, we may be dealing
with a strong Roman tradition (eagle on
discus) modified locally, especially the
lamp shape and missing handle (Mly-
narczyk 1998, on Egyptian workshops
adapting Italian motifs).
PL 05/647 [Fig. 2]
Sector 1, area I.
Pinkish-cream fabric, unslipped. Mould-
made. Herringbone pattern around discus,
row of relief dots around fill hole.
Fragmentary.
Possibly an example of semicircular
type without separate handle, marked only
by a suitable pattern with vertical grooves,
suggesting a Palestinian provenience.
Similar handle design is found at Pella and
at Bet Shean on lamps dated to the first
half of the 4th century AD (Hadad 1997:
no. 7, 154). The type, which is frequent on
various Palestinian sites, is usually
described as typical of the 3rd and 4th
centuries AD (Rosenthal, Sivan 1978: nos
450-451, also from the Roman baths at
Hammat Gader, cf. Hirschfeld, Solar 1981:
Fig. 6, 210).
PL 05/10 {Fig. 3]
Sector 1, surface.
Dark reddish-brown fabric, unslipped.
Mouldmade. Boot-shaped.
Boot-shaped lamp, a very popular type
with parallels in the Byzantine material,
e.g. probably Egyptian, 6th-8th century
AD lamp from the Bonn University
Museum collection (Hiibinger 1993: Taf.
35, Kat. No. 298, 150). The type is
frequent at various sites in the Eastern
Mediterranean, including for example Tel
Mefalsim near Gaza (6th-early 8th century
AD; Rahmani 1983: Fig. 1:2, 221).

Several objects from our collection find
parallels in Alexandria and this is
especially true of the material recorded in
the Roman house with mosaic explored in
the 2005 and 2006 seasons. All of the
material appears to be of 4th century AD
date. The following pieces merit particular
attention.
PL 06/2/52 {Fig. 4]
Sector 2, loc. I, deposit under mosaic floor.
Reddish-brown fabric, unslipped. Mould-
made. Body fragments with small part of
nozzle preserved. On discus, ring in the
center and two framing rings; vine leaves
and grape clusters on the shoulder.
Fragmentary.
PL 06/2/421 {Fig. 4]
Sector 2, loc. VIII.
As PL 06/2/52. Vine leaves and clusters of
grapes on the shoulder. Fragmentary.
These two lamps may were made in the
same mould, PL 06/2/52 being more
blurred and hence a later-generation lamp
in this case. The decoration is comparable
to a group of Attic lamps from the 3rd to


PL 05/10
0 5cm
I_1_I_1_I I

Fig. 3 ■ Foot-shaped lamp
(Photo 0. Was i lews ka)

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