Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

(Godlewski et alii 1994: 216 and 235;
Godlewski 2005: 184-186; see also above,
report by I. Zych in this volume). The
number of tombs has been estimated at
about 120 [Fig. 1]. They are best seen in
the afternoon light as circular hollows in
the eroded rock surface, testifying either to
illicit penetration of the tomb sub-
structures or their collapse. The tombs were
packed in very tightly and the cutting of
new tombs frequently damaged, but did
not destroy already existing ones. No
evidence of tomb superstructures appears to
have been preserved on the eroded ground
surface, even though the existence of such
superstructures is suggested by fragmen-
tary funerary stelae discovered in secondary


context in the monastic compound and
believed to come from this cemetery
(Godlewski, Lajtar 2006: 43-62) [Fig. 2).1
Fragments of red brick preserving traces of
mortar have been found in the secondary
fill of some of the excavated tombs, which
were either disturbed or heavily damaged
by robbers. No brick structures, however,
have been found in any of the burial
chamber entrances. Instead, amphorae
appear to have been used to seal tomb
entrances, as in tomb C.T.3, which was
found intact (Godlewski 2005: 184, Figs 5-
6). The practice appears to have been quite
common considering that amphorae and
sherds of amphorae have been found in all
of the excavated tombs. Finally, the five


Fig. 2. Funerary stela of Damianos (Nd.00.296), left, and fragment of stela (Nd.07.001)
(Photo W. Godlewski)
1 A find of a fragmentary piece of funerary stela (Nd.07.001, see above Fig. 2, right) from the surface of cemetery C.2,
made during a general survey of the cemetery in 2007, has further confirmed this belief.

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