Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

NAQLUN

EGYPT

cartonnage, while the upper part contained
broken amphorae. One fairly complete
amphora was found inside the chamber
[Fig. 5}. There is no doubt that the tomb
had been penetrated by robbers in antiquity
and the disturbed and damaged state of the
cartonnages is evidence of hurried work.
At the end of the day, the broken pottery
and cartonnage elements were thrown back
into the shaft.
Based on the evidence from undisturbed
tombs C.T.6 and C.T. 13, we can say with
considerable likelihood that a chamber of
the same width as in C.T.5 (1.20 m) was
intended from the start to hold two burials
placed next to one another on the floor (see
above, p. 239 and Fig. 9). Burial chambers
for a single cartonnage were much narrower


(0.60 m). The cartonnages were introduced
into the chamber feet first, leaving the head
by the entrance. While the size of the
chamber permitted two cartonnages to be
placed inside it, there is no way of telling
how contemporary they could be.
Amphorae were then placed upright in
the entrance to the chamber at the bottom
of the shaft. In C.T. 5 there were at least five
vessels, possibly more. A good example of
untouched sealing of an entrance was
provided by C.T.3, where the six amphorae
blocking the entrance to the chamber were
further packed with bunches of palm fiber.
All the vessels from the shaft and burial
chamber are typical local products, the
slender variant of type LR 7, not exceeding
60 cm in height and with the shoulders



Fig. 4- Burial M.2 seen half pulled out into the shaft of tomb C.T. 5 (top right), after lifting from
the tomb (bottom) and detail (Photo W. Godlewski)

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