DOI issue:
Egypt
DOI article:Kucharczyk, Renata: Glass from area F on Kom el-Dikka (Alexandria)
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42093#0062
ALEXANDRIA
EGYPT
GLASS FROM AREA F ON KOM EL-DIKKA
(ALEXANDRIA)
Renata Kucharczyk
Area F on the Kom el-Dikka site in Alexan-
dria apparently served as a dumping ground
for urban debris and ashes evacuated from
the bath in the course of its long functioning
(see above, plan in Fig. 9 on page 39). The
dump accumulated quickly starting from the
late 4th century, growing into a small mound
over the 5th and 6th centuries. The dense
concentration of ashes yielded a rich
assortment of glass fragments, the majority
obviously associated with the bath and its
operation. The area was also dotted with pits,
resulting for the most part from medieval
robbing activity, hence the chiefly Mamluk
date of the glass finds from these contexts.
The glass assemblage dated to the Late
Roman/Early Byzantine period consists of
free-blown utilitarian toiletry articles
fashioned as bottles and flasks. (Fragments of
deformed bottles resulting from the glass-
working process have been noted). The
remainder comprises open forms, such as
plates/dishes, bowls. Vessels are
distinguished by their plainness and simple
workmanship. Decorative techniques were
rather simple, being limited to threads
applied below the rim and on the body to
produce simple coil accents. Threads were
also used to form coil bases. Blue blobs were
observed. Mould-blown decoration is in
evidence in a few cases. Luxury items are
represented in limited numbers. Fragments
of bracelets and inlays should also be
mentioned. Finally, there is a marked
abundance of flat windowpanes in the
excavated material.
Vessels of this period were blown of
ordinary bluish-green and green glass.
Another dominant color is yellow and
yellowish-greenish, and aubergine glass has
also been recorded. Weathering takes the
form of irisation, white and black coating,
and flaking. Exceptions include fragments of
windowpanes made of pale yellowish-
greenish glass showing no sign of weathering.
Some of the glass finds from the level
associated with the Early Roman house was
blown of decolorized glass with greenish
tinge. The surface in these cases is weathered,
resulting in a milky coating and peacock
irisation. This assemblage contains many
types, which are paralleled by contemporary
glass recovered from excavations at nearby
Marina-el- Alamein.
PLAIN BOTTLES
Most of the plain bottles are rather small in
size. They include items with short necks
and flared rims, the latter exhibiting
variations in their finishing (rounded and
folded), and plain bases without pontil mark
[Fig. 1:1, 6, 10\. The bodies are either
56
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007
EGYPT
GLASS FROM AREA F ON KOM EL-DIKKA
(ALEXANDRIA)
Renata Kucharczyk
Area F on the Kom el-Dikka site in Alexan-
dria apparently served as a dumping ground
for urban debris and ashes evacuated from
the bath in the course of its long functioning
(see above, plan in Fig. 9 on page 39). The
dump accumulated quickly starting from the
late 4th century, growing into a small mound
over the 5th and 6th centuries. The dense
concentration of ashes yielded a rich
assortment of glass fragments, the majority
obviously associated with the bath and its
operation. The area was also dotted with pits,
resulting for the most part from medieval
robbing activity, hence the chiefly Mamluk
date of the glass finds from these contexts.
The glass assemblage dated to the Late
Roman/Early Byzantine period consists of
free-blown utilitarian toiletry articles
fashioned as bottles and flasks. (Fragments of
deformed bottles resulting from the glass-
working process have been noted). The
remainder comprises open forms, such as
plates/dishes, bowls. Vessels are
distinguished by their plainness and simple
workmanship. Decorative techniques were
rather simple, being limited to threads
applied below the rim and on the body to
produce simple coil accents. Threads were
also used to form coil bases. Blue blobs were
observed. Mould-blown decoration is in
evidence in a few cases. Luxury items are
represented in limited numbers. Fragments
of bracelets and inlays should also be
mentioned. Finally, there is a marked
abundance of flat windowpanes in the
excavated material.
Vessels of this period were blown of
ordinary bluish-green and green glass.
Another dominant color is yellow and
yellowish-greenish, and aubergine glass has
also been recorded. Weathering takes the
form of irisation, white and black coating,
and flaking. Exceptions include fragments of
windowpanes made of pale yellowish-
greenish glass showing no sign of weathering.
Some of the glass finds from the level
associated with the Early Roman house was
blown of decolorized glass with greenish
tinge. The surface in these cases is weathered,
resulting in a milky coating and peacock
irisation. This assemblage contains many
types, which are paralleled by contemporary
glass recovered from excavations at nearby
Marina-el- Alamein.
PLAIN BOTTLES
Most of the plain bottles are rather small in
size. They include items with short necks
and flared rims, the latter exhibiting
variations in their finishing (rounded and
folded), and plain bases without pontil mark
[Fig. 1:1, 6, 10\. The bodies are either
56
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007