Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

TELL EL-RETABA

EGYPT

This type of small goblet is well known from
Egypt and abroad (Nenna, Seif El-Din 2000:
Pis 6,40; Redissi 1994; Adriani 1932-1933:
31, Fig. 6, PL XV,3) and can be dated to the
Ptolemaic period. Part of a Hathor sistrum
was also discovered, but the identification is
still disputable due to the fragmentariness of
the object [Fig. 6, center]. A small amulet in
the form of the god Pataikos deserves
mention. Four small necklace beads were
also found during the survey. Objects made
of copper are poorly preserved and their

shape difficult to identify. Traces of copper
slag on two of them may be proof of copper
smelting activities in the area. One of the
two objects of clay is a round-cut sherd,
numerous examples of which come from all
periods and sites across Egypt; they are
usually interpreted as gaming pieces. The
other is a remarkable fragment of a terracotta
depicting a rider on the back of a horse
[Fig 6, bottom]; it was found in the eastern
part of the site. Four small cowry shells were
also collected.

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY’

Based on reported earlier research s
(http://users.stlcc.edu/mfuller/Retaba) the i:
ground at the site is reported as consisting of i
intercalated subhorizontal layers of sand and s
ash of various thickness. The mud-brick walls (
in various states of degradation stand in these c
deposits, mainly from 1.00 to 2.50 m below f
ground level, some even 7 m under. The a
ground water level is approximately 7 m deep a
with a suspected 10-cm thick capillary border i;
over it, leaving most of the anthropogenic f
remains in an unsaturated zone. r
Considering the physical properties of a
the site and its archaeological situation, three t
geophysical methods were considered: dipole s
electromagnetic profiling (DEMP), mag- c
netic imaging and electrical resistivity s
tomography (ERT). After some testing r
DEMP was selected because of its operating
speed in large areas and sufficient condu- I
ctivity contrast. ERT imaging provided c
supplementary date on the vertical division e
of investigated structures. s
A rectangular 50 x 50 m square grid 1
oriented to the north was set down for the {:
survey. Survey lines were 2 m apart and the f
3 Section contributed by Vojtech Gajdos and Kamil Rozimant.

spacing of the dipoles was also 2 m. These
intervals drew from the action radius of the
instrument (approx. 6 m) and the presumed
size of potential archaeological features
(approx. 4 m and more), although not
completely because of a variety of obstacles.
Field data were downloaded to the computer
and after processing presented in the form of
an isoline map with changes in conductivity
indicative of the presence of archaeological
features [Fig. 7]· More conductive (less
resistive) objects are represented in dark grey
and black. Their conductivity is due mainly
to increased clay content (mud bricks and
similar material). On the other hand, less
conductive (more resistive) materials are
shown in white and light grey. For example,
remains of stone walls are highly resistive.
The second method used was ERT.
Profiles were located on subsurface features
detected on the site map following
evaluation of DEMP data. The electrode
span was 1 m and 2 m. A total of three survey
line profiles was completed. The data were
processed and converted into tentative
physical models.

Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007

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