Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

sand rich in iron (Fe3+) cemented with
calcium carbonate (CaC03), featuring
embedded quartz gravel with cobbles 1-10
cm in diameter and single angular coarse
gravel of limestone up to 3 cm in diameter
(Welc 2009: 175-177, Fig. 4). Erected on
top of this layer is a mud-brick wall aligned
E-W and the stone enclosure wall of the Step
Pyramid (Welc 2009: 176-177, Figs 5, 6).
PHASE II (c. 2300-2000 BC)
Exposures nos 4a, 4b [Figs 12] in squares
2101 and 2102 show layers LI through L5
and floor F2 superimposed on bedrock (see
description of exposures for Phase I).
Directly on bedrock and on top of the fill of
shaft 97 there lies layer L6, which takes on
a synclinal form, that is, a downward-
curving fold with the axis nearer to the
northern edge of the shaft [Fig. 7). The layer
is composed of local limestone (rounded
pebbles, ranging from gravel to boulder) and

rounded mud-brick and tafl fragments. The
cementing material is locally layered sand
and silt with fine gravel of limestone. In the
southern part of exposure no. 4, that is,


Fig. 8. Top surface of lamina with evident
polygonal desiccation cracks showing
slightly upturned edges (location of
uncovered fragment marked in photo in
Fig 7) (Photo J. Trzcmski)


Fig. 9. Sequence of strata in squares 2101 and 2102 above Shafis 96, 97 and 98, view from the west
(continuation of section shown in Fig. 7): L6 - layer no. 6; L7 - layer no. 7; L8 - layer no. 8; L9
- layer no. 9; L10 - layer no. 10; Lll - layer no. 11 (description of layers in the text), M-BP -
mud-brick plaform, EW - enclosure wall, WM - Western Massif (Photo and interpretation
J. Trzcmski)

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007