Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (2.1989/90(1991))

loculus. Three otherskeletons lay on a heap of debris in the corner of the room and on
the bench nearby.

The eastern part of the shaft has not been explored as yet. One cannot exclude
that another chamber will be found here. The monumental scale of this complex is
striking. The fineness of the superstructure and the dimensions of the underground
part contrast with the unfinished state of the chamber which was presumably intended
as the main one, lying as it is on the main axis of the tomb. The total length of this tomb,
taking together the superstructure and the underground part, is 42 m. It is
undoubtedly one of the largest burial complexes of the Early Roman period in Egypt.
Presumably, it was constructed in the 1*‘ century A.D. and existed till the beginning of
the 2S^ century A.D.. At this time it was apparently destroyed to some extent, the ruins
subsequently serving as a place for various more or less accidental burials.

Gifts accompanying the burials mentioned in this report were by custom extremely
modest, remaining in contrast with the monumental character of the architectural
complexes. Nevertheless, the few objects that were recovered are of value for they

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