Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (3.1991(1992))

Altogether 50% of the stone blocks from the pillar of TIB
were missing, including one pilaster base and two quarters of the
comice. 14 blocks in the base had to be replaced (c. 18%).

In tomb TIC a similar proportion of stones was preserved,
amounting to the replacement of 10 blocks in the base and 12
blocks in the sarcophagus-like superstructure. In the sarcophagus
all the original stones were re-assembled, but only the front
tympanum was fully reconstructed, while parts of the back,
including the gable, were left missing.

Generally, there was a marked difference in craftsmanship
between tombs TIB and TIC, the latter being more hastily and
less precisely built. The restoration retained this slight difference
in the appearance of the two structures.

UNDERGROUND TOMB TIGH

This small hypogeum was discovered in 1990. Typically for
the necropolis, a straight stairway (in this case covered with a
barrel vault) led to the burial chamber. The usual sunken courtyard
was reduced to a light/ventilation shaft built over an opening in the
chamber’s ceiling. 7 During the excavations of 1990 the chamber
was partly explored through the shaft, in 1991 further cleaning of
the staircase had to be halted for safety reasons. During the
restoration season of 1991 the staircase was gradually cleaned of
sand and protected.

While the stone vault was well preserved, the walls of the
rock-hewn staircase were badly eroded and cracked. It was decided
to fill the voids with concrete of crushed limestone and lime
mortar, i.e. in a form most resembling the original monolithic rock.
Loosened joints in the vault were filled in.

7 Cf. W. A. Daszewski, 1991, cross-section on p. 33.

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