DOI article:
Gawlikowski, Michał: Palmyra
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43746#0142
LATER USE OF THE HOUSE
The clear disposition described so far is blurred by late
transformations, more important here than elsewhere in this house.
The most striking feature of the late arrangement is the large
courtyard which was formed by abolishing the walls between loci
32, 33 and 34; the earthen floor of this yard was some 20 cm
above the only hard surface preserved, a plaster floor of loc. 33,
already late in date as suggested by the red paint, and indicating
clearly the position of the walls removed with their foundations.
This yard was closed on all sides except from the north,
where it could be approached through small rooms installed in the
former kitchen yard loc. 29 and in the porch of the kitchen itself,
still in use on a higher level. Several consecutive fireplaces are
partly preserved in loc. 27, some marked only by traces of soot on
walls. While difficult to date in absolute terms, they seem to
continue the original function of the room. Similarly, a washing
facility and a lavatory subsisted in loc. 31 opposite. This dwelling
opened into the courtyard loc. 22, as did two other comparable
units excavated in 1990.
Two southernmost rooms (loci 36 and 37) remained
unchanged in outline, but they became attached to another house
by a door cut into the southern wall, and closed on other sides. In
loc. 37 an oil press seems to have been installed, of which only
sockets and stone supports on the floor level remain.
Similarly, a door was cut from the south into the courtyard
loc. 35, which retained its original form except for a small room
built into the corner of the colonnade (loc. 35b) and for stone
fences set between columns so as to isolate the remaining parts of
the portico. Together with the court, still open, this dwelling was
accessible from the north through the original entrance hall loc.
140
The clear disposition described so far is blurred by late
transformations, more important here than elsewhere in this house.
The most striking feature of the late arrangement is the large
courtyard which was formed by abolishing the walls between loci
32, 33 and 34; the earthen floor of this yard was some 20 cm
above the only hard surface preserved, a plaster floor of loc. 33,
already late in date as suggested by the red paint, and indicating
clearly the position of the walls removed with their foundations.
This yard was closed on all sides except from the north,
where it could be approached through small rooms installed in the
former kitchen yard loc. 29 and in the porch of the kitchen itself,
still in use on a higher level. Several consecutive fireplaces are
partly preserved in loc. 27, some marked only by traces of soot on
walls. While difficult to date in absolute terms, they seem to
continue the original function of the room. Similarly, a washing
facility and a lavatory subsisted in loc. 31 opposite. This dwelling
opened into the courtyard loc. 22, as did two other comparable
units excavated in 1990.
Two southernmost rooms (loci 36 and 37) remained
unchanged in outline, but they became attached to another house
by a door cut into the southern wall, and closed on other sides. In
loc. 37 an oil press seems to have been installed, of which only
sockets and stone supports on the floor level remain.
Similarly, a door was cut from the south into the courtyard
loc. 35, which retained its original form except for a small room
built into the corner of the colonnade (loc. 35b) and for stone
fences set between columns so as to isolate the remaining parts of
the portico. Together with the court, still open, this dwelling was
accessible from the north through the original entrance hall loc.
140