Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (7.1995(1996))

sanctuary of a personage from the highest echelons of the social
hierarchy.
Other fragments of hieroglyphic inscriptions in sunk relief
have been preserved on pieces of limestone blocks found in the
bottom part of the mixed layer in squares EEE and III. Some of
these fragments contain royal titles as well as a cartouche with the
throne name of Alexander the Great 7? 7?^ wr/ Fig. 1).
Both Philip Arrhidaeus and Ptolemy I Soter bore a similar throne
name, but in the light of our newest discoveries it seems more
probable that the blocks originated from a sanctuary erected here
in the times of Alexander the Great. The building's localization
remains unknown. Should this Early Ptolemaic temple have been
situated on the spot occupied today by the tomb of Sidi Yusuf,
then the public baths from the reign of Ptolemy VI, which
obviously served a cultic role for meetings of Dionysiac
symposiasts?) would have constituted merely an extension.
This year's excavations in the eastern part of the baths, which
lies under a wall of the Byzantine period and ceramic deposit of
Roman times, have uncovered disturbed fragments of walls of fired
brick covered with a thick layer of plaster. Two small limestone
altars were found in relation to this wall. One of the altars, a typical
"horned" type, is completely preserved (Fig. 2), the other
apparently represents a piece of monumental architecture in
miniature. The presence of these altars in the area of the baths
confirms the cultic aspect of the entire bath complex.
The deep surface layer explored in squares EEE and III
during the present season also contained a number of objects from
the Roman period, including a lamp of the 2'"* century A.D.
featuring a discus decorated with an original scene of animal
combat (Fig. 3). The presence of these objects is all the more
valuable, because the Roman layer in this part of the ancient
Athribis was destroyed completely, presumably by medieval
diggers in search of gold.

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