Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (7.1995(1996))

PALMYRA

EXCAVATIONS 1995
by Michaf Gawlikowski
While continuing excavations in a sector of downtown
Palmyra north of the Great Colonnade, we were able at last, at the
close of the season, working from September 5 to October 12, to
reach the southern limits of the large residential complex which has
been under investigation since 1988 (the 1988, 1990 and 1993
seasons)\ The total cleared area approximates over 2000 m-. Even
if the relatively modest architecture does not permit the use of the
term "palace", the ruins combine to form a very spacious residence
indeed. Only the northernmost courtyard, the first to be excavated,
can be taken to be independent of the rest, though probably it was
linked with the neighbouring one^at the mezzanine level, as
proposed in my earlier reports. Everywhere else, the passages
between the various parts of the house are well in evidence and
there is no doubt as to the unity of the constitutive sectors in spite of
some differences in the building technique.
The southern limit of the house was much reworked in the last
period of occupation, and the remaining area between the house and
the line of the Great Colonnade was apparently left empty. Indeed,

' The mission, directed by the present writer, included: Dr. Grzegorz
Majcherek, Mr. Siawomir Kowalski, Mr. Janusz Bylinski, Miss Anna Witecka,
Miss Dagmara Wielgosz, and Miss Marta Zuchowska. Mrs Krystyna
Gawlikowska took part in a private capacity. The architectural survey of the
Arab Castle was completed by Prof. Constantinos Socratidis and his two
students from the Eco/<? Geneva. The representatives of the
DGAM attached to the mission were subsequently Messrs. Ahmad Taha and Ali
Taha. I wish to thank them all for their excellent collaboration. I acknowledge
gratefully the support of Dr. Sultan Mohesen, the Director General of
Aaitiquities and Museums, and of Mr. Khaled As'ad, Director of Antiquities and
Museums of Palmyra.

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