Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (9.1997(1998))

a rather prolonged period of use. Excavations in this area had to be
temporarily suspended in order to take appropriate preservation
measures in view of the disintegrated condition of surrounding
walls. It appears that house FC reached all the way to street R4.
A detailed study of its plan and architectural stratigraphy will be
made following excavations in the coming season.


TRENCH F-IV
The trench opened
in the previous campaign
was now extended to the
east, covering the area
between the cisterns and
the great perimeter wall
on street R4.6 Upon
removing the upper Late
Roman levelling stratum
(some 2 m thick), a layer
of debris was discovered,
consisting of regular
limestone blocks coming
from an earlier structure.
Beside the typical debris Fig. 3. A stucco plaster head,
resulting from either the
dismantling or destruction of a building, the layer yielded numerous
fragments of architectural elements, colored plaster, cornices,
stucco. Interesting finds include a broken Tripolitanian in amphora,
dated to the 3rd century, a stucco plaster head (fig. 3), and
an excellently preserved game counter with an inscription on

6 For the initial results, see. G. Majcherek, Kom el-Dikka, Excavations 1996, PAM VIII,
1996(1997), pp. 30-31.

30