Kom El-Dikka Excavations, 1997/98

ALEXANDRIA EGYPT

KOM EL-DIKKA EXCAVATIONS, 1997/98

Grzegorz Majcherek

In 1997/98, as every year in view of the long-term character of the project, the excavations were spread out all over the area, continuing already advanced research in different sectors of the site.1 Apart from ongoing archaeological investigations integrally connected with the conservation program in the area of the cisterns (see report on the preservation work by W. Kołątaj in this volume), the main objectives of this year´s campaign were twofold: • Excavation of parts of the Medieval cemeteries on the western extremes of the site (sector CV) and in the corner of the Bath gymnasium (sector Q). • Continued exploration of the complex of Early Roman villas discovered in the space between the Late Roman bath and the cisterns (sector F). Limited archaeological research was also conducted in the southeastern part of the Residential Quarter, east of street R4 (sector W1). This work was carried out as part of a separate Mosaics Conservation Project funded by an USAID-Egyptian An- tiquities Project Grant.

1 The archaeological excavations continued uninterruptedly over a period from October 1997 to July 30, 1998. The team headed by Dr. Grzegorz Majcherek. included: Mmes Iwona Zych, Elżbieta Kołosowska, Renata Kucharczyk, Agnieszka Talar and Mr. Mikołaj Budzanowski, archaeologists; Mrs. Małgorzata Redlak, Islamologist; Misses Ewa Wiewiórka, Katarzyna Wodarska, students of archaeology. Mr. Waldemar Jerke, Polish Center photographer, handled the photographic docu- mentation efficiently as usual. The mission would like to acknowledge gratefully the friendly support of Prof. Dr. Gaballa Ali Gaballa, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and the invaluable help of Mr. Ahmed Abdel Fatah, Director General of the Alexandrian Sites and Museums. Our thanks also go to Mr. Abdel Salam Bakr, General Director of the SCA Egyptian Antiquities Sector, for his unfailing efforts in clearing administrative problems. We are also much indebted to the Gover- norate of Alexandria for extensive help in the evacuation of earth from the site. Last but not least, we owe sincere thanks to Mr. Ahmed Moussa, site inspector, whose assistance and friendly coop- eration has made our task possible to complete.

* * * Last year, the Late Dr. Władysław Kubiak, Kom el-Dikka site. It was not given to Professor of Islamic archaeology at War- him to see this enormous task completed, saw University, undertook an extensive yet the vast experience and profound research project, the goal of which was knowledge of Islamic ceramics which he to prepare a comprehensive publication shared with us will certainly help us to of all the Medieval pottery finds from the continue this project. SECTOR CV Considerable progress in the evacuation veloped type with the burial chamber also of soil and debris deposits from the west- built of small limestone blocks and plas- ern part of the site, particularly from the tered on the inside, but with the cover vicinity of the so-called Theater Portico, constructed as a gabled roof. In one case prompted our decision to undertake ex- (CV 103), the eastern part of the tomb cavations in this area. The work in this was additionally equipped with a sort of sector was made possible thanks to finan- vertical shaft, apparently designed to ac- cial support from the Polish Government. commodate multiple burials. In the west- An area measuring some 30 x 13m ern end of the excavation trench, two (c. 400 m2) was marked for exploration. large rectangular structures were cleared. It covers the western end of a passage They were intended most probably as a belonging to the Late Roman bath, in- means to enclose a number of neighbor- cluding presumably an entrance to the ing graves. complex.2 Exploration of the corresponding Immediately below the present top- and superimposed layers yielded a large soil (c. 11.50 m above sea level) tombs of number of finds. Apparently, what had the Islamic Upper Necropolis were been a burial ground, was turned into a cleared. All the surviving tombs were lo- dump in the late 12th century. Small finds cated in the northern part of the exca- include fragments of inscribed glass vated area; the southern part appears to weights, lamps, glass vessels, small bronze have been destroyed by modern activi- items etc. Of particular interest is an ani- ties during the prolonged occupation of mal bone inscribed with magic incanta- this area by an Egyptian army unit. The tions (Reg. 4420). An extensive collection tombs were oriented SW-NE, following of ceramics representing production cen- the traditional Muslim rite of the body ters from practically all over the Medi- being buried facing the qibla. Altogether terranean area was also recorded during some twenty tombs were recorded within the excavations. Beside examples from the trench confines. They represent two the Eastern Mediterranean (Cypriot and different types. One group features a Zeuxippus wares), sherds of Italian and stone burial chamber roofed horizontally Siculo-Maghrebi proto-majolicas were with slabs; the other group is a more de- also discovered. Wares originating from

2 For previous excavations nearby, cf. W. Kubiak, Les fouilles polonaises a` Kom el-Dick en 1963 et 1964, Bulletin de la Société Archéologique d’Alexandrie, 42 (1967), pp. 47-80; G. Majcherek, PAM V, Reports 1993 (1994), pp. 11-21.

PAM X [= Reports 1998] © PCMA 2008 – digital reprint ALEXANDRIA EGYPT

Tunisia and Spain were also quite fre- Floors inside the structures were quent. Egyptian-made pottery is repre- paved with gravel or small pebbles set in sented by practically all the known types lime mortar. Bodies were buried in shal- and decoration techniques. Noteworthy low trenches with no additional, protec- are the numerous examples of conspicu- tive structures. In two cases, inscribed ous, color, Fayyumi-type pottery. Apart stele giving the names of the deceased from quite frequent monochromatic ves- along with the usual Quranic verses were sels, fragments of Fatimid Lustre Ware, found. Neighboring graves seem to be- and a variety of Mamluk Sgraff and Slip long to one family as suggested by the Painted wares were also recorded. One names: Isma'il Ibn Ahmed (Fig. 1) and should mention numerous examples of Musahir(d) Ibn Ahmed. Both steles can semi-artistic pottery, presumably locally be safely dated to the first half of the 3rd made, although tangible proof is lacking. century AH (9th century AD). The rich repertoire of imported ceramics provides direct evidence for Alexandria's overseas trade and the prominent part played by the city in the commercial exchange of the Middle Ages. The finds from the Islamic strata have never been thoroughly studied; it is only now that the research has been under- taken in a broader archaeological context.3 Immediately below the layer of debris, ashes and kiln refuse (c. 0.80-1.20 m thick) a level of the Middle Necropolis appeared (c. 10.50 m above sea level). Graves belonging to this phase of the cemetery were located mostly along the northern and southern border of the trench. The central area, following an E-W axis was left free, apparently serving as a small internal passage. A fragment of the passage (c. 1.20 m wide), its surface reinforced with crushed bricks and gravel, was cleared at the eastern edge of the excavation area. Middle Necropolis graves are of a different kind entirely. Usually, they are built as relatively large, rectangular structures made of bigger, tightly fitting lime- Fig. 1. Inscribed Arabic stele stone blocks. (Photo W. Jerke)

3 See preliminary study of imported wares, W. Kubiak, Overseas pottery trade of Medieval Alexan- dria, Folia Orientalia, X (1969), pp. 5-30.

Finds from corresponding layers rep- man, apparently residual pottery was also resented a wide range of artifacts of both abundant. The archaeological evidence as Byzantine and Early Islamic date. Apart a whole supports the previously estab- from sherds of Fayyumi-type pottery and lished chronology of this phase of the Tulunid Luster wares, some fragments of cemetery. the Early Islamic lead-glazed splashed Graves of the Middle Necropolis ware usually designated as "Coptic" (8th were placed directly on top of the relics -9th century AD) were found. Late Ro- of the Late Roman structures bordering

Fig. 2. General view of the paved passage. Sector CV (Photo W. Jerke)

PAM X [= Reports 1998] © PCMA 2008 – digital reprint ALEXANDRIA EGYPT

the passage. Apparently, these buildings 1.00 m above the foundation wall, while were already in ruin at this time. The ob- of the northern one only a single drum servation was further corroborated dur- has survived. Both columns stood on ing the exploration of the Lower a massive foundation wall c. 1.35 m thick, Necropolis. Burials belonging to this built of large blocks in a manner similar phase of the cemetery were largely dug to that previously investigated in front of into the pavement or latest surface of the the Theater. The preserved passage pave- passage, destroying much of it in the pro- ment, however, was laid on a markedly cess. Altogether some 30 burials were re- higher level. corded. Graves of the Lower Necropolis At a later period the Doric columns were more evenly spaced, covering the may have been used as a substructure for whole extent of the excavation trench. other columns; but this assumption needs Again, they fall into two distinct groups: further evidence. The said gateway, built stone-cased burials and simple inter- along the passage axis, was apparently ments. Skeletal remains were rather one of the monumental entrances to the poorly preserved, owing to the detrimen- bath complex. Therefore, it is expected tal soil conditions: humidity, high con- that a similarly located gate will be found centration of salts and biological degrad- at the beginning of the northern passage. ation. Burials of the Lower Necropolis were dug into what appears to have been the latest surface of the passage, a layer of earth reinforced with crushed potsherds and gravel. The said level corresponds with the thresholds of Building No. 12, excavated in 1986/87 along the southern edge of the passage. The entire western end of the south passage of the Bath was cleared, revealing a partly preserved pavement and dismantled front wall of adjacent buildings (Fig. 2). The pavement was found to be seri- ously damaged by later burials. Only its southern part, made of large limestone flagstones, has survived. At the western extreme of the trench, remains of a monumental gate leading to the Late Ro- man Bath complex were discovered. The entrance was flanked by two Doric columns (c. 0.85 m in diameter) standing 3.5 m apart (Fig. 3). The southern one was Fig. 3. Remains of the east gate of the Bath. preserved to a level of approximately Sector CV (Photo W. Jerke)

SECTOR Q Excavation in this area, which adjoins Exploration reached down to the sector F on the west, covered some 120 m2 Early Islamic and Byzantine levels. Im- (c. 17 x 7 m). Graves of the Islamic mediately below the northernmost Upper Necropolis, cleared some 0.60- graves, a marble column was found. It had 0.80 m below the topsoil, were found to apparently toppled from a nearby portico. be in relatively good condition. Alto- Given the relatively high level, on which gether some 13 tombs were explored, fall- the fallen column lies, as well as archaeo- ing into two typologically different logical evidence from the layers trapped groups, similar to those previously rec- underneath, it should be assumed that the ognized in sector CV. catastrophe occurred sometime in the Some of the graves cleared in the cen- end of the 8th century AD. It is tempting to tral part of the trench were apparently sur- connect it with an earthquake recorded in rounded by enclosure walls, of which only AD 792. The column (broken into two) was the lowermost courses have been preserved. approximately 4.65 m high, i.e., consider- In the southern part of the excavation area, ably smaller than the Aswan granite col- scanty remains of a small mosque were umns forming the northern wing of the found. Actually, only the lime floor of a gymnasium. Obviously, the architectural mihrab niche pointing southeast has sur- arrangement of the eastern wing must have vived, together with a small section of abut- followed a different plan. Columns were ting wall. There is nothing to suggest the apparently placed on top of an elevated sty- extent of the mosque. The mihrab was built lobate (c. 1.55 m high) to make up for the over an earlier tomb, Q 40, a clear indica- difference in levels. A small section of the tion of the stratigraphical and typological foundation wall structured of large blocks development of the cemetery. (c. 1.30 m wide) was uncovered nearby. The The corresponding layers yielded the large trench of a ghost wall continued in a usual broad range of assorted finds, simi- southerly direction for another 6 m. The fill lar to that recorded in sector CV. Apart from was explored down to a level of some 2.50 m numerous fragments of common wares: without finding any traces of the origi- cooking pots, frying pans, bowls and dishes, nal structure. It appears that the wall was quite a number of various table wares and completely dismantled, save for another lead-glazed oil lamps was also found. small section at the southern end of the Quantitatively speaking, Mamluk Sgraff excavation trench. and Slip Painted wares form the largest The results of excavation in this area group. They were accompanied by less fre- have confirmed our earlier surmises, quent finds of North African (Hafsid) pot- based mostly on calculations and a study tery and examples of Siculo-Maghrebi of the overall design. The southern gym- proto-majolica. The evidence as a whole nasium of the Late Roman bath was cer- points to the 12th-13th century AD as the tainly surrounded with porticoes on most probable date for the cemetery. three sides at least.4

4 For the initial hypothesis, cf. W. Kołątaj, Imperial Baths at Kom el-Dikka, Alexandrie VI (Warsaw 1992), pp. 169-170.

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RESIDENTIAL QUARTER (SECTOR F) Excavations in this sector, initiated in A partly preserved oikos excavated in 1994, have been continuing over the past 1995 revealed a fine, colored geometric few seasons and have brought to light mosaic, while an opus sectile floor of dif- examples of residential architecture of ferent color marble tiles decorated yet the 1st-3rd century AD. The relatively another room opening off the courtyard. well-preserved structures constitute a The series of rooms siding the street valuable source for studies on the devel- served domestic purposes. Shops were opment of domestic architecture in Early also located in this wing. How sumptu- Roman Alexandria. The houses represent ous the decoration of the villa had been a rather typical layout consisting of a is proven by the collection of statuary pseudo-peristyle courtyard surrounded pieces found over the course of the by a series of rooms of different function. work.5

HOUSE FA Work was concentrated on the explo- In Room 15, the said stratum was ration of some 3rd century AD accumu- cleared down to the original floor level. lations left in the eastern wing of the A solid structure, measuring 1.30 x house (Fig. 4). 0.90 m, made of extremely large blocks

Fig. 4. Early Roman houses. Residential quarter (Drawing Z. Solarewicz and G. Majcherek)

5 For the results of earlier campaigns, see G. Majcherek, PAM VI, Reports 1994 (1995), pp. 11-20; PAM VII, Reports 1995 (1996), pp.13-22; PAM VIII, Reports 1996 (1997), pp. 17-31; PAM IX, Reports 1997 (1998), pp. 23-37.

in the center of the room, apparently as a dumping place, a large pottery de- served as a central pier supporting a stair- posit was uncovered. It proved to be par- case. A similar structure was previously ticularly significant for the chronology, excavated in Room 6. as it was found sealed by a later floor. A In the subsequent phase of occupa- careful exploration of this deposit pro- tion, the staircase was dismantled and its duced an extensive and diverse assem- relics covered with a new floor laid on a blage of pottery of Early Roman date, many much higher level. Another floor from of the items being whole or easy to mend. the same period was found on a similar Amphorae were chiefly represented level in Room 19. This floor, however, was by examples of Mareotic vessels. Nile silt paved with fragments of different color amphorae of the Egloff 172 class with the marble slabs. Along the wall dividing typical ringed-toe were also present. Im- rooms 18 and 15, a sewage channel, run- ported containers included examples of ning south and opening into a side-street, Cretan Amphora 2 (Fig. 6). Tripolitanian was excavated. I and early examples of Palestinian bag- East of the staircase, in what ap- shaped vessels. Several pieces of North pears to have been originally a small African origin were also identified. Com- compartment under the stairs, later used mon wares came in almost every shape and size: cooking pots, frying pans, jugs, etc., all of Egyptian manufacture. Table- ware, although definitely less frequent, included some ESA cups (EAA f. 45, 50), and Aegean-made bowls with roulette and barbotine decoration. Of greatest interest, however, is a large group of Egyptian-made bowls (Fig. 5), closely imitating some Cypriot Sigillata shapes,

Fig. 5. Cretan amphora – AC 2 Fig. 6. Egyptian imitations of Cypriot Sigillata (Drawing G. Majcherek) ware (Drawing G. Majcherek)

particularly form P 40.6 A dozen or so early 2nd century AD. This well-dated complete and fragmentary lamps were deposit provides a terminus post quem also collected, including an intact ex- for the second phase of the occupation ample of the Firmalampen class bearing of House FA. Naturally, it remains to be the inscription: TANAIS. A few pottery decided whether the destruction of the sherds at the very top of the deposit may staircase should be interpreted as evi- be of a later date, but all the recorded dence of major destruction or simply re- items can be dated safely to the late 1st- modeling. BUILDING FB The excavations in this area were re- The interior surface of the reducing sumed at the point where they had been chamber is coated with a black vitreous halted in 1994. Double walls running formation testifying to high temperatures N-S, discovered at that time, led us then to inside it. The chamber was filled with believe that another building (designated deposition strata consisting mostly of as FB) would probably be found extend- brick detritus, broken marble pieces, ing further to the west. stones and kiln waste. A roughly sketched As is common in the sector, the portrait was found on one of the broken upper layers in the newly excavated area marble slabs. The floor of the chamber consisted of a thick, homogenous level- was covered with a thick deposit of lime. ing layer made up mostly of ashes and The top of the kiln has not been pre- debris from the last rebuilding of the served, but it was built presumably in the Bath. Directly underneath, some Late shape of a dome or beehive. A transitional Roman structures were discovered. In the tunnel opening to the west, and covered northern part of the trench there was a by a radial brick vault, is approximately section of sewage channel running north. 1.10 m in length. Kiln waste was found It had certainly belonged to the same se- in the stoking area in front of the struc- ries of installations previously discovered ture and also littering the entire sur- in other parts of the sector. rounding surface. This area was appar- In the southern part of the trench, ently used for lime slaking in the 4th-5th close to the Cisterns, a large lime kiln was century AD as evidenced by the pottery uncovered. Part of the kiln had been vis- finds. The structure thus can be associ- ible on the surface cleared already in the ated with extensive building activity previous campaigns. The relatively well nearby, most probably connected with preserved structure was built of red- the building of the cisterns. bricks encased in small stones. It appears Another structure was cleared in to have been constructed directly on top the northern part of the excavation of the front wall of Building FB. The re- trench: a diagonal wall made of large ducing chamber is roughly circular, mea- blocks and reused elements of architec- suring some 1.20 m in diameter. The tural decoration, including marble col- walls survive to a height of 1.90-2.00 m. umn drums, consoles and cornices. The

6 J.W. Hayes, Sigillata Cipriota, [in:] Enciclopedia dell'Arte Antica, Atlante delle forme ceramiche, vol. II (Roma 1986), pp. 80-91, pls XVIII-XXII.

Fig. 7. General plan of Building FB (Drawing M. Budzanowski and G. Majcherek)

wall was designed as a sort of enclosure resting on its base. The flanking pilasters in an apparent attempt to contain large were topped with Corinthian capitals deposits of ashes originating from the worked in plaster. The room was acces- bath praefurnium. This attempt, however, sible not only from the courtyard, but also proved futile, as indicated by a thick layer from the west, through a series of doors of ashes and kiln refuse superimposed on leading from another as yet unexcavated the wall. It seems obvious that in the last room. phase of the operation of the bath, this The floor of this room was covered area served as a dumping ground for with a fragmentarily preserved opus ashes evacuated from the subterranean tesselatum mosaic featuring black-and- service area. white floral and geometric patterns. In Immediately below the said structure, the center, there is a large circular blocks of a fallen wall were cleared. The emblema inserted in a rectangle deco- undisturbed position of the blocks indi- rated with peltae motifs in the corners. cated that this area somehow escaped the The finds from the destruction layer in- stone robbers' attention in Late Antiquity cluded the head of a marble lion statue, and Medieval times. After careful explo- several fragments of lamps, as well as ration of the whole area, the Roman oc- sherds of tableware and commercial cupation level was cleared, revealing a amphorae. The bulk of the pottery indi- rather unusual building consisting of two cates a date in the late 3rd-early 4th cen- large rooms (Fig. 7). The southern one, tury as the most plausible date for the almost square (c. 5.50 x 5.80 m), had ruining of this building. served most probably as a courtyard. The It is possible that the discovered room was not accessible from the street structures were designed as a kind of as proved by a continuous wall preserved monumental entrance to the nearby Sub- c. 0.60 m above the floor level. The floor terranean Building, which was an exten- of the courtyard was unusual: a pebble sive underground complex of chambers pavement laid along the walls, slightly and corridors, adapted at a later date to curving at the corners, and an earth floor be used as the cellars of the Late Roman in the central part. The northern room, Imperial bath erected on the site. The which was entered from the courtyard presence of such a monumental entrance through an entrance flanked by two gran- throws completely new light on the func- ite columns between pilasters, closely re- tion of the Subterranean Building. The calls the typical prostas layout. Both col- layout excludes the structure having umns (c. 3.80 m high) were found bro- served as a kind of enormous stores, al- ken nearby. The lower fragment of the though what exactly it did serve remains eastern one was found sub situ, still partly unclear.