The House of Serenos, Part I: The Pottery (Amheida V) 9781479804696

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Amheida V

The House of Serenos Part I: The Pottery

Clementina Caputo with contributions by

Julie Marchand Irene Soto Marín

INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF THE ANCIENT WORLD NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK 2020

© 2020 Institute for the Study of the Ancient World New York University Press ISBN: 978-1-47980-465-8 (harcover) 978-1-47980-468-9 (ebook) 978-1-47980-469-6 (ebook) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Caputo, Clementina, author. | Soto Marín, Irene, 1988- author. | Marchand, Julie, author. Title: Amheida V : the house of Serenos / Clementina Caputo ; with contributions by Julie Marchand, Irene Soto Marín. Description: New York : Institute for the Study of the Ancient World/New York University Press, 2020- | Includes bibliographical references. | Contents: Part 1. The pottery. | Summary: “The House of Serenos: Part I: The Pottery (Amheida V) is a comprehensive catalog and analysis of the ceramic finds from the late antique house of a local notable and adjacent streets in Amheida. It is the fifth book in the Amheida series. Amheida is located in the western part of the Dakhla oasis, 3.5 km south of the medieval town of El-Qasr. Known in Hellenistic and Roman times as Trimithis, Amheida became a polis by 304 CE and was a major administrative center of the western part of the oasis for the whole of the fourth century. The home’s owner was one Serenos, a member of the municipal elite and a Trimithis city councillor, as we know from documents found in the house. His house is particularly well preserved with respect to floor plan, relationship to the contemporary urban topography, and decoration, including domestic display spaces plastered and painted with subjects drawn from Greek mythology and scenes depicting the family that owned the house. The archaeology from the site also reveals the ways in which the urban space changed over time, as Serenos’s house was built over and expanded into some previously public spaces. The house was probably abandoned around or soon after 370 CE. The pottery analyzed here both helps to refine the relationship of the archaeological layers belonging to the élite house and those below it, and to shed light on the domestic and economic life of the household and region, from cooking and dining to the management of a complex agricultural economy in which ceramics were the most common form of container for basic commodities. The book will primarily be of interest to specialists interested in ceramology, Roman Egypt, and the material culture, social history, and economy of late antiquity”-- Provided by publisher. Identifiers: LCCN 2020012420 (print) | LCCN 2020012421 (ebook) | ISBN 9781479804658 (v.1 : hardback) | ISBN 9781479804689 (ebook) | ISBN 9781479804696 (ebook other) Subjects: LCSH: Excavations (Archaeology)--Egypt--Dakhla Oasis. | Amheida Site (Egypt) | Trimithis (Extinct city) | Dakhla Oasis (Egypt)--Antiquities. Classification: LCC DT73.D33 C37 2020 (print) | LCC DT73.D33 (ebook) | DDC 932/.2--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020012420 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020012421

Designed by Andrew Reinhard Printed in the United States

Contents Acknowledgements List of Figures, Table, and Plates Foreword (P. Ballet) Introduction Chapter 1: Methodological Approaches 1.1. Quantitative Analysis and Ceramics Processing 1.2. Fabrics 1.3. Wares 1.4. Manufacturing Techniques 1.5. Dating of the Ceramics 1.6. Structure of the Catalogue Chapter 2: Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1: Typo-Chronological Study 2.1. Table and Service Wares 2.1.1. Bowls 2.1.2. Dishes 2.1.3. Oasis Red Slip Ware (ORSW) 2.1.4. Liquid Vessels 2.1.5. Kraters 2.2. Utility Ware 2.2.1. Basins and Deep Bowls 2.2.2. Sieves and Funnels 2.3. Cooking ware 2.3.1. Cooking Plates and Casseroles 2.3.2. CookingPpots 2.3.3. Bread Molds and Baking Trays/Dokkas 2.3.4. Lids 2.4. Storage and Transport Vessels 2.4.1. Jars 2.4.2. Kegs (Siga) 2.4.3. Yellow Slipped Flasks 2.5. Amphorae 2.5.1. Amphore Égyptienne 4 (AE 4)

v vii xi 1 5 6 8 10 15 16 16 19 19 19 22 23 24 26 27 27 28 28 28 29 31 31 32 32 34 36 36 37

2.5.2. Late Roman Amphora 7 (LRA 7) 2.5.3. Rhodian Amphora 2.6. Miscellanea 2.6.1. Sāqiya pots (qādūs) 2.6.2. Miniature Vessels 2.6.3. Other Chapter 3: Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1 (above and below B1, S2, S3) Plates I–XIII (General Catalogue) Quantification of Types in Area 2.1 Chapter 4: Pottery from Occupation Levels (B1, S2, S3) 4.1. Room 1 4.2. Room 2 4.3. Room 4 4.4. Room 6 4.5. Room 8 4.6. Courtyard 9+10 4.7. Room 11 4.8. Room 12 4.9. Room 13 4.10. Room 14 4.11. Room 15 4.12. Rooms 16 and 17 4.13. Street 2 4.14. Street 3 Counting of Sherds from the Contexts above Floors Plates of Selected Contexts above Floors (XIV–XXIX) Chapter 5: Pottery Before B1: Dumped Material in Area 2.1 5.1. Trench in Room 1 5.2. Trench in Room 2 5.3. Trench in Room 4 5.4. Trench in Room 6 5.5. Trench in Room 8 5.6. Rooms 9 and 10 5.7. Trench in Room 15 5.8. Trench in Street 2 5.9. Trench in Street 3 Plates of Stratigraphic Units from below Floors of B1, S2, and S3 (XXX–XXXVIII) Chapter 6: The Private Dump of Serenos’ House 6.1. Catalogue of the Pottery from Serenos’ Dump Plates of Serenos’ Dump (XXXIX–XLIII) Conclusions Concordance of Inventory Numbers and Catalogue Numbers Bibliography Figures

38 39 40 40 41 41 43 91 105 115 115 116 117 118 118 119 121 121 122 123 124 126 127 129 131 147 165 165 166 166 167 167 168 170 170 171 173 183 188 197 203 211 221

Acknowledgements This book originates from one chapter of my PhD thesis, completed in 2014 at the University of Salento and University of Poitiers. It provides a comprehensive study of the ceramic materials recovered in a Late Roman House (B1) and two streets (S2 and S3) adjacent to it, between the 2004 and 2010 seasons, during the archaeological excavations carried out by the international team of New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at Amheida, in the western desert of Egypt. It was a great privilege for me to be invited to prepare this final report on the ceramics from House B1, during which I was assisted by a number of people whom I would like to thank. In particular, I am profoundly grateful to Roger S. Bagnall, Director of the Amheida Project, for his constant support, careful scientific editing, and for giving me the opportunity to study this material in the first place. Special thanks go to the project’s Archaeological Director and – above all – my mentor Paola Davoli, whose expert guidance helped me move through each stage of my research and academic career. Her precious advice during all these years on the field, the comments, and archaeological discussions have resulted in the present manuscript. I also would like to thank Pascale Ballet, not only for her supervision of this study during her stay in the field, but also for her priceless ceramological teachings and comments on the manuscript of this study. Her expertise in Greco-Romano-Egyptian ceramic traditions in the Great Oasis significantly impacted interpretations in this volume. Every member of the Amheida Project team, including both past and present members, contributed enormously to this volume and took part directly or indirectly in the painstaking processing of this ceramic materials. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the archaeologists, topographers, and specialists who worked on the day-to-day excavation, recording, photographing, and data management for House B1. In particular, I would like to extend special thanks to my ceramologist colleagues Andrea Myers Achi, Delphine Dixneuf, Julie Marchand, Gillian Pyke, and Irene Soto Marín. In addition to myself, the drawings of the vessels were done during in the field by Ashraf Senussi, Julie Marchand, Stefania Alfarano, Paola Vertuani. The photographic images are mainly the work of Bruno Bazzani and the plans published in this volume were drafted by Ar/S Archeosistemi and Leonardo Davighi. The careful and accurate restoration of the vessels was the work of our conservator Mohammed Ahmed Sayed. The everpresent and ever-friendly Bruno Bazzani, the Mission’s official IT Engineer and photographer, v

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has a special claim on my gratitude. His extraordinary patience and expertise in implementing the database and the information tools for working on ceramics have greatly facilitated my analysis and statistical quantification. Our Egyptian colleagues were an invaluable part of this study and the larger project in the field. Ashraf Barakat, Assistant to the Director, kept the project running smoothly at all times. The staff at the excavation house, under the management of Gaber Murad, made the stay in the house always pleasant and comfortable. Additional thanks go to the anonymous reviewers, who provided valuable comments and suggestions for additions and clarifications on the manuscript. A portion of this volume was written during my post-doctorate research position in the Collaborative Research Centre 933 “Material Text Cultures. Materiality and Presence of Writing in Non-Typographic Societies” at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (Germany), as part of the subproject A09 “Writing on Ostraca in the Inner and Outer Mediterranean.” I would like to thank all the members and scholars I met between 2016 and 2019 in Heidelberg, who provided assistance, motivation, and good humor to me during the period in which I completed this volume. The CRC 933 is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), which I thank for supporting my research during these years. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my family, my greatest shelter, and particularly to Stefania Alfarano and Roberta Casagrande-Kim for their constant encouragement and help. This work could have not been completed without the love, care, and understanding of my husband Gianni, who gave me the strength to continue day after day in the most difficult moments. It is to him that this book is dedicated.

List of Figures, Tables, and Plates Figure 1: The Great Oasis with Amheida/Trimithis in northwest corner. Figure 2: General map of Amheida/Trimithis divided in 11 areas. Figure 3: Plan of Area 2.1 with the House of Serenos (B1), the stable (B5), and Streets 2 and 3. Figure 4: Roman thermae (laconicum and latrina) below B1 and B5. Figure 5: Macro photos of some Amheida fabrics. Figures 6–9: Some complete or almost complete vessels from B1, S2, and S3. Figure 10: Section drawing of Room 4 Figure 11: Small stove (F31) in Room 4. Figure 12: Plan of Rooms 9 and 10. Figure 13: Plan of Room 13 showing the distribution of ceramic fragments. Figure 14: Almost complete unfired clay disc in Room 13 (DSU 216). Figure 15: The double bin (F151+F174) in Room 13. Figure 16: Section drawing of Room 14. Figure 17: Plan of Room 15 showing the distribution of ceramic vessels that received a Field Number (FN) during the excavation. Figure 18: The stibadium outside the House of Serenos. Figure 19: Section drawing of Street 2. Figure 20: Vessels found in a dumped layer (DSU 163) lying on the floor (F117) of the laconicum. Figure 21: Cooking pot (no. 129 = Inv. 10264) from DSU 170 in the laconicum. Figure 22: The closed alley (R43) to the south of Building 6 (Area 2.2). Figure 23: Illustration of Serenos’ social network. Table 1: Fabric and Ware desciptions. Table 2: Total kilograms for each fabric found in B1, S2, S3 (above floors). Tables 3–17: Quantification of ceramic types and distribution by functional categories for selected contexts above floors of B1. vii

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Table 18: Quantification of ceramic types from Serenos’ dump (Room 43, DSU 160, Area 2.2). Table 19: Percentage of pottery from B1, S2, S3 (above floors). General Catalogue Plate I: Small footed bowls (nos. 1–9); Bowls (nos. 10–27). Plate II: Bowls (nos. 28–38); medium bowls (nos. 39–41); dishes (nos. 42–46). Plate III: Oasis Red Slip Ware (nos. 47–55); vessels for liquids (nos. 56–72). Plate IV: Vessels for liquids (nos. 73–79); kraters (nos. 80–85). Plate V: Krater with decoration from Room 15 of House B1 (no. 86). Plate VI: Deep bowls (nos. 87–88); basins (nos. 89–94). Plate VII: Basins (nos. 95–98); sieves (nos. 99–100); funnel (no. 101). Plate VIII: Cooking plates (nos. 102–103); casseroles (nos. 104–111); cooking pots (nos. 112– 122). Plate IX: Cooking pots (nos. 123–147). Plate X: Bread molds (nos. 148–149); baking trays/dokkas (nos. 150–151); small lids (nos. 152– 155); lids (nos. 156–163); jars (nos. 164–174). Plate XI: Jars (nos. 175–194). Plate XII: Kegs (nos. 195–203); Yellow slipped flasks and jars (nos. 204–212). Plate XIII: Amphora AE 4 (no. 213); Rhodian amphoras (nos. 214–215); LRA 7 (nos. 216–227); Sāqiya pots (nos. 228–230); miniature vessels (nos. 231–235); other (nos. 236–238). Selected Contexts above Floors (B1, S2, S3) Plate XIV: Room 1–DSU 4. Plate XV: Room 4–DSUs 9 and 23. Plate XVI: Room 6–DSUs 67, 75, 76, and 78. Plate XVII: Room 8–DSUs 63, 74, and 77. Plates XVIII–XIX: Room 9 and Room 10. Plate XX: Room 11–DSU 235 and Room 12–DSUs 245 and 247. Plate XXI: Room 13–DSUs 208, 209, and 216. Plate XXII: Room 14–DSUs 221 and 233. Plates XXIII–XXVII: Room 15–DSUs 140, 145, 152, 157, and 181. Plate XXVIII: Rooms 16 and 17–DSUs 150, 158=161. Plate XXIX: Street 2–DSUs 342 and 348 and Street 3–DSU 387. Relevant Units below Floors in Area 2.1 Plate XXX: Trenches Room 1 and Room 2. Plate XXXI: Trenches Room 4 and Room 6. Plate XXXII: Trench Room 8. Plates XXXIII–XXXV: Below courtyard Room 9 and Room 10. Plate XXXVI: Trench Room 15. Plate XXXVII: Trenches Street 2 and Street 3.

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Plate XXXVIII: Some decorated fragments found in the dump layers below floors of Room 15 (B1) and Street 2. Serenos’ Dump Catalogue Plates XXXIX–XLIII: Room 43–DSU 160

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Foreword The work that Clementina Caputo presents to the community of historians and archaeologists of Roman and Byzantine Egypt, and indeed to a wider audience, is the result of an extended research effort carried out in conditions that one might describe as ideal, because it has taken place in the context of multidisciplinary studies and as part of a team of scholars whose competences have made it possible to grasp with some precision the history and immediacy of the use of a ceramic assemblage in the far west of the Dakhla oasis during the fourth century CE, and in the particular setting of Amheida/Trimithis, which acquired the status of polis at the latest by the start of that century. During the 1980s, when I was studying the workshops and tombs of the Sixth Dynasty and the First Intermediate Period at Balat and ‘Ayn Asil, I had the opportunity to become acquainted, albeit rather rapidly, with this large urban territory and to recognize the existence there of a local ceramic production, rather different from that of Douch/Kysis, which I studied shortly afterward for the Institut français d’archéologie orientale. Later, I returned to Dakhla, this time to Amheida, on the invitation of Roger Bagnall and Paola Davoli, for surveys of the urban territory and for ceramological seminars on site. These provided the opportunity for discussions and exchanges concerning the fabrics and ceramic productions of Trimithis and of Dakhla more broadly. It is thus particularly pleasing to be able to provide a foreword for this work, the product of that working environment. The work carried out at Amheida, the last large urban settlement of the Great Oasis before one enters the desert zones to its west, has produced an exceptional documentation. The excavation has revealed a city located in a rich agricultural hinterland, with houses, tombs, wall decoration, texts, and other objects that show us its wealth and allow the reconstruction of many of the practices of daily life, from food to education. For more than forty years, following the pioneering work of Ahmed Fakhry, the sites of the western desert have been intensively explored, and for the Great Oasis—a toponym that comprises both Dakhla and Kharga in the Roman period—the production of information has been quite exceptional. For Dakhla, the first publications go back to the beginning of the 1980s, marked above all by Denkmäler der Oase Dachla aus dem Nachlass von Ahmed Fakhry, the foundational work of Jürgen Osing based on the dossiers of Ahmed Fakhry. Since then, the growth of publications has been largely owed to the Dakhleh Oasis Project (DOP), the federation that served as catalyst for work in this region. Benefiting from the synergy fostered by practices of collaboration and information sharing, the various teams working in the Dakhla Oasis have placed much emphasis on publishing their results. For the Roman period, which is particularly rich in archaeological remains thanks to the excellent preservation of the sites, their monuments, their texts, and their artifacts, the regular publications on ‘Ismant el-Kharab/ Kellis, ‘Ain el-Gedida (the full report on which has just appeared as Amheida IV), and Amheida/Trimithis provide a framework for the analysis of the ancient societies of the western desert of Egypt in the Roman period.

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In this particularly stimulating context, the work of Clementina Caputo, assisted by two other young scholars, Julie Marchand and Irene Soto Marín, who took part in the study of the finds, forms the fifth volume of the series Amheida. It offers a systematic study of the ceramic assemblage from the house of Serenos (House B1). Serenos held important civic offices at Trimithis and as a result was part of the local élite. This monograph forms part of a well-grounded archaeological tradition: the typological study of an assemblage and its contextualization, organized into two main sections. In this way it covers all aspects of the production and use of ceramics, as seen in the light of the assemblage found in the totality of the spaces and stratigraphic units of this large house, with its annexes and adjoining streets (Streets 2 and 3). This house was built in part over earlier buildings that had been abandoned, particularly parts of the Roman baths. This construction history explains the variation in type and chronology that characterizes the pottery, ranging from the transition from the second to the third century until around 370 CE. If Amheida V responds perfectly to the demands of a ceramological publication, it also reflects the extensive documentary, human, and institutional resources on which the author has relied: her thesis on the ceramic supports for writing, based on the finds at Dime (Soknopaiou Nesos) and Amheida, Ermeneutica e semiotica in archeologia : per una nuova interpretaziaone culturale della ceramica vascolare nell’Egitto greco-romano, defended at the University of Salento (Lecce) in 2014, co-sponsored by the University of Poitiers. This in turn led to articles on the materiality of texts, particularly in the framework of a postdoctoral program at the Ruprecht-Karls University of ’Heidelberg; spatial analyses that she has carried out on the territory of Trimithis; close contacts with Colin A. Hope and his collaborators; and interchanges with the team of el-Deir, in the larger context of a Franco-American program of collaboration directed by Roger S. Bagnall and Gaëlle Tallet, with the participation of the University of Poitiers. From this collaboration resulted the recent collective volume The Great Oasis: The Kharga and Dakhla Oases of Egypt in Antiquity, edited by R. S. Bagnall and G. Tallet (Cambridge, 2019). Three observations need to be made about the substantive contributions of this book. First, the detailed accounting of all of the contexts and the precision of the ceramological analysis make it possible to distinguish, above all, the sherds used in chinking the vaults of the house, which had been drawn from dumps earlier than or contemporary with the house, from the pottery that belongs to the final use of the living space and to its abandonment. Moreover, this study sheds new light on the relationship, which is often difficult to discern, between the functions of the rooms and their associated material, something uncommon in a domestic context. Thus it becomes possible to sketch a genuine material history of Serenos’ habitation, highlighting the use of the reception rooms and those used to prepare meals, their enlargements and renovations, and in short a nuanced description of these spaces carried out competently and prudently by well-trained young scholars. My second observation concerns the contextualization of the ceramic documentation in a broader perspective, which, thanks to the circumstances of its discovery, gives us a substantial picture of the production and use of the assemblage, then at its peak in the Great Oasis. In fact, it is in the span from the start to the end of the fourth century that the floruit of its ceramic

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production may be found. If we still lack much of the data needed to appreciate the material culture of the Nile Valley in this period, by contrast in Dakhla as in Kharga, this is a period of flourishing production, in which the potters’ talents shine, thanks to their knowledge of the larger developments of forms and techniques in the Mediterranean world, but at the same time displaying an inventiveness adapted to their physical setting and their clientele. Thus, despite the meager role played in this assemblage by imports from areas outside Egypt, we may nevertheless observe the existence of a community of forms common to the whole Mediterranean, with, to be sure, many variants and adaptations. Clementina Caputo’s work shows us all of their sources. The third point concerns local specificity. On the scale of an urban site of this size, in the heart of an agricultural setting with many resources, it is possible to observe a certain degree of autonomy in the production of common ceramics connected both to domestic use and to the processing of foodstuffs. A salient example is the Brittle Wares, no doubt produced from kaolinite-type clays, which were produced either at Kellis or in its immediate surroundings. These constitute a distinctive and original group, finds of which are largely concentrated in the western part of Dakhla. Discovering the origins of the regional ceramic productions of the Great Oasis and establishing their connection to specific urban settlements remains a vital field of research, going well beyond the scope of monographic studies of this type. But such monographs are the indispensable foundation for such future investigations. Pascale Ballet Université de Paris Nanterre, UMR 7041, ArScAn – ESPRI (translated by Roger Bagnall)

Introduction Amheida is located in the western part of the Dakhla oasis, 3.5 km south of the medieval town of El-Qasr (Figure 1).1 Known in Hellenistic and Roman times as Trimithis, Amheida became a polis by 304 CE, as evidenced by a papyrus from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis.2 Trimithis in fact served as the major administrative center of the western part of the oasis for the entire fourth century CE.3 The site dates back to as early as the Old Kingdom and was occupied as late as the late fourth century CE. The extension of the visible ruins is approximately 2.5 km north–south and 1 km east–west.4 Two brief exploratory seasons at the site (Amheida: Dakhleh Oasis Project site no. 33/390-L9-1) took place in 1979–1980 by the Dakhleh Oasis Project (DOP), directed by Anthony J. Mills.5 Among other features, the survey revealed several kilns for small-scale production of ceramics dated to the Roman period (Area 1), which have been cleaned and mapped.6 The systematic archaeological excavations at Amheida, which started in 2004,7 have been carried out by an international team under the sponsorship of Columbia University, and since the 2009 season by New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World. The project is directed by Roger S. Bagnall (ISAW); the archaeological director is Paola Davoli (University 1. The medieval town of El-Qasr, dating to the Fatimid period but originating in late antiquity, reached its highest stage of development in the 18th–early 19th century, see Bagnall and Ruffini 2004: 143; Bagnall et al. 2015. 2. P.Kell. I G. 49.1–2 (ή Τριμιθιτῶν πόλις): Worp 1995. See also Wagner 1987: 190–2. 3. Bagnall and Ruffini 2004: 144; O.Trim. 1.1–2. 4. In general, the site is well preserved, although the strong wind erosion and high humidity (due to its proximity to cultivated areas and spring water) are a threat to the integrity of the buildings made of unbaked bricks. The overall extension of the ruins is still to be determined, obscured by mobile dunes and newly cultivated fields that cover the outer parts of the site: Davoli and Cribiore 2010: 73. 5. Mills 1908: 18–25; Leahy 1980: 331–2; Churcher and Mills 1999. A short visit to the Dakhla Oasis was carried out by H. E. Winlock in 1908, and a series of preliminary investigations were conducted by the Egyptian archaeologist Ahmed Fakhry, whose results were published only in 1982: Winlock 1936; Osing et al. 1982. 6. Hope 1980: 303, 307–11, Pl. XXVII; Hope 1993: 121–7. See also Ballet 2019: 160–1. 7. The topographical survey of the site started in 2001, before the excavation itself, by a Museum of London team (2001– 2002) and was continued by the archaeologists from the firm Ar/S Archeosistemi of Reggio Emilia (Italy): Davoli 2015: 61–76. A complete list of reports and publications to date about the work at the site can be found at www.amheida.org; for most of these publications, a downloadable file or a link to on-line open-access publication is provided.

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

of Salento, Lecce); and the pottery study has been supervised by Pascale Ballet (University of Paris Nanterre). Archaeologists have so far divided the site into 11 areas (Figure 2),8 four of which are under excavation. Area 1 is characterized both by private houses (so far, only House B2 was excavated in its entirety) and workshops that developed around one of the main streets (S1) of the settlement, and it presents highly diversified pottery, dating from the early Empire to the beginning of Late Antiquity.9 Area 2 is a residential area at the base of the hill that dominates the urban area, characterized by large private decorated houses and public buildings, in which ceramic materials are mainly dated to the fourth century CE. So far, four buildings have been excavated in Area 2: House B1 (Area 2.1); a school of rhetoric and Greek (B5 – Area 2.1); a Late Roman public bath (thermae) (B6 – Area 2.2); and a church (B7 – Area 2.3).10 Area 4, on top of the central hill of the site, shows remains of successive temples with different construction phases dating from the New Kingdom to the Roman Period and a deep stratigraphy that testifies to earlier occupations dating back to the Old Kingdom.11 Area 8 is a densely settled quarter at the northern limits of the city, in which the investigation of a domestic complex (B10) dated to the late third and beginning of the fourth century was undertaken in 2015.12 Most extant written remains from Amheida take the form of inscribed Greek ostraca, although Amheida also preserves hieroglyphic, hieratic, and demotic evidence.13 Among the Greek texts, a group of fourth century documents found in Area 2.1 stands out. It concerns a number of individuals, some of whom were members of the local city council. One of these men, Serenos, was a member of the municipal elite and a Trimithis city councillor, and is associated with the domestic structure designated as House B1 (Figure 3).14 This house, of which the walls are preserved as high as 2.5 m, originally had a square plan (15 x 15 m) and consisted of at least 11 rooms, with a staircase to reach a second floor or the roof-terrace. The two entrances are located on the west street (S3) and the east street (S2), and give access to vestibules (Rooms 7 and 12, respectively), each directly connected to a central space (Room 2), around which all the other rooms are arranged. The main room of the house was a large space (Room 1), entirely plastered and painted with subjects of Greek mythology and scenes depicting the family that 8. See Davoli 2019: 46–80. A first ceramological investigation, made by P. Ballet, J. Marchand, and the author, was made in February 2013 in Area 11 (Caputo 2014: 163–77) and a second prospection (P. Ballet, I. Soto Marín, and the author) took place in February 2014 in Area 6. A short survey of the decorated plaster on walls of several buildings visible from the surface of the site was undertaken in 2015 by S. McFadden, D. Dzierzbicka, B. Norton, E. Ricchi, and A. Sucato: http://www.amheida.org/ inc/pdf/Report2015.pdf. For the geoarchaeological surveys carried out at Amheida in 2011 and 2013 by a team of geologists, archaeologists, and ceramologists, see Bravard et al. 2016: 305–24; Davoli 2019: 48–53. 9. Boozer 2015. The study of the ceramics found in House B2 (Area 1.3) was carried out by Delphine Dixneuf (2015: 201–80). 10. Davoli and Cribiore 2010: 73–87; Ast and Davoli 2016: 1447–71; Davoli 2012: 267–77; Davoli 2017: 193–220; Davoli 2019: 61–9. Aravecchia et al. 2015: 21–43; Aravecchia 2018. For a preliminary study of the ceramic materials found in B1, see Caputo, Marchand, and Soto 2017: 1011–26. 11. Davoli and Kaper 2006: 12–14; Davoli 2012: 263–7; Davoli 2015: 35–42 and 57–60; Kaper 2015: 42–56. 12. Because of security restrictions, it was not possible to have field seasons since 2016; thus it cannot be predicted when it will be possible to continue the work on House B10. For a preliminary study of the context, ostraca, and ceramic assemblage collected from the house, see Bagnall et al. 2017: 195–211. 13. Cribiore, Davoli, and Ratzan 2008: 170–91; Cribiore and Davoli 2013: 1–14; Cribiore 2015a: 179–92; O.Trim. 1; Vittmann 2017: 491–503. For the study of the material aspects of the ostraca of Amheida see Caputo 2016: 62–88. 14. O.Trim. 2: 95–102.

Introduction

3

owned the house. It is also the only room with a domed roof. Geometric and floral decorative motifs decorated the walls of three other rooms (11, 13, 14), painted with bright colors that are still well preserved.15 At a certain point after 350, the house was enlarged, incorporating the area occupied by a school building (B5) just north of B1. At the time of Serenos’ acquisition or incorporation of B5, some rooms were demolished and others changed their original purpose: e.g., Rooms 9 and 10 were transformed into a courtyard and Room 15 was converted into a storehouse. The house was probably abandoned around or soon after 365 CE. The excavations below the occupation layers of B1, S2, and S3 also revealed the remains of previous features from the baths, such as a round laconicum (below courtyard 9) and a latrina (below Room 10), which were demolished down to floor level and partly covered by dumped material when the school building (B5) and House B1 were built (Figure 4).16 The change in use of the area occurred, according to ostraca, coins, and other artifacts, not long after the first quarter of the fourth century CE.17 This volume aims to provide a comprehensive study and classification of the ceramic assemblages recovered in House B1 and the two streets (S2 and S3) adjacent to it, as well as in the foundation deposits below them.18 Most of the ceramic fragments found in the area occupied by these features (Area 2.1) were produced in the Dakhla oasis, and more generally in the Great Oasis. Lesser in quantity are the imports from the Nile valley and the Mediterranean. Upon a detailed examination of the pottery, it became evident that the vast majority found above floors in B1, S2, and S3 can be securely dated to the second half of the fourth century CE, thus belonging to the last occupation phase of the area. In contrast, the ceramics accumulated as dumped material below the floors are pre-fourth century in date, and came from dumps in which different kinds of materials were mixed, with objects and sherds dating from predynastic times to the early fourth century CE.19 The main categories of vessels encountered during the analysis of the assemblages in the field are here arranged according to functional and typological criteria.20 Each type is dated by its occurrence in the well-dated stratigraphic contexts, thus making the presence of new types or the disappearance of existing ones readily noticeable. Therefore, comparison with the vessels found in the contemporaneous settlements in Dakhla, and Egypt more broadly, also helped to set the general chronological boundaries for each type, from the end of the first century BCE up to the fourth century CE. Ceramological analysis, along with the evidence of stratigraphy, ostraca, coins, and other objects, allows us to define with more precision the dating range of the various phases of construction and restoration that occurred in House B1.21 15. McFadden 2015: 193–212; McFadden 2019: 281–96. See also Schulz 2015: 23–6. 16. Davoli 2017: 202–4. 17. O.Trim. 2; Ast and Davoli 2016: 1447–71. 18. An assemblage has been defined as all the ceramic vessels from the occupation layers of a single building or street, assuming that the scatter pattern of ceramic fragments is mostly confined to that location. 19. Ast and Davoli 2016: 1447–71. 20. I would like to thank my colleagues Irene Soto Marín and Julie Marchand for their help in the ceramic quantification on the field. The pottery from Area 2.1 was sorted on site and recorded also by other ceramicists, such as Gillian Pyke (2005–2006 seasons), Delphine Dixneuf (2007–2009 seasons), and Andrea Myers Achi (2008–2011 seasons). 21. The present study does not include the oil lamps that have been found in the house of Serenos because they have been considered as small finds. The small finds and coins found in the same contexts of the house are under study and will be part of another volume.

1 Methodological Approaches This chapter is devoted to the description of the excavation methodology and the post-excavation analysis of the contexts and the ceramic finds from House B1, Street 2, and Street 3, to facilitate the understanding of the relation between the ceramic materials and their archaeological contexts. Excavation at Amheida is based on the stratigraphic method.1 Stratigraphic units have been distinguished according to their formation processes and described either as Deposition Stratigraphic Units (DSU), which are layers or strata, and Feature Stratigraphic Units (FSU), such as floors, walls, pits, ovens, cuts, etc. All the units are identified by a number that is unique within each archaeological area or sub-area.2 Amheida is divided into eleven different “Areas” (Area 1, 2, 3, etc.), each corresponding to a section of the settlement characterized by its location, architectural characteristics, and other notable features. Within each area are sub-areas (sub-area 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, etc.) that are generally predefined and recognizable spaces (buildings, streets, etc.). We refer to buildings by using B followed by a number (e.g., B1, B5, etc.), and to streets by using S followed by a number (e.g., S2, S3, etc.). All finds are recorded daily on Stratigraphic Unit Quantitative (SUQ) data forms. Once a stratigraphic unit is completely excavated, a final SUQ form is filled out to summarize all the daily sheets. The final SUQ is useful, as it gives a general overview of what has been found in each stratigraphic unit. The weight (kg) and the quantity (no.) of all the objects, ceramic frag-

1. Eugene Ball employed the Locus Lot Method in 2004. In 2005, the stratigraphic method was introduced by the new archaeological director, P. Davoli. See Davoli (forthcoming), Amheida VI: The House of Serenos. Part II: Archaeological Report. See also Harris 1989; Roskam 2001. 2. A general plan is drawn up for each stratigraphic unit, usually in 1:50 scale, showing the unit’s outline, position, and elevations. Sections and any other relevant details of the unit are instead drawn in 1:10 or 1:20 scale, when necessary. A high quality digital photograph is included in the graphic documentation. Area/sub-area and stratigraphic unit numbers are always noted on all records, object drawings, and labels.

5

6

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

ments, and fabrics are entered into the form, sorted according to the reliability of the archaeological context in which they were found (secure versus insecure contexts).3 All diagnostic and recognizable objects are individually recorded on Find Record forms, where they are identified by an Inventory Code. The Inventory Code consists of the initial of the site (A = Amheida), the year in which the find was recovered, the number of area/sub-area, and the stratigraphic unit from which the artifact came, followed by a unique, progressive number assigned by the recorder (e.g., A07/2.1/243/12054). This form contains the description of the object, the category to which it belongs, the maximum dimensions of the piece expressed in centimeters, the material, the manufacturing technique, and the state of preservation. Each Find Record form is accompanied by a digital color image of the object and in some cases by a drawing in 1:1, 1:2, or 1:5 scale.4 All forms (DSU, FSU, SUQ, and Find Record) are entered into the project’s official online database.5 This important tool allows us to relate every find back to its archaeological context, as well as perform searches and generate statistics.

1.1. Quantitative Analysis and Ceramics Processing The general methodology applied to the quantification analysis of ceramic materials consists of two main steps. The first takes place in the field and consists of sorting the ceramic fragments found in each stratigraphic unit. Sherds found in secure contexts are divided according to fabrics and wares and are analyzed in detail.6 Each fabric group is weighed, the sherds are counted, and the information is recorded on the SUQ form. Rims, bases, and handles are also counted separately and recorded according to their typology. Body sherds are generally discarded unless they can be re-joined or belong to a stratigraphically relevant unit, in which case all pottery is kept. For non-secure contexts, only diagnostic sherds and body sherds from unknown fabrics or with notable characteristics are recorded on the SUQ form and kept for further studies. The second step consists of the systematic quantification of the fragments collected for each context and stratigraphic unit, so as to determine the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI),7 followed by a selection of the most representative shapes and fabrics to establish 3. The Deposition Stratigraphic Unit (DSU) is reliable or secure only when it is sealed and has not been disturbed in recent times. Surface DSUs are not reliable, nor are DSUs close to the surface unless they were sealed by a collapse of some extension. In our specific case, we can consider as secure contexts only those units directly above floors that were covered by the collapse of the ceiling or by windblown sand, which preserved the last occupation and the post-abandonment deposits. The reliability of a DSU can be discerned in the field during its excavation and during the study of the materials present in the DSU. 4. On the subject of archaeological drawings, see Leonardi and Penello 1991: 18–41, 41–72. See also Manzelli 1997: 181–9; Mascione and Luna 2007: 87–99. 5. Available at www.amheida.net. The database has been created and implemented by the Mission’s official IT Engineer, Bruno Bazzani. 6. The term “fabric” refers to the type of clay used for manufacturing the vessels. The term “ware” refers to an identified tradition of how a fabric is used to produce vessels with consistent characteristics. These characteristics can include how the fabric is processed before it is used to form vessels; the addition of tempers; surface treatments, such as careful finishing or the application of slips; and the control of the kiln conditions to create a consistency throughout the production tradition. 7. The principle of Minimum Number of Individuals consists of estimating the number of individual vessels present in each stratigraphic unit. If a shape is represented by n rims and n + 1 bases, the number of rims is the one indicating the value of MNI. For the methods of ceramic quantification see: Arthur and Ricci 1981: 125–8; Arcelin and Tuffreau-Libre 1998; Raux 1998: 11–16; Hesnard 1998: 17–22; Anastasio 2007: 36–8.

Methodological Approaches

7

the main typologies and update the Site Shape Catalogue (SSC), which is the main tool for working in the field. All the diagnostic sherds, i.e., rims, bases, and handles, from each unit are recorded on the Fiche de Comptage where the profile sketch of the sherd is also traced, along with the fabric/ware code and the type number from SSC.8 Unknown fabrics and variants are fully described. The Site Shape Catalogue is built year after year for each excavation area and is intended to collect all the vessel shapes found, to which a code number is given. This system allowed us to avoid drawing all of the diagnostic pieces found in the same area, an efficiency of some importance given the very high number of sherds present at Amheida. Only new types or special cases, as well as complete vessels, are individually documented and described in Find Record forms, with a new Inventory Code assigned to them. These vessels and fragments are drawn,9 photographed, and entered into the SSC with a type progressive number, in order to keep the catalogue constantly updated. The types are arranged in the SSC according to the functional class and shape (bowls, plates, kraters, pots, etc.), and further subdivided according to their morphological parameters (characteristics and diameter of the rim, base, handle, and body).10 The fabric and ware, as well as the manufacturing techniques, also play an important role in classification. The information comprised in the Find Record form for each type follows the general criteria for cataloguing archaeological finds.11 The surface treatment (slip, pseudo-slip, decorations, etc.), traces of use (e.g., soot), dimensions (diameter of the rim and/or base, wall thickness, height of the vessel), manufacturing techniques (on the wheel, hand-modelled, molded, etc.), and state of preservation (complete, not complete, fragmentary, good, fair, bad) are also indicated. The macroscopic analysis of the fabric is performed through the use of a monocular magnifying lens.12 This instrument, although far less precise than petrographic and physical-chemical analyses, is a sufficient tool to identify ceramic fabrics directly in the field. The macroscopic study of all ceramic sherds followed these criteria:

· · · ·

Surface and fracture color of the fabric; Hardness; Appearance and mineralogical composition of the clay (i.e., color, size, occurrence, and quality of inclusions); The final processing (firing modes), surface treatment (i.e., slip, decoration, etc.), and eventual decoration.

In describing a vessel, the color of the fracture is usually provided (i.e., beige, light pink, orange, red, reddish/brown, brown, gray, black, and greenish), as well as the color of the core, 8. For the fabric classification system used at Amheida, see the paragraphs “Fabrics” and “Wares” in this chapter. 9. The ceramic drawings in this volume have been made and digitized (Adobe Illustrator) during the several excavation seasons by the author, Julie Marchand, Paola Vertuani, and Stefania Alfarano. 10. On the ceramic typological classification methods, see: Gardin 1985; Anastasio 2007: 33–6. 11. Rigoir and Rigor 1968: 327–34; Parise Badoni and Ruggeri Giove 1984; Ruggeri 1993; Mancinelli 2016. 12. Lens with resolving power 20x and field of view of 21 mm.

8

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

if different from the surface (pinkish, reddish; gray, gray/blue). The Nile and ferruginous clays are rich in degreasing (straw, sand, quartz, mica) and melting (limestone, iron oxide, feldspar) additives. Chaff and sand inclusions are present in large quantities, especially in the fabrics characteristic of large storage containers (jars, pithoi) and vessels of domestic use (basins and baking trays). A relevant amount of micaceous inclusions is frequent mainly in the fabrics characteristic of amphorae, in particular in the Late Roman Amphora 7, which typically exhibit grains of mica golden in color and uniformly distributed. The ceramic fabrics in the oasis contain a significant amount of calcareous and iron oxide inclusions. These components result in the vessels presenting surface colors ranging from red-orange to purple, markedly lighter than the traditional productions in Nile clay that are red-brown to brown in color. Medium- to largesized red and black inclusions are clearly visible in the fracture of vessels produced in calcareous clay, such as jugs and bowls. The hardness is defined by the vessel’s scratch resistance, determined by the compactness of the clay or by the type and number of particles present inside the fabrics.13 The ceramic body is defined as: 1. Hard or very hard, when scratchable only by a metal tip; 2. Pliable or soft, when scratchable by a fingernail; 3. Brittle, when flakable by finger pressure. The size of the grain and the amount of inclusions are defined as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Purified — devoid of inclusions visible to the naked eye; Fine — rare, very fine inclusions (0.1–0.2 mm); Medium-fine — contains fine inclusions (0.3–0.4 mm); Medium — medium sized inclusions visible to the naked eye (ca. 0.5 mm); Medium-coarse — grain size ranging from 0.5 to 1 mm; Coarse — medium to large inclusions (1 to 3 mm).

The combination of these characteristics is at the basis of the classification of the fabrics.

1.2. Fabrics

The fabric identifications utilized in this study are based on the Dakhleh Oasis Fabric System, originally developed by C. A. Hope during the survey phase of the DOP Project.14 Each fabric type has been provided with an identification code according to this system (Table 1 below). 13. About the hardness, see Cuomo di Caprio 2007: 73–4 and 642–3. 14. Hope divided the Oasis fabrics into two broad groups: iron-rich or ferruginous fabrics (A-group), and calcium-rich or marl-like fabrics (B-group), each with further sub-divisions. For the fabric descriptions see also: Hope 1979: 188; Hope et al. 2000: 194–5; Hope 2004b: 7–9. For the characteristics of the clay and ceramic materials of the Oases, see: Soukiassian, Wuttmann, Pantalacci 2002; Ballet, and Picon 1990: 75–85; Marchand and Tallet 1999: 307–52; Hope 1999: 215–43; Patten 2000: 87–104. See also: Nordström and Bourriau 1993: 168–82.

Methodological Approaches

9

The benefit of using this system is that it enables material recorded prior to the current study to be more easily incorporated, while also allowing comparisons to be made with previously published studies. However, the description and understanding of relationships between the various fabric groups have been improved thanks to the recent publications on Ptolemaic ceramic in the Dakhla oasis and Western desert by James C. R. Gill,15 the petrographic analyses conducted by Mark A. J. Eccleston,16 and additional observation arising from conversations in the field between the author and Pascale Ballet. Among the ceramic material found at Amheida, the most common fabrics in Area 2.1, and on the site in general, are A1 and A2, while variants of these fabrics are utilized in much smaller quantities (A5, A28). A smaller quantity of vessels is made in marl fabrics (B1/B10/B15).17 A11 is a fine kaolinitic, iron-rich, brittle fabric used for manufacturing thin-walled and ribbed cooking jars, casseroles, and bowls, and it is very common in Late Antique contexts. Known as “Christian Brittle Ware,” it is possibly made of a local kaolinitic clay,18 and is well attested in Area 2.1, in the DSUs above floor levels dated to the fourth century CE.19 A thicker variant of A11, known as B17, is possibly a precursor (mid-third century CE) to the thinner-walled fabric A11 of the fourth century.20 Few types of bowls and cooking pots made of B17 are attested in the DSUs below the floors (pre-fourth century). The vessels intended for domestic use, such as storage vessels/pithoi, basins, trays, and molds, as well as some specialized forms, are characterized by a medium coarse-textured fabric, rich in vegetal temper (A4). Fairly common in the Dakhla oasis, this fabric is attested since the Old Kingdom.21 Alongside the regional iron-rich and calcium-rich productions, other fabrics (B3b=B3 and A27) commonly attested in Dakhla and Kharga oases have been identified. Their places of manufacture are still uncertain or unknown, and for this reason they are generally defined as productions of the Great Oasis. They correspond to two regional productions that, during the fourth century CE, are usually attested in both oases and they are associated, respectively, with the group of the Yellow Slipped Ware and the group of fine Red Slip Ware. The fabric B3b has recently been assimilated in Gill’s study on Ptolemaic productions in Dakhla oasis and Western Desert to fabric B3, because it has been shown that its composition 15. Gill 2016: 47–51. 16. Eccleston has further divided the ferruginous fabrics into four sub-categories, namely “Coarse Ferruginous Fabrics,” “Mudstone/Claystone/Shale Fabrics,” “Mudstone/Claystone/Shale Fabrics - Vegetal Tempered Variant,” and “Mudstone/Claystone/Shale Fabrics - Sandstone Variant.” See Eccleston 2006: 93. See also Eccleston 2000: 211–18. 17. Originally, fabrics B1/B10/B15 were distinguished on the basis of their coarseness; Colin Hope has later grouped these fabrics together, as they are all made in the same basic paste. See Gill 2016: 50. 18. No source of the clay used for this fabric has been yet identified in the Dakhla Oasis. However, the presence of this fabric exclusively in the Dakhla Oasis and not in Kharga, where there are other types of calcium-rich clay, would seem to support the hypothesis of local production. 19. Vessels made in A11 are very common at Amheida in House B1 (Area 2.1), as well as in other buildings (Church B7, Area 2.3). Large amounts of this pottery were also found during the excavations of other sites in the Oasis such as Ismant elKharab/Kellis and ‘Ain el-Gedida, see: Hope 1979: 196; Hope 1981: 235; Hope 1985: 123, no. 2; Hope 1999: 235; Dixneuf 2012b: 459; Dixneuf 2018. 20. The A11 fabric is probably a later version of the fabric B23 (variants B16 and B17). This is a closed-grained, sand-rich fabric in a range of colors from yellow to white. It occurs in Dakhla with uncoated and red-coated surfaces from the late 3th/ early 4th century CE. The version of B23 fabric used during the Late Period is characterized by large limestone inclusions and fired gray throughout, and resembles a fabric from Bahariya oasis. Hope 1999: 235; Hope 2000: 194; Dunsmore 2002: 131; Hope 2004b: 9; Dixneuf 2012b: 459. 21. Hope 2004a: 103.

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

is unrelated to B3a.22 At Amheida (Area 2.1), B3 (previous B3b) is associated with a specific production consisting of double-handled bottles/flasks and small bowls with yellow slipped surfaces. Their manufacture is mainly attested in the Kharga Oasis (specially in the North) from the fourth to the early fifth century CE.23 The second fabric (A27) was used for vessels with shiny-red slipped surfaces that imitate the productions in North African Terra Sigillata (African Red Slip Ware).24 Generally, there are three main categories produced in this technique: ceramic tableware, terracotta figurines, and oil lamps. Examples belonging to this family of wares were found in large quantities at the fortified settlement of Douch/Kysis and ‘Ain Shams in the Kharga Oasis. For this reason, Rodziewicz has termed this fabric Kharga Red Slip Ware.25 The same fabric and shapes have been identified by Hope in the Dakhla oasis, especially at Amheida, Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, and Mut el-Kharab, initially as “material of the Christian Period” and later named Oasis Red Slip Ware.26 So far, the production centers have not been identified in either Oasis.27 The A27 fabric ranges from red/brown to light red in color with a quite dense body, rich in silica and iron oxides.28 The surfaces have a thick shiny-red slip, frequently burnished; decoration is not common.29 The vessels produced in this fabric and belonging to the family of the Oasis Red Slip Ware are found in contexts dated from the fourth to fifth centuries CE.30 Imports from the Nile Valley found in Area 2.1 consist mainly of wine amphorae Late Roman Amphora 7 and a few fragments related to small containers for liquids, mostly table amphorae. A few fragments of Rhodian amphora and Amphore Égyptienne 4 have been found in some strata pre-dating B1 and Street 2.31

1.3. Wares Wares can be divided into families on the basis of the presence or absence of a surface coating and its color (Table 1 below). Each type of surface treatment can support further decoration in the form of painted designs, polish or burnish. In this study, the term “slip” refers to a coating that has been applied prior to firing.32 22. Eccleston 2006: 106. B3 or B3b is not related to other “B” fabrics. According to Hope, fabric B3 might have been used occasionally during the Late Period and during the Early Roman Period: Hope 1999: 232; Hope 2000: 195; Eccleston 2006: 104. Gill argues, however, that it also occurs regularly during the Ptolemaic Period: Gill 2016: 50. 23. About the workshops and the ceramics from Kysis (Kharga Oasis), here called Kharga Red Slip Ware, see Rodziewicz 1987; Ballet and Picon 1990: 298–301; Ballet and Vichy 1992: 116–9, Fig. 13 (g–h); Ballet 2001: 122–3. Phase III finale, see Ballet 2004: 224–5, 237 (Fig. 220, nos. 48–50). 24. Hayes 1972: 13–315. 25. Rodziewicz 1985: 235–41; Rodziewicz 1987: 123–36. 26. Hope 1979: 196; Hope 1980: 300–03, Pl. XXIV (e–k); Hope 1986: 87, figs. 8i–9ff; Ballet 2004: 224. 27. According to Ballet it is unlikely that the workshops that produced this type of fine ceramics were located in the Kharga Oasis; for this reason, she agrees with C. A. Hope’s suggestion that they were produced in the Dakhla Oasis. See Hope 1987; Ballet 2004: 211, n. 8. 28. In the Kharga Oasis the Red Slip Ware is produced in a red-brown clay (Munsell 4/8 10R, 10R 6/8), see Rodziewicz 1987: 124, n. 7. 29. The surfaces usually have decorative patterns incised or imprinted, see Rodziewicz 1987: 126–7. 30. Hope 1985: 123–4. 31. The fabrics of these amphorae have been described on the basis of the information collected in the websites http:// archaeologydataservice.ac.uk and http://www.cealex.org. 32. See Aston 1998: 30–1.

Methodological Approaches

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Ceramic coating increases the degree of impermeability of the body and helps to smooth the roughness of surfaces. The most frequent type of coating used for the ceramic materials from Area 2.1 is the “clay or mud” slip, obtained by immersing the pot, before firing it, into a liquefied suspension of clay particles in water. The color of the slip varies depending on the firing method, the nature of the clays, and the pigments used, if any.33 Generally, the slip of the vessels produced in ferruginous clay (Group A) ranges in color from orange to dark red. Usually, the shiny red color is due to the addition of red ochre clay34 or the use of iron-rich clay combined with an oxidant firing environment.35 The light slip, from white to cream to pale yellow, may be associated with both ferruginous and calcareous clay (Group B) products. The slip on the surfaces of vessels produced in Nile clay is reminiscent of a fine white wrap (white wash) applied by spraying on the exterior surface of the containers.36 The term “pseudo-slip” is rarely used in this study. It typically refers to a surface coating obtained by using the same clay as that of the vessel. During the modeling of the clay on the wheel, the repeated passages of the potter’s hands on the artifact polish the surface, bringing to the surface the finer clay components present in the dough.37 The distinction between slip and pseudo-slip is difficult to define when the color of the ceramic body is the same as the coating, as in the case of products in calcareous or marl clays. The following coding is employed to indicate the type of ware:38

· · · · · ·

P = plain or uncoated S = slipped or coated W = washed D = decorated b = black br = brown

· · · · · ·

c = cream o = orange p = pinkish r = red w = white y = yellow

All the fabrics and wares are summarized in the following Table 1. The macro-photo of the fracture of some of the fabrics is showed in Figure 5. A graph illustrating the incidence, in terms of kilograms, of the fabric from the contexts above floors B1, S2, and S3, is provided in Table 2.39

33. About the firing modes see Dixneuf 2018: 288–9. 34. The red ocher clay is made of iron minerals and of a clay component. In its natural state it is in the form of an earthy blob, relatively compact and powdered, red/brown in color: Cuomo di Caprio 2007: 285–6. 35. The iron minerals are mainly hematite and limonite, which are also present in ocher aggregates: a prevalence of hematite translates into a red color (red ocher), while a prevalence of limonite results into colors ranging from yellow to orange (yellow ocher). See Cuomo di Caprio 2007: 285–6. 36. The semi-liquid blend (also defined as semi-dense suspension) becomes a slip after firing and is applied by the potter on the surfaces of the container by means of dipping, perfusion, or brushing. See Cuomo di Caprio 2007: 290–3. 37. See Cuomo di Caprio 2007: 312. 38. The original bulk of the coding has been created and used by Hope for the study of the ostraca from Kellis: see Hope 2004: 7. Some colors and combinations have been added by the author according to the material analyzed in this study. 39. The Rhodian and Lake Mariout amphora fragments are not illustrated in the graph because they do not belong to the living phase of the house.

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Table 1. Fabric and ware descriptions Coarse Ferruginous Fabrics

Fabric: A1 Wares: P, Pb, Sc, Sr, Sr/o, Sw, Dc, Dr

Medium to coarse textured fabric; medium-bodied. The inclusions characterizing this group vary in size and quantity, according to the fine quality of the fabric. Macroscopically, they include sand, limestone, and chaff, of varying size and quantities, as well as rare clay granules, platey shale,1 and grog.2 This fabric is fired red to brown/orange (A1a) to gray/black (A1b). The fracture is often zoned: brown/orange exterior layers with gray/black core. This is the most common fabric in the Dakhla oasis throughout all historical periods, and it is used for an extensive range of shapes (storage and transport containers, cooking ware, and table ware).

Fabric: A2 Wares: P, Sc, Dc, Dr

Fine to medium textured fabric; dense-bodied and hard. The distinction between the fabrics classified as A1 and A2 is based on the higher proportion of finer inclusions. In general, A2 has a finer groundmass.3 Like A1, this fabric is fired red to brown/orange (A2a) to gray/black (A2b). Zoned fracture is less common than A1: the core is usually thin and well defined, gray to brown/gray in color. Compared to A1, this fabric is used in a more limited range of shapes (shortnecked jars, kegs, flasks, and kraters).

Fabric: A5 Wares: Sc, Sr, Sw, Db, Dr

Medium-bodied, medium-coarse textured fabric. Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of large amounts of quartz, clay pellets, and limestone (green/yellow vacuoles of different sizes are visible on the entire surface). Quartz/sand-rich variant of A1.4 The fabric appears to be over-fired purplebrown to gray in color, without a clear zoning.5 The surface has often a thick white or cream slip, sometimes red. Decorations are more frequent on the Roman jars and consist of black or dark red designs. Fabric A5 is used primarily in handled filter jugs and storage jars with foot ring, usually decorated.

Fabric: A28 Wares: P, Sc, So, Sr

Medium to open-bodied, medium coarse-textured fabric. Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of sand and limestone, and less frequently of clay pellets. It is a limestone-rich variant of A1/A2, which has been low-fired.6 This fabric is fired mid-brown with no clear zoning. Fabric A28 occurs rarely within the corpus and the range of forms is relatively limited.

1. The presence of beige plaquette (schist), characteristic of the Oasis fabrics, does not seem to be always found in the Amheida productions, while according to P. Ballet the plaquettes are well attested in other sites not only in the Dakhla Oasis (Balat), but also in the Kharga Oasis (Douch/Kysis and el-Deir). See Ballet and Picon 1990: 75–84. 2. Eccleston 2006: 95–7. 3. Eccleston 2006: 95–7. 4. Eccleston 2006: 99–100. See also Gill 2016: 49, n. 4. 5. The firing method to obtain A5 was discussed directly in the field with P. Ballet (2014). 6. Gill 2016: 49, Pl. B.60. See also Eccleston 2006: 98–9.

Methodological Approaches

13

Mudstone/Claystone/Shale Fabrics A dense-bodied, kaolinitic brittle fabric characterized by a hard core and medium-fine texture. Medium scatters of small calcareous inclusions, dark red and sometimes black particles are visible. Known also as Christian Brittle Wares. It was fired in a variety of colors: light surfaces usually have regular bluish-gray cores (mode A), while dark surfaces have cores ranging from pale orange to pink (mode B). The inclusions consist of very fine red (hematite) and black (plates of silica clay) particles of different sizes, fine grains of quartz, very fine shale particles, and rare very fine white inclusions.

Fabric: A11 Wares: Pb, Sr, Dc, Dr

This fabric is used in Area 2.1 for thin-walled cooking jars, casseroles, and bowls, with a red and cream coating, sometimes decorated in red dots on cream bands, mainly dated by archaeological contexts to the late 3rd and 4th centuries CE

Fabric: B3 (previous B3b) Wares: Sc, Sy, Dr

Medium-bodied, medium-fine to medium-coarse textured fabric. The inclusions mainly consist of medium and fine red particles, sand, and a moderate presence of small shale plates and clay pellets.7 The fabric is usually fired orange/pink or yellow/brown. The surface has often a thick yellow/creamy slip with spiral and waves decorations. Fabric B3 is used in double-handled cylindrical bottles/flasks and small bowls.

Fabric: A27 Wares: Sr, So

A dense-bodied fabric, fine to medium-fine texture, rich in silica and iron oxides. Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of numerous fine grains of quartz, very fine white and black particles, and small plates of clay ovoid in shape (plaquettes d’argile silicifiée). The fracture ranges from red/brown to light red in color, dark colored cores are rare; the surfaces have thick shiny red/orange slip. This fabric, characteristic of the fine ware of the fourth and fifth centuries CE (Oasis Red Slip Ware = Kharga Red Slip Ware), is associated mostly with open forms such as bowls and dishes, some juglets, as well as lamps and terracotta figurines. Mudstone/Claystone/Shale Fabrics—Vegetal Tempered Variant

Fabric: A4 Wares: Sr, Sw, Ww

A medium to open-bodied, coarse-textured fabric. It is characterized by the presence of many long planar voids, which are the results of straw and other vegetal material being burnt away during firing. Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of sand, limestone, clay pellets, and in the occasional lowfired example it is possible to detect the remains of straw.1 This fabric is fired reddish to brown to gray/black, usually zoned with dark gray/black core, apparently caused by the burning out of the vegetal temper.2 The surfaces are usually not smooth or homogeneous in color. This fabric is almost exclusively used for domestic vessels with very thick walls, such as bread molds, baking trays, pithoi, and large basins.

7. The fabric description has been defined with P. Ballet during a workshop in January 2013 and February 2014 in Dakhla. See also for the description Gill 2016: 50. 8. Gill 2016: 50. See also Eccleston 2006: 112–14. 9. Gill 2016: 50. See also Eccleston 2006: 113.

14

The House of Serenos: The Pottery Coarse Quartz Marl Fabrics

Fabric: B1/B10/B15 Wares: Sc, Sw

An open-bodied, medium to coarse textured fabric, with many small rounded voids. Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of fine quartz, rare fine clay pellets and fine shale.3 This fabric is usually fired cream to gray/green, although pink is sometimes found. It is occasionally zoned, with cream interior and exterior surfaces and a gray/green or pink core. It generally has a soft, lightweight consistency and is usually quite brittle. This fabric is generally used for liquid containers (water jugs and costrels), lids used also as bowls, and small bowls stricto sensu. Imports4

Fabric: A3b Wares: Sbr, Pr/br

Nile Silt fabric is attested only in few examples in the corpus. The vessels made in this fabric are typically fired a dark “chocolate” brown and stand in contrast to the typical Oasis fabrics, which are never fired in this color. The Nile Silt imports also display a finer, dense, texture with minimal macroscopically visible inclusions. The presence of mica is a clear indicator that this fabric is imported, as mica does not occur naturally in the Oasis. The Nile Silt fabric is associated to wine amphorae (LRA 7 and AE3), small table amphorae, bottles.

Lake Mariout fabric Ware: Sr/br

Fairly coarse sandy and rough fabric, reddish-brown in color (7.5 YR 7/8). Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of frequent grains of quartz, some limestone, particles of mica, and fine small iron oxide. Light reddish/brown slipped surfaces (2.5 YR 6/6). Lake Mariout fabric is characteristic of the Amphores Égyptiennes 4 (Egyptian Dressel 2/4).

Rhodian fabric 15

Hard, fairly fine fabric, pale orange in color (5YR 7/6) with a paler slip on the outer surface. Macroscopically visible inclusions consist of sparsely rounded white inclusions, sub-rounded and rounded red-brown particles, sparse quartz and black iron-rich inclusions.

10. Gill 2016: 50, Pls. B.63 and B.64. See also Eccleston 2006: 120. 11. The containers that are common to the Great Oasis, but for which no precise place of manufacturing has yet been found, are considered as regional. All the fabrics/wares that are not produced in the Great Oasis are grouped together as “imports” (i.e., Nile Valley amphorae and vessels; ceramics from other Egyptian areas; Mediterranean containers). 12. Peacock has distinguished six fabrics, of which Fabrics 1 and 2, both probably from the Rhodian Peraia, are by far the most common. Peacock 1977: 261–73. See also Tomber and Dore 1998: 112, 232.

Methodological Approaches

15

Table 2. Total for eachfor fabric B1, S2, andS2, S3 S3 (above floors) Table kilograms 2. Total kilograms eachfound fabricinfound in B1, (above floors)

0.25%

A3b

1.61%

B1/B10/B15 A4

0.53%

A27

0.73%

B3

0.97%

A11

1.53% 0.50%

A28

2.20%

A5 A2b

3.51%

A2a

4% 40.93%

A1b

43.24%

A1a

10

20

30

0

1.4. Manufacturing Techniques

40

50

The majority of the containers present in the ceramic corpus of Area 2.1 are wheel-made. However, in the preparation of the handles for cooking pots, jugs, and amphorae, potters frequently used the freehand modelling technique. In the case of storage amphorae, the toes are molded by the potter by a torsion of the excess clay at the base of the amphora. The coiling techniques or clay plates are reserved mainly to the manufacture of large vessels with thick and/or taller walls, such as pithoi, baking trays, and bread molds.40 Apart from the category of lamps, which is not discussed in this volume, only one category of ceramic has been molded, that is the one consisting of the red slipped vessels made of A27 fabric (ORSW).41

40. For techniques in modeling clay, see Cuomo di Caprio 2007: 163–207. 41. See Dixneuf 2018: 287–8.

16

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

1.5. Dating of the Ceramics in Area 2.1 The stratigraphy in Area 2.1 is articulated into four main distinct horizons: the earlier phase (Phase I), with a large public bath occupying the area in which stood Serenos’ house (B1), the school (B5), and, later, the bath to the north (B6), was founded on natural, compacted sand dunes and abandoned toward the end of the third century CE or perhaps somewhat earlier.42 The ruins of the bath were razed and covered with dumped materials onto which B1 and B5 were subsequently built in the second quarter of the fourth century CE (Phase II). The phases of use of B1 (Phase III) have been identified in the restorations of walls, floors, and paintings, but little securely datable material has been found in connection with these phases, which belong approximately to the period 335/340-365/370. The post abandonment phase is identified with some refuse found in the DSUs above the floors in B1, S2, and S3 (Phase IV).43 The study of the ceramic assemblages from this area, according to the stratigraphy,44 complements the analysis of the numerous dated ostraca found in both the dump layers (ca. 275–350 CE) and occupation levels (ca. 350–370 CE),45 the coins (337–361 CE),46 and other objects,47 contributing to a more refined interpretation of the archaeological contexts. In general, the deposits of dumped materials found in the foundations of B1, S2, and S3 have provided ceramic types dated between the end of the first century BCE and the beginning of the fourth century CE. The occupation deposits in B1, S2, and S3, on the other hand, yielded an abundant quantity of pottery dated to the second half of the fourth century CE onwards. To the post-abandonment period of the buildings in Area 2.1 belong those ceramic types that appear sporadically in the units lying directly above the floor deposits and that can be assigned to a period after 370 CE onward. Each type in the catalogue of this volume has been dated by taking into consideration a number of factors, including stratigraphic sequence, DSU formation process, and the type’s incidence or absence in the ceramic assemblages coming from the reliable stratigraphic units. Comparisons with wares and shapes attested at other sites also serve as important data. Parallels with vessels found in contemporaneous sites of the western Oasis, as well as elsewhere in Egypt, help to define each production’s chronological horizon. The suggested dates published for these comparanda are provided in the Catalogue.

1.6. Structure of the Catalogue In order to deliver a synthetic yet analytical overview of the ceramic material, this volume adopts a typo-chronological classification based on a selection of the individual objects found 42. The thermae complex has been only partially excavated. See Davoli 2017: 193–220. 43. Phases have been defined by P. Davoli in Amheida VI, ch. 1. Phase III has been divided into 4 periods, difficult to date precisely. In this catalogue I use Phase III to refer to these periods. 44. A detailed description of the archaeological excavation and contexts of Area 2.1 (B1, S2, S3) is being prepared for publication by P. Davoli (Amheida VI). 45. The ostraca from Area 2.1 are published in O.Trim. 1 and O.Trim. 2, where the dating is discussed in detail. 46. These are being prepared for publication by David M. Ratzan. 47. These are being prepared for publication by Marina M. S. Nuovo (Amheida VII).

Methodological Approaches

17

within the most significant contexts in occupation levels and in the dumped layers below House B1 in Area 2.1 (Chapters 2 and 3) and whose classification principles will be explained below. I have based the study on the stratigraphic analysis and interpretation of Area 2.1 made by Paola Davoli, which will be published in Amheida VI. Furthermore, a detailed description of some selected contexts and the quantification of the vessel types illustrating the ceramic assemblages for the most reliable stratigraphic units is also provided (Chapters 4 and 5). The number assigned to each type in the catalogue is also used as a reference number for similar shapes whenever they appear in the analyzed contexts. The Catalogue for Area 2.1 is arranged according to functional categories, such as table and service wares used for serving and consumption; utility wares used to prepare food; cooking wares; and storage and transport vessels. Two additional categories include (a) imports from the Nile Valley and the Mediterranean48 and (b) miscellanea. The vessels within each functional category (bowls, dishes, basins, kraters, pots, casseroles, etc.) are classified by type-groups (Group 1, Group 2, etc.) according to the morphological characteristics, and further divided into sub-groups (Group 1a, Group 1b, etc.) according to the variants within each group. In Chapter 2, an analysis of the major categories comprising the corpus is provided by types and is chronologically arranged. The emphasis is on shapes that are encountered frequently within the contexts; rare forms are also included if they were found in well-dated contexts or if they have parallels from other sites. Observations about the possible function or use of particular shapes are indicated when possible. The Catalogue illustrates the most complete or wellpreserved examples for each shape found in the whole sequence of stratigraphic units in Area 2.1. Fragmentary vessels are included if they are particularly common or unique. Each record in the Catalogue (Chapter 3) consists of the following fields: No.: Progressive Catalogue Number. Inv.: Inventory Number assigned during the recording phase. SSC: Site Shape Catalogue number. Context: Type (Room, Street, etc.) and stratigraphic unit (DSU, FSU, etc.). Fabric/Ware: Reference code number of the ceramic material, based on the table included in this chapter. Dimensions: Main measurements of the fragment expressed in centimeters (cm). Description: Morphological characteristics of the vessel, surface treatments, decoration, evidence of use. Parallels: Bibliographic references and range of dates for similar types attested in comparative sites. Phase-date: The date range of the type, based on the context(s) in which it was found at Amheida (Area 2.1).49 Phase I: Imperial thermae (B3, including B6). Phase II: Destruction and levelling with waste and debris of part of the thermae (B3). Phase III: Private houses on the levelled yard. 48. They are mainly amphorae, see Caputo 2014: 163–77; Caputo 2019: 168-91. 49. For a detailed description of these phases see Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming).

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

          III.1 – Construction of B1, B8, B5, S2, S3 (around 340 CE).           III.2 – Restoration and restyling.           III.3 – Restoration.           III.4 – Abandonment (around 370 CE). Phase IV: Post-abandonment (after 370 CE onward).

2 Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1 (above and below floors) Typo-Chronological Study The aim of this chapter is to introduce the pottery vessels and some other ceramic products documented in all the contexts belonging to occupation levels and also the dumped layers in Area 2.1. For the sake of the present study, only a typo-chronological and technological analysis of the various functional classes and their major representatives is provided.1

2.1. Table and Service Wares 2.1.1. Bowls

Within the large category of table ware, four main types of bowls have been distinguished according to the shape of the rim and the profile that characterizes the fragments examined: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Small footed bowls (Pl. I: nos. 1–9, Group 1); Straight sided bowls (Pl. I: nos. 10–21, Group 2); Convex bowls (Pl. I: nos. 22–27, Group 3); Carinated bowls (Pl. II: no. 28–37, Group 4).

Most of them are made of A-Group fabric, less frequently B-Group fabric. One of the most common types of open form in all the stratigraphic units of Area 2.1, mainly from below and less frequently from above floors (Phases II–III), is the class of small footed bowls (Pl. I: nos. 1–7). They have an incurved rim and a flat base, on which a spiral pattern is made when the vessel is cut off from the clay (still clearly visible on no. 5). The average rim diameter for these bowls is around 10 cm. It is likely that they were used both for drinking and for eating. They are regularly attested in the Oases and in the Nile Valley in both 1. For the structure of the catalogue, see Sec. 1.6 above.

19

20

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Late Ptolemaic and early Roman period contexts,2 as well as in contexts dated to the second to fourth century CE at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis3 and Douch/Kysis.4 So far, nos. 8 and 9 (Pl. I) are attested exclusively in the occupation stratigraphic units (13 MNI in total). The specimens found are often complete or nearly so (Figure 9), characterized by molded walls and flat base. The size of the rim is consistently around 7 cm. They are made in A1a fabric, rarely in B10, and the surfaces are generally white- or orange-slipped. No similar types have been recognized so far among the materials from below floors. Although no direct parallels have been found, the presence of these types among the occupation context materials allows us to date them at least to the second half of the fourth century CE. The second group of bowls is characterized by straight or sloping walls, and flat or slightly domed bottom (Pl. I: nos. 10–21). The rim varies in shape from simple with a groove on the inner face (Pl. I: nos. 10–11) to those with one or more ledge on their inner side to lodge a lid (Pl. I: nos. 12–13), to rims with a squared section (Pl. I: nos. 14–18), to modelled flange rims (Pl. I: nos. 19–21). The bowls nos. 14–21 occasionally have a decoration on the rim consisting of red vertical marks on white color. The diameters range from 10 to 14 cm and from 16 to 21 cm. Some of them were clearly used as cooking vessels, as the black deposits on the exterior side demonstrate. All these types (nos. 10–13 and 14–21) are generally attested in the dumped material of Area 2.1, below floors (Phase II). Comparable shapes from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis5 and Douch/Kysis6 are dated to the second and third centuries CE. The same types of bowls have been found at Amheida in the ceramic assemblages coming from House B10, in association with small ostraca (tags) dated no later than 335 CE; in that context they can thus be assigned more precisely to the first half of the fourth century CE at the latest.7 The convex bowls (which are wider than higher in shape, and so different from the “classical” convex bowls related to the Greek and Roman standard shape) are the third largest type. They have incurved rim and flat or domed bases (Pl. I: nos. 22–27), and were used not only for consumption but also as lids or for cooking, as the black soot on the external surfaces clearly proves (no. 25). The diameter ranges from 10 to 14 cm in the smaller variant, and to 16 to 23 cm in the larger one. The top of the rims is generally decorated with red dots or marks on cream color. Some bowls are decorated on the inner surface with reddish-purple spiral patterns on yellow color, which is a specific decoration of the Kharga productions, and made of both A1a and B3 fabrics. In Area 2.1 all these types, especially those with spiral decoration, appear in the contexts above the floors (Phase III), and they are comparatively common at Ismant el-Kharab/ Kellis8 and Douch/Kysis9 in contexts dated to the late third–fourth centuries CE. 2. Gill 2016: 68–9, Form 22 and Form 24. 3. Hope 1987: 171, Fig. 5 (j); Hope et al. 2006: 27–9, 50, Fig. 5 (c 61); Patten 2000: 165–7, Pl. 46 (Form 38); Dunsmore 2002: 135–6, Fig. 4 (n); Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6 (d); Hope 2004c: 40, Fig. 7 (a, c, e–f) and 41, Fig. 9 (d, e, h). 4. Dunand et al. 1992: Pl. 80, no. 4. 5. Hope 1979: 194–5, Pl. XIX (9); Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 (c, d, l); Patten 1999: 85, Fig. 2 (18); Patten 2000: 141–3, Pl. 41 (Form 6/1, Form 6/2, Form 7 R-F). 6. Ballet 1990: 299–300, fig. 5; Ballet and Vichy 1992: 117–9, fig. 13 (e); Ballet 2004: 220; Dunand et al. 2005: 202, Figs. 114–5 and 203, Figs. 116–7. 7. Bagnall et al. 2017: 195–211. 8. Hope 1985: 119, Fig. 4 (d and g–h); Patten 1999: 83–5, Fig. 2 (25); Hope 2003: 283, Fig. 26 (b). 9. Ballet 1990: 299–301, Fig. 8; Ballet and Vichy 1992: 118–9, Fig. 13 (g).

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

21

The third type is represented by the bowls with carinated contour (Pl. II: nos. 28–37). No. 28 (Group 4a) is an unrestricted small bowl with a gently carinated contour, a slightly everted, rounded rim, and a ring foot. The rim is decorated with red dots on white color, and the surfaces are light apricot washed. Only one example has been registered from Area 2.1, coming from below Street 2 (Phase II). The closest parallel is from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, found in pre-fourth century deposits.10 The bowls nos. 29–37 (Group 4b–f) have a modelled rounded rim and low or medium tall foot-ring base; some of them have the rim decorated with dots or irregular red marks on white/creamy paint. The types nos. 29–31 can be dated according to the parallels from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis to the second–third century CE, and are commonly found in the dumped material below B1 and the streets (Phase II).11 To the later phase (Phase III) seem to belong the bowls with more pronounced carination and inward rim (nos. 32–33) or everted flaring rims (nos. 34–37). These bowls are usually heavily blackened on the outer surface, since they were used also for cooking. The closest parallels are from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis and ‘Ain elGedida, from contexts dated to the late third–fourth century CE.12 The flanged bowl no. 38 (Pl. II, Group 5) imitates in the shape the Egyptian Red Slip ‘A’ Wares (ERS-A).13 The shapes of the ERS-A are close imitations of some African Red Slip Ware (ARS) products, in particular the types that were manufactured in the fifth and sixth centuries CE.14 The whole surface of these vessels is generally covered with thin matte slip and they have rouletting and stamp decorations on the exteriors and bottoms of the open forms.15 The flanged bowl in the catalogue is made of local fabric A1a and has red slipped surfaces. On the outside of the rim, instead of a line of rouletting, there is a decoration consisting of red drops on white color. It has been found in one of the units above the floor (DSU 208) in Room 13; another rim fragment of the same type comes from a not reliable unit (DSU 226) in Room 12 (Phase IV). The closest parallels are from Elephantine,16 Kom el-Nana (Amarna),17 and El-Ashmunein,18 all dated within the span of the mid-fourth to the seventh century CE. The medium bowls with everted rims and almost hemispherical bodies (Pl. II: nos. 39–41, Group 6) occur mainly in the contexts below floors of Room 9 and Street 2; only two examples 10. Patten 200: 159–60, Pl. 44 (Form 25); Dunsmore 2002: 133–4, Fig. 3 (i–j). 11. Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 (a); Patten 2000: 163–5, Pl. 45 (Form 35); Hope et al. 2006: 27, 49 Fig. 4 (d 68). 12. Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 7 (b) and Fig. 8 (b–d, i); Hope 1986: Pl. XXI (8); Hope 2004: 24, 37, Fig. 4(d) and 25–6, 41, Fig. 9 (b); Dunsmore 2002: 129–31, Fig. 1 (m); Dixneuf 2012b: 463, Fig. 5.7 and 464, Fig. 10.3. 13. The ERS-A, known also as “Coptic Red Slip Ware” or “Aswan Ware,” is the finest of all types of ERS. Aswan is the source of this type of pottery, where it was produced between the third and the end of the seventh century CE. It was distributed in various sites in Upper Egypt, Nubia, and a few sites outside Egypt. There are other two types of ERS: the “Egyptian Red Slip B” that was produced in Lower Egypt (Nile Delta) and the “Egyptian Red Slip C” that is an imitation of type B and may have been produced in Egypt or elsewhere; it is widespread in the seventh century CE in Egypt and the East, see Winlock and Crum 1924: 84–93; Hayes 1972: 397–9; Hayes 2001: 276. The ESR-A is the equivalent to Rodziewicz “Group O,” see Rodziewicz 1976: 50–60. 14. The name African Red Slip Ware (ARS) was proposed by Hayes in 1972 to cover the whole series of red-slipped wares produced by various North African workshops, in the province of Africa Proconsularis, over a period of some six centuries (from the mid-1st century CE into the 7th century CE). This important class of Late Roman pottery is a category of terra sigillata spread all over the Mediterranean basin. See Hayes 1972: 13–18; Hayes 1980; Bonifay 2004. 15. Hayes 1972: 387–97. 16. Gempeler 1992: 124–5, Abb. 71 (Form T 607a); Rodziewicz 2005: 188–91, Pl. 71 (1164–85). 17. Faiers 2013: 43–4, 83 Fig. 2.4 (14). 18. Bailey 1998: 21–2, Pl. 12 (C344–345).

22

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

come above floors, in Room 4 (DSU 23) and Room 8 (DSU 102) (Phases II–III). The exterior surface of these bowls is often blackened by soot, and the top of their rims is rarely decorated with wavy lines on cream or white color. The rim diameter ranges between 18 and 25 cm. Similar shapes are attested at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis (early Roman period),19 at Elephantine (end of first–end of fourth/beginning of fifth century CE),20 and at Kom el-Nana at Amarna (400–700 CE).21 2.1.2. Dishes

Four different types of dishes have been identified so far (Pl. II: nos. 42–46, Group 7). No. 42 (Group 7a) is has a low shape with flanged rim and carinated walls, the base of which is missing. It is made of A1a fabric and has the red slip only on the inner side. The dish imitates in its shape the Eastern Sigillata B Ware,22 but on the outside of the rim, instead of the rouletting, a layer of painted cream color is present. The Egyptian copies of these Eastern Sigillata dishes are attested, both in ceramic and faïence,23 in most of the Egyptian sites occupied during the Roman imperial period. The closest parallels for the example in the catalogue are from Elephantine,24 El-Ashmunein,25 Tebtynis,26 and Mons Claudianus,27 dated from the first half of the first to the third century CE. The dish no. 43 (Group 7b) has a pronounced bead rim and sharply carinated body. The base is missing. The surfaces are plain and pinkish. The shape resembles some casseroles with a flat base produced during the Roman period, but there are no traces of cooking on it. In Area 2.1, these types are mainly spread in the dumped material below floors (Phase II). Similar vessels are attested at Elephantine,28 Tebtynis,29 and Mons Claudianus,30 dated within the first to second century CE. The small vessels nos. 44 and 45 (Pl. II, Group 7c) have everted rims and a shallow carinated body. The bases are missing. They are made of A1a fabric, and only one of them has a decoration on top of the rim, consisting of red dots on cream color (no. 45); the other one (no. 44) has plain surfaces, orange in color. The latter has been reused as an ostracon. The Greek text (O.Trim. 1.446) is written on the outer side of the sherd and is incomplete, with only a few letters preserved.31 The date suggested for the text on the basis of stratigraphy is ca. 275–350 CE. 19. Patten 2000: 149, Pl. 42 (Form 11 R–F); Dunsmore 2002: 134–5, Fig. 3 (m); Hope et al. 2006: 27, 48 Fig. 3 (b 69). 20. Gempeler 1992: Abb. 112 (Nr. 5, Form K 501). 21. Faiers 2013: 55–6, 105, Fig. 2.27 (205). 22. Hayes 2001: 148–9, 155, Fig. 3.4–3.5 and 3.13. 23. Some examples of these dish shapes both in faïence and ceramic influenced by Eastern Sigillata B Ware are attested at Elephantine, Mons Claudianus, and Tebtynis: see Rodziewicz 2005: 101–2, Pl. 14 (251) and Pl. 15 (252–260); Tomber 2006: 48–9, Fig. 1.16.13 (174–5); Ballet and Południkiewicz 2011: 57; cf. Nenna 2000a: 56, Type 13.3. One example of a carinated dish in faïence has been found in Area 1 at Amheida: see Cervi 2015: 345, 347, Plate 13.1.11. 24. Rodziewicz 2005: 154, Pl. 50 (800–8). 25. Bailey 1998: 7, Pl. 5 (B4). 26. Ballet and Południkiewicz 2011: 57–8, Pl. 12 (162–5). 27. Tomber 2006: 118, 120, Fig. 1.46.75 (663–5). 28. Gempeler 1992: 64–5, Abb. 7 (nos. 7–8, Form T 202). 29. Ballet and Południkiewicz 2011: 67, 254 Pl. 16 (207). 30. Tomber 2006: 118, 120, Fig. 1.46 (74–662). 31. O.Trim. 1: 226 (446); Caputo 2016: 78, 82, Fig. 11 c.

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

23

The shapes of both examples in the catalogue recall a type of bowl/dish with carinated contour and rounded base widespead during the Ptolemaic period in Egypt, and they have very close parallels in some specimens found in the Ptolemaic deposits at Mut el-Kharab.32 However, the physical characteristics of the Amheida pieces would suggest a later date, that is, the Roman period. They have been found in two units located below the floors of Room 2 (DSU 49) and Room 10 (DSU 241), in which most of the ceramic fragments are dated between the first century BCE and the early fourth century CE (Phase II). The small dish no. 46 (Pl. II, Group 7d) has a flat flared rim and molded body; the base is missing. A decoration is visible on top of the rim, which consists of wavy red painted lines and spiral motifs on cream color.33 The fragment is blackened by soot on the external surface and on the rim, suggesting that it was reused as a lid. Traces of red slip are still visible under the black layer. The amount of soot on it suggests that the vessel was reused as a lid. It has been found in one of the units above floor (DSU 157) in Room 15 (Phase III). The closest parallels are from El-Ashmunein, were several examples have been found in the South Church contexts,34 and some similar shapes are attested from Elephantine,35 Kom el-Nana,36 and Tod:37 all of them are dated between the second half of the fourth and the mid-seventh centuries CE. 2.1.3. Oasis Red Slip Ware (ORSW)

The fine wares with red slipped surfaces are attested on several sites in both Dakhla (Oasis Red Slip Ware) and Kharga Oases (Kharga Red Slip Ware).38 The vessels in the catalogue (Pl. III, Group 8) are predominantly bowls, which occur with either wide flanged rims (nos. 47–51, Group 8a), sometimes with areas of modelling on them (no. 54, Group 8d) or direct simple rims (nos. 52–53, Group 8b–c). They normally have simple convex sides, and the bases are either round, flat, or with a low ring. The rim diameters range from 9 cm, in the small-sized bowls, to 28 cm, in the largest examples. Restricted forms are rare among the assemblages; only one base of fragmentary closed form (no. 55, Group 8e) is attested so far. All examples are made of A27 fabric, with red-fired body and shiny red/red-orange slipped interior and exterior surfaces. In Area 2.1, the ORSW occur only in the occupation levels (0.61%), dated to the second half of the fourth century CE (Phase III). The closest parallels are from Alexandria,39 Douch/Kysis,40 Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Mut el-Kharab,41 and Ain el32. Hope et al. 2006: 37–8, 59 Fig. 14 (g 50); Gill 2016: 26–7, 66–7 (Forms 12–14). 33. Similar decorations are common in the Dakhla oasis during the Christian period: see Hope 1980: 301–2, Pl. XXV (f). 34. Bailey 1998: 24, Pl. 14 (C491). 35. Gempeler 1992: 67, Abb. 10 (nos. 10–12, Form T 211a). 36. Faiers 2013: 52, 95 Fig. 2.16 (131). 37. Pierrat 1995: 34–6, Fig. 11. 38. For a more detailed description of these red slipped fine wares from both Dakhla and Kharga Oases (A27), see the paragraph about “Fabrics and Wares” in the chapter on methodology. See also Ballet, Bonifay, and Marchand 2012: 87–117, especially 108–10. 39. Rodziewicz 1976: 50–3, Pls. 17–22. 40. Rodziewicz 1987: 130, Pl. XXXVIII (Forme 1), 133, Pl. XLII (Forme 21 a–e); Ballet 2004: Fig. 220 (45). 41. Hope 1980: 299–300, Pl. XXIV (g–i); Hope 1986: 87, Fig. 8 (i–o) and Fig. 9 (a–ff).

24

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Gedida,42 and are generally dated between the beginning of the fourth century CE and the fifth century CE.43 2.1.4. Liquid Vessels

The large family of liquid vessels includes several forms related in particular to the service of beverages, costrels, jugs, and flagons (Pls. III–IV, Group 9). This family is not one of the richest among the ceramic material from Area 2.1 (2.9%), but its chronology extends from the Roman period to Late Antiquity. The different shapes can be organized at least in nine sub-groups. The first group listed consists of handled costrels with strainer (Pl. III: nos. 56–59, Group 9a). The oval or irregularly-shaped handles are joined below the rim or on the neck, terminating on the shoulder. The strainer generally has one central hole, surrounded by four to five additional holes of a similar size. These containers are made of A1b and A5 fabrics, with cream or white slipped surfaces. Generally, these types occur in the dumped materials levelled below floors of Area 2.1 (Phase II). They were common in the Eastern desert, where the closest parallels are from Mons Claudianus,44 dated to the mid-first to second century CE. Only one specimen (no. 58), with a complete spout applied on the shoulder, has been found at Amheida in a late occupation level (Room 13, DSU 207, Phase III). Its shape is very similar to those attested at Elephantine,45 dated to the third–fourth century CE, and similar shapes are also very common in Antinoopolis, the Theban area, and Koptos,46 dated to the fifth–sixth century CE. The jugs nos. 60–61 (Pl. III, Group 9b) are not so abundant in Area 2.1 (only 5 MNI in total). The examples in the catalogue come from stratigraphic units located above the floors of Room 4 and Room 15 (Phase III). The shape is characterized by double-lipped rim with a broad, approximately cylindrical neck, and handles, rising from the edge, sit vertically on the shoulder. One of the pieces (no. 60) has the rim slightly pinched on the part opposite to the handle. The two bottles nos. 62–63 (Pl. III, Group 9c) also have pinched, in-turned rims, forming a cup mouth, sloping shoulders; only in one case (no. 62) is the handle still preserved. All of them are made of A1a fabric, except for no. 63, which is made of B10 fabric. The few parallels found are from Elephantine and are dated to the third–fourth century CE;47 for nos. 62–63, similar examples have been found also in El-Ashmunein contexts,48 dating to the fourth–fifth century CE. Single-handled trefoil flagons (Pl. III: nos. 65–67, Group 9e) are attested from both above and below floors (Phases II–III). No. 65 comes from one of the dump layers below Street 2 (DSU 368). It is made of forty pieces, most of which join to complete the entire profile of the vessel. The in-turned rim forms a cup-mouth on a medium-tall neck, ovoid body, and high foot-ring base. The vessel is made of a very soft peach-colored fabric, and the exterior surface 42. Dixneuf 2012b: 460–1, Fig. 1.1; Dixneuf 2018: 295–6, 379, Pl. 8.2 (nos. 21–43). 43. While the same shapes are very common in other Egyptian sites (made of other fabrics), there is no evidence of the Oases fabric outside Dakhla and Kharga. 44. Tomber 2006: 64–7, Types 63–6. 45. Gempeler 1992: 185, Abb. 117 (nos. 8–9, Form K 615 and no. 12, Form K 616). 46. Ballet, Bonifay, and Nenna 2000: 218–20; Ballet 2017: 807–30; Guidotti 2017: 45–111. 47. Gempeler 1992: 185, Abb. 117 (no. 1, Form K 611 and no. 2, Form K 612) and 133, Abb. 76 (no. 7, Form T 705). 48. Bailey 1998: Pl. 49 (J 3–J 4).

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has a thick orange slip layer. It is probably an Aswan ware production, where these vessels were used for boiling water.49 However, some parallels are also found at Mons Claudianus, dated to the first–second century CE,50 and Bir Showish (Bahariya), where some table amphoras have been found in House 3 with the same cup-mouth and rib on the tapered neck, but doublehandled and with different body-shape, dated to the end of the third century CE.51 Similar forms are also attested at El-Ashmunein, characterized by two handles and dated to the late fourth–eighth century CE.52 The other two trefoil flagons in the catalogue (nos. 66–67) are very fragmentary. Only the upper part is preserved. The handle had to start from the edge in both specimens, as we can notice from one of them (no. 67). They are made of Group-A fabric. Similar examples have been found in the early Roman Period deposits at Ismant el-Kharab/ Kellis53 and at Mons Claudianus.54 Rarely attested in the assemblages are no. 64 (Pl. III, Group 9d) and no. 68 (Pl. III, Group 9f). Both are made of A3b fabric, from the Nile Valley. The table amphora no. 64 lacks both the rim and the body. Two small, thin, handmade handles are attached from the neck to the shoulder. No direct parallels have been found for this shape, even if the fabric and the morphological characteristics suggest a date of the third–fourth century CE. It comes from one of the dump layers located below the floor of Room 2 (DSU 34), in which the ceramic types identified exhibit a wide date range, from the late first century BCE to the early fourth century CE (Phase II). No. 68, in contrast, finds comparison with some examples from Elephantine. The piece is very fragmentary, and only a small part of the rim and neck is preserved; the rest of the vessel is missing. At Elephantine, these types of bottles, very close in shape to the lekythoi, are not attested in the stratigraphy of the third and fourth century CE. On the other hand, they appear in contexts dated to the second quarter of the fifth century to the first third of the sixth century CE.55 Our specimen comes from the collapse of the ceiling in Room 12 (DSU 245) and could be considered as post-abandonment refuse (Phase IV). The double-handled flagons or amphoriskoi (Pl. III: nos. 69–71, Group 9g) appear, even in small numbers (5 MNI in total), mainly in the strata above floors (Phase III). They are characterized by very long necks with filter (nos. 69–70), direct rims, slightly everted (no. 69), and sloping shoulders. The exterior surface is often cream slipped and can be, in some specimens, decorated with black or reddish/brown dots (no. 71) or abstract motifs. Commonly, they are made of B10 or A5 fabrics, with thick white or light-yellow slipped surfaces. The closest parallels for these types of vessels are from Elephantine,56 El-Ashmunein,57 and Kom el-Nana (Amarna),58 and are dated between the fourth and the seventh centuries CE. 49. Gempeler 1992. 50. Tomber 2006: 61–4, Types 57–8. 51. Musil et al. 2013: 40, Fig. 45 (1–6). 52. Bailey 1998: Pl. 48 (I 2, I 18). 53. Patten 2000: 206–7, Pl. 64 (Form 102). 54. Tomber 2006: 61–4, Types 55–6. 55. Gempeler 1992: 135, Abb. 77 (Nr. 2–5, Form T 713). 56. Gempeler 1992: 144, Abb. 80 (nos. 17–18, Form T 846) and 188, Abb. 119 (no. 8, Form K 635). 57. Bailey 1998: Pl. 49 (J 44, J 45). 58. Faiers 2013: 69, 149 Fig. 2.71 (438–43).

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The costrels nos. 73–79 (Pl. IV, Group 9i) are the most common type of liquid vessel identified within the assemblages from the occupation layers of Area 2.1 (Phase III). Generally, they have a direct simple rim, sometimes slightly pinched (no. 76), on which is attached the handle, a three-holes strainer at the base of the short cylindrical neck, a body ovoid in shape, and a low foot-ring base. They are often made of B1/B10/B15 or A5 fabrics, rarely in A1/2, with white- or cream-slipped exterior surfaces. The closest parallels are from Douch/Kysis,59 Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,60 ‘Ain el-Gedida,61 and ‘Ain el-Chabata (Bahariya Oasis),62 and are dated between the third and the end of the fifth centuries CE. One similar specimen, made of calcareous clay, is attested at Taposiris Magna and dated as late as the sixth–seventh century CE.63 2.1.5. Kraters

This category includes a series of containers with an open shape, defined in this study as kraters (Pls. IV–V: nos. 80–86, Group 10). Their shape is characterized by a high rim, slightly everted, and a deep body narrowing towards the end, with a carination on the shoulder and near the base. Unfortunately, none of the specimens in the catalogue retains its base, so it is not possible to say with certainty if it was rounded, carinated as it would seem from nos. 84–86, or even with a foot. Most of them have decoration on the inner side of the rim or on top of it, generally made of vertical marks (no. 80), spiral or wavy lines (nos. 81–82, 84–85), reddish/ purple in color on cream or white paint; rarely, they have a more complex combination of these decorative elements, such as in the case of no. 86.64 This krater presents a painting on the entire internal surface, from the edge to the base: thick vertical marks are on top of the rim, followed by a register of “S”-lines interweaved with each other on the inner face of it, while the main section dominates the central part of the body. This latter consists of an agricultural scene on which are recognizable palm trees with dates, vine shoots with bunches of grapes, the ladders presumably used for harvesting the fruits, and possibly some animals below the trees, such as a donkey. Dates and grapes are among the species of plants well attested and cultivated in the Great Oasis (Phoenix dactylifera and Vitis vinifera).65 Although the presence of more or less elaborate decorations on these containers should be indicative of a table use, the thick layer of soot often detectable on their exterior walls and close to the base would suggest a parallel or secondary use as cooking vessel. They are made of A1a and A1b fabrics, rarely in the fine versions A2a and A2b. The pieces in the catalogue come almost exclusively from the contexts above floors in Area 2.1 (Phase III), especially from Room 15 (DSUs 140, 145, 152, 157), and are very close to the specimens attested at Ismant el-Kharab/ 59. Ballet 1990: 300, fig. 6; Ballet 1992: 118–9, Fig. 13 (f); Ballet 2004: Fig. 218 (no. 35), Phase III précoce (end of third–first half of the fourth century CE). 60. Hope 1985: 118, 120, Fig. 5 (u). 61. Dixneuf 2018: 301–2, 382, Pl. 8.5 (nos. 53–57). 62. Musil and Tomášek 2013: 64, 73, Abb. 4.6:66. 63. Le Bomin 2016: 71, Fig. 13.17. 64. The krater was restored by the conservator Mohammed Ahmed Sayed Mustafa in 2009. The tracing of the krater decoration was made by Maud Slingenberg (Egyptologist, Leiden University) in 2015. 65. Newton et al. 2005: 167–95.

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Kellis,66 Kom el-Nana (Amarna),67 and Douch/Kysis,68 dated between the fourth and the seventh centuries CE.

2.2. Utility Ware 2.2.1. Deep Bowls and Basins

The deep bowls and basins (Pl. VI–VII: nos. 87–88 and nos. 89–95, Group 11) used for preparing food appear in Area 2.1 in so many variants that it is sometimes difficult to classify them; but it is possible to distinguish at least eight sub-groups according to the shape of the rim and the body. The deep bowls nos. 87–88 (Pl. VI, Group 11a–b) are not very frequent, and the two pieces in the catalogue represent the most common complete examples recognized in Area 2.1. They are characterized by slightly flanged rim, straight walls, and a deep body narrowing towards the end. No. 88 has an incision on the top of the rim consisting of a repetitive curvy line that resembles a row of the letter “S”. Our specimens have been found in occupation levels of the house (Phase III). Although no precise comparisons have been found, the shapes can be associated with some examples from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, found in contexts dated to the mid-second century CE or possibly earlier,69 and from Douch/Kysis, dated to the second–third century CE.70 The basins in the catalogue (Pl. VI: nos. 89–98) are the most recurrent shapes in the stratigraphic units located both below and above the floors of B1, S2, and S3. The types nos. 89–92 (Pl. VI, Groups 11c–e) are characterized by tick-modelled rims and convex profile; the base is almost always missing. They are regularly found in the Dakhla oasis sites in the Ptolemaic and Early Roman contexts,71 at Douch/Kysis,72 and at Tebtynis73 and Dime,74 and can be dated to the second half of the third century BCE–first century CE. The basins nos. 93–94 (Pl. VI, Groups 11f) have thick, in-turned rims, sometimes grooved on the upper part, gently rounded, and a deep convex body. They are comparable with some examples from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, dated between the first and the third centuries CE.75 All these types are generally attested in the strata located below floors of Area 2.1 (Phase II). On the other hand, very common in the fourth-century levels of Area 2.1 (Phase III) are the basins characterized by a rim which tends to be more flattened and elongated toward the inside of the vessel, sometimes with a slight groove on the top (Pl. VII: nos. 95–98, Group 11g–h). The productions are mainly in local 66. Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. XXI (7); Hope 1985: 121, Fig. 6 (e). 67. Faiers 2013: 58, 114 (249–51). 68. Douch/Kysis field catalogue (88/171): unpublished (information courtesy of P. Ballet). 69. Dunsmore 2002: 134–5, Fig. 3 (m). 70. Douch/Kysis field catalogue (86/466): unpublished (information courtesy of P. Ballet). 71. Gill 2016: 253–5, 323 (no. 883), 325 (no. 894). 72. The fragments come both from the fortress, eastern sector, and the layers below the floor level of the temple (dated to Phase 0, Ptolemaic–Augustan Periods), see Ballet 2004: 213–4, 230–1, Figs. 213 (no. 5) and 214 (no. 9). 73. Ballet and Południkiewicz 2012: 91, 273 (nos. 341–5). 74. Dime/Soknoapiou Nesos field catalogue (ST07/-/2134 and ST14/906/4452): unpublished. 75. Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 (e); Patten 2000: 177–9, Pl. 52 (Form 62/2); Dunsmore 2002: 137–8, Fig. 5 (a); Hope et al. 2006: 27 and 49, Fig. 4 (a); Hope 2007: 10–12, Fig. 8 (f).

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fabrics A1a/A1b. The closest parallels are from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,76 ‘Ain el-Gedida,77 and Douch/Kysis,78 dated to the fourth century CE. 2.2.2. Sieves and Funnels

Only four almost complete sieves have been counted among the pottery analyzed. Although there are numerous body sherds with holes belonging to this type of vessel, because of their very small size it is unfortunately difficult to define to how many examples they correspond. Two variants have been entered in the catalogue (Pl. VII): the first type (no. 99, Group 12a) is characterized by a flaring rim, sometimes with a wavy incised decoration on top of it, and convex body with circular holes; the second one (no. 100, Group 12b) has a modelled rim on which two small handmade handles are set, short neck, ovoid body with vertical cuts, and slightly pointed base. While the first type is present both above and below the floors (Phases II– III), the second type seems to be more characteristic of the contexts above the floors (Phase III). The different kind of holes could suggest an evolution of the shape or possibly a different purpose of use. All of them are in A1a/A1b fabrics. Type no. 99 is attested at Mons Claudianus,79 Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,80 and Douch/Kysis;81 these examples are dated between the second and the fifth centuries CE; the only parallel for no. 100 comes from Douch/Kysis.82 The piece no. 101 (Pl. VII, Group 13) is a nearly complete funnel with a wide, slightly everted rim and ovoid body, ending in a narrow stem (Phase III). The funnel hole is 0.7 cm in diameter. It is made in A1a and the surfaces are white washed, in some places slightly peeled. Parallels are from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis83 and Douch/Kysis84 and are dated to the end of the third to the early fifth century CE.

2.3. Cooking Ware 2.3.1. Cooking Plates and Casseroles

This category consists mainly of cooking plates and small and medium-sized bowls reused for cooking, which maybe defined functionally as casseroles. At least two types of carinated cooking plates have been identified (Pl. VIII: nos. 102–103, Group 14), both made in A1a fabric and having red-slipped surfaces. No. 102 (Group 14a) has a slightly out-turned lid-seat rim and a heavily sooted outer surface. The second plate (no. 103, Group 14b) is a wide, shallow vessel with gentle carination and upturned rim. Both types are found among the materials above floors (Phase III). Comparable examples can be found at Mons Claudianus, dated to the 76. Hope et al. 2006: 24–5, 27, 48, Fig. 3 (c); Bowen et al. 2007: 29, Fig. 7 (g). 77. Dixneuf 2012b: 461–2, Fig. 2.1. 78. Douch/Kysis field catalogue: unpublished (information courtesy of P. Ballet). 79. Tomber 2006: 41–2, Type 49. 80. Hope 1985: 115 and 120, Fig. 5 (b and t). 81. Douch/Kysis field catalogue (85/69): unpublished (information courtesy of P. Ballet). 82. Douch/Kysis field catalogue (90/361): unpublished (information courtesy of P. Ballet). 83. Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. XXI (3); Hope 1985: 120, Fig. 5 (s). 84. Ballet 2000: 100, 105 (Fig. 20, no. 15).

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end of the first–second century CE.85 Notably, similar shapes are present also at El-Ashmunein, where they were in use still during the sixth–seventh century CE.86 The carinated bowls used or reused as casseroles (Pl. VIII: nos. 104–108, Group 15a–d) are characterized by upright or out-turned deep lid-seat rims, and the surfaces are occasionally slipped and almost always blackened by soot. They are made of Group-A fabric and can be dated to the early Roman period according to the find context in the house (Phase II). These types appear almost exclusively in the dump layers below floors, and comparable shapes, attested at Mons Claudianus87 and Elephantine,88 can be dated to the first–third/fourth century CE. The last three types of thin-walled casseroles in this category (Pl. VIII: nos. 109–111, Groups 15e–g) are attested only in the layers above floors of B1, S2, and S3 (Phase III). They are made of B3 and A11 fabrics. The exterior surfaces are almost always heavily blackened, and sometimes they have a red painted decoration on the inner side of the rim, or on top of it. The parallels from ‘Ain el-Gedida,89 Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,90 and Elephantine91 are dated between the fourth and the sixth centuries CE. Similar types are also attested in Douch/Kysis, but they are not published. 2.3.2. Cooking Pots

The large family of vessels used for cooking consists mainly of globular pots (Pls. VIII–IX: Group 16). Because of the different variants of rims, a chronological evolution is sometimes difficult to establish. The dating given to the pieces in the catalogue is based not only on comparisons with similar materials found at other archaeological sites, but also on the chronology of the assemblages and contexts from which they come. The pots dating back to the early Roman period (Pl. VIII: nos. 112–120, Group 16a–f and Pl. IX: 123–127, Group 16h–k) are characterized by wide mouths with sharply everted lid-seat rims, direct or slightly out-turned, short or absent necks, globular bodies, and rounded to irregularly-shaped handles joined to the rim and terminating on the shoulder. Some of them retain vertical loop handles or evidence of these (nos. 116, 118). All of them are made of A1a, A1b, or A2b fabrics. These types are common in the strata located below the floors of B1, S2, and S3 (Phase II), and can be paralleled by shapes from Tebtynis,92 Mons Claudianus,93 Ismant

85. Tomber 2006: 123–4, Type 102 (714–5). 86. Bailey 1998: 48–9, Pl. 26 (D398 and D413). 87. Tomber 2006: 110–2, Type 44–51 and 87–8, Type 64. 88. Gempeler 1992: 156, Abb. 89 (nos. 11–15, Form K 312). 89. Dixneuf 2012b: 461–3, Figs. 1.11, 2.5, 2.8, 5.8. 90. Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 8 (c); Hope 1985: 123–4, and 119, Fig. 4 (g–h). 91. Gempeler 1992: 163, Abb. 95 (nos. 6–7, Form K 359 and no. 8, Form K 360). 92. Ballet and Południkiewicz 2012: 78–9, 262, Pl. 24, nos. 264–9. 93. Tomber 2006: 80–1, Type 37; 84–5, Type 53; and 187–8, Types 42 and 43.

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el-Kharab/Kellis,94 Elephantine,95 Quseir el-Qadim,96 and Tell Asmar,97 widely dated between the first century BCE and the beginning of the fourth century CE, with a considerable concentration in contexts dated to the second–third century CE. The cooking pots nos. 121–122 (Pl. VIII, Group 16g) and 128–137 (Pl. IX, Group 16l–p) have slightly out-turned lid-seat or flat rims, short necks, and ribbed ovoid bodies. The exterior surfaces are usually covered with a thin layer of dark red slip, which is often hidden by heavy black soot. These cooking pots are frequently made in local fabrics of Group-A1 and are common in the occupation levels of B1, S2, and S3 (Phase III). Most of them may be compared with similar vessels from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,98 Douch/Kysis,99 and Elephantine,100 dated in the mid-third and the fifth century, and some of them, like nos. 121–122 and 128, are in places attested up to the eighth century CE, for example in El-Ashmunein and Kom el-Nana.101 The most peculiar ware, constantly present in the occupation levels of B1, S2, and S3 (Phase III), is that also known as Christian Brittle Ware (CBW).102 It consists of a fine, hard, compact clay body, usually fired pink at the surfaces with blue-gray core (A11 fabric). Vessels made from this ware have thin walls and very pronounced ribbing. They are mainly cooking pots (Pl. IX: nos. 138–147, Group 16q), with wide everted rims, sometimes with a projection for the lid, short necks, and ovoid body. Some shapes produced in A1/2 b fabrics (nos. 130–133) are also made of A11 fabric (nos. 141–142). The production also includes small bowls often used as casseroles (supra Pl. VIII: nos. 110–111, Group 16e–f), and small or medium lids (Pl. X: nos. 154, Group 19a and nos. 162–163, Group 19h). Most of them have red-slipped surfaces, which during firing tend to become gray, and in the case of pots and casseroles they are usually entirely covered by soot. At Amheida, the CBW is quite often found associated with other productions characteristic of the fourth–fifth century CE onwards, such as Oasis Red Slip Ware and Yellow Slip Ware. The closest parallels in Dakhla Oasis are from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis103 and ‘Ain el-Gedida,104 and comparable shapes can also be found at El-Ashmunein105 and at Berenike (Red Sea Coast), made of alluvial clay.106

94. Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 (f, g, h, m, r); Hope 1999: 232 (7823); Hope 2004: 22–4, 38, Fig. 5 (e); Hope 2007: 10, 14–15, Figs. 10 (f) and 11 (n); Patten 1999: 85, Fig. 2 (22); Patten 2000: 185–7, Pl. 57 (Form 72) and 189–90, Pl. 58 (Form 74); Dunsmore 2002: 133, Fig. 2 (d, q) and 140, Fig. 6 (q). 95. Gempeler 1992: 168, Abb. 101 (nos. 2–8, Form K 407 and nos. 9–11, Form K 408a), 169, Abb. 101 (nos. 14–17, Form K 410), 170, Abb. 102 (nos. 10–12, Form K414a). 96. Whitcomb and Johnson 1982: Pl. 10 (e); Whitcomb and Johnson 1978: 67. 97. Rodziewicz 1992, Fig. 7, no. 38. 98. Patten 1999: 84, Fig. 1 (2); Dunsmore 2002: 131–2, Fig. 2 (a) and 137, 140, Fig. 6 (f). 99. The shapes with flat everted rim are frequent among the materials of Douch/Kysis. The first specimens appear on the site at the beginning of the Roman Period, and the production undergoes an increase during the third and the fourth centuries CE, see Ballet 2000: 98, 104, Fig. 18 (no. 11). 100. Gempeler 1992: 177, Abb. 110 (nos. 1–3, Form K 464 and nos. 4–8, Form K 465). 101. Bailey 1998: 59–60, Pl. 37 (E 255) and 64–5, Pl. 37 (E 235) and Pl. 38 (E 262); Faiers 2013: 60, 121 (nos. 274–6 and 277). 102. Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. XXI. 103. Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. XXI; Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 7 (e); Hope 1985: 114–25, especially 119, Fig. 4 (f, j–n); Hope 1986: 74–91; Dunsmore 2002: 131. 104. Dixneuf 2012b: 459–70, Figs. 1.12, 4.3. 105. Bailey 1998: 59, Pl. 37 (E 254). 106. The same types of thin-walled cooking ware are attested among the Late Roman ceramic assemblages found within the Isis Temple at Berenike. I had the opportunity to analyze and quantify them during the 2019 excavation season.

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2.3.3. Bread Molds and Baking Trays/Dokkas

These ceramic baking vessels are attested everywhere in Egypt. Several typological variations are attested from the Old Kingdom to Late Roman times.107 This class includes two main typegroups of vessels used for baking bread: the molds (Pl. X: Group 17) and the trays or platters/ dokkas (Pl. X: Group 18). The bread molds (Pl. X: nos. 148–149, Group 17a–b) have plain squared or upright rims, straight walls and flat bases, sometimes slightly lipped on the outside and with finger impressions. Very numerous in some rooms (Rooms 4, 6, 13, and 14) of House B1 are the baking trays/ dokkas (Pl. X: nos. 150–151, Group 18a–b). They are medium- or large-sized (diameters vary between 25 and 50 cm), with a shallow open form and thick rims, sometimes with finger marks on the upper side (no. 151). These types are generally hand-made using a coarse, open fabric, rich in chaff inclusions (A4 fabric), crudely formed with some smoothing of the recessed inside surface, and heavily burnt or sooty underneath. Notable is the presence of an almost complete unfired clay disc (Figure 14), found directly on the floor in Room 13 and surrounded by ash (Phase III). The diameter of the entire disc is 76 cm. There are four circular depressions on its upper side, which range in diameter between 11 and 14 cm, and are about 2 cm deep. The lower part is flat. It shows evident traces of burning in the depressions, inside the central hole, and on the base. It is made in local ferruginous coarse clay. No direct parallels have been found so far. The number of these kinds of vessels in Area 2.1 (1.3%) is reduced because of their fragmentation and fragility (Phases II–III). They are all quite simple compared with those found in the Eastern Desert, at Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphyrites,108 where they occur in deposits dated from the end of the first century CE to the second century CE or later. Similar shapes of baking trays made of kaolinite clay have been found also at Ayn el-Labakha (Kharga Oasis), in contexts dated from the end of the third to the mid-fourth century CE,109 and at Elephantine,110 Kom el-Nana (Amarna),111 and El-Ashmunein,112 dated up to the sixth/eighth century CE. 2.3.4. Lids

The small lids, ideally suited to cap flasks or bottles (Pl. X: nos. 152–155, Group 19a), are very uncommon in our contexts (9 MNI in total), all of them found in the occupation levels of B1 (Phase III). Their diameter ranges from 4 to 5 cm, and they were presumably held in place by 107. For an account of the bread molds and baking trays, for all Egyptian historical periods from the early Dynasties to the Roman era, see Marchand 2017: 223–50, especially 225, n. 3. See also Tomber 2013: 119–37. 108. Tomber 2006: 132–3, Type 140; Tomber 2007: 198–9, Fig. 6.11.127; Tomber 2013: 128–32, Fig. 3 (9–11). 109. Ballet 2000: 100–1, 105, Fig. 20 (nos. 16 and 17). 110. Similar trays are classified at Elephantine as Deckel Typ 1.1–11 (D38, D39,and D40). I am very grateful to Nicole HighSteskal, Denise Katzjäger, and Laura Rembart, whom I would like to thank for sharing with me the results of their work on Elephantine’s ceramic materials. Denise Katzjäger and Laura Rembart have just completed their dissertations on the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic pottery from Aswan and Elephantine (around 250,000 pottery fragments from the recent German-Austrian-Swiss excavations both on Elephantine and Syene) and have completely revised Gempeler 1998. Furthermore, Lisa Peloschek studied the petro-fabrics of the Syene/Elephantine material for her dissertation (completed in 2015). 111. Gempeler 1992: 204, Abb. 131 (Nr. 3 Form S-1 and Nr. 4 Form S-2); Faiers 2013: 73, 162 (no. 512). 112. Bailey 1998: 74, Pl. 45 (nos. G56–58).

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a sealing of mud or plaster. Generally, they are made of A5, B3, A11, and A27 fabrics. Comparable shapes are known from El-Ashmunein,113 Dime es-Seba,114 and Medinet Madi115 in the Fayyum, from Antinoopolis,116 from Elephantine, and from Berenike. These are dated between the end of the fourth century CE and the eighth century CE. The shallow lids used for sealing jars have generally convex profiles (Pl. X: nos. 156–157, Group 19b–c), with traces of white gypsum on the rim and the exterior surfaces.117 The fabric with which they are produced is mainly the local A1a. Parallels from Ismant el-Kharab are dated to the end of the third–fourth century CE.118 In Area 2.1, these types are common in the contexts above floors, and they can thus be dated to the second half of the fourth century CE (Phase III). The lids used for covering cooking vessels are more numerous (6.5%). They are characterized by modelled or straight walls (Pl. X: nos. 158–163, Groups 19d–h), with heavily blackened surfaces, and are made of A1a and A11 fabrics. Apart from no. 159, which is mainly attested in the dumped layers (Phase II) and dated to the Roman period,119 all the others, especially the lids with thin walls that are made of A11 fabric (nos. 162–163), belong only to the fourth-century deposits (Phase III).120 Some types (nos. 158, 160–161) are very rare and can be dated, according to the parallels, between the fourth and the seventh centuries CE.121

2.4. Storage and Transport Vessels 2.4.1. Jars

The jars (Pls. X–XI: Group 20), together with the bowls and the cooking pots, are the types of vessels most abundant all over Area 2.1. These containers were used not only for the storage of daily food items but also for transporting, as well as for cooking (cooking jars). Also in this case, the several variants of rims make it difficult to define a precise chronological evolution; thus, the dating given for the pieces in the catalogue is based mainly on the chronology of the assemblages and contexts from which they come, and when possible, on comparisons with similar shapes found in other sites. The early Roman/Roman period is represented by the jars with composite profile, tickmodelled rims, and short or absent necks (Pl. X: nos. 164–170, Groups 20a–d and Pl. XI: 113. 28 lids with the same shape, made of Egyptian Red Slip A Ware or Aswan Fine Ware, have been found in the South Church at El-Ashmunein, in contexts dated to 390–460. They were used to seal Aswan Flasks, see Baránski 1996: 98–106, especially 102; Bailey 1998: 35–6, Pl. 18 (C 663–686); Bailey 2011: 173–87. 114. Dixneuf 2012a: 306–7, 316, 331 (no. 22). Unpublished examples from D. Rathbone’s 1996 survey are recorded by Bailey at Kimân Nicola, Is-Haq, and Kom el-Khamsin, see Bailey 1998: 35–6. 115. Minutoli 2014: 328, n. 15. 116. Minutoli 2014: 345–6, Figs. 18–20. 117. The gypsum and mud stoppers found in House B1 and Streets 2 and 3 are under study by Marina M. S. Nuovo, Amheida VII. 118. Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6 (d). 119. Dunsmore 2002: 137 and 140, Fig. 6 (t–u); Hope 2004: 24 and 40, Fig. 7; Tomber 2006: 135–6, Type 10; Tomber 2013: 128–32, Fig. 3 (6–8). 120. Hope 1985: 115, 119, Fig. 4 (f) and 118, 120, Fig. 5 (g). 121. Faiers 2013: 72–3, 161–2 (nos. 500–1, 508).

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nos. 175–185, Groups 20g–l). Generally, the transition from the rim to the upper body is marked by one or more ledges. These types of jars are made of A1b and A5 fabrics, less frequently of A1a, and have sometimes a decoration on the rim, consisting of vertical red marks, and feathered-circular or triangular motifs on the shoulder and the body, which seem to be a representation of an olive tree (Pl. XI: nos. 176–179, Group 20h).122 The combinations of motifs on the jars are never the same. The Great Oasis was strongly influenced by decorative trends in the Nile Valley but, as noticed by Dunsmore for the decorated vessels found at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,123 in Dakhla Oasis there is an equally strong local tradition in pottery decoration, simpler and more casual in execution than that seen in Kharga: this could suggest that these influences were not directly transferred from the valley to Dakhla but probably arrived from Kharga.124 However, several decorated fragments from dumped layers in Room 15 (DSU 263), S2 (DSUs 352, 354, 355, 368), and S3 (DSU 395), possibly belonging to large containers (jars or kegs) and made of A5 and A28 fabrics, deserve to be mentioned. They are characterized by a decoration consisting of geometric and/or vegetable motifs painted with dark red or black colors on a white slipped rough surface (Pl. XIV).125 Similar decorations are attested in Kharga oasis126 (e.g., ‘Ayn Manawir), associated with certain categories of jars, kegs, flasks, and bottles made of local fabrics, and dated to the end of the Late Period/Ptolemaic period,127 in the Theban area (el-Khokha cemetery)128 dated to the Ptolemaic period, and at Elephantine, where painted vessels made of pink Aswan ware and Nile clay are manufactured during the Ptolemaic and throughout the early Roman period.129 Notable is no. 164 (Pl. X, Group 20a), a spouted necked vessel with convex profile, a single example found in Room 9 (DSU 163). The spout is attached to the upper body and has a strainer. The vessel is made of A28 fabric and has a decoration on the rim and the spout, as well as on the body, made in black color on a pinkish surface. Spouted jars of this shape have been found at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis in contexts dated to the late second–third century CE.130 This shape occurs mainly in the dumped material below floors of Area 2.1 (Phase II) and can be ascribed, according to parallels found in El-Deir and Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, to the first to late thirdearly fourth centuries CE.131 The most common types of jars found in the dump layers below floors (Phase II) are characterized by modelled rims, sloping inwards, and short necks (Pl. XI: nos. 186–191, Groups 20m–p). All of them have a ledge at the transition between the neck and the shoulder. The 122. This decoration is used for the decoration of early Roman faïence vases, dated mostly to the first century CE, as well as on plates from Aswan, see Rodziewicz 1985: Pl. II.2 and 3a–d, and 241; Dunsmore 2002: 139 and 141. 123. Dunsmore 2002: 139 and 141, Fig. 7 (a–e). 124. Rodziewicz 1985: 241. 125. Generally, containers with surfaces decorated in the same way are very common in the pits of the temple area (Area 4.1). 126. The types in catalogue nos. 169–170 and 175–185 are attested also in Douch/Kysis, but they are not published. 127. Marchand 2007: 489–502, especially Figs. 16–17 and 40–41. 128. Gábor 2010: 267–82, especially 274–5 and Figs. 68–72. 129. Rodziewicz 2005: 50–6, Figs. 6–10 and Pls. 94, 96–7, 126, 130. 130. Patten 2000: 197–8, Pl. 61 (Form 90); Hope 2004: 24, 38, Fig. 5 (d). 131. Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 (n–p); Hope 1999: 232; Patten 2000: 217–8, Pls. 67–9 (Form 123/1), 224, Pl. 72 (Form 134), and 228–9, Pl. 77 (Form 138); Hope 2003: 215; Hope 2007: 10, 13 Fig. 9 (m–p), 14 Fig. 10 (e), and 15 Fig. 11 (c); Bowen et al. 2007: 26, 42, fig. 5; Dixneuf 2012b: 465–6, Fig. 11.1.

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diameter of the rim ranges between 8 and 11 cm. The exterior surfaces of the vessels are white washed, while the inner side and the top of the rim sometimes have traces of black resin. These jars are mainly made of A1b fabric, less frequently of A1a, and in the Dakhla oasis are generally dated to the second and third centuries CE.132 The closest parallels are from Ismant el-Kharab/ Kellis, where they are found in the early deposits of Area B133 and continue to be present also in some fourth century houses in Area A.134 Thanks to the discovery of a considerable quantity of similar jars (around 85) in House B10 at Amheida, found in association with datable small ostraca (tags), these types (nos. 186–191) can be dated no later than 335.135 One type of jar in particular (Pl. XI: no. 192, Group 20q) appears to be characteristic of the contexts from above floors (Phase III). These jars, made of A1/2 b fabric, have vertical or slightly concave necks, thickened and rounded rim with a ledge at the transition between the neck and the shoulder, and a slender body with round base (Pl. XI: nos. 193–194). Sometimes, there are traces of black resin on the inner side and on the outer side of the rim. They are dated to the fourth century CE, and the closest parallels are from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,136 ‘Ain elGedida,137 and Elephantine,138 and other similar examples have been recognized also at Qasr el-Farafra, ‘Ayn el-Hagar, ‘Ayn Shemendu, ‘Ayn el-Harra, ‘Ayn Beshwy, and in the White Desert (‘Ayn Maqfi).139 Notable are some small jars (Pl. X: nos. 171–174, Groups 20e–f and Pl. XI: nos 188, Group 20n) with a decoration on the outer surface and on top of the rim consisting of vertical marks, floral, and/or wave patterns, dark red in color on a cream/yellowish base. These painted jars are comparable with some examples from Elephantine,140 dated between the third and possibly the fifth centuries CE, and from Kom el-Nana (Amarna),141 found associated with coins dated to the fourth to seventh centuries CE. 2.4.2. Kegs (Siga)

Among the transport containers, the barrel-shaped vessels (Pl. XII: nos. 195–203, Group 21) stand out for quantity and variety. They are characterized by a spherical or elliptical body, called in Arabic al-garra al-mayya (= “keg for water”) or siga (= “give to drink, irrigate”).142 The production in the oases of the Western Desert of this kind of vessels is attested from the end of the Third Intermediate Period in the Bahariya Oasis (Qasr Allam, 25th dynasty)143 and from the Late Period in the Kharga (‘Ayn Manâwîr, 27th dynasty)144 and Dakhla Oases (fifth century 132. Patten 2000: 226–8, Pls. 75 (Form 136) and Pl. 76 (Form 137). 133. Dunsmore 2002: 133–4, Fig. 3 (c); Hope et al. 2006: 27, 48, Fig. 3 (d). 134. Hope 1985: 115–9, Fig. 4 (10, o–p); Dunsmore 2002: 131, Fig. 1 (b); Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6 (e). 135. Bagnall et al. 2017: 195–211. 136. Bowen et al. 2007: 29, 44 Fig. 7 (h). 137. Dixneuf 2012b: 460–1, Fig. 1.2–3; Dixneuf 2018: 285–446. 138. Gempeler 1992: 171, Abb. 103 (no. 15, Form K 423). 139. Finocchi and Medaglia 2011: 100–01, Fig. 4. 140. Gempeler 1992: 175, Abb. 108 (no. 8, Form K 450 and no. 9, Form K 451). 141. Faiers 2013: 64–5, 132, Fig. 2.54 no. 361 and 135, Fig. 2.57 no. 370. 142. Henein 1997: 161. See also Ballet 2019: 155–60. 143. Rougeulle and Marchand 2011: 443 (n13) and 457, Fig. 8. 144. Marchand 2007: 489–502; Rougeulle and Marchand 2011: 458, Fig. 9 and 459, Fig. 10.

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BCE).145 The shape continues to be in use down to the present, in the local town of El-Qasr.146 Kegs circulate fairly regularly outside the circle of the oases. Oasis-manufactured kegs have been recognized along the Western desert routes, at Asyut,147 at sites throughout the Nile Valley,148 as well as on the Red Sea Coast,149 thus demonstrating that they were utilized as transport vessels for the storage of water on long journeys and for the distribution of oasis products.150 The shape of the kegs has undergone a series of morphological changes through its several centuries of production: in the Late Period, they are characterized by tall neck and elongated body with rounded ends;151 during the Roman and Late Roman periods they have a narrow and short neck, a cylindrical or slightly tapered, wide egg-shaped body, and quadrangular or rounded rims.152 Contemporary shapes produced in El-Qasr have a very wide neck and elliptical body with pointed ends, whose proportions are changed by potters according to specific needs. They were used more specifically for the mixing and stocking of milk and other dairy products, as well as to draw water.153 The large keg no. 195 (Pl. XII, Group 21a) has a plain everted rim, medium-tall neck with strainer, and vertical loop handle attached from the rim to the body. It is made of A1b fabric. The 6 MNI identified come only from the dump layers below the floors (Phase II, test trenches in Room 1 and S2). The shape is close to that of some kegs found at Douch/Kysis, dated to the late Hellenistic–early Roman periods (Phase 0),154 and from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, prefourth century date.155 Also, the kegs with modelled rim and a short neck without strainer (Pl. XII: nos. 196–197, Group 21b and no. 198, Group 21c) are frequently present in the dumped material below floors (Phase II). Nos. 196–197 may be compared with some examples from the Farafra oasis, dated to the Roman period,156 while kegs similar in shape to nos. 198–199 were recovered in the Early Roman deposits at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis.157 The Late Roman kegs are characterized by rounded rim (Pl. XII: no. 199, Group 21d) and double-lipped rim (Pl. XII: nos. 200–203, Group 21e), short and cylindrical neck, and oval-shaped body, which is often not preserved. On the base of the neck we usually find the finger impressions left by the potter in the process of fitting the neck to the body, an attachment visible in the residues of clay at the inner base of the neck. They have a gray outer tone, and of145. Marchand 2000: 221. 146. Henein 1997: 161–6; Hope 2000; Ballet 2007. 147. Rzeuska 2017: 647–52. 148. Aston 2007: 441–2; Marangou and Marchand 2007: 257–8; Masson 2011: 283–4. 149. For example, at Quseir al-Qadim, see Whitcomb and Johnson 1979: pls. 22f, 24k, 281–n; Whitcomb and Johnson 1982: pls. 14c–e, 17 h. A considerable number of Western Desert kegs is also attested at Berenike, in contexts datable to the Roman period. The quantification of these materials has been carried out during the 2019 season; they are under study by the author. 150. Gill (forthcoming). See also Ballet 2019 and Soto Marín 2019. 151. Numerous specimens have been identified in Area 4.1 or on the surface in different areas of the site (Inv. A13/0.0/1/30108). 152. Patten 2000: 232–3; Hope 2000: 189–210. 153. About the size of the different shapes of kegs produced in the workshop of El-Qasr, see Henein 1997: 161. 154. Douch/Kysis field catalogue: nos. 88–18 and 88–20, unpublished (information courtesy of P. Ballet). 155. Dunsmore 2002: 133–4, Fig. 3(e). 156. Finocchi and Medaglia 2011: 101–2, Fig. 5 (n6). 157. Patten 2000: 232–3, Pl. 79 (Form 157); Hope 2007: 10, 15, Fig. 11 (p).

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ten the body shows white wash marks on the exterior surface. They are made of A1a/b fabrics. The types in the catalogue (nos. 200–203) occur in the contexts above the floors of B1, S2, and S3 (Phase III), and the closest parallels are from Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,158 ‘Ain el-Gedida,159 Douch/Kysis,160 and El-Deir,161 dated to the late third–fourth century CE. Similar shapes are also attested in the Farafra Oasis (‘Ayn El-Hagar, ‘Ayn Besay, ‘Ayn Kifrin, and ‘Ayn Shemendu) and in the White Desert, along the caravan route leading to Bahariya (‘Ayn Khadra and ‘Ayn elserw). They are dated to the Byzantine period.162 2.4.3. Yellow Slipped Flasks

The double-handled flasks, used to store and transport wine, are very close in shape to the Hellenistic lagynoi. Several specimens of these vessels have been found throughout the strata above floors (Phase III) in B1, S2, and S3 (Pl. XII: nos. 204–211, Group 22a), always in association with the CBW and ORSW productions. In particular, the best preserved examples come from the ceramic assemblage of Room 15 (DSUs 140, 145, 152, 157). Complete flasks are about 60 cm high, with low foot-ring base, large cylindrical body and two looped handles attached from the conical neck to the shoulder. The rim is often rounded or double-lipped (nos. 204–207). The entire vessel is often covered with a yellow slip layer, on which are painted some spirals, shoots, or dots in reddish/dark orange color (nos. 207–208). To the same production belong also the globular jar decorated with spiral motifs (no. 212, Group 22b); some small convex bowls, characterized by a simple rim, slightly inward, and decorated with spiral patterns on the inner surface (no. 23); and a small lid (no. 155). The fabric associated with these productions is B3. The large quantity of this type of ceramics found in Kharga oasis (Douch/Kysis) might suggest that they were produced in the oasis, starting from the third century CE (Kysis Phase III), with a signficant increase in production and distribution between the fourth and fifth century CE, at the end of Kysis Phase III.163 Comparable vessels have been found also at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis,164 in contexts dated to the fourth–fifth century CE. Some similar handled flagons are also attested at Kom el-Nana (Amarna): they are painted with black, orange, and red spirals and bands on cream slipped surfaces, and are dated to the fifth to sixth centuries CE.165

2.5. Amphorae This category consists of containers which arrived in the Great Oasis from other parts of the country and from the Mediterranean. For this reason, I refer to them as imports. They are 158. Hope 1983: 149, 153, Fig. 9. 159. Dixneuf 2012b: 462, Fig. 3 (1); Dixneuf 2018: 308, 385, Pl. 8.8 (nos. 110–123). 160. Ballet 2004: Fig. 221 (no. 52). 161. Chevalier 2019: 203–6, Figs. 12.1 and 12.2. 162. Finocchi and Medaglia 2011: 101–2, Fig. 5 (n3 and n5). 163. Ballet and Vichy 1992: 119; Ballet 2004: 221–5, Figs. 219–20. 164. Hope 1980: 299–303, Pl. XXVI (i–l); Hope 1985: 119, Fig. 4 (2). 165. Faiers 2013: 69, 150, Fig. 2.72 (nos. 445–447).

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mainly amphorae. These containers were quite rare in the oases because of the wide use of locally produced jars, kegs, and flasks for trading local products. At least two types of Egyptian amphorae have been identified among the ceramic materials analyzed from below and above floors in Area 2.1: the Amphore Égyptienne 4 (AE 4) and the Late Roman Amphora 7 (LRA 7). It should be noted, however, that a few eroded rims, neck fragments, and body sherds of Amphore Égyptienne 3 have been also found, mainly in the dumped material below the floors of Rooms 8 and 9 and Streets 2 and 3 (Phase II). Even if the sub-types are not always recognizable, the rim shape of one specimen from S2 (DSU 364) looks very close to the amphorae (Type 1) found in the Eastern Desert, at Mons Claudianus, Mons Porphyrites, and Berenike, and dated to the first–second centuries CE.166 The catalogue contains also some fragments belonging to Rhodian amphora types. 2.5.1. Amphore Égyptienne 4 (AE 4)

The amphorae type AE 4, produced in many workshops along the edge of lake Mariout,167 are containers that morphologically resemble the amphorae Dressel 2/4,168 originating in first century BCE in the Aegean Sea (Kos), and imitated in Italy, North Africa, Spain, Gaul, Italy, and even in Britain.169 Intended mainly to carry the wine products of the Mareotis, amphorae AE 4 are attested in Egypt generally in sites located on the caravan roads and the most important trading routes along the Nile Valley and directed to the Mediterranean, Palestine, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean.170 Outside Egypt their presence is attested mainly in Italy171 and in Turkey.172 Their production in the Mareotis region is attested from the second quarter of the first century CE until the middle of the third century CE. The fabric characterizing the production is usually in marl clay, reddish/brown in color, quite sandy, and medium-fine in texture. It contains numerous white and gray nodules, and calcite and shell inclusions. The only fragment of amphora AE 4 (Pl. XIII: no. 213, Group 23) has been found in one of the stratigraphic units dug below the floor of Room 15 (DSU 261, Phase II). It is the upper part of a double rod handle, and it has been identified with the type AE 4-1 variant C.173 Similar fragments have been found at El-Ashmunein,174 Mons Claudianus,175 and Meroe,176 and they are dated to the end of the first–late second century CE. 166. Tomber 2007: 529, Fig. 2 (4). These fragments have not been drawn because of their poor condition. 167. Empereur 1986: 599–602; Empereur and Picon 1998: 75–91; Dixneuf 2011: 129–33, 341–3, Figs. 113–7. 168. This amphora corresponds to “Class 10” of the classification made by Peacock and Williams, see: Peacock and Williams 1986: 105–6. 169. Tomber 1992: 140; Dixneuf 2011: 129. 170. Dixneuf 2011: 133. 171. Empereur 1986: 606. The amphora AE 4 is attested at Pompei (group 5) and at Ostia, in contexts dated to the first century CE, see: Panella and Fano 1977: 133–77; Panella 1986: 609–36. 172. At Yumurtalik (Turkey), the amphorae AE 4 are attested in contexts of the second–third century CE, see: Empereur and Picon 1989: 228. 173. Dixneuf 2011: 132, 342, Fig. 115 (a). 174. Bailey 1998: Pl. 85, no. W1. 175. Tomber 1992: 140, Fig. 2 (3); Tomber 2006: 153–4, Type 28 (893). 176. Empereur 1986: Figs. 2 and 4.

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery 2.5.2. Late Roman Amphora 7 (LRA 7)

The amphora LRA 7 is the most widespread container in Egypt from the Late Roman period to the beginning of the Islamic period.177 These amphorae were intended mainly for stocking and trading Egyptian wines within Egypt.178 The main center of production seems to have been Middle Egypt (i.e., Antinoopolis, Hermopolis Magna, and some other settlements).179 It was produced in many variants from the middle of the fourth century to the late tenth or early eleventh century CE.180 The exterior surface is usually from brown to “chamois” in color, and the inner surface is always pitched.181 The typological classification of the numerous variants of LRA 7 amphorae is based mainly on the shape of the neck, the diameter of the shoulder, and the capacity (about 9 liters for LRA 7 of larger module and from 6 to 7 liters for the smaller ones), but only rarely on the shape of the rim, which is usually not preserved.182 The LRA 7 wine amphorae are in use concomitantly with locally produced containers, such as kegs and YSW flasks,183 and some centers for their reception and distribution are attested in the Great Oasis, especially in Kharga (El-Deir), from the fourth century CE onwards.184 The LRA 7 fragments (Pl. XIII: nos. 216–227, Group 25) have been found in the occupation layers of B1 (Phase III), in almost all rooms such as Rooms 1, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, as well as from S2 and S3.185 They correspond to the type AE 7-1.1, variants A (nos. 216–218) and B (nos. 219–223) in Dixneuf ’s classification.186 In her classification, the type AE7-1.1 is dated according to the study of different contexts in Egypt from the second half of the fourth century CE on. It is a small amphora, characterized by a narrow band rim and a rounded outside, a medium-tall cylindrical neck, handles with oval section attached from the middle of the neck 177. The LRA 7 is known also as the ribbed-amphora (Egloff 1977: 173–7) and Hermopolita B (Egloff 1977: 114–5, Pl. 58–59, n. 3, and Bailey 1998: 129–32, n. 4). It is classified also as “Class 52” of the typology established by Peacock and Williams: Peacock and Williams 1986: 204–5. See also: Pieri 2005: 128–32 and 288 (Pl. 48); Dixneuf 2011: 154–73 and 362–80, Figs. 146–174; Marchand and Pieri 2017: 1–44. 178. A few specimens of LRA 7 are attested between the fifth and seventh century CE in some sites of the western Mediterranean (Carthage, Milan, Ravenna, and Rome) and of the south-central part of France (Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Toulouse, Narbonne, and Marseille), see Tomber and Williams 2000: 41–54; Pieri 2005: 132, 201–2. 179. Workshops of LRA 7 have been recognized at Oxyrhynchus (Behnasa), Hermopolis Magna (Ashmunein) where their production is attested since the end of the fourth century CE, Antinoopolis (Sheikh Abada), Akôris (Tehneh El-Gebel), and Edfu. See Ballet and Picon 1987: 38; Empereur and Picon 1989: 244; Ballet, Mahmoud, Vichy, and Picon 1991: 134–40, Figs. 6–8. See also: Pieri 2005: 129 and 132; Dixneuf 2007: 167–78; Dixneuf 2011: 157–63; Ballet and Guidotti 2014: 165–221 (Settore XXI); Marchand and Pieri 2017: 5–7 and 13–7. 180. The first types of LRA 7 have cylindrical necks and the handles set from under the rim to the base of the neck, while in later shapes the handles stop on the shoulder. The toe is slim and always full. About the technological aspects of the manufacture, see Dixneuf 2011: 154–6. 181. Marchand and Dixneuf 2007: 312–4. 182. The amphorae were probably opened by breaking the neck instead of removing the mud stopper that sealed it. The complete amphorae often lack this important portion for recognizing the variants. See Dixneuf 2011: 156. About the classification and the chronological evolution of LRA 7 shapes and production centers see also Pieri 2005: 128–9 and 131, Fig. 86; Dixneuf 2011: 154–73, 362–80 (Figs. 145–74) and 238. 183. Ballet 2004: 226. 184. On the presence of these productions in the Great Oasis, see Ballet 2019; Chevalier 2019. 185. For a detailed description, distribution, and counting of the LRA 7, see Chapter 4 about contexts above floors. 186. Dixneuf 2011: 163–5 and 366–7, Figs. 152–3 and 155.

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to the top of the shoulder (no. 224) with small tips (nos. 225–227). The diameter of the rims varies between 6 and 8 cm. One of the samples found in Room 14 of B1 had the mud stopper still in place (no. 223): inside the neck and under the stopper is recognizable a fragmentary toe, originally part of another amphora, reused as a lid.187 The narrow band rim of the amphora is well preserved, as well as the cylindrical neck, and one of the two small handles; the inner surface of the rim is pitched. At Amheida, the fabric associated with the LRA 7 is the A3b fabric. The presence of these amphorae in the occupation levels of B1, S2, and S3 attests to a modest importation of wine containers from the Nile Valley, and the contexts in Serenos’ house (dated by ostraca, coins, and pottery assemblages) suggest that this kind of amphora was already in use just after the middle of the fourth century CE. Comparable examples are found at Ismant elKharab/Kellis,188 the Roman fort at El-Qasr,189 Douch/Kysis,190 and Mons Porphyrites, where they are dated from the mid/late fourth–early fifth centuries CE onwards. 2.5.3. Rhodian Amphorae

Among the imports from the Mediterranean recognized in the ceramic material analyzed in Area 2.1 are two fragments of Rhodian amphorae (Pl. XIII: nos. 214–215, Group 24).191 The production of these containers starts in the last quarter of the fourth century BCE192 and continues until the early second century CE.193 During the first centuries of production they appear in the shape of jars with arched handles, with mushroomed or rolled rims.194 After the first half of the third century BCE, their shape becomes relatively standardized with rolled rims, cylindrical necks, handles attached just below the rim rising to the conventionally known Rhodian acute angled shape, and slim bodies tapering at the bottom where they end in a small peg toe.195 In the Roman imperial period, slight modifications appear in the handles, which become “horned,” with a distinctive raised point at the edge.196 Some amphorae of this shape were found in the cargo of the shipwreck Dramont D: dating to the mid-first century CE, they also contained figs.197 Peacock identified for these amphorae at least six fabric types, among 187. Several lids obtained by reusing tips of amphora are attested at Mons Claudianus. See Thomas and Tomber 2006: 237–58, especially 245 (Fig. 2.10, Type 10). 188. Hope 1985: 121, Fig. 6 a–b. 189. The examples from El-Qasr have been found among many 2nd/3rd to 4th century sherds. The date suggested for them is mid/late 4th century. This information comes by personal communication from Paul Kucera (Monash University). 190. Ballet 2004: 225–6, Fig. 221 (no. 55); Ballet 2007: 483 and 486, Fig. 3. 191. Caputo 2019: 180–2, Fig. 10.9 (k–m). 192. Monakhov 2005: 70. 193. Martin and Kilcher 1994; Whitbread 1995: 53; Göransson 2007: 160. 194. Mushroom-shaped rims include many subdivisions of form and fabric. For the Rhodian mushroom-rimmed amphorae, see also Monakhov’s variant I - A in Monakhov 2005; Finkielsztejn 2001, Pl. A, 2. 195. Recently, Monakhov proposed the classification of the Rhodian form into several variants, see Monakhov 2005: 69–95. For a recent study about the Rhodian amphora stamps collected in the Graeco-Roman Museum of Alexandria; see CankardeşŞenol 2015. 196. The shape clearly developed from the late Hellenistic prototypes by the late first century BCE and lasted into the early second century CE; see Peacock and Williams 1986: 102–4 (Class 9), cf. Göransson 2007: 160. 197. Joncheray 1974: 31–3. From some papyrus fragments of the Zenon archive, in which reference is made to these amphorae, we learn that they were in some cases not used to import wine into Egypt but rather for dried figs: ἰσχάδων ῥοδίων κερ(άμια) (“jars of Rhodian figs”): P.Cair.Zen. 1.59110.22–23.

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which the most common are the types Fabric 1 and Fabric 2.198 They were mainly used for Rhodian wine (capacity 23–30 liters),199 or wine-based products from other areas of the central and eastern Mediterranean sea.200 Their production centers were located in Rhodes and east of Datça (southwest Turkey).201 Although these amphorae are frequently found at Egyptian sites, they are rarely mentioned in the written sources.202 The two fragments found in Area 2.1 come from the dumped levels (Phase II) below Room 9 (DSU 200) and Street 2 (DSU 368). No. 214 is a fragment of a neck with part of a horn-handle; no. 215 is the final part of the amphora, characterized by a squat tip. Both pieces are made from Fabric 1, fine and hard, reddish-pink in the fracture with a light brown or beige slip on the exterior surface. The inclusions consist of red-brown and white particles, which are present in a rather homogeneous way in the fabric. Examples of Rhodian amphorae close to the fragments of Amheida have been identified in other sites of the Dakhla oasis (Mut el-Kharab, Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis)203 and from the Fayyum (Tebtynis204 and Soknopaiou Nesos205), as well as in several sites on the Mediterranean coast,206 and can be dated between the late second century BCE and the second century CE.

2.6. Miscellanea 2.6.1. Sāqiya pots (qādūs)

The qādūs, the pot tied to the sāqiya or water-lifting wheel, is a kind of container characterized by a wide mouth, with flaring rim and knobbed foot, to facilitate its being lashed to the rope garland connected to the wheel.207 While retaining all of its function-related characteristics, the pots differ widely in proportions, as well as in the shape of rims and bases, possibly due to regional production customs. Indeed, the constant demand for replacement of these vessels must have required production close to their place of use rather than supply through trade.208 For this reason, they can vary in appearance and details from site to site, and consequently specimens from outside the immediate vicinity are not particularly useful as parallels. These 198. The Rhodian Fabric 1 has been dated from the first century BCE to the second century CE; see Peacock 1977: 261–73; Nicolaou and Empereur 1986: 515–31; Hope and Ross 2007: 465 and 477 (Fig. 1c–f). 199. About the Rhodian amphora capacities, see Wallace Matheson and Wallace 1982: 293–320. 200. The wine exported in these amphorae was diluted with sea water: τεθαλασσωμένους οἴνους (tethalassōmenous oinous), highly valued not only in the Mediterranean, but also in some areas of the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean. Fraser 1972: 162–71; Bezeczky 2005. 201. For excavated production centers, see Whitbread 2005: 54 with further references. On amphora production in the Rhodian Peraea during the Hellenistic period, see Şenol, Şenol, and Doğer 2004: 353–9, with further references to earlier publications. 202. For a summary on the sources that mention the wine and the vineyards of Rhodes, see Salviat 1993: 152–61; see also Marangou and Marchand 2007: 246. 203. Hope and Ross 2007: 465 and 477, Fig. 1 (c–d). 204. Marangou and Marchand 2007: 246, Figs. 24–27. 205. Dixneuf 2012a: 325 and 341 (no. 4). 206. Cankardeş-Şenol 2007: 33–56. 207. For an overview of archaeological and literary evidence on the water-lifting devices and components, see Malouta and Wilson 2013: 273–305. 208. Bailey 1998: 74.

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

41

containers are well attested in several settlements in Egypt,209 Nubia, and the Levant between the third and the seventh centuries CE;210 however, their long life-span makes any periodization based on typology problematic and approximate at best. As one might expect, they are generally found associated with wells and cisterns, as surface scatters. At Amheida, the sāqiya pots recognized among the ceramic materials from Area 2.1 are not very numerous (13 MNI). These are all fragmentary bases and come almost exclusively from the stratigraphic units above the floors of Room 15 (B1), S2, and S3 (Phase III). The three most common types are illustrated in the catalogue (Pl. XIII: nos. 228–230, Group 26). All of them are made of A1a/b local fabrics, generally with white washed exterior surfaces or rarely with traces of red slip. 2.6.2. Miniature Vessels

This category includes a few fragmentary specimens of small vessels (Pl. XIII: nos. 231–235, Group 27), found in surface (DSU 68) and occupation layers of Area 2.1 (DSUs 4, 145, and 221, Phase III). These are two complete rims of small necked flasks, for oil or perfume (nos. 231–232, Group 27a–b), made of A1a/b fabrics. Sometimes they can have a decoration on the outer surface, painted with black or purple color and consisting of floral motifs: one of the pieces in the catalogue (no. 232) shows traces of possible decoration on what remains of the shoulder. Although the bodies of our specimens are missing, compared with whole specimens from Dakhla and Kharga oases, we know that these small vessels are characterized by a squat shape and rounded base.211 They are generally dated to the late Ptolemaic and Early Roman periods. The other three examples in the catalogue (nos. 233–235, Group 27c–e) are different in shape from those just described. They have flared necks, slightly modelled and squat (nos. 233– 234) or rounded (no. 235) bodies, and flat bases. The rims are missing. They are made of A1a and A28 fabrics. A number of vessels of this form have been recovered during the survey and from the temple area at Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, and they can be ascribed to the first/second– early third centuries CE.212 2.6.3. Other

In this section are described some shapes not easily assignable to other categories or of doubtful interpretation (Pl. XIII: nos. 236–238, Group 28). No. 236 is a vessel shaped like a cone, with everted rim and ribbed body, made of A1a fabric. This unusual object is an unicum at Amheida and no direct parallels have been found 209. Concerning the attestation of qādūs in Late Antique sites in Egypt, see especially Majcherek 2008: 116, n. 24. See also Ménassa and Laferrière 1974. 210. Malouta and Wilson 2013: 288. 211. Patten 2000: 192–3, Pl. 60 (Form 77 R-F). 212. Hope 1983: 148–9, Fig. 5 (e); Patten 2000: 213–4, Pl. 65 (Form 110 R-F); Dunsmore 2002: 137–40, Fig. 6 (z); Hope 2004: 25–6, 41 Fig. 9 (a); Hope 2007: 16–20, Fig. 15 (e).

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so far. The shape is reminiscent of the conical-shaped glass lamps generally attested in several Egyptian sites, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean,213 and dated from the mid-fourth/fifth centuries CE onwards, at least until the Early Islamic period.214 However, the traces of black resin or encrusted oil only on the external surface do not favor this interpretation. Also, the fact that it comes from one of the dump layers below the floor of S3 (DSU 395, Phase II) does not allow us to date the piece more precisely. The two animal-shaped spouts in the catalogue (nos. 237–238) represent two camels. Only the head and neck are preserved; in both cases, the rest is missing. They are mold-made with A1a fabric. Both figures are crossed by a hole, finished in the part of the muzzle and broken on the opposite side, where it evidently attached to the rest of the vase. This would suggest a function as a spout. The exterior surfaces are decorated with crossed lines, imitating the bridles (no. 237) or with dots, spirals, and bands (no. 238), painted in red-purple on cream color. They come from the occupation layers of Room 15 (DSUs 145 and 157), dated to the second half of the fourth century CE (Phase III). The closest parallels are mainly terracotta figurines, from El-Ashmunein,215 dated to the late fourth–eighth centuries CE, and from the British Museum Collection,216 dated to the fifth–sixth centuries CE.

213. Meyer 1992; Mossakowska-Gaubert 2000: 335–57; Nenna 2000b; Kucharczyk 2007: 45–53. 214. Scanlon and Pinder Wilson 2001; Kucharczyk 2005: 31–41. 215. Bailey 1998: 155–6, Pl. 95 (Z 18–Z 22). 216. Bailey 2008: 186, Pl. 138 (3764–5).

3 Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1 (above and below B1, S2, and S3) Table and Service Ware Group 1: Small Footed Bowls (Pl. I)

Group 1a No. 1 (Figure 6b) Inv.: A07/2.1/191/11911 SSC: 819 Context: Room 10, DSU 191 Fabric: A28 Ware: So ø: 8.2 cm; ø knob: 4.5 cm Description: Complete small bowl with inward rim and convex walls. The base is flat and irregular. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Hope 2004: 24 and 40–1, Fig. 7 b and Fig. 9 h). Phase-date: Phase II

Ware: Sc ø: 8 cm Description: Complete small footed bowl. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–early 3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, fig. 5 j; Patten 2000: 165–7, Pl. 46 Form 38; Hope et al. 2006: 27–8, Fig. 5 c); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.18.244). Phase-date: Phase II No. 3 (Figure 6a) Inv.: A05/2.1/104/6197 SSC: 362 Context: Room 9, DSU 104 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr/o ø: 8.4 cm Description: Complete small footed bowl with inward rim, convex walls, and flat base. Parallels: See No. 2. Phase-date: Phase II

Group 1b No. 2 (Figure 6c) Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10262 SSC: 364 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A28 43

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No. 4 Inv.: A04/2.1/261/11909 SSC: 230 Context: Room 15, DSU 261 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr/o ø: 10.6 cm Description: Complete small footed bowl with inward rim, convex walls, and flat base. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 135–6, Fig. 4 n). Phase-date: Phase II No. 5 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/36 SSC: 230 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc ø: 9 cm; base ø 4.6 cm Description: Complete small footed bowl with inward rim, convex walls, and flat base. Parallels: See No. 4. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III No. 6 Inv.: A04/2.1/9/9643 SSC: 359 Context: Room 4, DSU 9 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc ø: 10 cm Description: Portion of small footed bowl with convex walls and flat base. The rim is simple and slightly inward. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Hope 2004: 24, 40, Fig. 7 f); Mons Claudianus, similar shape dated to the mid-1 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 99–101, Fig. 1.38 No. 4-502). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

Group 1c No. 7 Inv.: A06/2.1/154/10358 SSC: 363 Context: Room 9, DSU 154 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc ø: 8 cm Description: Portion of a small footed bowl with everted rim, gently carinated body, and flat base. Parallels: Amheida, House B2 (Dixneuf 2015: 227–8, 250 Pl. 8.8.110); Douch/Kysis (Dunand et al. 1992: Pl. 80 no. 4). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 1d No. 8 (Figure 6i) Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10198 SSC: 366a Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc ø: 7 cm Description: Almost complete small lid/footed bowl with modelled walls and flat base. The rim is in poor condition because of erosion. Phase-date: Phase III No. 9 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/1029 SSC: 366 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A28 Ware: Sw ø: 7 cm Description: Small lid/footed bowl. Rounded, everted rim unrestricted cone body with a sharp slant towards a flat base. Phase-date: Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

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Group 2: Straight Sided Bowls (Pl. I)

Group 2a No. 10 (Figure 6m) Inv.: A06/2.1/163/10259 SSC: 371 Context: Room 9, DSU 163 Fabric: A1a Ware: P ø: 12 cm Description: Nearly complete, small sized bowl with straight walls and flat base. A groove is visible on the inner side of the rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 141–3, Pl. 41 Form 6/1). Phase-date: Phase II No. 11 Inv.: A06/2.1/163/10260 SSC: 367 Context: Room 9, DSU 163 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 14 cm Description: Nearly complete medium sized bowl with straight walls and flat base. A groove is visible on the inner side of the rim. The vessel is poorly fired.  Parallels: See No. 10. Phase-date: Phase II Group 2b No. 12 Inv.: A05/2.1/104/6196 SSC: 396 Context: Room 9, DSU 104 Fabric: A2a Ware: Sw (outside), Po (inside) ø: 12 cm Description: Nearly complete small bowl, straight sided with straight walls and flat base.

A deep groove is present on the inner side. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 141–3, Pl. 41 Form 6/2; Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 c); Douch/Kysis, 1-3 cent. CE (Ballet 1990: 299–300, Fig. 5; Ballet and Vichy 1992: 117–9, Fig. 13 e). Phase-date: Phase II No. 13 Inv.: A04/2.1/49/1366 SSC: 408 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pbr ø: 20 cm Description: Entire profile of a bowl with lidseat rim, straight walls, and flat base. Plain light brown surface with traces of soot on the exterior surface. Parallels: See No. 12. Phase-date: Phase II Group 2c No. 14 Inv.: A06/2.1/151/10251 SSC: 839 Context: Room 9, DSU 151 Fabric: A2a Ware: Sw, Dc/r ø: 10 cm Description: Small bowl with straight walls and flat base. The rim is painted with thick red marks on cream color, while the external surface is white slipped. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 141–2, Pl. 41 Form 7 R-F). Phase-date: Phase II

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No. 15 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/5139 SSC: 373 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 19 cm Description: Medium-sized bowl with straight walls and low-foot ring base. The rim is painted with thick red ocher marks on cream. The exterior surface is heavily blackened by soot. Reused as lid or casserole. Parallels: See No. 14. Phase-date: Phase III No. 16 (Figure 7a) Inv.: A06/2.1/163/10272 SSC: 374 Context: Room 9, DSU 163 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 18 cm Description: Nearly complete medium bowl with straight walls and flat base. The rim is decorated with thick vertical reddish marks on cream color. The external side of the vessel is heavily blackened by soot. Reused as lid or casserole. Parallels: See No. 14. Phase-date: Phase II No. 17 Inv.: A05/2.1/98/5720 SSC: 372 Context: Room 8, DSU 98 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dw/r ø: 21 cm Description: Bowl with straight walls and flat base. The rim is painted with red tick marks on white. The exterior surface is blackened

and heavily sooted. Reused as lid or casserole. Parallels: See No. 14. Phase-date: Phase II No. 18 Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10305 SSC: 377 Context: Room 9, DSU 132 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 15 cm Description: Nearly complete small bowl with straight walls and low-foot ring base. The rim is decorated with tick reed marks on cream. Parallels: See No. 14. Phase-date: Phase II Group 2d No. 19 Inv.: A06/2.1/167/10354 SSC: 886 Context: Room 9, DSU 167 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pw ø: 12 cm Description: Small bowl with outward flaring rim, straight walls, and low-foot ring base. The top of the rim is white in color. Peeling and gray exterior surface. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab, 2-3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 147–8, Pl. 42, Form 10/1); Douch/ Kysis, 1-3 cent. CE (Ballet and Vichy 1992: 117–9, Fig. 13 c). Phase-date: Phase II No. 20 Inv.: A06/2.1/128/10366 SSC: 39 Context: Room 9, DSU 128 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

ø: 20 cm Description: Bowl with outward flaring rim, straight walls, and low-foot ring base. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Hope 1979: 194–5, Pl. XIX 9; Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 d; Patten 2000: 147–8, Pl. 42 Form 10/1). Phase-date: Phase II

47

No. 21 Inv.: A05/2.1/107/6848 SSC: 376 Context: Room 9, DSU 107 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 18 cm Description: Bowl with outward flaring rim, straight walls, and low-foot ring base. The rim is painted with vertical red marks on cream. Parallels: See No. 20. Phase-date: Phase II

Group 3: Convex Bowls (Pl. I)

Group 3a No. 22 (Figure 7d) Inv.: A05/2.1/74/7007 SSC: 324 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sc, Dy/r ø: 16 cm Description: Bowl with rounded rim, slightly convex walls, and flat base. The rim is red in color with straining of the same color on the outer surface. The inner side of the bowl is decorated with thin crossing circular red line hastily made on light yellow slip. The exterior surface is cream slipped. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, late 3-4 cent. CE (Ballet 1990: 299–301, Fig. 8; Ballet and Vichy 1992: 118–9, Fig. 13 g); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 4-5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 119, Fig. 4 d); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.1.15–20). Phase-date: Phase III No. 23 Inv.: A10/2.1/387/30146 SSC: 304 Context: Street 3, DSU 387 Fabric: B3

Ware: Sr, Dy/r ø: 18 cm Description: Bowl with slightly incurved rim, convex walls, and flat base. The inner side of the bowl is painted with swirling red-purple pattern on yellow color. Part of the rim is partly burned. Parallels: See No. 22. Phase-date: Phase III Group 3b No. 24 Inv.: A04/2.1/F20/44 SSC: 736 Context: Rooms 4 and 8, FSU 20 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr, Dc/r ø: 18 cm Description: Almost complete bowl with convex walls and low-foot ring base. The rim is deformed and decorated with red dots on cream color. The exterior surface is red slipped. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 119, Fig. 4 g–h). Phase-date: Phase III

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No. 25 Inv.: A07/2.1/221/11927 SSC: 735 Context: Room 14, DSU 221 Fabric: A1a Ware: Po ø: 15 cm Description: Small bowl with incurved rim, convex walls, and slightly domed base. The exterior surface is heavily blackened by soot. Reused as lid. Parallels: See No. 24. Phase-date: Phase III No. 26 Inv.: A05/2.1/73/4744 SSC: 311 Context: Room 8, DSU 73 Fabric: A1a

Ware: Po ø: 14 cm Description: Small bowl with incurved rim, convex walls, and low-foot ring base. Parallels: See No. 24. Phase-date: Phase III No. 27 Inv.: A06/2.1/161/10209 SSC: 292a Context: Room 16, DSU 161 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 16 cm Description: Small bowl with incurved rim convex walls, and low-foot ring base. The rim is painted with reddish dots on cream color. Parallels: See No. 24. Phase-date: Phase III

Group 4: Carinated Bowls (Pl. II)

Group 4a No. 28 (Figure 6j) Inv.: A10/2.1/367/30171 SSC: 1006 Context: Street 2, DSU 367 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc, Dr ø: 11 cm; ø base:10.8 cm; h. 6.1 cm Description: Nearly complete small footed bowl, with convex walls and rounded rim. The rim is decorated with red dots on white color. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, early 1 to mid–2 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 159–60, Pl. 44 Form 25; Dunsmore 2002: 133–4, Fig. 3 i–j). Phase-date: Phase II Group 4b No. 29 Inv.: A05/2.1/63/2334

SSC: 540 Context: Room 8, DSU 63 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 11 cm Description: Small bowl with rounded rim and gentle high carination. The base is missing. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 a; Patten 2000: 163–5, Pl. 45 Form 35). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III No. 30 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/9503 SSC: 640 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw, Dr

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

ø: 16 cm Description: Complete profile of medium sized carinated bowl. Rounded rim with faint traces of four red dots on white color. Parallels: See No. 29. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 4c No. 31 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/1076+1078 SSC: 456 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A28 Ware: Sw, Dr ø: 29 cm Description: Carinated bowl with rounded rim and sharp high carination at shoulder. The rim is decorated with irregular red marks on white. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Hope et al. 2006: 27, 49 Fig. 4 d). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 4d No. 32 Inv.: A06/2.1/180/10238 SSC: 844 Context: Room 9, DSU 180 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc, Dr ø: 11 cm Description: Small bowl with inward rim, carinated body, and low-foot ring base. The rim is painted in cream color and red dots. On the external surface, near the base, traces of soot are visible. The interior face is plain.  Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3–4 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 7 b and Fig. 8 b–c; Hope 1986: Pl. XXI 8). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

49

No. 33 Inv. A06/2.1/163/10270 SSC: 842 Context: Room 9, DSU 163 Fabric: A1a Ware: Po ø: 16 cm Description: Bowl with inward rim, carinated body, and low-foot ring base, not complete. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3–4 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 8 b–c; Dunsmore 2002: 129–31, Fig. 1 m). Phase-date: Phase II Group 4e No. 34 Inv.: A04/2.1/49/505+532 SSC: 632 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A1a Ware: Po ø: 14 cm Description: Small bowl with lid-seat rim, carinated body and low-foot ring base. The rim has traces of decoration. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3–4 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 8 i); ‘Ain el-Gedida, late 3–4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 464, Fig. 10.3; Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.18.255–256). Phase-date: Phase III No. 35 Inv.: A06/2.1/128/10307 SSC: 84 Context: Room 9, DSU 128 Fabric: A1a Ware: Po ø: 16 cm Description: Bowl with outward flaring rim, carinated body, and low-foot ring base. The external side is heavily blackened by soot. Reused as casserole.

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Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3–4 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 8 d; Hope 2004: 25–6, 41 Fig. 9 d)); ‘Ain el-Gedida, late 3–4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 463, Fig. 5.7; Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.18.255–256). Phase-date: Phase II

red marks on white color. The exterior surface is blackened by soot. Reused as casserole. Phase-date: Phase III

No. 37 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/7009 SSC: 627 Group 4f Context: Room 8, DSU 74 No. 36 Fabric: A1a Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10187+152/10220 Ware: Dw/r Context: Room 15, DSUs 157 and 152 ø: 23 cm SSC: 879 Description: Shallow bowl with outward flarFabric: A1a ing rim and carinated body. The rim is decoWare: Dw/r rated with irregular red marks on white color. ø: 15.8 cm The exterior surface is blackened by soot. ReDescription: Shallow bowl with outward flar- used as casserole. ing rim. The rim is decorated with irregular Phase-date: Phase III Group 5: Flanged Bowl (Pl. II)

No. 38 Inv.: A07/2.1/208/12253 SSC: 935 Context: Room 13, DSU 208 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr, Dw/r ø: 16 cm Description: Bowl with slightly inward rim, small flange on exterior side of it, convex walls, and low foot-ring base. On the outside

of the rim is a decoration with red drops on white color. Parallels: Elephantine, mid-1 to mid-4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 124–5, Abb. 71, Nos. 2-10 Form T 607a; Rodziewicz 2005: Pl. 71, 1164–85); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 395–640 CE (Faiers 2013: 43–4, 83 Fig. 2.4, no. 14); El-Ashmunein, c. 395–640 CE (Bailey 1998: 21–2, Pl. 12, C 344–5). Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV

Group 6: Medium Bowls (Pl. II)

Group 6a No. 39 Inv.: A04/2.1/23/1213 SSC: 616 Context: Room 4, DSU 23 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 18 cm Description: Medium bowl with everted rim

and hemispherical body. The surfaces seem to be dark red slipped, even if the exterior surface is in some parts peeled and grayish in color. The vessel has thin walls. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 1–3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 148–9, Pl. 42 Form 11 R-F; Dunsmore 2002: 134, Fig. 3 m; Hope et al. 2006: 27, 48, Fig. 3 b). Phase-date: Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Group 6b No. 40 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6360 SSC: 615 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A1b Ware: Ww, Dw ø: 21 cm Description: Medium bowl with an everted rim and hemispherical body. The base is missing. The rim is painted with white color. Parallels: Elephantine, late 1–late 4/early 5 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 180, Abb. 112, Nr. 5–6 K 501); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 400–700

51

CE (Faiers 2013: 56, 105, Fig. 2.2, no. 205). Phase-date: Phase II No. 41 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/4509 SSC: 610 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw, Dr ø: 23 cm Description: Medium bowl with an everted flaring rim and hemispherical body. The rim is painted with red wavy lines on white color. Parallels: See No. 40. Phase-date: Phase II

Group 7: Dishes (Pl. II)

Group 7a No. 42 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10343 SSC: 882 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr (inside) ø: 21.3 cm Description: Rim sherd of vertical-sided dish. The outward flaring rim presents cream painting on the top. Parallels: Elephantine, mid-1–2 cent. CE (Rodziewicz 2005: 154, Pl. 50, nos. 800–808); El-Ashmunein, c. 25–50 CE (Bailey 1998: 7, Pl. 5 B4); Tebtynis, early Roman period (Ballet and Południkiewicz 2011: 57–8, Pl. 12, nos. 162–5); Mons Claudianus, mid-1–early 3 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 48–9, Fig. 1.16.13, nos. 174–5). Phase-date: Phase II Group 7b No. 43 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10256

SSC: 856 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pp ø: 18.5 cm Description: Dish with bead rim and sharply carinated body. On the shoulder, under the rim, a groove runs. Parallels: Elephantine, second half of the 2 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 64–5, Abb. 7, nos. 7–8, Form T 202); Tebtynis, 2 cent. CE (Ballet and Południkiewicz 2011: 67, 254, Pl. 16, no. 207); Mons Claudianus, 1–2 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 118, 120, Fig. 1.46, no. 74-662). Phase-date: Phase II Group 7c No. 44 Inv.: A07/2.1/241/11799 (O.Trim. 1.446) SSC: 636 Context: Room 10, DSU 241 Fabric: A1a Ware: So ø: 11 cm

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Group 7d No. 46 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10186 SSC: 867 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr, Dc/r ø: 14 cm No. 45 Description: Fragment of dish, with flat flared Inv.: A04/2.1/49/1313 rim and molded body. Red decoration is visSSC: 636 ible on top of the rim and consists of wavy Context: Room 2, DSU 49 red painted lines and spiral motifs on cream Fabric: A1a color. Traces of red slip are still visible under Ware: Dr the black layer. The fragment is blackened by ø: 12 cm soot on the external surface and on the rim. Description: Small dish with everted rim and Reused as lid or for cooking. shallow carinated body. The base is missing. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, mid-4–5 cent. CE The rim is decorated with red dots on white (Bailey 1998: 24, Pl. 14 C491); Elephantine, color. mid-4–second half of 5 cent. CE (Gempeler Parallels: See No. 44. 1992: 67, Abb. 10, nos. 10–12, Form T 211a); Phase-date: Phase II Kom el-Nana (Amarna), early 6–early 7 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 52, 95, Fig. 2.16, no. 131). Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV Description: Small dish with everted rim and shallow carinated body. The base is missing. The Greek text is on the convex side. Parallels: Mut el-Kharab, Late Period/Early Ptolemaic period (Hope et al. 2006: 37–8, 59, Fig. 14 g; Gill 2016: 26–7, 66–7, Form 12–14). Phase-date: Phase II

Group 8: Oasis Red Slip Ware (Pl. III)

Group 8a No. 47 Inv.: A07/2.1/235/12272 SSC: 950 Context: Room 11, DSU 235 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 9 cm Description: Fragment of a small bowl with incurved rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4–5 cent. CE (Hope 1986: 87, Fig. 8 i–o and Fig. 9 a–ff; Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6 a); Mut el-Kharab, 4–5 cent. CE (Hope 1980: 299–300, Pl. XXIV g–i); ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 460–1, Fig. 1.1; Dixneuf 2018: Pl.

8.2.25–26 and 36–39); Douch/Kysis, 4–5 cent. CE (Rodziewicz 1987: 130, Pl. XXXVIII, Form 1, and 133, Pl. XLII, Form 21 a–e; Ballet 2004: Fig. 220, no. 45); Alexandria, Late Roman Period (Rodziewicz 1976: 50–3, Pls. 17–22). Phase-date: Phase III No. 48 (Figure 7c) Inv.: A05/2.1/77/4793 SSC: 612 Context: Room 8, DSU 77 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr/o ø: 9.75 cm; ø base: 4 cm Description: Nearly complete small bowl with everted flaring rim, convex walls, and low-

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

ring footed base. The surfaces are polished. Parallels: See No. 47. Phase-date: Phase III

53

Group 8b No. 52 Inv.: A06/2.1/128/10367 SSC: 889 Context: Room 9, DSU 128 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 12 cm Description: Plain rim fragment of a small bowl with convex walls. Parallels: See No. 47. Phase-date: Phase III

No. 49 Inv.: A04/2.1/49/500 SSC: 612 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr/o ø: 14 cm Description: Small bowl with everted flaring rim, convex walls, and low-ring footed base. The surfaces are polished. Group 8c Parallels: See No. 47. No. 53 Phase-date: Phase III Inv.: A04/2.1/15/590 SSC: 433 No. 50 Context: Room 4, DSU 15 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2370 Fabric: A27 SSC: 604 Ware: Sr Context: Room 6, DSU 67 ø: 30 cm; ø base: 15.5 cm Fabric: A27 Description: Entire profile of a large dish with Ware: Sr/o plain rim, everted straight walls, and flat base. ø: 20 cm Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. Description: Fragment of a medium sized 8.2.22–24). bowl with everted flaring rim. Phase-date: Phase III Parallels: See No. 47. Phase-date: Phase III Group 8d No. 54 No. 51 Inv.: A07/2.1/207/12264 Inv.: A06/2.1/158/10200 SSC: 929 SSC: 847 Context: Room 13, DSU 207 Context: Room 16, DSU 158 Fabric: A27 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr Ware: Sr/o ø: 12 cm ø: 32 cm Description: Portion of a small mortarium Description: Fragment of everted rim and with two tenons still preserved. shoulder of a large shallow bowl. The surfaces Parallels: See No. 47. have black traces of soot on the exterior side Phase-date: Phase III of the vessel. Parallels: See No. 47. Group 8e Phase-date: Phase III No. 55

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Inv.: A07/2.1/196/12249 Description: Almost complete base of a closed SSC: 900 form, possible bottle. The exterior side is conContext: Room 9, DSU 196 cave; the inner side is grooved. Fabric: A27 Parallels: See No. 47. Ware: Sr/o Phase-date: Phase III ø base: 6 cm Group 9: Liquid Vessels (Pls. III–IV) Group 9a No. 56 Inv.: A07/2.1/261/12230 SSC: 355 Context: Room 15, DSU 261 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sc ø: 6 cm Description: Fragment of handled costrel. The rim is flat with grooves on top of it. One portion of the strainer’s hole is preserved. Parallels: Mons Claudianus, mid-1–2 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 64–7, Types 63–6). Phase-date: Phase II No. 57 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6345 SSC: 355 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sc ø: 6 cm Description: Complete rim and neck of a handled costrel. The rim is flat and the strainer is chipped; only holes are still preserved. Parallels: See No. 56. Phase-date: Phase II No. 58 Inv.: A07/2.1/207/30150 SSC: 994 Context: Room 13, DSU 207 Fabric: A1b

Ware: Sc ø: 4.6 cm Description: Double-handled costrel with strainer. The rim is flat. On the shoulder, a small spout is still preserved. Parallels: Elephantine, 3–4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 185, Abb. 117, nos. 8–9, Form K 615 and no. 12, Form K 616). Phase-date: Phase III No. 59 Inv.: A10/2.1/395/30142 SSC: 1011 Context: Street 3, DSU 395 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 8 cm Description: Double-handled costrel with strainer. The rim is flat and the strainer is made of many small holes measuring 0.5 cm in diameter. The entire vessel is covered with a thick white wash. Some red marks can be seen faintly. Parallels: See No. 58. Phase-date: Phase II Group 9b No. 60 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10291 SSC: 544 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

ø: 6 cm Description: Complete double-lipped rim, short neck, and shoulder of a handled jug. The rim is pinched on the part opposite to the handle, to create a spout. The exterior surface is slightly peeled. The vessel was badly fired: some areas on the exterior surface are gray in color, while others are reddish. Parallels: See No. 61. Phase-date: Phase III No. 61 Inv.: A04/2.1/9/9600 SSC: 544 Context: Room 4, DSU 9 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 10 cm Description: Handled jug with double-lipped rim, short neck, and rounded shoulder. Parallels: Elephantine, 3–4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 185, Abb. 117, no. 1, Form K 611 and no. 2, Form K 612). Phase-date: Phase III Group 9c No. 62 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10292 SSC: 914 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 5 cm Description: Rim, neck and shoulder of a handled jug. The rim is slightly everted and pinched to form a pouring lip. Parallels: Elephantine, 3–4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 133, Abb. 76, no. 7 = Form T 705); El-Ashmunein, 4–5 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: Pl. 49, J3–J4). Phase-date: Phase III

55

No. 63 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10311 SSC: 862 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sc ø: 7 cm Description: Rim and neck of jug. The rim is slightly everted and pinched to form a pouring lip. Parallels: See No. 62. Phase-date: Phase III Group 9d No. 64 Inv.: A04/2.1/34/9857 SSC: 953 Context: Room 2, DSU 34 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pbr ø neck: 5 cm Description: Cylindrical neck of a small table amphora or flask. The rim is missing and only one handle is preserved. The exterior surface is plain and smoothed, while the inner is ribbed. Phase-date: Phase II Group 9e No. 65 (Figure 7e) Inv.: A10/2.1/368/30173 SSC: 1007 Context: Street 2, DSU 368 Fabric: Fine calcium rich fabric, very softpeach in color. Macroscopically visible are some red inclusions, air pockets, and white plaquettes. There are also a few sand grains visible. ø: 6 cm; ø base: 12 cm; high: 26 cm Ware: So Description: Fragmentary juglet in 40 pieces, most of which join to complete the entire profile of the vessel. The rim is trilobate, with a

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

cup mouth. The neck is medium-tall and tapered, with a rib in the middle. The shoulder is near flat before curving down and inward into a footed ring base, 1 cm high. There are strong wheel marks on the interior side. Parallels: Mons Claudianus, 1–2 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 61–4, Types 57–58); Bir Showish (Bahariya), end of 3 cent. CE (Musil et al. 2013: 40, Fig. 45, nos. 1–6); El-Ashmunein, late 4–8 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: Pl. 48, I 2 and I 18). Phase-date: Phase II No. 66 Inv.: A04/2.1/41/9853 SSC: 949 Context: Room 2, DSU 41 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 4.5 cm Description: Trilobate rim and tapered neck of a small jug. The handle and the body are missing. The surfaces are peeled. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Early Roman period (Patten 2000: 206–7, Pl. 64, Form 102); Mons Claudianus, mid-1–beginning of 3 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 61–4, Types 55–56). Phase-date: Phase II No. 67 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10192 SSC: 912 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A2a Ware: Sw ø: 3.6 cm Description: Trilobate modelled rim and tapered neck of a small jug. Only the joint of the handle is preserved, while the entire body is missing. Parallels: See No. 66. Phase-date: Phase III

Group 9f No. 68 Inv.: A07/2.1/245/12268 SSC: 965 Context: Room 12, DSU 245 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pbr ø: 4 cm Description: In-turned bifid rim and neck of a bottle. Only the initial part of the ledge on the inner side is preserved. The exterior side is smoothed; the inner surface is blackened (pitch?). Parallels: Elephantine, 5–6 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 135, Abb. 77, nos. 2–5, T 713). Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV Group 9g No. 69 Inv.: A04/2.1/23/1238 SSC: 358 Context: Room 4, DSU 23 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sc ø: 4 cm Description: Double handled flagon with everted squared rim and tapered neck. At the base of the neck, a filter with three holes is still preserved. The body is missing. Parallels: See No. 70. Phase-date: Phase III No. 70 Inv.: A06/2.1/180/10239 SSC: 843 Context: Room 9, DSU 180 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 4 cm Description: Upper part of a double-handled flagon (amphoriskos). The rim is tapered on the inside. A rib marks the exterior side of the

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

neck; on the inner part there are traces of the filter, broken off. Parallels: Elephantine, first third of 6 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 144, Abb. 80, nos. 17–18, Form T 846). Phase-date: Phase III No. 71 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10285 SSC: 1012 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sc, Db ø neck: 4 cm Description: Upper part of a double-handled flagon (amphoriskos). The rim and the lower part of the body are missing. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, late 6–7 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: Pl. 49, J 44 and J 45); Elephantine, uncertain (Gempeler 1992: 188, Abb. 119. no. 8, Form K 635); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–6 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 69, 149, Fig. 2.71, nos. 438–43). Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV Group 9h No. 72 (Figure 7f) Inv.: A04/2.1/41/1539 SSC: 538 Context: Room 2, DSU 41 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr, Dw ø: 6 cm; ø base: 6 cm; high: 12.8 cm Description: Small double-handled jug with outward rim, ovoid body, and flat fragmentary base. The surfaces are reddish in color with splash of cream color on the neck and lower part of the body. Parallels: None found. Phase-date: Phase II

57

Group 9i No. 73 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10290 SSC: 207 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 4 cm Description: Plain rim, neck, and shoulder of a handled flagon. The handle is attached to the rim and to the upper shoulder. At the base of the neck, a complete three-hole strainer is still preserved. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, end of 3–first half of 4 cent. CE (Ballet 1990: 300, Fig. 6; Ballet 1992: 118–9, Fig. 13 f; Ballet 2004: Fig. 218, no. 35); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4–5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 118, 120, Fig. 5 u); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.5.53–57); ‘Ain el-Chabata (Bahariya Oasis), 4–5 cent. CE (Musil and Tomášek 2013: 64, 73, Abb. 4.6:66); Taposiris Magna, 6–7 cent. CE (Le Bomin 2016: 71, Fig. 13.17). Phase-date: Phase III No. 74 Inv.: A06/2.1/146/10313 SSC: 207 Context: Room 9, DSU 146 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sc ø: 3.5 cm Description: Plain rim and tall neck of a handled flagon. The handle is broken off. At the base of the inner side of the neck, a three-hole strainer is preserved. Parallels: See No. 73. Phase-date: Phase III No. 75 Inv.: A06/2.1/146/10299

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

SSC: 207 Context: Room 9, DSU 146 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sr/br ø: 3.2 cm Description: Plain rim and tall neck of flagon. The rim is broken where there was the handle. A three-hole strainer is preserved at the base of the neck. Parallels: See No. 73. Phase-date: Phase III No. 76 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/30148 SSC: 1013 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw ø: 4 cm Description: Trilobate rim and medium-tall neck of a handled flagon. The handle is broken off. A three-hole strainer is preserved at the base of the neck. Parallels: See No. 73. Phase-date: Phase III No. 77 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10229 SSC: 1014 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø base: 8 cm

Description: Ovoid ribbed body and low footring base of flagon. The upper part of the vessel is missing. The surface is in places peeled. Parallels: See No. 73. Phase-date: Phase III No. 78 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10294 SSC: 1014 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø base: 9 cm Description: Ovoid ribbed body and low footring base of flagon. The upper part of the vessel is missing. The surface is in places peeled. Parallels: See No. 73. Phase-date: Phase III No. 79 Inv.: A06/2.1/152/10275 SSC: 917 Context: Room 15, DSU 152 Fabric: A2b Ware: Pg, Dw ø base: 11.3 cm Description: Ovoid ribbed body and low footring base of flagon. The upper part of the vessel is missing. The surface is gray and decorated with a thick wavy line (approx. 2 cm thick). Parallels: See No. 73. Phase-date: Phase III

Group 10: Kraters (Pls. IV–V)

Group 10a No. 80 Inv.: A06/2.1/151/10368 SSC: 890 Context: Room 9, DSU 151 Fabric: A1a Ware: Ww, Dc/r

ø: 26 cm Description: Outward rim fragment, part of a krater. The lip is painted with vertical thick red marks on cream color. Parallels: Douch/Kysis (field catalogue: unpublished); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4–5 cent. CE (Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. XXI 7; Hope 1985:

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

59

121, Fig. 6 e); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.15.214 and Pl. 8.16.207); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–7 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 58, 114, Fig. 2.36, nos. 249–251). Phase-date: Phase III

Description: Out-flaring rim fragment and shoulder of a carinated krater. Parallels: See No. 80. Phase-date: Phase III

No. 82 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10283 SSC: 448 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 30 cm Description: Outflared rim fragment of a krater. The inner side of the rim is painted with red wavy lines and cross motifs. The exterior surface is heavily blackened by soot; probably it was used as a cooking vessel. Parallels: See No. 80. Phase-date: Phase III

No. 85 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10309 SSC: 449 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 28 cm Description: Complete profile of a krater with high and low carinated body. The base is missing. The inner side of the rim has red painted wavy lines on cream color. The exterior surface is blackened by soot, probably from use as a cooking vessel. Parallels: See No. 80. Phase-date: Phase III

No. 84 No. 81 Inv.: A06/2.1/152/10221 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2361 SSC: 868 SSC: 448 Context: Room 15, DSU 152 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A1a Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r Ware: Dc/r ø: 24 cm ø: 28 cm Description: Almost complete profile of a Description: Outward rim fragment of a krat- krater. The rim is outward and its inner side er. The inner side of the rim is painted with has remains of red wavy lines painted on red wavy lines on cream color. cream color. Parallels: See No. 80. Parallels: See No. 80. Phase-date: Phase III Phase-date: Phase III

No. 83 Inv.: A06/2.1/140/10195 SSC: 861 Context: Room 15, DSU 140 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 30 cm

Group 10b No. 86 (Figure 8a) Inv.: A06/2.1/152/10346 SSC: 449 Context: Room 15, DSU 152 Fabric: A1a

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Ware: Dc/r ø: 46 cm Description: Almost complete krater with high carinated body. The base is missing. The inner side of the vessel is fully decorated. The

rim has red painted thick marks and wavy lines on cream color. The inner side of the body has vegetal scenes. Parallels: See No. 80. Phase-date: Phase III

Utility Ware Group 11: Deep Bowls and Basins (Pls. VI–VII)

Group 11a No. 87 Inv.: A06/2.1/161/10211 SSC: 852 Context: Room 16, DSU 161 Fabric: A1a Ware: Ww ø: 45 cm Description: Portion of rim and body of a deep large bowl with flanged rim. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, 2–3 cent. CE (field catalogue 86/466 and 89/319: unpublished); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, mid-2 cent. CE or earlier (Dunsmore 2002: 134–5, Fig. 3 m). Phase-date: Phase II

Group 11c No. 89 Inv.: A04/2.1/41/9856 SSC: 952 Context: Room 2, DSU 41 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc ø: 21 cm Description: Small basin with rounded rim and convex walls. The rim is marked on the exterior side by a groove. Phase-date: Phase II

Group 11d No. 90 Inv.: A04/2.1/35/1855+1904 Group 11b SSC: 336 No. 88 Context: Room 4, DSU 35 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10240 Fabric: A1b SSC: 865 Ware: Sw Context: Room 15, DSU 145 ø: 20 cm Fabric: A2a Description: Two fragments that join of a Ware: Sc small basin. The rim is bifid and marked by a ø: 42 cm groove on the exterior side. The walls are conDescription: Flanged rim fragment of a deep vex. The outer surface and the rim are heavily large bowl. The rim has incised decoration on blackened by soot. its inner side. The incision consists of a repeti- Phase-date: Phase II tive curvy line that resembles a row of the letter “S.” Group 11e Phase-date: Phase III No. 91 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/5597 SSC: 338

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 24 cm Description: Inward modelled rim and straight shoulder of a small basin. Parallels: Dakhla Oasis (site 33/390-H62), Ptolemaic Period (Gill 2016: 253–5, 323 no. 883, 325 no. 894); Douch/Kysis, Ptolemaic–Augustan period (Ballet 2004: 213–4, 230–1, Figs. 213 no. 5 and 214 no. 9); Tebtynis, second half of 3 BCE–1 cent. CE (Ballet and Południkiewicz 2012: 91, 273, nos. 341–5); Dime/Soknopaiou Nesos, 3 BCE–1 cent. CE (field catalogue ST07/-/2134 and ST14/906/4452: unpublished). Phase-date: Phase II No. 92 Inv.: A07/2.1/F128/12224 SSC: 930 Context: Room 15, FSU 128 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 30 cm Description: Inward modelled rim and convex walls. Parallels: See No. 91. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 11f No. 93 Inv.: A05/2.1/107/6585 SSC: 285 Context: Room 9, DSU 107 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 36 cm Description: Grooved rim and convex walls of a basin. The surfaces are in places peeled. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 e; Hope 2007:

61

10–12, Fig. 8 f; Patten 2000: 177–9, Pl. 52 Form 62/2). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III No. 94 Inv.: A05/2.1/107/6640 SSC: 286 Context: Room 9, DSU 107 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 32 cm Description: Grooved rim fragment of a basin. Parallels: See No. 93. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 11g No. 95 Inv.: A07/2.1/261/12217 SSC: 114 Context: Room 15, DSU 261 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 38 cm Description: Inward thick rim, gently rounded with a triangular section, and deep convex body of a large basin. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 137–8, Fig. 5 a). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III No. 96 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10225 SSC: 114 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 39 cm Description: Inward rim, gently rounded with a groove on top, convex shoulder of a large basin.

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Parallels: See No. 95. Phase-date: Phase III Group 11h No. 97 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10254 SSC: 280 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 34 cm Description: Inward rim, with a groove on top, and tapered body of a large basin. The exterior surface is in some areas peeled. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 461–2, Fig. 2.1); Douch/Kysis (field catalogue, unpublished); Ismant el-Kharab/ Kellis, 4 cent. CE (Hope et al. 2006: 24–5, 27,

48, Fig. 3 c; Bowen et al. 2007: 29, Fig. 7 g) ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.13.192–195 and Pl. 8.14.196–200). Phase-date: Phase III No. 98 Inv.: A04/2.1/1/9859 SSC: 280 Context: Surface B1 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 41 cm Description: Inward rim fragment, with a groove on top, part of a large basin. The exterior surface is in some areas peeled. Parallels: See No. 97. Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV

Group 12: Sieves (Pl. VII)

Group 12a No. 99 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2369 SSC: 277 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A1a Ware: Po ø: 24 cm Description: Outward rim and body of a sieve. The inner side of the rim is cream in color with incised wavy lines. On the walls, only five complete circular holes of the strainer are preserved. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, field catalogue 85/69: unpublished; Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4–5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 115 and 120, Fig. 5 b and t); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.15.207–212); Mons Claudianus, 2–3 cent.

CE (Tomber 2006: 41–2, Type 49). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 12b No. 100 Inv.: A07/2.1/209/12261 SSC: 921 Context: Room 13, DSU 209 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 15 cm Description: Complete profile of a sieve. The lid-seated rim has a quadrangular section and a handmade handle attached to it. The ovoid body has vertical cuts to form the strainer. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, field catalogue 90/361: unpublished. Phase-date: Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

63

Group 13: Funnel (Pl. VII)

No. 101 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10273+A06/2.1/152/10175 SSC: 267 Context: Room 15, DSU 145+152 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 17 cm Description: Nearly complete funnel with outward flaring rim and ovoid body. The fun-

nel hole is 0.7 cm in diameter. The vessel surfaces are peeled at some points. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, late 3–5 cent. CE (Ballet 2000: 100, 105 Fig. 20, no. 15); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4–5 cent. CE (Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. XXI 3; Hope 1985: 120, Fig. 5 s); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.15.205). Phase-date: Phase III

Cooking Ware Group 14: Cooking Plates (Pl. VIII)

Group 14a No. 102 Inv.: A04/2.1/9/9599 SSC: 1015 Context: Room 4, DSU 9 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 30 cm Description: Lid-seated rim and low carinated body of a plate. The exterior surface is heavily blackened by soot. Parallels: Mons Claudianus, end of 1–2 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 123–4, Type 102, nos. 714– 5); El-Ashmunein, 6–7 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 48–9, Pl. 26 D398). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

Group 14b No. 103 Inv.: A04/2.1/49/506+536 SSC: 439 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr (inside) ø: 34 cm Description: Flaring rim and low carinated body of a plate. The rim and the outer side of the vessel are heavily blackened by soot. The plate was reused as a casserole. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, 6–7 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 48–9, Pl. 26 D413). Phase-date: Phase III

Group 15: Casseroles (Pl. VIII)

Group 15a No. 104 Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10399 SSC: 1016 Context: Room 9, DSU 132 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 13.2 cm

Description: Carinated casserole with rounded lid-seated rim. In the central part of the body, one horizontal handle is preserved. The base is missing. Traces of soot on the lower part of the walls. Parallels: Mons Claudianus, 1–early 3 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 110–12, Type 44–51). Phase-date: Phase II

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 105 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/9505 SSC: 634 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 13 cm Description: Small casserole with lid-seated rim and convex body. The vessel has soot on the exterior side. Parallels: Elephantine, 3–4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 156, Abb. 89, nos. 11–15, Form K 312). Phase-date: Phase II Group 15b No. 106 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10257 SSC: 857 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A2b Ware: Pg ø: 22 cm Description: Medium-sized casserole with lid-seated rim, carinated body, and low footring base slightly domed. The surfaces are blackened on the outer side. Parallels: See Nos. 104–105. Phase-date: Phase II Group 15c No. 107 Inv.: A05/2.1/104/6195 SSC: 406 Context: Room 9, DSU 104 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pbr ø: 19 cm Description: Almost complete profile of a casserole with lid-seat rim, straight walls, and low carinated body. The base is missing. Plain light

brown surface with traces of soot on the exterior surface. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–3 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 135–6, Fig. 4 d and o). Phase-date: Phase II Group 15d No. 108 Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10398 SSC: 1017 Context: Room 9, DSU 132 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 12.8 cm Description: Globular cooking vessel with carinated shoulder, long neck, and sharply everted rim grooved on the underside. The exterior surface of the body is blackened. Parallels: Mons Claudianus, second half 2– early 3 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 87–8, Type 64). Phase-date: Phase II Group 15e No. 109 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10342 SSC: 858 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: B3 Ware: Pg, Dp/r ø: 16 cm Description: Double lid-seated outward rim and convex body of casserole. The inner side of the rim and the body are painted with red drips on pinkish color. Consistent wheel marks are on the surfaces. The exterior side of the vessel is blackened. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 461–3, Figs. 1.11, 2.5, 2.8, 5.8). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Group 15f No. 110 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/2697 SSC: 308 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 17 cm Description: Casserole with inward rim and slightly convex body. The rim is painted with red marks on white and there are three white patches on the exterior surface, directly below the rim. On the rim, there is a thick patch of clay which is likely a knob. Consistent fine wheel marks are visible on the surfaces, which are gray-black in color. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 8 c; Hope 1985: 123–4, and 119, Fig. 4 g–h). Phase-date: Phase III

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Group 15g No. 111 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10185 SSC: 878 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb, Dp/r ø: 18 cm Description: Casserole with outflaring rim and ribbed shoulder. The rim is lid-seated and painted on the inner side with red drips on pinkish color. The pot has thin walls and is heavily blackened on the outer surface. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 461–3, Figs. 2.8 and 5.8); Elephantine, 5–6 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 163, Abb. 95, nos. 6–7, Form K 359 and no. 8, Form K 360). Phase-date: Phase III

Group 16: Cooking Pots (Pls. VIII–IX)

Group 16a No. 112 Inv.: A05/2.1/107/6596 SSC: 577 Context: Room 9, DSU 107 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 12 cm Description: Lipped rim, short neck, and rounded shoulder of cooking pot. Parallels: Tebtynis, 1 cent. BCE (Ballet and Południkiewicz 2012: 76–7, 261, nos. 250–61); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 185–7, Pl. 57, Form 72); Elephantine, 3–4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 170, Abb. 102, nos. 10–12, Form K414a). Phase-date: Phase II

No. 113 Inv.: A07/2.1/245/12266 SSC: 931 Context: Room 12, DSU 245 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sc ø: 17 cm Description: Lipped rim, short neck, and rounded shoulder of cooking pot. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2-3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 185-7, Pl. 57, Form 72); Mons Claudianus, 1–3 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 81–2, Type 43). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Group 16b No. 114 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2712 SSC: 567 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc ø: 14 cm Description: Everted lipped rim and short neck of cooking pot. The rim is lid-seated. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, early Roman Period (Dunsmore 2002: 132–3, Fig. 2 q); Elephantine, 1–3 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 168, Abb. 101, nos. 2–8, Form K 407 and nos. 9–11, Form K 408a); Quseir el-Qadim, 1 BCE–early 3 cent. CE (Whitcomb and Johnson 1982: Pl. 10 e; Whitcomb and Johnson 1978: 67); Tell Asmar, 1 BCE–1 cent. CE (Rodziewicz 1992, fig. 7 no. 38). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 16c No. 115 Inv.: A05/2.1/106/6690 SSC: 561 Context: Room 8, DSU 106 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 11.4 cm Description: Everted simple rim and rounded shoulder of a cooking pot. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 189–90, Pl. 58, Form 74). Phase-date: Phase II No. 116 Inv.: A06/2.1/169/10231 SSC: 825 Context: Room 1, DSU 169 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw

ø: 13 cm Description: Rim fragment and shoulder of a cooking pot. On the top of the rim a lug is still preserved. Two ribs run around the interior face of the rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 h, r; Patten 2000: 189–90, Pl. 58, Form 74; Dunsmore 2002: 132–3, Fig. 2 d). Phase-date: Phase II Group 16d No. 117 Inv.: A05/2.1/63/4457 SSC: 548 Context: Room 8, DSU 63 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 15 cm Description: Rim fragment and shoulder of cooking pot. Two ribs run around the interior face of the rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 g; Patten 2000: 189–90, Pl. 58, Form 74; Dunsmore 2002: 133–4, Fig. 3 a). Phase-date: Phase II Group 16e No. 118 Inv.: A07/2.1/210/12248 SSC: 897 Context: Room 9, DSU 210 Fabric: A1 Ware: Pg/br ø: 16 cm Description: Half-complete cooking pot with lid-seated rim, ovoid body and slightly rounded ribbed base. A lug is still preserved on the rim. The exterior surface ranges from reddish to brown to grayish in color, hastily painted

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

with white color. Parallels: See No. 114. Phase-date: Phase II Group 16f No. 119 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6388 SSC: 554 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 14 cm Description: Everted rim grooved on top, short neck, and shoulder of a double-handled cooking pot. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 132–3, Fig. 2 d; Hope 2006: 27, 48 Fig. 3 f). Phase-date: Phase II No. 120 Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10276 SSC: 832 Context: Room 9, DSU 132 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 16 cm Description: Everted rim, grooved inside, short neck, and shoulder of a double-handled cooking pot. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 m). Phase-date: Phase II Group 16g No. 121 Inv.: A06/2.1/117/10353 SSC: 885 Context: Room 9, DSU 117 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 14 cm

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Description: Grooved rim fragment and short neck of a cooking pot. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, 4–8 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 65, Pl. 38 E 262). Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV No. 122 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10338 SSC: 904 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A2b Ware: Pg ø: 16 cm Description: Grooved rim, short neck, and shoulder of a cooking pot. The surfaces are plain and gray in color. The fragment was poorly fired. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, 5–7 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 64, Pl. 37 E 235); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–7 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 60, 121, nos. 274–276). Phase-date: Phase III/Phase IV Group 16h No. 123 Inv.: A05/2.1/49/1349 SSC: 585 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 13 cm Description: Rim fragment and shoulder of a cooking pot. The rim is lid-seated and the shoulder has a sharp carination. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–2 cent. CE (Hope 2007: 10, 14, Fig. 10 f); Tebtynis, 2 BCE–1 cent. CE (Ballet and Południkiewicz 2012: 78–9, 262, Pl. 24, nos. 264–269); Elephantine, 3–4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 169, Abb. 101, nos. 14–17, Form K 410). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Group 16i No. 124 Inv.: A04/2.1/9/9675 SSC: 484 Context: Room 4, DSU 9 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 15 cm Description: Rounded rim, very short neck, and shoulder of a cooking pot. Traces of soot on the exterior surface. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 140, Fig. 6 q). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 16j No. 125 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/5116 SSC: 550 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 10 cm Description: Rim fragment of a cooking pot. The rim is rounded, grooved on the top and inside to seat the lid. Two grooves run underneath the exterior side of the rim. The exterior surface is heavily blackened. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 171, Fig. 5 f; Patten 1999: 85, Fig. 2.22). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 16k No. 126 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/993 SSC: 573 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 16 cm Description: Sharply everted lid-seat rim and

ribbed shoulder of a cooking pot. The exterior surface has traces of soot. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–early 4 cent. CE (Hope 2004: 22–24, 38, Fig. 5 e; Hope 2007: 10, 15, Fig. 11 n). Phase-date: Phase III Group 16l No. 127 Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10323 SSC: 467 Context: Room 9, DSU 132 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 12.8 cm Description: Sharply everted lid-seat rim, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a cooking pot. The external surface is heavily blackened. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3–early 4 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 131–2, Fig. 2 a). Phase-date: Phase II Group 16m No. 128 Inv.: A04/2.1/49/1325 SSC: 578 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 13 cm Description: Double lipped lid-seat rim and shoulder of a cooking pot. Peeled surfaces. Parallels: Elephantine, uncertain (Gempeler 1992: 177, Abb. 110, nos. 1–3, Form K 464); El-Ashmunein, 7 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 59– 60, Pl. 37 E 255). Phase-date: Phase III Group 16n No. 129 (Figure 8c) Inv.: A06/2.1/170/10264 SSC: 1018

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Context: Room 9, DSU 170 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 12.5 cm; h.: 19.5 cm Description: Complete cooking pot with flanged rim, short neck, and globular body. The lower part of the body and the base are heavily blackened. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 8 k; Dunsmore 2002: 131–2, Fig. 2 a). Phase-date: Phase III Group 16o No. 130 Inv.: A07/2.1/216/12258 SSC: 958 Context: Room 13, DSU 216 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 11 cm Description: Almost complete profile of a cooking pot with everted lid-seat rim, short neck, and ribbed ovoid body. The base is missing. Heavily sooted on the external surface. Parallels: Elephantine, uncertain (Gempeler 1992: 177, Abb. 110, no. 4, Form K 465); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–7 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 64, 134, Fig. 2.56, no. 368). Phase-date: Phase III No. 131 Inv.: A05/2.1/58/2205 SSC: 574 Context: Room 6, DSU 58 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw ø: 13 cm Description: Everted lid-seat rim, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a cooking pot. Parallels: See No. 130.

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Phase-date: Phase III No. 132 Inv.: A06/2.1/158/10202 SSC: 849 Context: Room 16, DSU 158 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw ø: 13 cm Description: Everted lid-seat rim, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a cooking pot. The surfaces are heavily blackened. Parallels: See No. 130. Phase-date: Phase III No. 133 Inv.: A06/2.1/181/10178 SSC: 908 Context: Room 15, DSU 181 Fabric: A1a Ware: Ww ø: 15.5 cm Description: Everted lid-seat rim, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a cooking pot. Parallels: See No. 130. Phase-date: Phase III No. 134 Inv.: A06/2.1/140/10191 SSC: 473 Context: Room 15, DSU 140 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 13 cm Description: Sharply everted lid-seat rim and ribbed body fragment of a cooking pot. The external surface is sooted. Parallels: Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–7 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 60, 121, Fig. 2.43, no. 277). Phase-date: Phase III

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Group 16p No. 135 Inv.: A06/2.1/161/10204 SSC: 469a Context: Room 16, DSU 161 Fabric: A2a Ware: Sr ø: 14 cm Description: Sharply everted flat rim, very short neck, and ribbed body of a cooking pot. The surfaces are heavily blackened. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 3–4 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 137–8, Fig. 5 h); Douch/ Kysis, 3–4 cent. CE (Ballet 2000: 98, 104, Fig. 18, no. 11). Phase-date: Phase III No. 136 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/2994 SSC: 469 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 21 cm Description: Double-handled cooking pot with sharply everted rim, very short neck, and ribbed body. The surfaces are blackened by soot. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, mid-3–4 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 137, 140, Fig. 6 f). Phase-date: Phase III No. 137 Inv.: A06/2.1/F106/10369 SSC: 588 Context: Room 10, FSU 106 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 16 cm Description: Double-handled cooking pot with sharply everted rim, very short neck, and

plain shoulder. The surfaces are blackened by soot. Parallels: See No. 136. Phase-date: Phase III Group 16q No. 138 Inv.: A04/2.1/23/1227+1254 SSC: 566 Context: Room 4, DSU 23 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb, Dc/r ø: 15 cm Description: Everted rim fragment and slightly carinated shoulder of a thin-walled cooking pot. The inner side of the rim is cream in color with painted red marks. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 462, 465, Fig. 4.3; Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.7.97). Phase-date: Phase III No. 139 Inv.: A04/2.1/23/1269 SSC: 476 Context: Room 4, DSU 23 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb, Dw/r ø: 22 cm Description: Everted rim fragment and shoulder of a thin-walled cooking pot. The inner side of the rim is white painted with red thick marks. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, second half 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1986: 74–91, Fig. 6 b); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.7.97). Phase-date: Phase III No. 140 Inv.: A07/2.1/247/12273

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

SSC: 916 Context: Room 12, DSU 247 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 20 cm Description: Complete thin-walled cooking pot with everted double-lipped rim, short neck, and ribbed ovoid body. The base is globular. Heavily sooted on the external surface. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. (Dixneuf 2012b: 461, Fig. 1.12 and 463, Fig. 5.10; Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.6.83–84); Ismant elKharab/Kellis, second half 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 114–25, 119, Fig. 4 j–k). Phase-date: Phase III No. 141 Inv.: A05/2.1/23/4670 SSC: 477 Context: Room 4, DSU 23 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb, Sc (inside) ø: 17 cm Description: Everted rim, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a thin-walled cooking pot. The exterior surface is blackened with traces of soot. Parallels: See No. 139. Phase-date: Phase III No 142 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10184 SSC: 877 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 13 cm Description: Everted lid-seated rim, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a thin-walled cooking pot. Traces of soot are on both the internal and external surfaces.

71

Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.6.82). Phase-date: Phase III No. 143 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2358 SSC: 479 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb, Dc/r ø: 13.5 cm Description: Everted rim fragment and neck of a thin-walled cooking pot. The inner side of the rim is grooved to seat the lid and painted with red horizontal stripes on cream color. The exterior surface shows consistent traces of burning. Parallels: See No. 144. Phase-date: Phase III No. 144 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2367 SSC: 564 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pg ø: 17 cm Description: Double-lipped everted rim and neck of a thin-walled cooking pot. The inner side of the rim is grooved to seat the lid. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.7.90); El-Ashmunein, 4–8 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 59, Pl. 37 E 254). Phase-date: Phase III No. 145 Inv.: A07/2.1/209/12259+A07/2.1/208/12255 SSC: 916 Context: Room 13, DSU 208+209 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pg

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

ø: 13 cm Description: Everted rim, short neck of a thinwalled cooking pot. Parallels: See No. 140. Phase-date: Phase III

XXI.4; Hope 1983: 149, Fig. 7 e; Hope 1985: 114–25, 119, Fig. 4 l–n; Hope 1986: 74–91, Fig. 6 f); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.6.83–84). Phase-date: Phase III

No. 146 Inv.: A05/2.1/73/2562 SSC: 492 Context: Room 8, DSU 73 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pg ø base: 10 cm Description: Lid-seated rim with over-hanging lip, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a thin-walled cooking pot. The fragment is heavily sooted on the exterior surface. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, second half 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl.

No. 147 Inv.: A05/2.1/58/2204 SSC: 526 Context: Room 6, DSU 58 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pg/br ø: 13 cm Description: Lid-seated rim with over-hanging lip, short neck, and ribbed shoulder of a thin-walled cooking pot. Parallels: See No. 146. Phase-date: Phase III

Group 17: Bread Molds (Pl. X)

Group 17a No. 148 Inv.: A06/2.1/158/10203 SSC: 850 Context: Room 16, DSU 158 Fabric: A4 Ware: Ww ø: 16 cm Description: Part of rim, body, and base of a bread mold. Poorly fired with finger impressions on the outer side of the rim. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 17b No. 149 Inv.: A05/2.1/108/2993

SSC: 199 Context: Room 9, DSU 108 Fabric: A4 Ware: Ww (inside) ø: 30 cm Description: Squared rim, slightly flared walls, and flat base of a bread mold. The exterior side is blackened by soot. Close to the base, finger impressions are still preserved. Parallels: Mons Claudianus, late 1–2 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 132–3, Type 140; Tomber 2013: 129–30, Fig. 3, no. 9); ‘Ayn Manawir and Douch/Kysis (Kharga Oasis), Ptolemaic period, 3 cent. BCE (Marchand 2017: 247, Fig. 16 a–b). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

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Group 18: Baking Trays/Dokkas (Pl. X)

Group 18a No. 150 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6475 SSC: 266 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A4 Ware: Sw ø: 26 cm Description: Flat vessel with lipped rim used as baking tray. The upper side has a depression beneath the rim and finger impression on its exterior side. The base is very rough and has traces of a thick white uneven slip. Parallels: See No. 151. Phase-date: Phase II Group 18b No. 151 Inv.: A07/2.1/214/12250

SSC: 1019 Context: Room 4, DSU 214 Fabric: A4 Ware: Sw ø: 50 cm Description: Large, flat vessel with lipped rim used as baking tray. Three rim and body sherds join, one of which has finger impressions. Slightly sooted on the underside and in part heavily on the rim. Parallels: Mons Porphyrites, mid-2 cent. CE or later (Tomber 2007: 198–9, Fig. 6.11, no. 127; Tomber 2013: 129–30, Fig. 3, nos. 10–11); Elephantine, 3–7 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 204, Abb. 131, no. 3 Form S-1 and no. 4 Form S-2); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 7 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 73, 162, no. 512). Phase-date: Phase III

Group 19: Lids (Pl. X)

Group 19a No. 152 (Figure 9c) Inv.: A04/2.1/21/156 SSC: 811 Context: Room 4, DSU 21 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 4.2 cm Description: Complete circular lid with flat knob. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, 390–460 CE (Baránski 1996: 98–106, especially 102; Bailey 1998: 35–6, Pl. 18 C 663–686; Bailey 2011: 173– 87); Dime/Soknopaiou Nesos, 4–7 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012a: 306–7, 316, 331, no. 22). Phase-date: Phase III

No. 153 (Figure 9b) Inv.: A04/2.1/9/163 SSC: 812 Context: Room 4, DSU 9 Fabric: A27 Ware: So ø: 4.6 cm Description: Complete circular lid with flat knob. Parallels: See No. 152. Phase-date: Phase III No. 154 Inv.: A07/2.1/207/12263 SSC: 959 Context: Room 13, DSU 207 Fabric: A11 Ware: Sr

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

ø: 4.5 cm Ware: So Description: Almost complete circular lid ø: 9 cm; ø base: 2.7 cm with flat knob. Description: Complete lid. Parallels: See No. 152. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, end of 3–4 Phase-date: Phase III cent. CE (Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6d); ‘Ain elGedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.19.271). No. 155 (Figure 9d) Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Inv.: A07/2.2/233/12053 SSC: 811 Group 19d Context: Room 14, DSU 233 No. 158 Fabric: A27 Inv.: A06/2.1/154/10360 Ware: So SSC: 888 ø: 4 cm Context: Room 9, DSU 154 Description: Small circular lid. The slip has Fabric: A1b faded considerably on the lower portion. Ware: Sw Parallels: See No. 152. ø:14 cm Phase-date: Phase III Description: Large lid with double-lipped rim, flared walls, and flat circular knob. The Group 19b exterior side of the lid is very rough and hastNo. 156 (Figure 8g) ily made. A depression on the inner side is visInv.: A04/2.1/23/157 ible. SSC: 820 Parallels: Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 6 cent. CE Context: Room 4, DSU 23 (Faiers 2013: 72–3, 161–1, Fig. 2.83, no. 504). Fabric: A1b Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Ware: Sw ø: 7 cm Group 19e Description: Complete lid. Traces of gypsum No. 159 on the inner surface and the external side of Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10322 the rim. It was used as lid for a gypsum stop- SSC: 423 per, with the knob inside the vessel. Context: Room 9, DSU 132 Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4 cent. CE Fabric: A1a (Hope 1985: 115, 118, 120, Fig. 5 g); ‘Ain el- Ware: Sr Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.19.270). ø: 14 cm Phase-date: Phase III Description: Almost complete lid with rounded rim, flared walls slightly curved, and flat Group 19c knob. The surface is heavily burned and blackNo. 157 ened. Inv.: A07/2.1/243/12054 Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–early 4 SSC: 230a cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 137 and 140, Fig. 6 Context: Room 6, DSU 243 t–u; Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6 g; Hope 2004: Fabric: A1a 24 and 40, Fig. 7 d); Mons Claudianus, mid 1–

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

early 3 cent. CE (Tomber 2006: 135–6, Type 10; Tomber 2013: 128–32, Fig. 3.6–8). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

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(Faiers 2013: 72–3, 161–2, Fig. 2.83, nos. 500–1). Phase-date: Phase III

Group 19h Group 19f No. 162 No. 160 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2262+2362 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6349 SSC: 428 SSC: 60 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A11 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw, Dr Ware: Sc ø: 20 cm ø: 15 cm Description: Large fragment with straight rim Description: Rim and ribbed wall fragment and thin walls. The top of the rim has a groove. of a lid. The inner surface is blackened and Surface is white slipped with a red mark on the sooted. rim, everything covered by black soot. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf Parallels: See No. 163. 2018: Pl. 8.8.105–106); Kom el-Nana (Amar- Phase-date: Phase III na), 6 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 72–3, 161–2, Fig. 2.83, no. 508). No. 163 Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Inv.: A05/2.1/76/2989 SSC: 421 Group 19g Context: Room 6, DSU 76 No. 161 Fabric: A11 Inv.: A06/2.1/151/10351 Ware: Pb SSC: 884 ø: 20 cm Context: Room 9, DSU 151 Description: Large lid fragment with pinched Fabric: A1a rim and straight ribbed thin walls. The exteWare: Sr rior surface is heavily blackened. ø: 16 cm Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, second Description: Rim and wall fragment of a large half 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1979: 195–6, Pl. lid. The body has double bending. All the sur- XXI.5; Hope 1985: 114–25, 119 Fig. 4 f); ‘Ain faces are heavily blackened and sooted. el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.8.107–108). Parallels: Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 6 cent. CE Phase-date: Phase III

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Storage and Transport Vessels Group 20: Jars (Pls. X–XI)

Group 20a No. 164 Inv.: A06/2.1/163/10265 SSC: 840 Context: Room 9, DSU 163 Fabric: A28 Ware: Sp, Db ø: 11 cm Description: Part of a medium-sized spouted jar with rounded rim, short neck, and globular body. The spout is complete with a drop shape and one-hole filter inside. The rims of the jar and of the spout are painted with black thick marks, while the shoulder has a decoration consisting of one black horizontal band, triangular motif and irregular dots. The decoration is on pinkish surface. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 2–3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 197–8, Pl. 61 Form 90; Hope 2004: 24, 38, Fig. 5 d). Phase-date: Phase II Group 21b No. 165 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10183 SSC: 911 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 7 cm Description: Rim, medium-tall neck, and shoulder of a jar. A rib runs at the base of the neck. Parallels: See No. 166. Phase-date: Phase III No. 166 Inv.: A05/2.1/104/6208 SSC: 472

Context: Room 9, DSU 104 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø 11 cm Description: Everted rim, short neck, and curved shoulder of a jar. A rib runs at the base of the neck. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Early Roman period (Patten 2000: 222–3, Pl. 72 Form 132). Phase-date: Phase II Group 20c No. 167 Inv.: A05/2.1/63/4454 SSC: 527 Context: Room 8, DSU 63 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 12 cm Description: Rounded out-turned rim and flared shoulder of a jar. A groove runs on the shoulder. Phase-date: Phase II Group 20d No. 168 Inv.: A07/2.1/252/12042 SSC: 159 Context: Room 6, DSU 252 Fabric: A1a Ware: So ø: 10 cm Description: Jar fragment with a modelled rim and medium tall neck. The wide rim has a shallow groove in the upper face and there is a ledge at the transition of the neck and the shoulder. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 2–3 cent.

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 p; Patten 2000: 224, Pl. 72 Form 134, and 228–9, Pl. 77 Form 138). Phase-date: Phase II No. 169 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6375 SSC: 536 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A1a Ware: So ø: 8 cm Description: Jar fragment with a modelled rim and medium tall neck. The transition between the neck and the shoulder is marked by a ledge. Parallels: See No. 168. Phase-date: Phase II No. 170 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6383 SSC: 559 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 10 cm Description: Jar fragment with a modelled rim and medium tall neck. The transition between the neck and the shoulder is marked by a shallow groove. Parallels: See No. 168. Phase-date: Phase II

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side of the shoulder is decorated with reddish grape vines and is blackened by soot. The small jar was reused as a cooking pot. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.11.166–167); Elephantine, 3–possibly 5 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 175, Abb. 108, no. 8 Form K 450 and no. 9 Form K 451); Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–6 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 64–5, 135, Fig. 2.57, no. 370). Phase-date: Phase III No. 172 Inv.: A04/2.1/23/546 SSC: 617 Context: Room 4, DSU 23 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc, Dr ø: 9 cm Description: Everted rim, very short neck, and globular body of a small jar. The inner side of the rim is white painted with vertical marks purple in color. On the exterior side of the shoulder a purple wave decoration is still visible. Parallels: See No. 171. Phase-date: Phase III

Group 20f No. 173 Inv.: A06/2.1/129/10234 SSC: 830 Context: Room 9, DSU 129 Fabric: A1b Group 20e Ware: Sw No. 171 ø: 9.5 cm Inv.: A06/2.1/132/10324 Description: Rounded rim, medium tall neck SSC: 617 of a jar. There is a ledge at the transition of the Context: Room 9, DSU 132 neck and the shoulder. The external surface is Fabric: A28 or A1a peeled. Ware: Dr Parallels: Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 4–7 cent. ø: 8 cm CE (Faiers 2013: 64, 132, Fig. 2.54, no. 361). Description: Everted rim, very short neck, Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III and globular body of a small jar. The exterior

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 174 Inv.: A06/2.1/128/10362 SSC: 497 Context: Room 9, DSU 128 Fabric: A11 Ware: Dr ø: 10 cm Description: Rounded rim, medium tall neck of a jar. The exterior side of the neck is decorated with a wave, purple in color. Parallels: See No. 173. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 20g No. 175 Inv.: A07/2.1/261/12229 SSC: 137 Context: Room 15, DSU 261 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 9 cm Description: Neckless jar with thick modelled rim. The shoulder swells out directly from the rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–mid-3 cent. CE (Hope 1987: 170–1, Fig. 5 o; Patten 2000: 217–8, Pls. 67–9 Form 123/1; Hope 2007: 10, 13, Fig. 9 m–p, 14, Fig. 10 e, and 15, Fig. 11 c). Phase-date: Phase II Group 20h No. 176 Inv.: A07/2.1/218/12251 SSC: 961 Context: Room 9, DSU 218 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sc/y, Dr ø: 23 cm Description: Storage jar with thick modelled rim and very short neck. The exterior surface is cream slipped, with a purple decoration

consisting of thick vertical marks on the rim and feathered triangular motif just under it. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Early Roman period (Dunsmore 2002: 139 and 141, Fig. 7 c) Phase-date: Phase II No. 177 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10328 SSC: 498 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sc, Dr ø: 24 cm Description: Fragment of thick modelled rim and shoulder of a storage jar. The rim is decorated with thick dark red marks and the shoulder has a floral element. Parallels: See No. 176. Phase-date: Phase II No. 178 Inv.: A07/2.1/215/12252 SSC: 960 Context: Room 9, DSU 215 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sy, Dr ø max shoulder: 40 cm Description: Body fragment of a large jar/ pithos. On the external surface of the body, part of a decoration and a small handmade handle are still preserved. The decoration is reddish in color on yellowish slip, and it consists of palm branches and trunks. Parallels: See No. 176. Phase-date: Phase II No. 179 Inv.: A07/2.1/262/12219 SSC: 918 Context: Room 15, DSU 262 Fabric: A1b

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Ware: Sc, Db ø: 21 cm Description: Fragment of thick modelled rim, short neck, and shoulder of a storage jar. The transition between the neck and the shoulder is marked by a ledge. The exterior surface decorated with thick black slanted marks. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Early Roman period (Patten 2000: 225–6, Pls. 73–4 Form 135); Elephantine, 4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 171, Abb.103, no. 15, Form K 423). Phase-date: Phase II Group 20i No. 180 Inv.: A05/2.1/102/6357 SSC: 507 Context: Room 8, DSU 102 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw, Dr ø: 14 cm Description: Folded modelled rim and short neck of a jar. The exterior surface is white slipped and has a red decoration in an unclear pattern. Parallels: See No. 181. Phase-date: Phase II Group 20j No. 181 Inv.: A04/2.1/49/1355 SSC: 508 Context: Room 2, DSU 49 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pbr ø: 14 cm Description: Folded modelled rim and neck fragment of a jar. Surface is eroded on the outer side. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–mid 3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 228–9, Pl. 77 Form 138). Phase-date: Phase II

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Group 20k No. 182 Inv.: A07/2.1/262/12220 SSC: 152 Context: Room 15, DSU 262 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 9 cm Description: Folded modelled rim and grooved neck of jar. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–mid 3 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 139 and 141, Fig. 7 a–e). Phase-date: Phase II Group 20l No. 183 Inv.: A06/2.1/180/10237 SSC: 845 Context: Room 9, DSU 180 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 11 cm Description: Folded modelled rim and neck of jar. The rim has grooves incised on the upper face. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, late 3–4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 465–6, Fig. 11.1). Phase-date: Phase II No. 184 Inv.: A05/2.1/74/5109 SSC: 506 Context: Room 8, DSU 74 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 14 cm Description: Thick modelled rim fragment and shoulder of a jar. The rim has grooves incised on the upper and lower faces. The shoulder is tapered. Parallels: See No. 183. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 185 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2356 SSC: 332 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 7 cm Description: Thick modelled rim fragment and neck of a jar. The rim has a groove incised on the upper face. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Roman period (Dunsmore 2002: 131, Fig. 1 b). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 20m No. 186 Inv.: A05/2.1/63/4017 SSC: 519 Context: Room 8, DSU 63 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 12 cm Description: Rounded rim, short neck, and part of the shoulder of a jar. A groove is incised on the upper part of the rim. The neck is separated from the shoulder by a ledge. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, end 1–mid 3 cent. CE (Patten 2000: 227–8, Pl. 76 Form 137; Hope et al. 2006: 27, 48, Fig. 3 d); Amheida, late 3–early 4 cent. CE (Bagnall et al. 2017: 195–211). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III No. 187 Inv.: A05/2.1/73/2561 SSC: 500 Context: Room 8, DSU 73 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pbr/o ø: 10 cm Description: Thick modelled rim and short

neck of a jar. A ledge separates the neck from the shoulder. The exterior surface is brownorange in color with white drops. Parallels: See No. 186. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 20n No. 188 Inv.: A06/2.1/127/10334 SSC: 902 Context: Room 9, DSU 127 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sc, Dr ø: 6 cm Description: Slightly everted, rounded rim, medium tall neck, and convex shoulder of a small jar. The neck is separated from the shoulder by a ledge. The shoulder has a thick cream coating and is decorated with a vertical wavy line, dark red in color. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, late 3–early 4 cent. CE (Dunsmore 2002: 131, Fig. 1 b; Bowen 2003: 163–4, Fig. 6 e). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III No. 189 (Figure 8e) Inv.: A07/2.1/233/12049 SSC: 140a Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 9 cm Description: Rounded rim and short neck fragment of a jar. Two ledges are at the transition from the neck to the shoulder. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, end 1–mid 3 cent. CE (Hope et al. 2006: 27, 49, Fig. 4 g). Phase-date: Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Group 20o No. 190 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/1002 SSC: 927 Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A1a Ware: Ww ø: 10 cm Description: Modelled rim and short neck fragment of a jar. A groove is incised on the upper part of the rim. The neck is separated from the shoulder by a very pronounced ledge. The inner side of the walls and the rim have traces of black resin. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab, late 3–4 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 115–9, Fig. 4 o–p). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III

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Ware: Sw ø: 11 cm Description: Rounded rim, medium tall neck, and shoulder of a jar. Two ledges separate the neck from the shoulder. The internal surface has traces of black resin. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 460–1, Fig. 1.2–3; Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.10.146); Elephantine, probably 4 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 171, Abb.10, no. 15 Form K 423); Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4 cent. CE (Bowen et al. 2007: 29, 44, Fig. 7 h). Phase-date: Phase III

No. 193 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10255 SSC: 995 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Group 20p Fabric: A1a No. 191 Ware: Sr Inv.: A05/2.1/1/4985 ø max body: 33.5 cm SSC: 511 Description: Lower part of the body and comContext: Surface B1 plete base of a jar. The entire upper part of Fabric: A1b the vessel is missing. The base is grooved and Ware: Pg ovoid in shape. ø: 11 cm Parallels: See Nos. 190–191. Description: Inward rounded rim, medium Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III tall neck, and shoulder of a jar. A ledge separates the neck from the shoulder. No. 194 Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab, 2–3 cent. CE (Pat- Inv.: A06/2.1/181/30153 ten 2000: 226–8, Pls. 75 Form 136 and Pl. 76 SSC: 995 Form 137; Hope et al. 2006: 27–8, 50, Fig. 5 Context: Room 15, DSU 181 b); Amheida, late 3–early 4 cent. CE (Bagnall Fabric: A1b et al. 2017: 195–211). Ware: Pg/br Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III ø max body: 38 cm Description: Lower part of the body and comGroup 20q plete base of a jar. The entire upper part of No. 192 the vessel is missing. The base is grooved and Inv.: A05/2.1/1/2105 ovoid in shape. SSC: 523 Parallels: See Nos. 190–191. Context: Surface B1 Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Fabric: A1b

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery Group 21: Kegs/Siga (Pl. XII)

Group 21a No. 195 (Figure 9e) Inv.: A06/2.1/171/10300 SSC: 354 Context: Room 1, DSU 171 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 6 cm Description: Handled keg with everted rim, cylindrical neck with strainer (four holes), and part of the shoulder. The handle is complete and oval in section. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, pre-4 cent. (Dunsmore 2002: 133–4, Fig. 3e); Douch/Kysis, Hellenistic–Early Roman period (field catalogue: nos. 88-18 and 88-20, unpublished). Phase-date: Phase II

Ware: Sw ø: 10 cm Description: Large keg with a very short neck and modelled rim. On the exterior and interior surfaces of the neck the finger impressions are still visible. The fragment has also traces of red ocher on the inner side and on the outer surface, under the rim. Parallels: See No. 196. Phase-date: Phase II

Group 21c No. 198 Inv.: A06/2.1/163/10349 SSC: 1020 Context: Room 9, DSU 163 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sc Group 21b ø: 4 cm No. 196 Description: Rounded rim, short neck, and Inv.: A06/2.1/127/11511 shoulder of a keg. Five body sherds could beSSC: 892 long to the vessel. They are completely covContext: Room 9, DSU 127 ered by a thick layer of white plaster. Fabric: A2b Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, Early RoWare: Sw man period (Patten 2000: 232–3, Pl. 79 Form ø: 8 cm 157; Hope 2007: 10, 15, Fig. 11 p; Dixneuf Description: Large keg with a very short neck 2018: Pl. 8.8). and modelled rim. Three body sherds with Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III traces of red ocher on the inner and outer surfaces could be part of the same vessel. Group 21d Parallels: Farafra oasis, Roman period (Finoc- No. 199 chi and Medaglia 2011: 101–2, Fig. 5 no. 6.). Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2776 Phase-date: Phase II SSC: 335 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 No. 197 Fabric: A1a Inv.: A06/2.1/122/10352 Ware: Sc SSC: 892 ø: 4 cm Context: Room 9, DSU 122 Description: Rounded rim and neck fragment Fabric: A2b; many small white calcareous in- of a keg. At the base of the neck, there are eviclusions are visible in the fabric. dent finger impressions.

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 4 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 149, 153, Fig. 9); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.8.110). Phase-date: Phase III Group 21e No. 200 Inv.: A06/2.1/119/10373 SSC: 328 Context: Room 9, DSU 119 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 6 cm Description: Complete double-grooved rim, short neck, and shoulder of a keg. The exterior surface is gray in color and peeled; the inner side has traces of soot. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida, 4 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012b: 462, Fig. 3.1; Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.8.113–127); Douch/Kysis, late 3–4 cent. CE (Ballet 2004: Fig. 221 no. 52); Farafra Oasis and White Desert, Byzantine period (Finocchi and Medaglia 2011: 101–2, Fig. 5, no. 3 and no. 5). Phase-date: Phase III No. 201 Inv.: A06/2.1/152/10181 SSC: 866 Context: Room 15, DSU 152 Fabric: A1b

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Ware: Sw ø: 6 cm Description: Fragment of keg with a triplegrooved rim and short neck. The surfaces are peeled in a few points. Parallels: See No. 200. Phase-date: Phase III No. 202 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2774 SSC: 329 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 6 cm Description: Double-grooved rim, slightly everted, short neck, and shoulder of a keg. Parallels: See No. 200. Phase-date: Phase III No. 203 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2777 SSC: 330 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A1b Ware: Ww ø: 6 cm Description: Double-grooved rim, short neck, and shoulder of a keg. Parallels: See No. 200. Phase-date: Phase III

Group 22: Yellow Slipped Flasks (Pl. XII)

Group 22a No. 204 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2781 SSC: 351 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: B3

Ware: Sy ø: 2 cm Description: Handled flask with entire modelled rim and tapered neck. The handle is not complete. Parallels: See No. 200. Phase-date: Phase III

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 205 Inv.: A07/2.1/208/12256 SSC: 875 Context: Room 13, DSU 208 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø: 3.5 cm Description: Double-handled flask with complete modelled rim and tapered neck. The handles are missing, and only their joints on the neck, just under the rim, are still preserved. The surfaces are yellow slipped. Parallels: See No. 208. Phase-date: Phase III No. 206 Inv.: A06/2.1/161/10214 SSC: 853 Context: Room 16, DSU 161 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø: 3.7 cm Description: Rim fragment of a flask. Parallels: See No. 207. Phase-date: Phase III No. 207 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10282 SSC: 589 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy, Dr ø: 3 cm Description: Double-handled flask with modelled rim, tapered long neck, and curved shoulder. The handles start from a marked ledge on the neck and end on the shoulder. The lower part of the vessel is missing. The rim is painted with red color, while the base of the neck and the shoulder are decorated with

irregular dots and spiral motif in red color. Traces of black resin are on the inner side. Parallels: Kom el-Nana (Amarna), 5–6 cent. CE (Faiers 2013: 69, 150, Fig. 2.72, nos. 445–447); Douch/Kysis, 4–5 cent. CE (Ballet 2004: 224, Fig. 220, no. 48a/b); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.1.10–11). Phase-date: Phase III No. 208 (Figure 9a) Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10190 SSC: 875 Context: Room 15 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy, Dr ø: 2.5 cm Description: Almost complete double-handled flask; only the base is missing. The flask has modelled rim, slightly tapered short neck, curved shoulder, and cylindrical body with a carination close to the base. The handles start from the upper part of the neck and end on the shoulder. The shoulder is decorated with spiral motifs in red. A thick accumulation of black resin is on the inner face of the walls and the rim. Parallels: Douch/Kysis, 4–5 cent. CE (Ballet and Vichy 1992: 118–9, Fig. 13 h; Ballet 2004: 224, Fig. 220 no. 49). Phase-date: Phase III No. 209 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10286 SSC: 864 Context: Room 15 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø base: 8 cm Description: Almost complete flask with curved shoulder, cylindrical body with low carination, and foot-ring base. Only the up-

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

per part of the vessel is missing. The exterior surface has traces of decoration, and there are remains of black resin on the inner side. Parallels: ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.1.13); Douch/Kysis, 4–5 cent. CE (Ballet 2004: 224, Fig. 219, no. 44). Phase-date: Phase III No. 210 Inv.: A06/2.1/140/10281 SSC: 864 Context: Room 15 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø base: 9 cm Description: Almost complete flask with cylindrical body with low carination, and footring base. The upper part of the vessel is missing. Remains of black resin on the inner side. Parallels: See No. 209. Phase-date: Phase III No. 211 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10289 SSC: 864 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: B3

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Ware: Sy ø base: 9 cm Description: Almost complete flask with curved shoulder, cylindrical body with low carination, and foot-ring base. The rim and the neck are missing. Remains of black resin on the inner side. Parallels: See No. 209. Phase-date: Phase III Group 22b No. 212 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10287 SSC: 993 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy, Dr ø max body: 20 cm Description: Globular body and small portion of the neck of a jar. The body is decorated with red spiral motifs. The paint has peeled off, leaving only its impression. The inner side of the walls has prominent wheel marks. Parallels: Elephantine, 5–6 cent. CE (Gempeler 1992: 174, Abb. 107, no. 3 Form K 442 and no. 4 Form K 443). Phase-date: Phase III

Amphorae Group 23: Amphore Égyptienne 4 (AE 4) (Pl. XIII)

No. 213 Inv.: A07/2.1/261/12228+12235 SSC: 968 Context: Room 15, DSU 261 Fabric: Lake Mariout fabric, reddish-brown in color, fairly coarse texture. Ware: Sr/br ø: 10.4 cm Description: Beaded rim, bifid handle, and

upper part of the neck of an Amphore Égyptienne 4 (AE 4) from Mariout. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, 1–2 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: pl. 85, no. W1); Mons Claudianus, Trajanic onwards (Tomber 1992: 140, Fig. 2 (3); Tomber 2006: 153–4, Type 28 (893)); Meroe (Empereur 1986: Figs. 2 and 4). Phase-date: Phase II

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery Group 24: Rhodian Amphora (Pl. XIII)

No. 214 Inv.: A10/2.1/368/30016 SSC: 899 Context: Street 2, DSU 368 Fabric: Rhodian fabric 1 Ware: Sc ø max neck: 13.6 cm Description: Cylindrical-shaped neck fragment with the joint of one of the handles, part of a Rhodian amphora. The partially preserved handle rises to a missing sharp peak. The outer surface is pale slipped. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis and Mut el-Kharab, late 1–2 cent. CE (Hope and Ross 2007: 465 and 477, Fig. 1 c–d); Tebtynis, 2–1 cent. BCE (Marangou and Marchand 2007:

246, Figs. 24–27); Dime/Soknopaiou Nesos, 1 BCE–2 cent. CE (Dixneuf 2012a: 325 and 341, no. 4). Phase-date: Phase II No. 215 Inv.: A07/2.1/200/12262 SSC: 920 Context: Room 9, DSU 200 Fabric: Rhodian fabric 1 Ware: Sc ø toe: 4.8 to 5.2 cm Description: Complete solid spike of Rhodian amphora. Pale slipped surface. Parallels: See No. 214. Phase-date: Phase II

Group 25: Late Roman Amphora 7 (LRA 7) (Pl. XIII)

Group 25a No. 216 Inv.: A07/2.1/233/12044 SSC: 947 Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 7 cm Description: Simple rounded-lipped rim fragment of a LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: Dixneuf 2011: 163–5 and 366–7, Figs. 152–3 and 155 (mid/late 4–5 cent. CE onwards). Phase-date: Phase III No. 217 Inv.: A07/2.1/233/12045 SSC: 946 Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A3b

Ware: Pr/br ø: 7 cm Description: Flattened-lipped rim and ribbed neck fragment of a LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: El-Qasr (Roman fort), mid/late 4 cent. CE (unpublished). Phase-date: Phase III No. 218 Inv.: A05/2.1/67/2766 SSC: 417 Context: Room 6, DSU 67 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 8 cm Description: Almond-shaped rim and plain neck fragment of a LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: See No. 221. Phase-date: Phase III

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

No. 219 Inv.: A07/2.1/245/12265 SSC: 922 Context: Room 12, DSU 245 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 8 cm Description: Flattened-lipped rim fragment of LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, mid to late 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 121, 123–4, Fig. 6 b); Mons Porphyrites, late 4–8 cent. CE (Tomber 2007: 202, Fig. 6.13.146). Phase-date: Phase III No. 220 Inv.: A07/2.1/233/12046 SSC: 948 Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 7 cm Description: Flattened-lipped rim fragment of LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: See No. 219. Phase-date: Phase III No. 221 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10380 SSC: 417 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 6.5 cm Description: Almond-shaped rim and plain neck fragment of a LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, mid- to late 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 121, 123–4, Fig. 6 a); Douch/Kysis, mid 4–5 cent. CE (Ballet 2004: 225–6, Fig. 221, no. 55); Mons Por-

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phyrites, late 4–8 cent. CE (Tomber 2007: 202, Fig. 6.13.143). Phase-date: Phase III No. 222 Inv.: A06/2.1/150/10263 SSC: 417 Context: Room 16, DSU 150 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 6.8 cm Description: Almond-shaped rim and plain neck fragment of a LRA 7. Resin on interior and over the rim. Parallels: See No. 221. Phase-date: Phase III No. 223 Inv.: A07/2.1/233/11910 SSC: 922 Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø neck: 6.8 cm Description: Complete flattened-lipped rim and neck of a LRA 7. Only one handle of the amphora is preserved. A pointed base of another amphora has been reused as plug, inserted in the rim, and fixed with a conical clay stopper. Traces of black resin on the inner surface of the neck and over the rim. Parallels: See Nos. 219–220. Phase-date: Phase III No. 224 Inv.: A06/2.1/152/10180 SSC: 909 Context: Room 15, DSU 152 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø neck: 6 cm

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Description: Portion of neck and shoulder of LRA 7. Only one of the handles is preserved. The rim and the rest of the body are missing. Thick layer of black resin on the interior. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, mid to late 4–early 5 cent. CE (Hope 1985: 121, 123–4, Fig. 6 a–b); Mons Porphyrites, late 4–8 cent. CE (Tomber 2007: 202, Fig. 6.13.143). Phase-date: Phase III No. 225 Inv.: A07/2.1/233/12051 SSC: 883 Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø toe: 3.2 cm Description: Tapered toe of a LRA 7. The bottom has remains of black resin. Remains of black resin on the bottom. Parallels: See No. 224. Phase-date: Phase III

No. 226 Inv.: A07/2.1/233/12052 SSC: 883 Context: Room 14, DSU 233 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø toe: 4 cm Description: Fragment of a tapered toe of a LRA 7. The exterior surface is badly preserved. Parallels: See No. 224. Phase-date: Phase III No. 227 Inv.: A06/2.1/151/10350 SSC: 883 Context: Room 9, DSU 151 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø toe: 4 cm Description: Tapered toe of a LRA 7. Remains of black resin on the bottom. Parallels: See No. 224. Phase-date: Phase III

Miscellanea Group 26: Sāqiya Pots (Qādūs) (Pl. XIII)

Group 26a No. 228 Inv.: A06/2.1/175/10356 SSC: 887 Context: Room 9, DSU 175 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 6 cm Description: Base of qādūs. Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 26b No. 229 Inv.: A06/2.1/152/10219

SSC: 869 Context: Room 15, DSU 152 Fabric: A1b Ware: Ww ø: 5 cm Description: Base of qādūs. Phase-date: Phase III Group 26c No. 230 Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10188 SSC: 876 Context: Room 15, DSU 157 Fabric: A1b

Pottery Catalogue of Area 2.1

89

Description:  Base of qādūs. Phase-date: Phase III

Ware: Ww ø: 5 cm

Group 27: Miniature Vessels (Pl. XIII)

Group 27a No. 231 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10312 SSC: 863 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 2 cm Description: Complete double-lipped rim and narrow neck of a small flask. The entire body is missing. Parallels: See No. 232. Phase-date: Phase III Group 27b No. 232 Inv.: A05/2.1/68/5660 SSC: 349 Context: Room 9, DSU 68 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 2 cm Description: Complete rim of small-necked flask. The entire body is missing. The exterior surface has traces of maroon-purple color on the shoulder; the interior is dark gray. Parallels: Great Oases, late Ptolemaic–Early Roman period (Patten 2000: 192–3, Pl. 60 Form 77 R-F); ‘Ain el-Gedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.11.175). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 27c No. 233 Inv.: A04/2.1/4/9850 SSC: 682

Context: Room 1, DSU 4 Fabric: A28 Ware: So ø base: 3 cm Description: Incomplete globular miniature vessel with squat modelled body and flat-footed base. The rim is missing. Parallels: Ismant el-Kharab/Kellis, 1–early 3 cent. CE (Hope 1983: 148–9, Fig. 5 e; Patten 2000: 213–4, Pl. 65 Form 110 R-F; Dunsmore 2002: 137–40, Fig. 6 z; Hope 2004: 25–6, 41, Fig. 9 a; Hope 2007: 16–20, Fig. 15 e); ‘Ain elGedida (Dixneuf 2018: Pl. 8.11.171–172). Phase-date: Phase II/Phase III Group 27d No. 234 (Figure 9h) Inv.: A07/2.1/221/11731 SSC: 698 Context: Room 14, DSU 221 Fabric: A1a Ware: So ø base: 5.7 cm Description: Incomplete globular miniature vessel with modelled body and flat-footed base. The rim is missing. Parallels: See No. 233. Phase-date: Phase III Group 27e No. 235 (Figure 9g) Inv.: A07/2.1/221/11730 SSC: 697 Context: Room 14, DSU 221 Fabric: A1a Ware: So

90

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

ø base: 5.5 cm Parallels: See No. 233. Description: Incomplete globular miniature Phase-date: Phase III vessel with flat-footed base. The rim is missing. Group 28: Other (Pl. XIII)

Group 28a No. 236 Inv.: A10/2.1/395/30166 Context: Street 3, DSU 395 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 10 cm; h.: 8.5 cm; thick: 0.7 cm Description: Almost complete conical-shaped vessel, with everted rim and ribbed body. The exterior surface has traces of encrusted oil or resin, leaving black smudges around the base. Phase-date: Phase II

lines, dark red-purple in color on cream slip. Parallels: El-Ashmunein, late 4–8 cent. CE (Bailey 1998: 155–6, Pl. 95 Z 18–Z 22); British Museum Collection, 5–6 cent. CE (Bailey 2008: 186, Pl. 138, nos. 3764–3765). Phase-date: Phase III

No. 238 Inv.: A06/2.1/145/10302 Context: Room 15, DSU 145 Fabric: A1a Lth.: 5.0; wid.: 6.2; h.: 2.9 cm Description: Jar spout in shape of animal, Group 28b possibly a camel. It is decorated from the top No. 237 of the head to the base of the long neck with Inv.: A06/2.1/157/10301 dark red-purple lines, dots, and spiral motifs Context: Room 15, DSU 157 on cream slip. The eyes are painted, ears are Fabric: A1a molded on top of head. Lth.: 6.3; wid.: 7.1; h.: 3.3 cm The hole passes from the mouth to the base of Description: Jar spout in the shape of an ani- the long neck. mal, possibly a camel. There is a hole passing Parallels: See No. 237. from the mouth to the base of the neck. The Phase-date: Phase III exterior surface is decorated with crossed

Plates (General Catalogue)

92

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates (General Catalogue)

93

94

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates (General Catalogue)

95

Plate V: Crater with decoration from room 15 of House B1 (no. 86)

96 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates (General Catalogue)

97

98

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates (General Catalogue)

99

100

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates (General Catalogue)

101

102

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates (General Catalogue)

103

104

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Quantification of Types in Area 2.1

3

3

2

3

2

2

7

9 8

1

4

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

2

1

1

8

5

1

5

2

3

7 40

1

18

4

11

4

5

1

1

74

5 2

1

3

4

7

3

4

2

1

1

52

10

10

2

3

44

4

7

1

S2

No. 30

11

198

19

1

R 17

1 1

5

6

1

3

11

2

4

R 16

11

4

27

6

2

1

1

1

1

2

11

1

R 15

1

6

4 26

1

1

4

1

1

3

3

13

11

1

1

1

1

R 14

No. 29

3

18

10

1

1

1

19

3

8

1

1

2

1

R 13

No. 28

6

No. 27

5

3

2

2

No. 25

No. 26

4

2

2

9

34

19

3

6

7

34

8 38

1 8

3

1

1

R 12

2

1

6

5 11

11 37

2

3

1

R 11

9

1

2

71 56

54

7

2

12

47

1

R 10

No. 24

No. 22

3

2

36

6

3

2

3

8

9

108

34

6

9

49

26

8

R9

No. 23

1

No. 21

2

1

3

No. 20

1

No. 18

No. 19

3 2

No. 17

1

3

2

No. 16

No. 14

2

9

2

2

No. 13

No. 15

3

7

No. 12

5

2

8

2 3

1 4

No. 11

1

2

R8

1 2

5

2

R6

No. 10

No. 9

No. 8

1

1

Nos. 4, 5, 6

No. 7

1

No. 3

1

R4 1

2

R2

No. 2

R1

No. 1

Cat. No.

1

16

8

2

5

2

4

2

4

2

14

12

2

45

S3

16

26

1

391

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

97 83

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase II

25

5

22

68

42

12

49

17

72

62

33

Phase II Phase II

182

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase–date

147

214

59

12

1

41

214

34

23

4

Total

106 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

1

No. 31

No. 60

No. 59

No. 58

Nos. 56, 57

No. 55

No. 54

No. 53

No. 52

No. 51

No. 50

No. 49

No. 48

No. 47

No. 46

Nos. 44, 45

1

1 1

3

2

1

1

1

1

1

3

12

5

2

41

69

6

6

12

3

R9

1

1

1

1

5

R8

No. 43

1

1

4

5

6

1

R6

No. 42 1

1

3

No. 40

No. 41

1

1

2

R4

No. 39

No. 38

1

1

No. 36

No. 37

1 1

1

2

No. 35

1

R2

No. 34

No. 33

No. 32

R1

Cat. No.

1

1

1

16

12

1

85

2

R 10

1

5

2

R 11

7

1

1

1

5

1

1

1

R 12

1

1

1

1

1

3

R 13

1

2

2

2

5

R 14

2

1

1

1

1

3

1

1

R 15

1

3

6

R 16

1

3

R 17

1

7

3

5

6

7

3

1

5

3

S2

1

1

1

1

4

1

1

6

S3

2

1

1

14

1

1

3

7

1

2

2

2

1

Phase III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III/IV

Phase II

3 1

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III/IV

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase–date

1

1

12

26

13

2

21

88

104

11

14

114

16

Total

Quantification of Types in Area 2.1 107

7

2

R8

1

R 10

1

R 11

1

R 12

6

R 13

6

R 14

R 15

2

4

3

No. 90 4

1

5

23

3

1 4

3

5

1

1

No. 89

2

1

4

No. 88

No. 87

No. 86

1

1

No. 85

1

No. 83

No. 82

No. 84

8

No. 81 1

1 4

1

No. 80

2

No. 79

13

4

1

7

21

4

1

4

2

2

10

1

1

1

3

3

1

27

1

12

1

9

3

1

1

3

1

1

3

8

1

2

1

2

1 1

22

1

2

2

1

2

2

1

1

Nos. 77, 78

1

1

2

1

R9

No. 76

Nos. 73, 74, 75

No. 72

No. 71

No. 70

No. 69

No. 68

No. 67

No. 66

No. 65

No. 64

1

R6

2

1

R4

No. 63 1

R2 3

1

R1

No. 62

No. 61

Cat. No.

2

1

R 16

1

R 17

12

38

3

1

5

2

5

1

4

3

1

1

1

3

1

S2

1

3

2

4

1

S3

35

95

3

6

1

16

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

15 34

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase III/IV

Phase III

Phase III

Phase IV

Phase III

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase–date

21

8

2

41

34

1

69

2

1

3

4

2

2

2

1

1

8

3

3

Total

108 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

1

5

2

4

No. 120

1

No. 117

4

1

No. 116

No. 119

3

No. 115

No. 118

3

No. 114

No. 113

No. 112

No. 111

No. 110

3

22

1

6

1

3

1

4

6

2

3

7

2

1

1

3

1

2

2

4

1

16

8

12

7

2

4

13

3

9

1

1

No. 109

7 9

2

3

No. 108

No. 107

No. 106

1

3

2

2

47

12

5

2

R9

4

1

1

3

3

1

R8

No. 105

1

1

16

R6

No. 104

1

5

4

1

R4

No. 103 1

7

2

R2

No. 102

No. 101

No. 100

1

2

Nos. 97, 98

No. 99

1

2

Nos. 95, 96

1

R1

No. 94

No. 93

No. 92

No. 91

Cat. No.

4

1

9

1

1

2

4

1

1

3

12

R 10

1

4

3

1

2

2

2

2

R 11

1

1

4

2

3

R 12

1

1

1

1

1

3

5

3

3

R 13

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

4

5

R 14

1

1

1

1

2

1

11

1

1

4

2

4

20

2

1

R 15

1

1

1

1

R 16

1

R 17

5

12

7

16

20

9

3

1

1

95

8

36

11

S2

49

2

1

16

16

20

11

1

2

18

1

8

21

1

1

S3

84

63

34

34

42

74

38

6

21

3

7

3

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II

Phase II

60 9

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase III/IV

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II

Phase–date

7

7

1

8

1

4

2

5

37

237

27

51

3

17

Total

Quantification of Types in Area 2.1 109

1

1

1

2

4

2

40

1

33

1

1

7

1

21

1

1

1

1

3

3

2

No. 149

No. 148

No. 147

No. 146

1

1 1

1

1

No. 144

No. 145

1

No. 143

2

14

2

1

1

3

1

1

2

No. 142

No. 141 1

19 2

1

3

No. 140

1

No. 139

1

No. 138

3

No. 135

Nos. 136, 137

1

2

7

3

2

1

1

R 13

1

4

4

1

R 14

3

1

3

1

1

R 15

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

2

1 1

1

2

5

1

1

R 12

2

1

1

1

4

1

R 11

No. 134

1

2

1

1

1

23

R 10

No. 133

No. 132

Nos. 130, 131

No. 129

No. 128

No. 127

1

1

1

2

No. 126

4 1

1

4

No. 125

2

No. 124

1

1

R9

No. 123

R8 1

R6 1

R4

1

R2

No. 122

R1

No. 121

Cat. No.

1

1

1

R 16

1

R 17

1

3

5

1

24

6

55

5

10

1

S2

1

1

2

2

2

2

32

2

S3

20

1

4

7

3

6

2

8

12

9

3

23

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

8 7

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III/IV

Phase III/IV

Phase–date

10

1

3

8

91

13

159

15

4

48

5

3

1

Total

110 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

5

1

1

R 10

1

1

R 11

2

1

2

R 12

1

1

No. 164

No. 165

2

1

No. 169

No. 170

No. 178

No. 177

No. 176

No. 175

No. 174

No. 173

No. 172

1

1

1

No. 168

No. 171

2

4

No. 167

1

1

2

3

13

4

2

No. 166

1

1

2

2

1

6

14

3

8

2

1

2

3

3

4

1

15

1

1

1

1

3

1

5

2

2

1

17

6

2

1

1

16

37

11

19

46

6

1

1

1

1

No. 163

1

1

No. 162 2

1

No. 161 1

18

1

No. 160

6

1

No. 159 7

2

No. 158

No. 157

1

1

2

4

15

23

2

2

4

2

2

2

1

1

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

1

1

3

2

3

1

5

2

2

1

1

1

2

2

R 13

1

7

R 14

1

1

1

1

1

1

3

1

2

7

1

7

2

R9

No. 156

1

2

R8

1 9

2

R6

No. 155 1

1

No. 153

No. 154

1

No. 152

4

R4 1

2

No. 150

R2

No. 151

R1

Cat. No.

3

1

7

8

4

7

2

1

1

4

2

R 15

2

4

1

1

R 16

1

R 17

1

7

5

2

1

52

33

48

3

28

12

2

13

2

13

19

2

17

100

5

S2

1

1

1

11

5

13

9

1

5

1

3

18

2

6

S3

1

26

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

22 3

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

10

6

7

1

111

123

93

61

144

30

Phase II

Phase III

20 2

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase–date

25

10

21

91

4

21

119

1

1

4

2

1

38

Total

Quantification of Types in Area 2.1 111

3

No. 181

1

No. 184

1

No. 187

1

6

7

2

3

2

1

R 11

1

1

3

1

1

R 12

1

2

2

2

No. 206

1

1

1

1

4

1

4

R 13

2

1

4

4

1

4

45

4

6

23

2

1

17

R 10

No. 205

1

1

No. 203

No. 204

6

No. 202

No. 201

1

16

2

4

No. 199

1

1

No. 198

No. 200

2

Nos. 196, 197

No. 195 2

17

43

10

39

1

18

1

15

3

5

3

R9

2

2

2

1

1

2

R 14

9

3

1

2

1

2

R 15

4

1

2

1

2

8

3

1

1

2

1

2

R8

2

2

6

2

13

1

1

1

R6

No. 194

3

3

1

2

2

1

3

1

3

2

R4

No. 193

7

No. 192

14

17

48

No. 190

No. 191

1

1

1

No. 189

No. 188

2

No. 186

No. 185

1

No. 183 1

1

No. 182

8

R2

No. 180

R1

No. 179

Cat. No.

1

1

3

4

1

R 16

1

R 17

1

2

3

1

6

14

18

15

42

23

3

1

9

6

4

1

2

5

S2

2

2

1

2

2

3

6

1

10

1

3

3

S3

4

2

7

14

15

9

5

53

1

2

6

1

2

115

150

104

114

15

9

44

4

47

12

1

10

11

23

Total

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase–date

112 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

1

R6 1

R8

R9

R 10

R 11

1

1

R 13

R 14

6

1

2

R 15

1

1

Nos. 237, 238

No. 236

1 1

No. 234

No. 235

No. 233 2

2

1

No. 231

1

1

No. 232

1

2

1

1

No. 230

1

2

1

1

No. 229

No. 228

Nos. 225, 226, 227

No. 224

No. 223

No. 222

No. 221

No. 220

No. 219 1

1

No. 217

No. 218

1

1

No. 215

No. 216

3

No. 214

3

1

R 12

2

1

R4

No. 213

R2

1

1

R1

No. 212

Nos. 209, 210, 211

No. 208

No. 207

Cat. No.

1

1

R 16

R 17

7

2

2

S2

1

1

1

2

1

4

S3

2

1

2

1

3

2

1

2

10

1

9

1

1

1

2

1

3

2

1

1

1

3

2

1

9

6

4

Total

Phase III

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II/III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase II

Phase II

Phase II

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase III

Phase–date

Quantification of Types in Area 2.1 113

4 Pottery from Occupation Levels (B1, S2, and S3) In this section, some homogeneous ceramic assemblages will be presented. They have been collected from the deposits corresponding to the phase of occupation and use of the structures in Area 2.1 (B1, S2, and S3) by Serenos and his family (Phase III). In these layers, the Greek ostraca and coins found together with the ceramics all point to the second half of the fourth century as a date horizon (CE 350–370). One of the main difficulties encountered during the analysis concerned contamination of the occupation contexts with sherds generally coming from the collapse of vaults, ceilings, or walls, and from the post-abandonment frequentation of the area.1 For each room of House B1, as well as for the streets, only the reliable stratigraphic units, mainly those located directly above floors, have been selected and, from these, just the most representative ceramic types are illustrated in the following plates. They are indicated with their field inventory number2 and only those that appear in the catalogue have also the assigned number.3 For these contexts, in addition to the description of the main categories attested, a detailed account of the significant fragments is also provided, accompanied by a drawing. The counting tables, including the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) and the frequency of the type-groups, will help in the comprehension of the contexts taken into consideration.

4.1. Room 1 (Table 3; Plate XIV) Room 1 is the main reception room of House B1. It is a large hall covered by a dome and completely plastered and painted with subjects of Greek mythology and scenes depicting the family 1. At Amheida, older pottery sherds were abundantly used inside the walls and especially in the vaults covering the rooms, see Ast and Davoli 2016: 1450–1. 2. For a detailed explanation of the Inventory Code used on the field for objects and ceramic, see the introduction to Chapter 1 (Methodological Approaches). 3. Because not all of the fragments for each unit were recorded and drawn systematically during the different seasons and by the different persons who worked on the field, the types attested in the units are indicated in the plates by inventory number, followed in parentheses by the general catalogue number, when assigned; for all those that have not been drawn in the field, only the number corresponding to the same type in the general catalogue is noted.

115

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that owned the house, along with decorative patterns in the lower registers.4 The most interesting materials were found in a wide collapse of the domes and walls (Locus 4) falling from the southeast corner toward the center of the room. The floor in compacted mud (FSU 43) was covered by a 5 cm thick deposit (Locus 52), consisting of loamy dust and sand, with scattered materials in it that have been interpreted as refuse left during the abandonment of the house mixed with post-abandonment items.5 Most of the diagnostic potsherds (115 MNI) come from Locus 4, and only 5 MNI are from Locus 52 (Table 3). In general, the ceramic types found in Locus 4 (Plate XIV) cover a chronological range from the second to the late third century CE and pertain to the dome and wall collapses (e.g., chinking sherds). They are mainly footed bowls (A04/2.1/4/36) and highly fragmentary medium sized bowls (A04/2.1/4/1036, A04/2.1/4/1078, A04/2.1/4/9503, A04/2.1/4/9851, and other rims corresponding to the types in catalogue nos. 12–13, 20–21, 34) and cooking vessels (A04/2.1/4/863, A04/2.1/4/993, A04/2.1/4/9505, and nos. 117–119) made of A1a/b fabric, including an almost complete miniature vessel (no. 233). The types current during the occupation phase of the room are 45 MNI and date to the second half of the fourth century CE (A04/2.1/4/37, A04/2.1/4/1029, A04/2.1/4/1002, and nos. 24–27, 83, 97– 98, 135, 141–142, 151, 192). One base of amphora LRA 7 (no. 225) and one almost complete miniature vessel (A04/2.1/4/9850) were discovered in the locus. Locus 52 was poor in ceramics. It contained only a few potsherds (5 MNI), such as three rims of bowls (no. 25), one rim of a jar (no. 170), and one rim of a bread tray (no. 151).

4.2. Room 2 (Table 4) Room 2 is the central space around which were arranged all the other rooms of the house, functioning as a hub. The room was filled to a depth of at least 2.5 meters with clean sand (Locus 2), under which there was a collapse of mud brick (Locus 24), which occurred soon after the abandonment of the house.6 The collapse was separated from the floor (F33) by a thick sand deposit, brown in color, including some refuse (Locus 13). Only 4 MNI were collected in Locus 13 (Table 4). They are a rim of a krater without decoration (no. 83); a rim fragment of a small jar made of A28 fabric (no. 188); a rim of a cooking pot (no. 127), and a rim fragment of a lid made of A11 fabric (no. 163). All of the types recognized can be dated by parallels to the late third to fourth centuries CE. In Room 2, the scanty ceramic evidence in the deposits on the floor suggest that in this space vessels were not generally used. This is not surprising if we consider its likely function as a passageway between the various spaces of the house.

4. It was partly cleared in 1979 to expose the paintings and then backfilled with clean sand to protect the walls. Davoli 2012: 267–77. In 2004, the room was completely excavated with the Locus system under the direction of E. Ball and O. Kaper. See Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming). 5. For a more detailed description of the stratigraphy see Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming). 6. For a more detailed description of the stratigraphy see Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming).

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4.3. Room 4 (Table 5; Plate XV) Room 4 is located on the northern central side of B1, and it was originally connected by a door, later walled, to Room 8 and to Room 2. The ceramic assemblage from a debris unit corresponding to the collapse of the vault (Locus 9) contained a considerable amount of ash and potsherds (77 MNI). Most of these fragments (Plate XV) should be seen as chinking sherds or scattered refuse (A04/2.1/9/1573, A04/2.1/9/9599, A04/2.1/9/9643, A04/2.1/9/9646, A04/2.1/9/9649, A04/2.1/9/9675, A04/2.1/9/9680, and types nos. 16–17, 21, 28, 92, 112–114, 119–120, 126, 159), generally dated to the first century BCE to the late third century CE. However, there are 30 MNI (Table 5) that belong to the occupation phase of the house. They are cooking vessels (nos. 135–137, 151, 160), basins (no. 97), convex bowls (nos. 9, 24–27), jugs (A04/2.1/9/9600), jars (nos. 190–192), and one rim fragment of keg (no. 203). The ORSW are represented by a small lid (A04/2.1/9/163) and a fragment of a large dish (no. 53) joining with a larger portion found in locus 23, located above the floor. All of these types can be dated to the late fourth century CE and should thus be considered as refuse accumulated on the roof of Room 4. In Room 4 two mud floors heve been recognized. The uppermost floor (F144), was covered by a grayish/brown loamy deposit, mixed with ash and charcoal, corresponding to the last occupation phase of the room (Locus 23=19). Within this deposit, a significant quantity of vessels (41 MNI) have been found (Table 5). The assemblage (Plate XV) consisted of 21 convex bowls with decorated rims (nos. 24, 27) made of A1a and B10 fabrics; one dish (A04/2.1/23/590+503) and one bowl (A04/2.1/23/500) in A27 fabric (ORSW); and two-handled flagons with strainer made in A5 (no. 70) and B10 fabrics (A04/2.1/23/1238). A number of cooking vessels also appear. They are mainly pots (A04/2.1/23/1254, A04/2.1/23/1269, and nos. 145–147) and lids (nos. 162–163), made of A11 fabric. Their exterior surfaces are heavily blackened. Fragments of basins (nos. 96–97) and kraters (no. 82) have also been identified, as well as a small decorated jar (A04/2.1/23/546). A complete lid for a small jar with traces of gypsum on the inner side of the rim (A04/2.1/23/157) and one body sherd of yellow slipped flask (no. 209), made of B3 fabric, were present in the unit. Only 2 body sherds of LRA 7 have been found. Apart from a fragment of a deep bowl (A04/2.1/23/1213), dated to the late first to early third centuries CE, the assemblage appears to be homogeneously dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. Worth noting is the presence of a small fragmentary cooking-stove (F31) built against the west wall of the room (F17). It was built in mud bricks and mud, and it can be considered as part of the last phase floor F144 (Figure 11). The ceramic assemblage collected from the room (ground floor and roof) consisted mostly of blackened kitchen vessels. There was a high density of ash on floor F144, around the stove and on the wall against which it was placed. Ash was present combined with potsherds also in the collapse of the ceiling (in Locus 9 and 12), suggesting that kitchen activities were most likely performed on top of Room 4 as well. Despite the numerous gypsum stoppers found in the room, there is not an equally significant presence of jar fragments, for which these lids normally seem to have been used. A considerable number of coins and ostraca were also spread in the floor units.

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4.4. Room 6 (Table 6; Plate XVI) Room 6 is located on the southeastern corner of the house, next to Room 1, and connected only to the central Room 2.7 The room has a rectangular shape and was originally covered by a flat roof made of wooden beams and palm ribs. Most of the pottery found in the room (Plate XVI) comes from DSUs 67 and 75, which are parts of the collapse of the roof. The fourth-century types (91 MNI, Table 6) belong mainly to tableware, such as bowls made of A1a and A27 fabrics (A05/2.1/67/2260, A05/2.1/67/2370, and nos. 24–25, 50) and kraters (A05/2.1/67/2361 and nos. 84–85), as well as to cooking wares, represented by a considerable quantity of pots (A05/2.1/67/2266, A05/2.1/67/2358, A05/2.1/67/2367, and nos. 141, 145–147) and lids (A05/2.1/75/2568, A05/2.1/67/2262+2362, A05/2.1/75/2364) made of A11 fabric, basins (A05/2.1/67/2371 and nos. 96–98), fragmentary baking trays (no. 151), and one sieve (A05/2.1/67/2369). The storage vessels found in DSU 67 include jars made of A1a and A1b fabrics (A05/2.1/67/2356 and nos. 190–192), flasks in B3 fabric (A05/2.1/67/2781), 9 rims of kegs (A05/2.1/67/2777, A05/2.1/75/2373, A05/2.1/75/2774), and one rim of amphora LRA 7 (A05/2.1/67/2766). The floor F66 was covered by sandy units (DSUs 76, 78, and 71=58) that yielded a good quantity of pottery (around 86 kg), but only 21 diagnostic sherds were recorded in DSUs 58 and 76 (Table 6). These were decorated bowls (A05/2.1/76/2988), cooking pots (A05/2.1/58/2204, A05/2.1/58/2205) and lids (A05/2.1/76/2989) made of A1b and A11 fabrics, convex bowls (nos. 25–26) and two-handled flagons (no. 73) in B10 fabric. Four storage jars (nos. 191–192) and one LRA 7 rim (no. 221) were also present. Apart from the types recognized as chinking sherds and dated to the Roman imperial period (A05/2.1/67/2712, A05/2.1/67/2357 and nos. 12–13, 185), the ceramic assemblages resulting from the floor deposits of the room and from the roof collapse show a rather homogeneous chronological range assigned to the second half of the fourth century CE. While the units on the floor were relatively poor in diagnostic fragments and objects, those of the collapse of the roof were rich in fragments of cooking vessels, jars, and small circular lids and the mud and gypsum stoppers associated to them. This suggests a use for the top of the roof as a living space, whereas the use of the room beneath remains uncertain (at least from the perspective of the ceramic evidence).

4.5. Room 8 (Table 7; Plate XVII) Room 8 is a side room off the entrance (Room 7) and was originally connected to Room 4 through a doorway that was subsequently bricked up. The greatest part of the space in this room was occupied by the collapse of the vault and portions of the walls (DSU 63). The reliable stratigraphic units are those sealed by the ceiling collapse and located directly on the floor (F64). They are made of ashy sand and concentrated ash pockets (DSUs 74 and 77). 7. In a first phase of the house, it opened directly onto Street 2 through a doorway, which was bricked up in a second phase: see Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming).

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

119

The collapse of the vault (DSU 63) contained a significant quantity (49 MNI) of fourthcentury ceramics (Table 7), contemporary with the occupation phase of the house and most probably originating from activities performed in an upper room or terrace (nos. 26, 73, 84, 136–137, 192). These were found intermixed with a considerable number of fragments dated to the second and third centuries CE and thus probably used as chinking sherds in the vault (Plate XVII: A05/2.1/63/2334, A05/2.1/63/4017, A05/2.1/63/4018, A05/2.1/63/4019, A05/2.1/63/4447, A05/2.1/63/4451, A05/2.1/63/4454, A05/2.1/63/4457). The most significant ceramic assemblage of the room comes from DSU 74 (34 MNI) and DSU 77 (2 MNI), (Table 7). Tableware is represented by 27 small and medium bowls made of A1a, A11, and A27 fabrics (Plate XVII: A05/2.1/74/4509, A05/2.1/74/4795, A05/2.1/74/7007, A05/2.1/77/4793, A05/2.1/77/5138 and A05/2.1/74/2697). Some storage jars and cooking pots in A1b and A11 fabrics (A05/2.1/74/2669 and nos. 127, 136–137, 192) are also attested. One rim of a jug (no. 73) in B10 fabric and at least one flask in B3 fabric (nos. 209–211) have been recorded. All types can be dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. In these units we also note the presence of a number of highly fragmentary vessels, generally in poor condition, probably due to dumped material leveled under the floors, which have not been preserved in this room. These too may be assigned to the late third to early fourth centuries CE (A05/2.1/74/2067, A05/2.1/74/2688, A05/2.1/74/5109, A05/2.1/74/5116, A05/2.1/74/5139 and nos. 12–13, 113–114, 168–170, 183). The ceramic assemblage from this room is thus similar in character to that found in Room 4, in respect to both categories of vessels and fabrics. As in Room 4, the units above the floor (DSU 74 and 77) in Room 8 were similarly rich in compacted ash, suggesting that kitchen activities may have taken place there.

4.6. Courtyard Rooms 9+10 (Tables 8–9; Plates XVIII–XIX) Room 9 is a wide, open-air courtyard, used in its last phase as a stable for animals together with Room 10.8 The area was filled with clean windblown sand (DSU 68 in R9 + DSUs 113+115 in R10), in which potsherds were found only in the top 15 cm. The pottery collected from DSUs 68+113+115 (22 MNI, Plate XVIII) dates to the late fourth century CE and consists mainly of small and medium-sized bowls (nos. 25–26), fragmentary liquid vessels (A05/2.1/68/5651) and kraters (no. 83) with plain surfaces, and storage jars (nos. 190–192). One fragment of a bread mold (no. 150) and one miniature vessel (A05/2.1/68/5660) in A11 fabric, as well as a body sherd of LRA 7, have been recognized (Table 8). The sand covered a very damaged manger in mud brick (F79+F161) built against the south wall of the courtyard. The feature was only partially built in mud bricks and was filled with sand and debris (DSU 147=230) during its construction. Another, lower, manger (F80) was set in the southeast corner of the courtyard. It was filled by debris of bricks and potsherds (DSU 117) while outside it and in the eastern side of the courtyard, the windblown sand covered a sandyloamy layer (DSU 104=107) rich in debris and waste whose origin is doubtful given the lack of 8. See Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming).

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the mud floor in this area. The materials found in these DSUs may be a mix of dumped waste below the floor and dumped waste on top of the last floor in the courtyard. A similar situation of DSUs made of sand, debris, and waste obtains in the center, south, and west of the courtyard (146, 116, 123, 234, 148, 192 and 195), which seem to be dumped materials above the floor. These deposits (Table 8) contained ceramics that appear to date, generally, to the late third to fourth centuries CE. The pottery comprises a range of types (Plate XVIII), such as small and medium-sized bowls (A05/2.1/107/6851, A05/2.1/107/6848, A06/2.1/116/10310 and nos. 22, 24–27), costrels made both in A5 and B10 fabrics (A06/2.1/146/10299, A06/2.1/146/10313), kraters (A05/2.1/107/6628 and nos. 82–85), basins (nos. 97–98), cooking vessels made both in A1 and A11 fabrics (nos. 135–137, 141–142, 145), storage jars (nos. 190–192), and kegs (nos. 202–203). Body sherds of LRA 7 have been recognized in all the DSUs mentioned above. However, in some layers the ceramic material dated to the occupation phase of B1 is mixed with Early Roman sherds. Notable is the presence in some units (e.g., DSU 104=107) of types mainly dated to the second and third century CE.9 These are straight sided bowls (A05/2.1/104/6072, A05/2.1/104/6196, and nos. 15–16, 21, 29, 30, 32), lids/footed bowls (A05/2.1/104/6197), as well as cooking vessels (A05/2.1/104/6195, A05/2.1/107/6596, A05/2.1/104/6208 and nos. 118–120) and storage jars (A05/2.1/107/6607 and nos. 168–169, 175, 177, 183). The units contained also two miniature vessels (A05/2.1/107/6901) and one body sherd of amphora AE4 from Mariout datable to the second–third century CE. The windblown sand filling Room 10 (DSUs 113+115, described above with DSUs 68+114+141 of Room 9) covered a manger (F170+F92) located in its southern corner, and a layer of debris (DSUs 119=249 and 220) was spread all over the room. These units (DSUs 113+115, 119=249 and 220) yielded a considerable quantity of potsherds (97 MNI in total, Table 9) belonging to table and cooking wares, and, in smaller quantities, to the storage and transport vessels (A06/2.1/119/10373). The layer of debris (DSUs 119=249) covered a deposit formed during the lifetime of the courtyard (DSU 135) and on which the manger was built; it covered the floor of the room (F106). The pottery collected from DSU 135 (Plate XIX) consists of convex small and medium sized bowls (A07/2.1/F106/10370, A07/2.1/F106/10371 and nos. 25–27); cooking vessels such as pots (A07/2.1/F106/10369 and nos. 140, 142, 145); casseroles (no. 111) and lids (no. 163), made in A1 and A11 fabrics; and storage jars (nos. 188, 192); in smaller quantities, handled costrels with strainer (A07/2.1/135/12053 and nos. 73–76), kraters (no. 82), basins (no. 97), and kegs (no. 202) are also attested. It is noteworthy that there are some joins between rim fragments of krater from DSU 220 and DSU 135. In general, the ceramic assemblage from all the units above floors F107 (Room 9) and F106 (Room 10) can be dated to the second half of the fourth century CE, thus corresponding to the last occupation phase of the house.

9. The same mixed materials are attested in DSUs 127, 128, 191, and 151 of Room 9.

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

121

4.7. Room 11 (Table 10; Plate XX) Room 11 is located on the west side of House B1. It was accessible only from Room 1 and was most likely used for banqueting, like Rooms 14 and 1, as suggested by the richly painted decoration on its walls. One of the most productive stratigraphic units, in terms of ceramic material, was the large collapse (DSU 235) from a wall (F16) and from the vault of the room. 132 MNI have been counted during the analysis, of which 124 MNI can be considered in phase with the dating of the house (Table 10); the remaining fragments are chinking sherds and therefore pre-fourth century in date. The fourth-century types recognized (Plate XX) are mainly bowls (A07/2.1/235/12272 and nos. 24–27, 36, 48), made of A1a and A27 fabrics, and handled flagons with strainer (nos. 73–74), made of A5 fabric. The cooking vessels (nos. 130–137, 146–147), made of A11 fabric, and the storage jars (nos. 190–192) are the other two well-attested categories. A few rims of basins (nos. 97–98) have been also found. The floor (F197) was covered by a layer of dust (DSU 260), which was very poor in ceramic material. Only 3 MNI have been identified (Table 10), such as one rim of a small bowl, which was very eroded and not recognizable, one fragment of a necked jar (no. 166), and one basin with a convex profile and thick modelled rim (no. 94). The basin and the jar can be dated on the basis of comparanda to the first–second centuries CE, and thus can belong to the wall collapse. Although Room 11 seems to have had the same function as Rooms 14 and 1, as already mentioned above, apart from a considerable amount of bones on the floor, it does not seem to have held furniture connected to the meal on the floor. On the contrary, the ceramic materials found in the collapse would suggest an unspecified use of the space on top of the roof.

4.8. Room 12 (Table 11; Plate XX) Room 12 is the main vestibule of the house, on its western side. It was covered with a barrel vault, which had almost completely collapsed. The most interesting set of materials comes from the collapse of the ceiling (DSU 245), which must have occurred shortly after the abandonment of the house, because the debris lies directly on the floor (F193). The ceramic assemblage of this unit consisted of 80 MNI (Table 11; Plate XX). Most of the fragments are bowls (nos. 24, 26, 34–36) and cooking and utility vessels, such as pots made of A11 fabric (nos. 141–142) and A1a/b fabrics (nos. 135–137); and lids (nos. 160, 163) and basins (nos. 97–98), as well as bread molds (no. 149) and baking trays (no. 151), made of A4 fabric. Some rim fragments of costrels with strainers (nos. 56–57), handled jugs (nos. 73–74), and kraters (nos. 82–85) were documented. There were fewer storage and transport containers, in particular jars (no. 192), kegs (nos. 202–203), and three fragmentary LRA 7 amphorae (A07/2.1/245/12265). A complete small lid in A27 fabric (no. 153) and two items of flasks in B3 fabric (nos. 209–211), were also found. All the types can be assigned to the second half of the fourth century CE. The stratigraphic unit also contained a rim of a bottle made of A3b fabric (A07/2.1/245/12268), dated according to comparanda from Elephantine to the fifth-sixth centuries CE. The few fragments of bowls (nos. 30–31) and the cooking pots

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(A07/2.1/245/12266 and nos. 114, 119) dated to the early Roman period were probably used as chinking sherds, collapsed with the ceiling. The floor (F193) was partially covered by a layer of windblown sand with patches of ash (DSU 247). In this unit only one almost complete cooking pot, made of A11 fabric, has been found (A07/2.1/247/12273 = type no. 140), the type of which is dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. The material analyzed from the collapse (DSU 245) provided ceramics dated to the last phase of the house (second half of fourth century CE) and therefore probably pertaining to the roof or an upstairs room used for storing or cooking. In addition to the numerous bowls and pots, there are also small circular lids, gypsum stoppers, generally used to seal vessels, and ostraca. The room was clearly empty, as evidenced by the very poor ceramics on the floor (F193), consisting of a single complete pot in connection with ash spots, certainly used in a post-abandonment phase of the house and before the collapse of the vault.

4.9. Room 13 (Table 12; Plate XXI) This room is on the west side of House B1 and is connected with Room 12. It was originally painted, subsequently badly damaged by the collapse of the vault and of the west wall (DSU 207). This collapse, in the southwest corner of the room and in the doorway, is to be considered together with DSU 245 in Room 12 as a single collapse coming from the upper floor/roof. DSU 207 (Table 12; Plate XXI) was rich in bowls (nos. 24–26), jugs (A07/2.1/207/30150 and nos. 73, 78–79), pots (nos. 135–137, 146–147), lids (nos. 160, 163), and jars (nos. 191–192). Some fragments of casseroles (no. 111), basins (nos. 97–98), bread vessels (nos. 149–150), an almost complete small mortar in A27 fabric (A07/2.1/207/12264), a small lid for a flask in A11 (A07/2.1/207/12263), and a rim of LRA 7 (no. 221) are also attested. All the ceramic types mentioned are frequently found on the floor deposits of the house; they can thus be dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. The floor of the room (F150) was covered by a dark dusty layer rich in ash (DSU 216). Within this unit have been counted 60 diagnostic fragments (Table 12). They belong mainly to the category of table ware, such as decorated small bowls (nos. 22–23), handled flagons (nos. 73, 75), and kraters with painted rims (no. 85). The category of cooking and utility vessels is represented by an almost complete pot with ribbed body, made of A1b (Plate XXI: A07/2.1/216/12258), fragmentary lids (nos. 160, 163), and one rim of a basin (no. 98). A double bin (F151+F174) was built against the north wall of the room (Figure 13). At the bottom of each bin there were two units similar in composition (DSUs 208 and 209). The diagnostic sherds collected from DUSs 208 and 209 (62 MNI in total, Table 12) are mostly bowls (nos. 22–23, 25–27, 110), made of A1a and A11 fabrics. One small bowl with flaring rim in A27 (A07/2.1/209/12260) and one flanged bowl (A07/2.1/208/12253) were found respectively in DSUs 209 and 208 (Plate XXI). At least 13 rim fragments belong to the handled flagons (nos. 73, 78), made of A5 and B10 fabrics. The cooking and utility wares consist of pots made of A1 a/b (nos. 130–133, 147) and A11 fabrics (A07/2.1/208/12254, A07/2.1/209/12259+208/12255 and nos. 141–142), as well as lids (no. 163). The assemblage comprises a few rims of kraters

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(nos. 84–85), basins (nos. 97–98), one almost complete sieve (A07/2.1/209/12261) with vertical cuts on the body, and only one fragment of a baking tray (no. 151) in A4 fabric. Only one flask in B3 fabric (A07/2.1/208/12256) was found in unit 208, while there was no evidence of jars and kegs. The ceramics found in the collapse, floor deposit, and the double bin are dated to the second half of the fourth century and thus belong to the last phase of use of the room. Of particular interest is the double bin, which is a later addition to the room (Figure 15).10 It seems to have been used as small closets for containers related to the service and consumption of food in the room, as is suggested by the presence of a considerable number of bowls, some of them complete (A07/2.1/209/11735, Figure 7b), jugs, kraters, pots, and lids. The bin F174 had numerous fragments of egg shells and ash within it. On the floor of the room, next to the double bin, a large (diam. 76 cm; thick 6 cm) and almost complete handmade unfired clay disc was found (A07/2.1/216/11764, Figure 14), characterized by four blackened circular depressions on its upper part and surrounded by a lens of ash.11 This object could probably have been used for heating up the food; unfortunately, no parallels have been found so far. Also, the presence of the two vertical supports on the upper face of the disc and of the central hole could have been used respectively as a stand for the cooking vessels and for housing the embers.

4.10. Room 14 (Table 13; Plate XXII) Room 14 is the southernmost of the series of rooms on the west side of House B1. It was one of the spaces of the house used for banqueting, together with Rooms 1 and 11, as the rich decoration on its walls suggests. The room was not excavated in its entirety, because of the presence of a huge collapse of the vault (DSUs 184, 194, and 211) inside it (Figure 16). The collapse in the southern part of the room (DSU 211) was only partially excavated, but yielded 22.5 kilograms of potsherds. Altough most of the potsherds found in the unit are chinking sherds from the collapse and datable to the second to third centuries CE (nos. 3–6, 15–16, 29–30, 94–95, 114, 117, 119–120, 126, 159), there is also a small concentration of diagnostic sherds (28 MNI) that can be ascribed to the fourth century CE (Table 13). They are small bowls (nos. 8–9, 24–26, 35), basins (nos. 97–98), cooking vessels (nos. 135–137, 141–142, 150, 160), and two jar rims (no. 192). The first floor of the room (F162) was covered by a layer of dust and debris (DSU 221). The pottery found in this unit (Table 13) consists of small convex bowls (nos. 8, 22, 25–27), some of which are decorated with red tick marks on the inner side of the rim, and three almost complete necks with filter of handled flagons, in A5 and B10 fabrics (nos. 73, 76). The cooking vessel category is represented by three pots (nos. 135–136, 142), very fragmentary lids (nos. 160, 163) in A11 fabric, four fragmentary bread trays (nos. 150–151), made of A4 fabric, and three kegs (no. 200). The unit, clearly dated to the fourth century CE, contained also some potsherds that predate the occupation phase of the house (nos. 10, 12–13, 15–16, 94–95, 126, 159, 198), char10. See Davoli, Amheida VI, Chapter 3 (forthcoming). 11. This object is under study by Marina M. S. Nuovo, Amheida VII.

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acteristic of the second–third century CE, definitely to be considered as chinking sherds, intrusions from the above collapse DSU 211. Remarkably, there are two almost complete miniature vessels (Plate XXII: A07/2.1/221/11730 and A07/2.1/221/11731) dated to the late third or early fourth century CE. The most important unit in the room is DSU 233, which was rich in significant potsherds and objects, such as gaming pieces, mud stoppers with sealings, ostraca, and coins. This unit was located between the two floors (F162 and F200) of the room. In this assemblage (32 MNI, Table 13) the best attested category is that of transport containers (Plate XXII), with five rims (A07/2.1/233/12044, A07/2.1/233/12045, A07/2.1/233/12046, A07/2.1/233/11910) and two toes (A07/2.1/233/12051 and A07/2.1/233/12052) of Egyptian LRA 7; three flasks (nos. 207, 208) and one complete small lid in B3 fabric (A07/2.1/233/12053); and an almost complete rim and neck of a bottle from the Bahariya oasis (A07/2.1/233/12047, Figure 9f).12 A few rims of small footed bowls (no. 2), jars (A07/2.1/233/12049 and no. 192), cooking vessels (A07/2.1/233/12048), kraters (no. 85), and two fragments of a baking tray (no. 151) were also counted. Notably, the amphora A07/2.1/233/11910 had a complete rim with the mud stopper still in place, under which was a toe reused as a lid. The shapes, fabrics, and wares encountered in the assemblage of the room all point clearly to a fourth-century date.13 Although contaminated by the collapse, DSU 221 had ceramic material dated to the last phase of the house, especially bowls and lids. The richest unit of the room, and certainly in phase with the occupation of house, however, seems to be DSU 233, within which there was a significant presence of fragmentary LRA 7 amphorae and wine flasks, ostraca, and coins. This layer is located between the two floors of the room (F162 and F200), the later of which (F162) appears to have been severely damaged, if not pulverized, by the collapse. The presence of these late materials in DSU 233 may be due to contamination with DSU 221.

4.11. Room 15 (Table 14; Plates XXIII–XXVII) Room 15 is on the northwestern side of House B1 and originally part of the school B5,14 which was added to the house when the school fell out of use. The room was turned into a pantry to store food and liquids.15 The room was filled to a depth of about 2 m with windblown sand (DSUs 121+140), and most of the potsherds found (14 MNI, Table 14) come from the very bottom of DSU 140 (Plate XXIII). They are mainly cooking and utility vessels, such as pots (A06/2.1/140/10194 and nos. 128, 134), made of A1a/b and A11 fabrics, and basins (nos. 97–98). Tableware is represented 12. Qaret el-Toub (Bahariya oasis), mid-5th to 6th century CE (Marchand 2012: 146, 158, Fig. 8.22 a–b). 13. The certainty of the date stems from regnal years of 19 documentary ostraca (Bagnall and Ruffini 2012; Ast and Bagnall 2016) and 38 coins (the coins are being prepared for publication by David M. Ratzan), found within the unit together with many other interesting objects. For a detailed quantification of the objects in the unit see Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming). 14. On its east wall Greek pedagogical verses have been found. For the edition of the texts, see: Cribiore, Davoli, and Ratzan 2008: 170–91; Davoli and Cribiore 2010: 84–7. 15. See Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming). A preliminary study of the pottery from this room was made by A. Achi in 2009.

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by 4 rims of convex bowls (no. 25) and kraters (A06/2.1/140/10195 and nos. 85, 86), made of A1a fabric. Only one almost complete flask in B3 fabric has been found (A06/2.1/140/10281). These fragments can be considered as part of the collapse (DSUs 145 and 152) located immediately below the sand 140, and the joining of some potsherds found in all these deposits is good evidence. The collapse of the flat roof or the suspended wooden floor F149 (DSUs 145 and 152) and the deposits (DSUs 157+181) located directly above the compacted mud floor of the room (F128) are the most productive units of the room and yielded complete or almost complete ceramic vessels (Figure 17). The ceramic assemblage (101 MNI, Table 14) from DSUs 145+152 (Plates XXIII, XXIV, XXV) consists of small- and medium-sized bowls (A06/2.1/145/10224, A06/2.1/152/10220+ A06/2.1/157/10187, and nos. 24–27, 47) made of A1a and A27 fabrics, a considerable quantity of basins (A06/2.1/145/10225, A06/2.1/145/10254) and kraters, most of which have decorated rims (A06/2.1/145/10283, A06/2.1/152/10221), made in A1a and A1b fabrics. One of the kraters (A06/2.1/152/10346) is almost complete and has a complex decoration painted on the inner side of the rim. Additionally, a few jugs (A06/2.1/145/10311) and seven fragmentary handled costrels with simple rims and filters were found (A06/2.1/145/10229, A06/2.1/145/10290, and A06/2.1/152/10275). They are made of A5 and B10 fabrics, with light cream slipped surfaces. The category of cooking vessels (21 MNI) is also well attested by thin-walled pots (nos. 127, 130–132, 142, 145–147), casseroles (nos. 110–111), lids (nos. 160–161, 163), and one funnel (A06/2.1/145/10273+ A06/2.1/152/10175), made of A1a/b and A11 fabrics. The storage and transport categories are represented by jars (A06/2.1/145/10255 and no. 192), kegs (A06/2.1/152/10181), six flasks with yellow slipped surfaces (A06/2.1/145/10282, A06/2.1/145/10286, A06/2.1/145/10289 and no. 205), and a globular small jar (A06/2.1/145/10287), the body of which is decorated with spiral motifs and has traces of black resin inside. All are made of B3 fabrics. Notable are two items of amphora LRA 7 (A06/2.1/152/10180 and 225) in A3b fabric and one base of a sāqiya pot (A06/2.1/152/10219). Finally, one rim of a miniature vessel (A06/2.1/145/10312) was found in DSU 145. Below DSUs 145+152 there was a thick layer of dust, rich in potsherds intermixed with bricks (DSUs 157+181), lying directly on the floor of the room (F128). The ceramic fragments come mainly from DSU 157 (Plate XXVI), and some of them join with, or complete, vessels found in DSUs 145 and 152. For the most part, the types and fabrics found within unit 157 are the same as those encountered in the units described above, including tableware (A06/2.1/157/10189, A06/2.1/157/30148, A06/2.1/157/10280, A06/2.1/157/10294, A06/2.1/157/10285, A06/2.1/157/10291 and A06/2.1/157/10309), cooking ware (A06/2.1/ 157/10293, A06/2.1/157/10184, A06/2.1/157/10185 and nos. 96, 134, 145–147, 160, 163), and transport and storage containers (A06/2.1/157/10190, A06/2.1/157/10183, A06/2.1/157/10197 and nos. 192, 203, 208), all attested in considerable number. Two complete footed bowls (A06/2.1/157/10198, Plate XXVI and A06/2.1/157/11938, Figure 6h); one small dish (A06/2.1/157/10186) with a decorated rim, reused as lid for cooking; the base of a sāqiya pot (A06/2.1/157/10188); and one rim (A06/2.1/157/10380) and two bases of LRA 7 amphorae were also discovered. Noteworthy in this assemblage were 12 small, circular lids

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and three gypsum stoppers for jars, as well as ostraca and coins. Also, one animal-shaped spout (A06/2.1/157/10301, Plate XIII), identified as a camel and similar to another example found in unit 145 (A06/2.1/145/10302, Plate XIII), was found. DSU 181 (Plate XXVII) contained only a few diagnostic fragments (4 MNI). They include two cooking pots (A06/2.1/181/10178 and A06/2.1/181/10179), one rim of jar (no. 192), and one complete globular base of a jar or pot (A06/2.1/181/30153). All of them are made of A1 a/b fabrics and can be dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. The ceramic sherds found in the floor F128 (27 MNI in total) are mainly cooking pots (nos. 112, 114–115, 116–117) and lids (nos. 159). Less common are the fragments belonging to the categories of table, utility and storage wares (Plate XXXVI: A07/2.1/F128/12225 and nos. 13, 18, 168–170). Most of these vessels can be assigned to a period between the second and early fourth centuries CE, but the presence of some types, such as three modelled rims of basins (Plate XXXVI: A07/2.1/F128/12224), pushes the range back as far as the Ptolemaic–Early Roman period (first century BCE). These materials appear to be a contamination from the unit immediately under the floor (DSU 261), which in turn contained the same types of vases (see the description of the trench in Room 15, chapter 5). This room in House B1 returned the most complete vessels found during the excavation, some of which are unique items, like the decorated krater (no. 86). Their analysis has been helpful for identifying the sort of furnishings used in the house during the last phase of its inhabitation. The assemblage from this room displays a set of all the types recurrent in the floor deposits, confirming the hypothesis that this was the storage room of the house. The analysis of the pottery found in Room 15 showed that while table and cooking wares appear to be most numerous in the units corresponding to the collapse DSUs 145 and 152, the liquid containers such as the storage jars and the amphorae are much more widespread within the layer on the floor (DSU 157).

4.12. Rooms 16 and 17 (Table 15; Plate XXVIII) Rooms 16 and 17 form an L-shaped corridor that connects the central core of the house with Room 15. Below the clean wind-blown sand filling Room 16 (DSU 120) was a layer of melted mud brick debris (DSU 150), corresponding to the collapse of the flat roof covering the room itself. It also partially covered the first steps (F97) leading to Room 15 and Room 17. Few ceramics were found in DSU 150 (10 MNI, Table 15): bowls reused as casseroles (nos. 35–36) with decorated rims and heavily blackened exterior surfaces, basins (nos. 96–97), one rim fragment of keg (no. 200), one rim of flask in B3 (no. 208), and one rim of LRA 7 (A06/2.1/150/10263). The most significant pottery assemblage was collected in a layer of sand and dust (DSUs 158+161) located between the collapse and the floor of the room (F130). Those units together yielded 25 MNI (Table 15), in which there were mainly small bowls (A06/2.1/158/10200, A06/2.1/158/10201, A06/2.1/161/10209, A06/2.1/161/10210), made of A1a/b, A11, and A27 fabrics, and very fragmentary jugs (no. 73), made of B10 and A5 fabrics. The cooking vessels are

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127

represented by a few pots (A06/2.1/158/10202, A06/2.1/161/10204 and nos. 130–131, 133) and casseroles (nos. 110–111), mainly bowls reused for preparing food (A06/2.1/161/10205), deep bowls (A06/2.1/161/10211), and one fragment of bread mold (A06/2.1/158/10203). The categories of storage and transport containers are very poorly represented: one rim of a flask (A06/2.1/161/10214), one rim of an LRA 7 amphora (no. 218), one rim of a keg (no. 202), and one rim of a jar (no. 191). The quantity and typology of ceramics found in this passageway seems to be related to the daily activities of the house. All the types are dated to the final occupation phase of the house.

4.13. Street 2 (Table 16; Plate XXIX) Street 2 was most likely used for some part of its life as a private passageway instead of as a public street, given the presence of gates and a private dining couch shaped like a “sigma” (stibadium, Figure 18) in part of it.16 S2 has been excavated only in the stretch along the east side of B1. The entire space was covered by wind-blown sand (DSU 342), below which there was a wide layer of mud brick debris in its northern part (DSUs 348=343=344=110). The pottery collected from these units (Table 16; Plate XXIX) consists mainly of storage jars (nos. 173–174, 190–192), cooking pots (A09/2.1/348/30098 and nos. 128–133, 136–137, 141, 145) made of A1a and A11 fabrics, basins (no. 96), and medium bowls (nos. 24–26, 41). There are fewer jugs (no. 73), mainly made of B10 fabric, flasks (no. 205) in B3 fabric, and kegs (nos. 200–201). The units contained also one lid in A27 fabric (A09/2.1/342/30003) and a few body sherds of LRA 7. In the south end of the excavated portion of the street, there was a layer of dumped mud bricks (DSU 361) which covered the last floor in use (F313) and was separated from another floor (F314) by a loamy sand layer (DSU 350) with what appears to be dumped material. DSU 350 yielded almost 20 kg of potsherds (Table 16), in which, however, were only 46 diagnostic fragments. The cooking vessels (nos. 141–142, 145, 160, 162–163), made of both A1b and A11 fabrics, and the storage jars (nos. 173–174, 192) are the best attested categories, together with handled costrels (nos. 73, 77–78), bowls (nos. 1, 24, 34–35), kraters (no. 85), and basins (no. 97). Remarkable is the presence of four bases of sāqiya pots (no. 229), two bases of LRA 7 amphorae (no. 226), and one foot-ring base of a flask in B3 fabric (no. 209). Floor F314 sealed the remains of the banquet couch (stibadium), which had been demolished down to its base, and the waste accumulated during the lifetime of the banquet hall (DSU 364). The diagnostic fragments coming from DSU 364 (Table 16) are mainly bowls, jugs, jars, and basins, along with smaller numbers of fragments belonging to other types such as kraters, cooking pots, and lids. Most of the shapes and fabrics date to the fourth century CE (nos. 1–3, 24–26, 135–136, 156, 162, 192, 206), but there are also several vessels representing earlier characteristic Roman types (nos. 4, 12–13, 18–20, 30, 114–116, 119, 168–169). Remarkable is the presence among the potsherds of a very eroded rim with handle attachment identified as a Roman Egyptian Amphora 3, made of A3b fabric.17 16. For a preliminary description of the “sigma” structure in Street 2, see Davoli 2015: 89–90. 17. The fragment has not been drawn because of its poor preservation. The rim shape looks very close to the amphorae found in the Eastern Desert (Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphyrites) and dated to the first–second century CE; see Tomber 2007: 529, Fig. 2 (4).

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The House of Serenos: The Pottery

The mud floor built with the stibadium (F324=DSU 371) contained 53 MNI (Table 16), most of which are bowls (nos. 24–26, 41) and jars (nos. 167, 189–191), with smaller numbers of cooking pots (nos. 133, 137, 146–147), basins (no. 95), and kraters (no. 84). All the types are dated between the late third and the middle of the fourth century CE. However, there are also some types datable to the early Roman period, mainly cooking pots (nos. 114, 118, 119). The last mud floor located below the dining couch (F326 = F308 in the north of S2) was very well preserved by the filling of the feature (DSU 366). Inside unit 366 fragments and fabrics from types dated to the second half of the fourth century CE (Table 16), mainly from bowls, cooking vessels, basins, and jars (nos. 24–25, 95, 135–137, 145–147, 156, 192), mixed with a substantial presence of potsherds that are characteristic of the second to third centuries CE have been identified (nos. 1, 4–5, 12–13, 20–21, 31–32, 40–41, 74, 77, 81–82, 87–88, 90–93, 114–115, 118, 165–166, 186–187, 198). Also, one base and body sherds of amphora AE 3 have been recognized. Some 113 diagnostic fragments were scattered on floor F326. They belong to basins (nos. 90–92), cooking vessels (nos. 109, 113, 115–116), jars (nos. 186–187, 190), bowls (nos. 4–5, 12–13, 19), and one fragment of a bread tray (no. 150). All these types are dated at the latest to the early fourth century CE. In the northern part of the street the foundation trench of B1 (F317) cut the foundation rubble (DSU 351) below floor F308. The pottery collected from the rubble unit DSU 351 (130 MNI, Table 16) is dated by shapes and wares to between the early Roman period and the first half of the fourth century CE. They are mainly bowls (nos. 1, 12–13, 15–16, 20), cooking vessels (nos. 114–117, 119, 159), and storage jars (nos. 169, 176, 187, 190). Less frequent are the jugs (no. 75), basins (nos. 89–90), and kraters (no. 80). Most of them are made of A1 a/b fabrics. The layer also contained some body sherds belonging to a Rhodian container and 1 handle of amphora AE 3. The ceramic material considered together with the stratigraphy (Figure 19) and the ostraca found in S2 show a fairly linear chronological succession. The oldest floor, F326, located above the dump layers used as foundation yard, has ceramics datable no later than the second quarter of the fourth century CE, which thus coincides with the construction or first phase of use of B1. During the use of this floor, the door of R6 (F322) onto S2 was open. Floors F326 (S2) and F165 (R6) have provided contemporary ceramic materials. The construction of floor F324 and of the stibadium led to the closure of the door into R6 from the street, which, according to the ceramic materials, seems to have taken place in the second half of the fourth century. The filling of the stibadium (DSU 366) and the layer of usage (DSU 364) suggest a relatively short period of life for this structure, corresponding roughly to some part of the third quarter of the fourth century. DSU 350, located on F314, the floor that seals units 364 and 366, contains the first fragments of amphorae LRA 7 and of ORSW attested in the stratigraphy of S2. These kinds of vessels are present and recurrent only in the floor deposits of the house and thus are contemporaneous to its final phase. The house thus survived for some time the destruction of the stibadium, as is also testified by the last renovation of the floor in S2 (F313).

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

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4.14. Street 3 (Table 17; Plate XXIX) Street 3 runs north–south along the west side of B1, serving three houses. It was partitioned into two parts by the construction of a door, of which only the threshold and the collapsed jambs have been found. The alley has been excavated from the north corner of R13 in B1 toward its dead-end to the south. The upper layers of sand (DSUs 380 and 381) covered a series of post-abandonment wall collapses in different parts of the street (DSUs 89=228, 384, 385; 386; 388, 389=392, 390). DSU 380 contained around 54 diagnostic fragments (Table 17). Most of them belong to storage jars (nos. 173–174, 190–192), cooking pots (nos. 130–132, 145, 110), and basins (nos. 97–98). Some rims of bowls (nos. 2, 22–23, 48), dishes (no. 53), kraters (nos. 84–85), and vessels for liquids (nos. 61, 73, 75, 79) have been also recognized. There were also two bases of sāqiya pots, a few rims of kegs (nos. 200–201), and several body sherds of flasks and bowls in B3 fabric. Remarkably, there was a very eroded base of an open form in African Red Slip Ware, but its state of preservation hindered the identification of its typology. DSU 381 provided only 13 diagnostic sherds (Table 17). Four of these vessels are storage jars (nos. 189–191), kegs (no. 200), one basin (no. 97), two bowls (nos. 23, 41), and one cooking pot (no. 137). Notably there was one toe of an LRA 7 amphora (no. 225). All the types are dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. Among the stratigraphic units which form the wall collapses in S3, only DSUs 386 and 388 yielded relevant diagnostic sherds. Unit 386 (collapse of the partition door) had 33 MNI (Table 17), of which 13 are bowls (nos. 23–25), made of A1a and B3. Additionally, two casseroles (nos. 110–111) and one pot (no. 147) made of A11 fabric, 10 storage jars (nos. 190–191), 3 jugs (nos. 73, 75) made of B10 and A5 fabrics, and some rim fragments of basins (nos. 97–98) and kraters (no. 85) in A1a/b fabrics, were counted. The unit had also one decorated body sherd belonging to a flask in B3 fabric (no. 208) and one base of sāqiya pot made of A1a fabric. DSU 388 (collapse of the west wall F340) produced 8.46 kilograms of ceramics and a total of 15 MNI. The diagnostic types encountered include rim fragments from kraters (no. 84), jugs (no. 73), kegs (no. 201), and jars (nos. 191–192). Only one bowl in A27 fabric (no. 52) is attested in the unit. The pottery collected from these units is dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. The collapse units mentioned above covered a compacted sand layer (DSUs 387=391) located just on top of the last floor of the street (F347), separated from an older floor (F349) by a thin layer of dust (DSU 393). DSU 387 contained 76 MNI (Table 17), mostly bowls (nos. 22–23, 26, 49, 110) made of A1a, B3, A11, and A27 fabrics. One of the bowls (Plate XXIX: A10/2.1/387/30146), made of B3 fabric, is almost complete and has a decoration on its inner surface consisting of swirling red-purple pattern on yellow ocher color. The storage vessels (nos. 173–174, 203, 208) and the cooking wares (nos. 136–137, 142, 145, 157, 162–163), some of which are made of A11 fabric, are also well attested. A few rim fragments belong to basins (nos. 97–98), kraters (nos. 84–86), and handled costrels (no. 73), made of A1a/b and B10 fabrics. Among the analyzed materials three very fragmentary bases of sāqiya pots, one rim of a miniature vessel, and a considerable quantity of body sherds coming from LRA 7 amphorae stand out. All the pottery present in this unit can be assigned to the later fourth century CE.

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Among the materials scattered directly on the floor (F347) around 6.29 kilograms of pottery were quantified, but only 40 sherds were diagnostic (Table 17). They belong to the unit 387 just described and can be assigned to the same period. Most of the types recognized are bowls, storage jars, and basins, with fewer fragments from jugs and cooking vessels (nos. 25–26, 77, 97–98, 137, 191). To the Roman period (second–third century CE) belong most of the vessels and fabrics found between F347 and the older floor F349 (DSU 393); only two basin rims (nos. 93–94) date back to early Roman times (first century BCE–first century CE). The types identified are very fragmentary and are mostly bowls (nos. 2–3, 12–13, 15–16, 20–21, 39), jars (nos. 168–170, 176), and cooking pots (nos. 114, 117–118), predominantly made of A1a/b, A5, and B10 fabrics. One fragment of a bread tray has been found (no. 150), made of A4 fabric (Table 17).

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

131

Table 3. Room 1

Shapes/Fabrics

Locus 4

Locus 52

Bowls (A1a, A27, B10)

12

3

Kraters (A1a)

1

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

6

Casseroles (A1a)

2

Lids (A1a)

1

Baking Trays (A4)

2

Basins (A1a, A1b)

2

Kegs (A1b)

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

16

LRA 7 (A3b)

1

Miniature Vessels (A28)

1

Total (MNI)

45

1

1

5

Table 3. Functional Categories—Room 1 40 36% 35

32%

30 24%

25 20 15 10 4%

5

2%

2%

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

132

The House of Serenos: The Pottery Table 4. Room 2

Shapes/Fabrics

Locus 13

Kraters (A1a)

1

Cooking Pots (A11)

1

Lids (A11)

1

Storage Jars (A28)

1

Total (MNI)

4

Table 4. Functional Categories—Room 2 50%

50 45 40 35 30 25

25%

25%

20 15 10 5 0%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

0%

0%

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

133

Table 5. Room 4

Shapes/Fabrics

Locus 9+10

Locus 23+19

3

17

Bowls (A1a, B10, A27) Dishes (A27)

1

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

1

2

Kraters (A1a)

2

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

12

6

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

3

Lids (A1a, A27, A11)

5

Baking Trays (A4)

1

5

Basins (A1a, A1b)

3

Flasks (B3)

1

Kegs (A1a)

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

5

Pithoi (A4)

1

1

LRA 7 (A3b)

1

Total (MNI)

30

41

Table 5. Functional Categories—Room 4 50

47.3%

45 40 35

35.1%

30 25 20 15

12.2%

10 4.1%

5

1.4%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

0% Miscellaneous

134

The House of Serenos: The Pottery Table 6. Room 6

Shapes/Fabrics

DSUs 67+75

DSUs 58=71, 76

Bowls (A1a, A1b, A27)

21

8

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

3

2

Kraters (A1a)

1

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

20

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

8

Lids (A1a, A11)

5

Baking Trays (A4)

2

Basins (A1a, A1b)

10

Sieves (A1a)

1

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

9

Flasks (B3)

1

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

9

4

LRA 7 (A3b)

1

1

Total (MNI)

91

21

3

2

Table 6. Functional Categories—Room 6 35

33.9%

31.3%

30 25

21.4%

20 15

11.6%

10 5

1.8%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

0% Miscellaneous

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

135

Table 7. Room 8

Shapes/Fabrics

DSU 63

DSUs 74+77

Bowls (A1a, A27)

29

27

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

1

1

Kraters (A1a, A1b)

2

Cooking Pots (A1a, A11)

4

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

4

Lids (A1a, A11)

6

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

7

3

49

36

Flasks (B3)

1

Total (MNI)

Table 7. Functional Categories—Room 8 70

70.6%

65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20

16.5%

15

12.9%

10 5 0%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

0% Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

0% Miscellaneous

136

The House of Serenos: The Pottery Table 8. Room 9

DSUs 68, 104=107, 147=230,

Shapes/Fabrics

116, 123, 146, 192, 195, 234

Bowls (A1a, A1b, B3)

147

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

5

Kraters (A1/2a)

10

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

46

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

7

Lids (A1a, A11)

16

Bread Molds (A4)

1

Basins (A1a, A1b)

10

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

4

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

61

LRA 7 (A3b)

4

AE4 (Mariout)

1

Miniature Vessels (A1a, A28)

2

Total (MNI)

314

Table 8. Functional Categories—Room 9 55

51.6%

50 45 40 35 30 25

22.3%

20.7%

20 15 10 3.2%

5

1.6%

0.6%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

137

Table 9. Room 10

Shapes/Fabrics

DSUs 113+115, 119=249, 135, 220; F106

Bowls (A1a)

32

Dishes (A1a)

1

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

5

Kraters (A1/2a)

5

Cooking Pots (A1a, A11)

24

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

2

Lids (A1a, A11)

5

Basins (A1a, A1/2b)

1

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

3

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

19

Total (MNI)

97

Table 9. Functional Categories—Room 10 50 45

44.3%

40 35

32%

30 25

22.7%

20 15 10 5

1%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

0%

0%

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

138

The House of Serenos: The Pottery Table 10. Room 11

Shapes/Fabrics

DSU 235

DSU 260

Bowls (A1a, A27)

56

1

Dishes (A1a)

1

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

5

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b)

40

Bread Molds (A4)

3

Baking Trays (A4)

1

Lids (A1a)

2

Basins (A1a)

1

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

14

1

Sāqiya-Pots (A1a)

1

Total (MNI)

124

3

Table 10. Functional Categories—Room 11 50

49.6%

45 40

36.2%

35 30 25 20 15

11.8%

10 5

1.6%

0%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

0.8% Miscellaneous

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

139

Table 11. Room 12

Shapes/Fabrics

DSU 245

Bowls (A1a)

22

Dishes (A1a)

1

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

9

Bottle (A3b)

1

Kraters (A1a, A1b)

3

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

15

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

3

Lids (A1a, A27, B3)

9

Bread Molds (A4)

1

Baking Trays (A4)

2

Basins (A1a)

2

Kegs (A1a)

4

Flasks (B3)

2

Storage Jars (A1a, A1/2b)

3

LRA 7 (A3b)

3

Total (MNI)

80

DSU 247

1

1

Table 11. Functional Categories—Room 12 50 45

44.4%

40

38.3%

35 30 25 20 15 11.1% 10 5

3.7%

2.5%

0%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

140

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Table 12. Room 13 Shapes/Fabrics

DSU 207

DSU 208

DSU 209

DSU 216

FSU 150

Bowls (A1a, A27)

13

19

2

30

5

Jugs/Strainers (A1a, A5, B10)

12

9

4

10

1

1

6

4

1

4

5

Kraters (A1a, A1b) Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

15

3

Casseroles (A11)

4

4

Lids (A1a, A11, B10)

19

5

Bread Molds (A4)

1

Baking Trays (A4)

1

Basins (A1b)

3

1 9

1

1 2

Sieves (A1a)

1 1

Flasks (B3)

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

9

LRA 7 (A3b)

1

Mortar (A27)

1

Total (MNI)

79

44

1

18

60

9

Table 12. Functional Categories—Room 13 60 55.7% 55 50 45 40 34.8%

35 30 25 20 15 10

5.2%

3.3%

5

0.5%

0.5%

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

141

Table 13. Room 14 Shapes/Fabrics Bowls (A1a, B3)

DSU 211

DSU 221

DSU 233

10

17

9

3

1

Jugs/Strainers (A5) Kraters (A1b)

1

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

2

3

1

Casseroles (A1a, A1b, A11)

3

Lids (A1a, B10, B3)

9

14

5

Baking Trays (A4)

1

4

2

Basins (A1a, A1b)

4

2

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

3

Flasks (B3)

3

Bottle (Bahariya)

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

2

1

LRA 7 (A3b)

5

Total (MNI)

28

46

32

Table 13. Functional Categories—Room 14 50 45 40

41.5% 38.7%

35 30 25 20 15 9.4%

10

5.7%

4.7%

5

0%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

142

The House of Serenos: The Pottery Table 14. Room 15 Shapes/Fabrics

DSUs 121+140

DSUs 145+152

DSUs 157+181

4

29

15

Bowls (A1a, A27, B10) Dishes (A1a)

1

Jugs/Strainers (A1a, A2b, A5, B10)

7

8

Kraters (A1/2a)

3

9

2

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

3

14

11

Casseroles (A1a, A1b, B3)

1

6

2

1

2

2

15

1

Lids (A1a, A11) Basins (A1/2a, A1b) Funnels (A1a, A1b)

1

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

2

Flasks (B3)

1

1

6

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

7

15

LRA 7 (A3b)

2

2

Sāqiya-Pots (A1b)

1

1

Miniature Vessels (A1a)

1

Total (MNI)

14

101

62

Table 14. Functional Categories—Room 15 50 45

44.3%

40 35 30 25

22.7% 18.2%

20 15

10.8%

10 5

2.3%

1.7%

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

143

Table 15. Rooms 16 and 17

Shapes/Fabrics

DSUs 150

DSUs 158+161

Bowls (A1a, A1b, A11, A27)

10

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

2

Cooking Pots (A1a, A2b)

3

2

Casseroles (A1a, A11)

6

Lids (A1a, A11)

1

Bread Molds (A4)

1

Basins (A1a, A1b)

3

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

1

1

Flasks (B3)

1

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

1

LRA 7 (A3b)

1

1

Total (MNI)

10

25

Table 15. Functional Categories—Rooms 16 and 17 50 45 40 35

37.1% 34.3%

30 25 20 14.3%

15 10

8.6%

5.7%

5 0%

0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

6 2 1

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

Casseroles (A1a, A11, B3)

Lids (A1a, A27, B3)

2

Flasks (B3)

46

2

Total (MNI)

49

-

6

4 188

-

11

1

2

4

12

6

1

5

3

193

1

83

2

10

1

5

2

3

86

148

1

1

59

1

1

7

6

6

2

64

53

23

1

2

2

1

3

2

1

17

164

1

64

5

22

6

18

7

2

39

113

31

8

7

1

33

2

31

130

1

28

4

10

4

41

4

3

35

DSU 350 FSU 314 DSU 364 DSU 371 DSU 366 FSU 326 DSU 351

Sāqiya-Pots (A1b)

Egyptian Amphora 3 (A3b)

LRA 7 (A3b)

146

4

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

1

20

Basins (A1a, A1b) 1

1

1

Baking Trays (A4)

Bread Mold (A4)

1 13

3 1

17

343=344

DSUs 348=

Kraters (A1a)

6

DSU 342

Jugs/Strainers (A5, B10)

Bowls (A1a, B3)

Shapes/Fabrics

Table 16. Street 2

144 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Functional Classification and Shapes in Area 2.1

145

Table 17. Street 3

Shapes/Fabrics

DSU 380 DSU 381 DSU 386 DSU 388 DSU 387 FSU 347

Bowls (A1a, A27, B3)

3

2

13

Dishes (A27)

1

1

3

Open Form (ARSW)

1

Jugs/Strainers (A1a, A5, B10)

4

Kraters (A1a)

4

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11)

15

1 1

Casseroles (A11)

3

23

13

2

2

2

3

3

15

15

2

3

2

2

4

7

Bread Trays (A4)

1

Basins (A1a)

10

Sieves (A1a)

1

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

2

Flasks (B3)

1

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b)

11

LRA 7 (A3b)

1

2

4 4

188

5

2

2

10

14

14

-

-

3

3

1

1

193

148

1 49

1

5

1 2

1

1

Miniature Vessels Total (MNI)

25

2

Lids (A1a)

Sāqiya-Pots (A1b)

FSU 349

46

7

2

12

5

53

164

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

148

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

149

150

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

151

152

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

153

154

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

155

156

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

157

158

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

159

160

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

161

162

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Selected Contexts Above Floors

163

5 Pottery Before B1 Dumped Material in Area 2.1 The house of Serenos (B1), the school (B5), and the two parallel streets (S2 and S3) that flanked the buildings in Area 2.1 were built on the razed ruins of a Roman public bath filled with dumped materials. Between 2004 and 2010, a series of test trenches were cut into the floors of some of the rooms of B1, as well as S2 and S3, in order to investigate the earlier phase in this area. Despite the mixed nature of this material, the layers were dug following a strict stratigraphic method, which has allowed us to understand the nature of the deposit and analyze the finds, including texts, objects, and ceramics, more precisely.1 The composition of the layers and the study of the archaeological remains suggest that the fill was likely collected from one or more dumps elsewhere, carried to Area 2.1, and intentionally spread out in horizontal layers in preparation for the construction of the buildings. The levelled dump consisted mainly of building debris, large amounts of ash from the bath complex, and household waste. A considerable number of Greek ostraca have been found in these deposits, dated to ca. 275–350 CE, thus pre-dating the fourth-century construction phase of the district. A huge quantity of very broken vessels (1,673.71 kg), almost exclusively of local production, has been collected from the different units. The nature of the context inevitably leads to a strong heterogeneity in the type-groups and to a wide range of dating, ranging from the third century BCE to the beginning of the fourth century CE. However, it has to be said that some specific forms recur in a more or less regular manner in all the layers, as I will illustrate in the following paragraphs. Most of these types have been dated, through comparisons with similar materials from other sites in the oasis, to between the second and the early fourth centuries CE.

5.1. Trench in Room 1 (Plate XXX) In 2006, a test trench (2 x 2 meters) was cut in the southeast corner of Room 1. The ceramics found in the trench come from five layers (DSUs 164+166, 169+171, and 172) of dumped 1. Ast and Davoli 2016: 1447–71, especially 1452.

165

166

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

materials levelled below the floor (F43). Most of the pottery in all these units appears to date between the second and the late third centuries CE; however, some types with characteristics typical of the fourth century CE are also attested (nos. 24–26, 36, 128, 173, 189, 192). The rubble just below the floor (DSUs 164+166) yielded 5.26 kilograms of potsherds, of which only 30 fragments were diagnostic. The types belong to table, cooking, and storage wares, such as bowls (nos. 2, 11, 13, 16, 21), jars (nos. 168–169), cooking pots (no. 117), and one fragment of bread mold (no. 149). All of them are made of A1 a/b and A4 fabrics. Fewer than a dozen diagnostic fragments come from the DSUs 169+171 (10 MNI) and 172 (4 MNI). The vessels are of the same types described for the units above, to which can be added a small bowl with flaring rim (A06/2.1/169/10232), one rim of cooking pot (A06/2.1/169/10231) and one rim of handled keg (A06/2.1/171/10300), all dated to before the fourth century CE (Plate XXX).

5.2. Trench in Room 2 (Plate XXX) A test trench (1.8 x 1.8 meters) was opened in the southwest corner of Room 2 in 2004. Immediately below the floor (F33), another floor surface was found, very poorly preserved, but covered by a thin layer of white gypsum. The dumped materials levelled before the construction of House B1 correspond to DSUs 34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 44, and 47. In the northeast corner of the trench the dumped layers were cut by a pit, filled with sand mixed with ash and potsherds (DSU 49). All the units contain the same types of vessels (Plate XXX), mainly belonging to the domestic sphere (219 MNI). They are cooking vessels (A04/2.1/41/9855, A04/2.1/49/507, A04/2.1/49/1349, and nos. 112–114, 116–119, 159) and storage jars (A04/2.1/41/9854, A04/2.1/49/1355 and nos. 168–170, 179, 181, 190), as well as table wares (A04/2.1/49/1366, A04/2.1/49/505+532, A04/2.1/41/1534, A04/2.1/41/9853 and nos. 2–3, 12, 19, 33). At least 13 rims of basins have been identified (A04/2.1/41/9856 and nos. 90–92). All them are made of A1a/b fabrics. In general, the potsherds encountered in these units can be dated to between the first century BCE and the early fourth century CE. Remarkable is the presence in DSUs 34, 41, and 49 of some types characteristic of the fourth century CE assemblages (A04/2.1/49/506+536, A04/2.1/49/1325, and nos. 24, 36, 49, 52, 73, 137, 173, 192).2 Unit 34 also contained a fragmentary small table amphora or flask in Nile clay, A3b fabric (A04/2.1/34/9857), and the rim of another high-necked closed form (A04/2.1/34/9858), made of A1b fabic.

5.3. Trench in Room 4 (Plate XXXI) In 2004 two trenches were opened in the last occupation floor (F144) of Room 4. A sequence (L35) of floors and deposits (F145 and DSUs 29, 35, and 214) has been recognized. In 2007 the whole series of DSUs has been excavated down to the gebel.3 2. Similar types are still attested at El-Ashmunein in contexts dated to the 6th–7th century CE, see Bailey 1998: 48–9, Pl. 26 and 59–60, Pl. 37. 3. For a detailed description of this complex stratigraphy see Davoli, Amheida VI, Chapter 4 (forthcoming).

Pottery before B1

167

Most of the types (91 MNI in total) identified in the stratigraphy below the occupation level predate the last phase of the use. The fragments belong mainly to closed forms, such as cooking pots (nos. 112–114 and 116–119) and jars (nos. 166, 168–170, 181, 175–177), made of A1a/b and A5 fabrics. The units include also small bowls (A04/2.1/29/43 and nos. 11, 15–16, 20, 29–30), some handled costrels (nos. 56–57), basins (A04/2.1/35/1855+1904 and no. 92) and one fragmentary baking tray (A04/2.1/214/12250). One almost complete lid for cooking comes from DSU 29 (A04/2.1/29/40, Figure 8d). The bulk of the pottery from units 29, 35, and 214 dates from between the first century BCE and the third century CE. A few types distinctive of the early fourth century CE have been found in unit 29 (nos. 9, 24, 26, 36, 73, 84, 202).

5.4. Trench in Room 6 (Plate XXXI) The trench cut in Room 6 (2.2 x 3.55), in the floor just in front of its south wall, exposed three mud floors (F66, F164, and F165). Below the older floor F165, four different horizontal deposits of dumped material have been identified (DSU 243, 248, 252, and 253). DSUs 238 and 242 between floors F66 and F164 still have fourth-century types and fabrics mixed with a high concentration of mid/late third-century fragments, while in the dump layers below F165 (DSUs 243, 248, 252, and 253) there is no evidence of materials later than the beginning of the fourth century. The pottery collected from these dumped layers (Plate XXXI) consists of small bowls, which are the most frequently attested shapes (nos. 1, 10–11, 13, 15, 18, 29), storage jars (A07/2.1/252/12042, A07/2.1/253/12043 and nos. 166, 169–170, 181, 183, 190–191), and cooking pots (nos. 112, 114–115, 117, 119). A few rim fragments of basins (nos. 94–95) and lids (no. 159) have also been counted. All of the fragments are made of A1a/b and A5 fabrics. Notable is one nearly complete lid with convex walls (A07/2.1/243/12054) from DSU 243.

5.5. Trench in Room 8 (Plate XXXII) To explore the stratigraphy below the floor in Room 8, a rectangular trench (3 x 0.9 m) was cut parallel to wall F20. Although the layers of the trench have been excavated and renamed as two different units (DSUs 98, 102), they are made of the same dumped materials. The pottery from the two units yielded 91 MNI in total (Plate XXXII). They are mainly small to large bowls (A05/2.1/98/5722, A05/2.1/98/5720, A05/2.1/102/6360 and nos. 2, 6, 11, 13, 18, 21), cooking pots (A05/2.1/102/6388, A05/2.1/102/6346, A05/2.1/102/6348 and nos. 113, 115, 116) and jars (A05/2.1/102/6375, A05/2.1/102/6383, A05/2.1/102/6357). Three specific types of basins have been recognized among these sherds, all of them with modelled rims (A05/2.1/98/5709, A05/2.1/102/5597 and no. 92). One fragment of a bread mold (no. 149) and one of a baking tray (A05/2.1/102/6475), made of A4 fabric, have been recorded. The category of vessels for liquids is represented by a one-handled costrel (A05/2.1/102/6345) and a jug (no. 61). Notably, there are two body fragments of Egyptian amphora AE 3 in A3b fabric.

168

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

The few diagnostic sherds (7 MNI) collected in DSU 106 have the same characteristics of those coming from the units described above. Most of the types identified can be ascribed to a period between the first century BCE and the third century CE.

5.6. Below courtyard Room 9 and Room 10 (Plates XXXIII–XXXV) The area in which Rooms 9 and 10 are located has been entirely excavated below floor (Figure 12). The excavations revealed that both rooms resulted from the demolition of part of a school (B5), which had been built on the ruins of a Roman bath, the walls of which were razed and partially used as foundations for new walls.4 Rooms 9 and 10, along with Room 15, were part of the school building and were completely repurposed when they were incorporated into House B1. The reuse of the abandoned bath remains to build B1 and B5 occurred, as attested by ostraca and by coins, around 330–340 CE.5 In courtyard 9, the dumped material filled the spaces between the various demolished walls. Although the layers of sand and waste were excavated with different unit numbers because of their dissimilar composition, in general the ceramic types identified within them appear to have the same characteristics. The most commonly recurring shapes present in the majority of the units (DSUs 104=107=127, 130=109=173, 136, 180=217, 200=203, 206, 210, 212, 215, 218, 219, 232) are small and medium bowls and dishes (A06/2.1/127/10262, A06/2.1/127/10343, A06/2.1/127/10256, A07/2.1/203/11733 and nos. 4–5, 10–13, 14–21, 30–31, 39), basins (nos. 90–93), cooking vessels (A06/2.1/127/10342, A07/2.1/210/12248 and nos. 108, 112– 120), lids (A06/2.1/127/11506), and storage jars (A06/2.1/127/10328, A06/2.1/127/10330, A07/2.1/218/12251, A07/2.1/215/12252 and nos. 164–166, 168–170, 175, 182–183, 186–187, 190–191) and pithoi (A07/2.1/203/12267), all belonging to domestic use. Two complete footed bowls come from DSU 203 (A07/2.1/203/11736, Plate XXXIII and A07/2.1/203/11732, Figure 6d). From DSU 200, we find some types of handled costrels (nos. 56–57), kegs (A06/2.1/127/11511, A06/2.1/127/10258), and three table amphorae (A07/2.1/203/12269, A07/2.1/203/12270) with band handles characterized by vertical stripes and bosses on their upper part6 and one base of a Rhodian amphora (A07/2.1/200/12262). For the most part, these types are made of A1a/b, A5, A28, and B10 fabrics. The chronological range defined by the ceramics mentioned is between the late first century BCE and the early fourth century CE; a few units (DSUs 137, 163, 219) contain shapes mainly dated from the second to the early fourth centuries CE. Of particular interest are the ceramics found in a dumped layer (DSU 163) lying on the floor (F117) of the laconicum (Figure 20 and Plate XXXIV). This sand deposit yielded 4. Davoli 2017: 193–220, especially 202–4. 5. Bagnall and Ast 2016; Ast and Davoli 2016: 1447–71. 6. An almost complete example of this type of table amphora (A15/8.1/17/30225) has been found in the ceramic assemblage coming from another house excavated at Amheida (B10 – Area 8.1). Thanks to the datable ostraca found in association with the pottery, all this assemblage can be dated to the third–beginning of the fourth century CE (no later than 335 CE): Bagnall et al. 2017: 195–211. For some parallels see Patten 2000: 203–5, Pl. 63 Form 100/2 (first–second century CE); Ballet and Południkiewicz 2011: 151–2, 309, Pl. 71 nos. 666–8 (second half of third–early second century BCE).

Pottery before B1

169

a large quantity of potsherds (10.01 kilograms, 44 MNI in total) and at least 12 nearly complete small bowls (A06/2.1/163/10247, A06/2.1/163/10259 (Figure 6m), A06/2.1/163/10260, A06/2.1/163/10271, A06/2.1/163/10250, A06/2.1/163/10261, A06/2.1/163/10267, A06/2.1/163/10270, A06/2.1/163/10272, Plate XXXIV, and A06/2.1/163/10248 Figure 6l, A06/2.1/163/10348 Figure 6n), as well as the upper part of a spouted decorated jar (A06/2.1/163/10265). Also, the lower part of a B10 flask (A06/2.1/163/10268) and the rim of a keg (A06/2.1/163/10349) were recognized (Pl. XXXIV). The coherent assemblage of the vessels in this unit is a clear proof that they were deposited as a group where they were found, or a primary deposition. This is also an element in favor of the hypothesis that the laconicum was almost certainly used as a waste area after its abandonment. However, there are some units (DSUs 104=107=127, 129=170, 128=175, 132, 151=154=167=196=197) in which the pre-fourth-century types (Plate XXXIV: A06/2.1/128/10366, A06/2.1/132/10399, A06/2.1/132/10322, A06/2.1/132/10398, A06/2.1/132/10276; Plate XXXV: A06/2.1/151/10251, A06/2.1/154/10359, A06/2.1/167/10354, A06/2.1/167/11223) were mixed with several forms and fabrics normally encountered in the stratigraphic units above floors, and at least from the early fourth century CE on. They are small bowls (A06/2.1/154, 10358, A06/2.1/154/10357, A06/2.1/128/10364, A06/2.1/128/10307, A06/2.1/128/10367, A06/2.1/132/10305 and nos. 24–25, 48), liquid vessels (A06/2.1/132/10320 and nos. 73, 77, 55), basins (nos. 97– 98), kraters (A06/2.1/151/10368 and nos. 82, 85), cooking vessels (A06/2.1/127/10342, A06/2.1/127/10338, A06/2.1/128/10362, A06/2.1/132/10324, A06/2.1/129/10234, A06/2.1/129/10235, A06/2.1/151/10351, A06/2.1/154/10360 and nos. 110, 122, 130–133, 136–138, 140, 143, 145–147, 156, 158, 161, 163), jars (A06/2.1/127/10334, A06/2.1/175/10355, A06/2.1/128/10363 and nos. 171–172, 173, 192) some of which still have the remains of white gypsum used to seal the lid (A06/2.1/127/10336, Figure 8f), kegs (A06/2.1/132/10249, A06/2.1/132/10382), as well as some body sherds and one fragment of LRA 7 (DSU 151). All these vessels are made of A1a/b, A5, B10, A11, A27, and A3b fabrics. Noteworthy are two complete bowls (A06/2.1/170/10246, Figure 8b, and A06/2.1/170/10266), and one complete cooking pot (A06/2.1/170/10264, Figure 8c) from unit 170 (Figure 21, Plate XXXV), dated to the early fourth century CE. According to Davoli’s analisys of the stratigraphy, contamination of dumped layers with later materials is possible given the lack of a solid floor in most of the area (Room 9). It is also possible that some fourth-century material may originate from the demolition of the school building.7 In Room 10 the dumped material found below floor F106 and filling the latrina (DSUs 191=142+144, 202, 240, 201, 241, 255) is composed mostly of domestic waste. Although most of the recognized ceramic types appear to date from between the second and the beginning of the fourth century CE (Plate XXXV: A07/2.1/142/10372, A07/2.1/241/11799), the presence of shapes and fabrics characteristic of the contexts above floors is significant in these units. In particular, a fair number of vessels belonging to productions typical of the second half of the fourth century are attested in unit 191 (=142+144). These are small and medium bowls (nos. 7. See Davoli, Amheida VI, Chapter 4 (forthcoming).

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23, 48–49) made of A27 and B3 fabric, cooking vessels (nos. 111, 138, 146–147, 163) made of A11 and B3 fabric, along with the most common shapes (A07/2.1/191/11911 and nos. 24, 75, 85, 98, 128–130, 137, 192, 202) made of A1/2 a/b and B10 fabrics.

5.7. Trench in Room 15 (Plate XXXVI) The test trench (2.5 x 1.8 m) was opened in the south end of Room 15. Immediately below floor F128, a sequence of ashy deposits and mud brick debris mixed with potsherds (DSUs 261, 262, and 263) was found, corresponding to the dumped materials levelled before the construction of the school. The potsherds from DSUs 261, 262, and 263 (Plate XXXVI) are mainly cooking pots (A07/2.1/261/12238, A07/2.1/261/12226, A07/2.1/263/12233 and nos. 112–116, 118–119) and jars (A07/2.1/261/12229, A07/2.1/262/12220, A07/2.1/262/12219, A07/2.1/263/12227 and nos. 168–170, 177–178, 190–191). A good number of small bowls (A07/2.1/261/11909, A07/2.1/261/12218, A07/2.1/263/12223, A07/2.1/263/12237 and nos. 5, 7, 12–13, 17–18) and some basins (A07/2.1/261/12217) are also attested. Less common are the fragments belonging to the handled jugs (A07/2.1/261/12230). Most of these vessels can be ascribed to the second through early fourth centuries CE. However, the presence in DSU 261 of some types pushes the range mentioned above back as far as the Ptolemaic–Early Roman period (third century BCE–early second century CE), e.g., five modelled rims of basins (like the rim found in F128 A07/2.1/F128/12224), which are common all through the units below the floors of Area 2.1; some jugs (A07/2.1/261/12234, A07/2.1/262/ 12222, A07/2.1/263/12236), and an Egyptian amphora AE 4 (A07/2.1/261/12228+12235). Remarkably, there is a large body sherd of a jar decorated with the patterns typical of a production dated to the Ptolemaic/Early Roman periods, and characteristic also of some potsherds found in dump units of S2 and S3 (Plate XXXVIII).

5.8. Trenches in Street 2 (Plate XXXVII) In order to continue the exploration of the previous phases below Area 2.1, three trenches were also opened in the floors of Street 2: one in its northern part, a second trench on the east side, and the third in the southwest corner of the street. The layers found in these trenches are mainly deposits of rubble, artificially laid and compacted to level the area so as to use it as a foundation for new buildings. A sequence of at least 6 horizontal strata of dumped material (DSUs 351=402=372=374; 354=404=411; 355=406=375; 367=407=377=362; 368=378; 369=401=408) was identified below the earliest floor of the street (F308=F326). The foundation trench of the east wall of B1 cuts all the dump units. The pottery collected from these units (Plate XXXVII) comprises a wide range of diagnostic types, most of them very fragmentary and belonging to domestic waste. The most commonly attested shapes are small bowls (nos. 1, 4–5, 12–13, 15–18, 20–21, 28, 31, 39, 45), vessels for liquids (nos. 57, 75–76), a considerable number of basins (nos. 89–94), cooking vessels (nos. 112– 120), and jars (nos. 165–166, 168–170, 181–183, 190–191). Three nearly complete small footed

Pottery before B1

171

bowls have been found in the dump layer DSU 355 and in the foundation trench fill DSU 356 (A10/2.1/356/30001 Figure 6e and Plate XXXVII, A10/2.1/356/30002, A10/2.1/355/30004 Figure 6g). They are mainly made of A1 a/b, A5, and B10 fabrics. A neck fragment with the attached handle and a few body sherds of a Rhodian amphora (A10/2.1/368/30016), and one handle of an AE 3 amphora are also attested in DSUs 351 and 368. This latter (DSU 368=378), placed at the bottom of the dump sequence, is one of the richest layers dug in S2, in terms not only of pottery but also of ostraca (about 150 Greek texts).8 In addition to the already mentioned ceramic types, it has also yielded a significant number of small footed bowls (= 85 MNI in total), two of which are almost complete (A10/2.1/368/30012 and A10/2.1/368/30013, Figure 6f). Furthermore, three types of nearly complete small bowls (A10/2.1/368/30008, Plate XXXVII; A10/2.1/368/30170, Figure 6k, and A10/2.1/367/30171, Figure 6j) with traces of yellow ocher on the inner surface and one reconstructed single-handled trefoil flagon (A10/2.1/368/30173) dated between the first and third centuries CE, were in layers DSU 367 and 368. One noteworthy find is that of six band handles characterized by vertical grooves (= 3 MNI in total) and belonging to the same type of Roman table amphora already encountered in Room 9 (DSU 200).9 In general, the morphological and physical characteristics of the vessels present in most of the layers indicate a range of dating between the end of the first century BCE and the beginning of the fourth century CE. Moreover, several fragments decorated with geometric and/or vegetable motifs, possibly belonging to large containers and made of A5 and A28 fabrics and dated (according to comparanda) to the end of the Late Period/Ptolemaic period until the Early Roman period, were found in DSU 352, 354, 355, and 368.

5.9. Trench in Street 3 (Plate XXXVII) The trench in street 3 was cut in the earlier floor (F349) identified during the excavation. The stratigraphy found below it consists of several layers made of sand, waste, and debris. Two units (DSUs 395+396, 398) were artificially accumulated and levelled after the building of the walls of B1and contain materials similar to those dumped below S2. The foundation trench of the west wall of B1 cuts DSU 399 and was filled by DSU 400. DSU 399 was therefore already present when construction began on B1. One of the richest deposits (DSU 395=396), both of ceramics and of other materials, is that located just below the mud floor. Most of the potsherds found in this unit are of the same nature and dating (late first century BCE to early fourth century CE) as those already encountered in the other trenches, as well as in the layers below (DSUs 398, 399, 400). These layers are comprised largely of domestic waste and very fragmented containers, predominantly from bowls (nos. 13, 17–18, 20, 28–29, 31, 39), one of which is complete and made of A5 fabric (A10/2.1/395/30165); cooking pots (nos. 112–120) sometimes decorated (A10/2.1/395/30145); and jars (nos. 168– 170, 182–184, 187, 190). A considerable number of small footed bowls (nos. 4–5), some of 8. For an analysis of the ostraca, see O.Trim. 2: 4–8 and 36–44. 9. For more details about these table amphorae, see Room 9 (DSU 200) and related footnote.

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which are almost complete (A10/2.1/395/30014 and A10/2.1/395/30015), and rims of basins (nos. 90–94) are also attested. Vessels for liquids (A10/2.1/395/30142 and nos. 56–57), body sherds of bread molds, and one neck fragment of AE 3 have been also recognized. It is notable that there are some Ptolemaic/Early Roman decorated body sherds with the same patterns already described for similar fragments found in some units of Room 15 and S2, and one almost complete conical vessel of unknown nature (A10/2.1/395/30166). The layer of dumped material DSU 395=396 covered a group of mud bricks (F351), bonded with the foundation of the wall (F340) belonging to the building west of S3. Few potsherds were associated with the feature (6 MNI), and those few are fragmentary. They are two small footed bowls (nos. 2–3), three bowls (nos. 12–13), and one-handled costrel with part of the strainer (no. 56), dated between the first and the late third century CE.

Plates of Stratigraphic Units from below Floors of B1, S2, and S3

174

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Stratigraphic Units from below Floors of B1, S2, and S3

175

176

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Stratigraphic Units from below Floors of B1, S2, and S3

177

178

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Stratigraphic Units from below Floors of B1, S2, and S3

179

180

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Plates of Stratigraphic Units from below Floors of B1, S2, and S3

181

182

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

6 The Private Dump of Serenos’ House In the 2014 season the main body of work took place in Area 2.2, in Building 6, in a large pillared hall and adjacent rooms which were parts of the Roman and subsequently Byzantine thermae buildings (bathhouses).1 Outside the bathhouse, to the south, there was a closed alley, labelled Room 43, which, after the stratigraphic excavation and detailed study of the objects and ceramics, was found to have been used as a dumping space by Serenos’ family (Figure 22). The dump filled all the space of the alley confined between the surrounding walls, starting in the southwest corner by dumping material from the east. It was dug as a single stratigraphic unit (DSU 160) because of the consistency in the materials, all datable to the second half of the fourth century CE (Phase III.3). Its close connection to House B1 is proved by the 24 Greek ostraca found in the dump, which are related to Serenos and mention individuals already known from texts found in his house. According to the preliminary study of the ostraca by Ast and Bagnall, one receipt in the handwriting of Serenos (A14/2.2/149/16494) stood out in the small group. A list of names that includes Faustianus, presumably the important landlord resident in Hibis for whose estates the Kellis Agricultural Account Book was drawn up, also mentions men named Synesios and Panaitios (A14/2.2/160/16600). The well-known Nikokles signed a receipt for barley given to Ninos (A14/2.2/160/16581).2 In general, the presence of a number of names of men from Serenos’ circle helps to give a better sense of the interconnections of that circle (Figure 23).3 Stratigraphic unit 160 contained a large amount of pottery (414.009 kg),4 which was sorted and weighed during the excavation. 504 individuals (MNI) have been counted (Table 18) and the entire range of functional groups already described in the general catalogue for above floor contexts of B1, S2 and S3 is well represented in the dump. However, although most of the types found in DSU 160 are in line with the types described and constituting the general catalogue of the volume, there are numerous variants within each category that merit discussion. For this 1. See Davoli 2017. 2. The ostraca from R43-DSU160 are under study by Ast and Bagnall and will be published in O.Trim. 3. 3. About the social network of Serenos in Trimithis and the Great Oasis see https://sfb933.hypotheses.org/782. 4. Additionally, DSU 160 contained 13 kg of animal bones; 6 gypsum stoppers; 3 ceramic lids; 6 fragmentary vessels in glass; 1 fragmentary glass lamp; 5 bracelets in glass; 1 ring in bronze; 8 coins. All these categories of objects and materials are under study by the different specialists and will be part of the volume devoted to small finds and coins.

183

184

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

reason, it has been decided to illustrate the most interesting types that make up the assemblage in a supplementary catalogue associated with this section (see below).5 The pieces will be numbered progressively starting from the last number assigned in the general catalogue. The best attested categories are those of table, cooking, and storage wares (Table 18 below). Within the tableware (150 MNI), the bowls (nos. 240–254), some of which are small footed bowls (no. 239), and the trilobite costrels with strainer (nos. 264–273) are the most numerous type-groups. Costrels with strainers are made of A1a, A5 and B10 with white slipped surfaces; two among them are made of A11 fabric (no. 271), while one complete filtered neck belongs to a specimen in Aswan ware made of pink/white clay and with red slipped surfaces (no. 268). The fine wares with red slipped surfaces (Oasis Red Slip Ware) are also attested (Plate XXXIX: nos. 255–263). They are mainly open forms like bowls with direct simple rims (no. 255) or wide-flanged rims (nos. 256–257) and dishes (nos. 258–259), made of A27 fabric. Four bases of fragmentary open forms have been also counted (nos. 260–263). Krater fragments (Plate XXXIX: nos. 274–277) are represented in the assemblage by 25 MNI. They are characterized by high rims, slightly everted, with a decoration on the inner side of the rim or on top of it, made of spiral and wavy lines reddish/purple in color. The category of cooking vessels is represented by 141 MNI, mainly thin-walled cooking pots (nos. 289–311) made of A11 fabric; fewer are in A1a and A1b fabrics, two are made of A3b fabric (nos. 297 and 305). Less numerous are the cooking plates (nos. 286–288) and the casseroles (nos. 282–287). The latter are mainly small and medium sized bowls reused for cooking, heavily blackened and sooted on the exterior surfaces. The lids are both for sealing jars (no. 313, Plate XLII) and for covering cooking vessels (nos. 314–318, Plate XLII), made of A1a and A11. Especially those used for cooking have very large diameters and heavily blackened exterior surfaces. Very fragmentary small lids used to cap flasks and bottles, made of A27 and B3 fabrics, have been recognized. Bread molds (no. 312) and tray fragments have been also detected but because of their fragility the number is evidently reduced (Plate XLII). The utility ware category is represented by at least 38 rims of basins (Plate XL). They are recognizable as the most attested types in the occupation levels of Area 2.1, characterized by a flattened rim elongated toward the inside of the vessel, convex shoulders, and tapered body (nos. 278–281). The numerous body sherds with vertical cuts prove the presence of sieves in the assemblage (like no. 100 in the general catalogue), although because of the very small size and the high fragmentation it is difficult to define to how many examples they correspond to. They are all made of A1a/b and A2a/b fabrics. The storage and transport vessels form the third richest category (135 MNI) among the materials from the dump (Table 18). 111 rims of jars have been counted, with the typical characteristics of the most frequent types found in the context from above floors of B1, S2, and S3, such as rounded rim, vertical or slightly concave neck, and a ledge at the transition between the neck and the shoulder (no. 322). Worthy of note are also 32 rims of necked jars with a straight, squared rim (nos. 319–321, 323). The neck is medium-tall. Unfortunately, there are no complete examples or even the possibility to reconstruct them with the body fragments found. They are made of A1a and A2a/b fabrics, with white slipped exterior surface. Similar jars are attested 5. The catalogue follows the same organizational criteria as the general catalogue, see pp. 17–18.

The Private Dump of Seronos’ House

185

in the church complex contexts of ‘Ain el-Gedida and are dated to the fourth century CE.6 One half complete small decorated jar (no. 324), made of A1a fabric, and one body of globular decorated jar (no. 325), made of B3 fabric, have been also recognized (Plate XLII). Kegs constitute the second most commonly occurring type-group of storage vessel in the category. 18 necks with double-lipped or rounded rims have been identified (nos. 326–329). A common feature is the manner in which the rims and necks were attached to the rest of the vessel, visible through well-preserved digital impressions. Some of them show traces of a dark gray or black substance on the inner surface, which appears to be a layer of resin typical in vessels used for wine. They are all made of A1a/b fabrics. The type-group of flasks in YSW, made of B3 fabric, is represented by 4 complete rims (nos. 330–333), 2 necks (nos. 335–336) and one complete base (no. 334). Only 2 individuals of the Egyptian amphora classified as type LRA 7 have been counted in the assemblage. They are made from poorly-tempered, slightly sandy Nile silt (A3b) and correspond to the types in catalogue nos. 338–341 (Plate XLII). Although, as mentioned, the entire assemblage is a homogeneous collection of the types attested in occupation contexts above the floors of B1, S2, and S3, nevertheless some of them are new and interesting. One example of a fragmentary, medium-sized, double-handled pilgrim flask with strainer was found in the dump (Plate XLIII: no. 337) The drawing in the plate shows the reconstruction using the body fragments found together during the excavation. The flask is made of B10 fabric and has yellow slipped surfaces, while the inner side is rust colored, probably due to the presence of ferruginous water inside it. A close parallel is a complete pilgrim flask, found in a room of a small Christian settlement in the Dakhla oasis, near Erzbet Bashendi.7 Particularly interesting are the lower part of a neck, with two handles attached at its base, and a portion of the solid spike of a base of amphora (Plate XLIII: nos. 342–343). According to the fabric characteristics, brick red/orange in section, hard fired, and granular, and the external surface treatment, cream in color, they seem to belong to the same amphora, likely a North African import, maybe a Spatheion 1. Another example of this kind of amphora, dating to the late fourth century CE and the first half of the fifth century CE, was found in Area 7 at Amheida in 2012.8 The dump also yielded a considerable number of rims and bases belonging to the sāqiya pots (36 MNI in total, Plate XLIII); the types recognized are the same attested above floors in B1, S2, and S3, as well as some new types (nos. 344–350). Finally, it should be noted that one complete rim of a small flagon (no. 351), made of A11 fabric, has been identified. The counting of the diagnostic and related bodysherds of the entire assemblage is shown in the table below (Table 18).

6. Dixneuf 2012b: 461, Figure 1.5; Dixneuf 2019: 314–15, 387, Pl. 8.10 (139–150). 7. In the classification of the sites surveyed by the Dakhleh Oasis Project, the number assigned to this small settlement is 31/435–H4–1. The complete pilgrim flask is published in Hope 1983: 149, Figure 7f. 8. Caputo 2019: 186–88 (Fig. 10.10, t).

3 51 25 121 11 7 1 1

Dishes (A1a, A27)

Costrels – Trilobite (A1a, A1b, A5, B10, B3, A11, A27, Aswan Ware)

Kraters (A1a, A1b, A11, A3b)

Cooking Pots (A1a, A1b, A11, A3b)

Casseroles (A1a, A2b, A11, B3)

Lids (A1a, A1b, A27, B3, A11)

Small Lids (A1b)

Bread Mold (A4)

6

Flasks (A1a, B10, B3)

1

Miniature Vessels

Total (MNI)

36

1

Sāqiya-Pots (A1a, A1b, A2b, A5)

African Amphora

LRA 7 (A3b)

111

18

Kegs (A1a, A1b)

Storage Jars (A1a, A1b, A2a, A2b)

38

Basins (A1a, A1b, A2a, A2b)

Baking Trays (A4)

71

Rims

Bowls (A1a, B3, A27, A11)

Shapes/Fabrics

Table 18. Functional Categories—Room 43

2

3

9

1

Handles

22

1

2

7

1

15

2

3

1

Feet

67

2

1

9

10

13

Bodies

505

1

36

1

2

111

6

18

38

1

1

1

7

11

121

25

51

3

71

Total MNI

186 The House of Serenos: The Pottery

The Private Dump of Seronos’ House

187

Table 18. Functional Categories—Room 43 35 30

29.7%

28.1% 26.7%

25 20 15 10

7.3%

7.5%

5 0.6% 0 Table and Service Wares

Utility Ware

Cooking Ware

Storage and Transport Vessels

Amphorae

Miscellaneous

188

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

6.1. Catalogue of the pottery from Serenos’ dump The fabrics, wares, and dimensions of the most representative and complete examples identified within each category and type-group in Room 43 (DSU 160), illustrated in Plates XXXIX– XLII, are briefly described in the following catalogue.

Table and Service Ware Bowls (Pl. XXXIX)

No. 239 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30275 Fabric: A1a Ware: So ø: 6 cm

No. 244 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30341 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 14 cm

No. 249 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30343 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 20 cm

No. 240 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30353 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 13 cm

No. 245 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30342 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 20 cm

No. 250 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30356 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 19 cm

No. 241 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30351 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr; Dc/r ø: 18 cm

No. 246 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30344 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy (outside); Sr/Dr (inside) ø base: 10 cm

No. 251 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30355 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 8 cm

No. 242 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30352 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 14 cm No. 243 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30345 Fabric: B3 Ware: So (outside); Sy/Dr (inside) ø: 16 cm

No. 247 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30304 Fabric: A11 Ware: Sy; Dr ø: 8 cm No. 248 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30357 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 16 cm

No. 252 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30322 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pg; Dc/r ø: 16 cm No. 253 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30323 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pg; Dc/r ø: 18 cm

The Private Dump of Seronos’ House

No. 254 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30389 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 12 cm Oasis Red Slip Ware (Pl. XXXIX)

No. 255 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30254 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 9 cm

No. 258 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30251 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 22 cm

No. 261 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30246 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø base: 6 cm

No. 256 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30250 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 11 cm

No. 259 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30252 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 27 cm

No. 262 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30249 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø base: 6 cm

No. 257 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30253 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø: 15 cm

No. 260 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30247 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø base: 4 cm

No. 263 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30248 Fabric: A27 Ware: Sr ø base: 7 cm

Liquid vessels (Pl. XXXIX)

No. 264 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30327 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 3.3 cm

No. 266 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30332 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sc ø: 4 cm

No. 268 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30244 Fabric: Pink/white Aswan Ware: Sr ø: 5.5 cm

No. 265 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30326 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 3.2 cm

No. 267 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30325 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 3.5 cm

No. 269 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30329 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 3.5 cm

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No. 270 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30328 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sw ø: 3.8 cm

No. 272 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30333 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sw ø: 4 cm

No. 271 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30274 Fabric: A11 Ware: Sr ø neck: 4 cm

No. 273 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30330 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sy ø: 3.5 cm Kraters (Pl. XL)

No. 274 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30368 Fabric: A2b Ware: Pg; Dc/r ø: 30 cm

No. 276 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30359 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw; Dc/r ø: 39 cm

No. 275 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30367 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr; Dc/r ø: 23 cm

No. 277 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30358 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw; Dc/r ø: 43 cm

Utility Ware Basins (Pl. XL)

No. 278 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30361 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 44 cm

No. 280 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30363 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 46 cm

No. 279 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30362 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw ø: 24 cm

No. 281 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30364 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 44 cm

The Private Dump of Seronos’ House

Cooking Ware Cooking plates (Pl. XLI)

No. 282 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30324 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 12 cm

No. 285 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30366 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 22 cm

No. 283 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30346 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 17 cm

No. 286 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30347 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 22 cm

No. 284 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30319 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb; Dc/r ø: 16 cm

No. 287 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30349 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 30 cm

No. 288 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30395 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 38 cm

Cooking pots (Pl. XLI)

No. 289 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30382 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 12 cm

No. 292 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30321 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb; Dr ø: 9 cm

No. 295 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30350 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 8 cm

No. 290 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30384 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pb ø: 12 cm

No. 293 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30302 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 10 cm

No. 296 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30298 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 11 cm

No. 291 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30387 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 19.5 cm

No. 294 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30390 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 10 cm

No. 297 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30278 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 10 cm

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No. 298 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30314 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb (outside); Dc/r (inside) ø: 16 cm No. 299 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30301 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 12 cm No. 300 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30316 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 12 cm No. 301 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30315 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 13 cm No. 302 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30381 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 16 cm

No. 303 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30296 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 14 cm

No. 308 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30388 Fabric: A11 Ware: Sw ø: 17 cm

No. 304 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30385 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr; Dw/r ø: 13.5 cm

No. 309 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30300 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 12 cm

No. 305 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30279 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 18 cm

No. 310 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30386 Fabric: A1b Ware: Dc/r ø: 22 cm

No. 306 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30354 Fabric: Ware: ø: 14 cm

No. 311 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30365 Fabric: A1a Ware: Dc/r ø: 24 cm

No. 307 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30299 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 15 cm Bread Molds (Pl. XLII)

No. 312 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30255 Fabric: A4 Ware: Ww ø: 39 cm

The Private Dump of Seronos’ House Lids (Pl. XLII)

No. 313 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30245 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 8 cm

No. 315 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30394 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 29 cm

No. 317 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30393 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 28 cm

No. 314 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30243 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pp ø knob: 1.5 cm

No. 316 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30256 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 30 cm

No. 318 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30392 Fabric: A1a Ware: Pr ø: 35 cm

Storage and Transport Vessels Jars (Pl. XLII)

No. 319 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30292 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 9 cm

No. 322 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30373 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 8 cm

No. 320 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30311 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw ø: 6 cm

No. 323 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30374 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 6 cm

No. 321 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30293 Fabric: A2a Ware: Sw ø: 6.5 cm

No. 324 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30280 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw; Dr ø: 5 cm

No. 325 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30375 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy; Db ø body: 19 cm

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No. 326 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30306 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 4.5 cm

No. 328 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30308 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 5.6 cm

No. 327 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30307 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sw ø: 5 cm

No. 329 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30309 Fabric: A1b Ware: Pg ø: 5.5 cm Flasks (Pl. XLII-XLIII)

No. 330 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30269 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø: 2.5 cm

No. 333 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30267 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sy ø: 3 cm

No. 336 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30272 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø: 4.2 cm

No. 331 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30270 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø: 2.5 cm

No. 334 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30271 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø base: 11 cm

No. 332 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30268 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sy ø: 2 cm

No. 335 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30273 Fabric: B3 Ware: Sy ø: 4 cm

No. 337 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30331 Fabric: B10 Ware: Sw ø rim: 4 cm; ø body: 28 cm; ø base: 12.5 cm; h. 36 cm; w: 8.5 cm

The Private Dump of Seronos’ House

Amphorae Late Roman Amphora 7 (LRA 7), (Pl. XLIII)

No. 338 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30239 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 6 cm

No. 340 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30241 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 3.8 cm

No. 339 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30240 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br

No. 341 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30242 Fabric: A3b Ware: Pr/br ø: 4 cm African Imported Amphora (Pl. XLIII)

No. 342 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30430 Fabric: Brick red/orange in section, hard fired, and granular. Ware: Sc ø neck: 8 to 12 cm

No. 343 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30431 Fabric: Brick red/orange in section, hard fired, and granular Ware: Sc ø: 5.2 to 3 cm

Miscellanea Sāqiya pots (Qādūs) (Pl. XLIII)

No. 344 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30257 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 4.6 cm

No. 346 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30259 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 5.4 cm

No. 348 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30261 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 4.5 cm

No. 345 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30258 Fabric: A1b Ware: Sw ø: 4.5 cm

No. 347 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30260 Fabric: A1a Ware: Sr ø: 4.8 cm

No. 349 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30262 Fabric: A5 Ware: Sw ø: 5.5 cm

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No. 350 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30263 Fabric: A2b Ware: Sw ø: 5 cm Miniature Vessels (Pl. XLIII)

No. 351 Inv.: A14/2.2/160/30281 Fabric: A11 Ware: Pb ø: 1.6 cm

Plates of Serenos’ Dump

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Plates of Serenos’ Dump

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Plates of Serenos’ Dump

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Conclusions Houses tell the stories of their owners and families, reflecting their personal tastes more than any type of other building. Surely, one of the main ways to approach the use of space in late antique domestic contexts is to look at architecture, plans, location, accessibility, form and function of some of the distinctive spaces, all of which can provide salient clues as to how these areas were spatially distinguished within the house, thus respecting the owners’ need for both public display and private intimacy.1 Nevertheless, late antique houses cannot be understood merely from their physical remains or written sources; furnishings and environmental evidence are also aspects of critical importance, even if often difficult to interpret.2 Serenos’ house, B1, would show roughly the main architectural and spatial features generally found in late antique houses, such as planning, circulation, location of rooms, and accessibility.3 Noteworthy in particular are the well-preserved decorations consisting of Greek mythological scenes and wallpaper motifs in some of its rooms (1, 11, 14, 13), and north of B1 in B5 walls bearing dipinti, written in Greek and testifying to a sustained interest in Classical education.4 Moreover, the B1 occupants built a stibadium into the street to the east of the house (S2) for open-air banquets.5 These displays of education and wealth seem to complement perfectly the social role of the owner of the house and to suggest the social prestige of the family, which occupied the house from around the mid-fourth century CE (330–340) until the later fourth century CE (ca. 370). This dating is based not only on the numerous ostraca and coins found in the occupation debris but also on the full record of the stratigraphic evidence, which takes account of all finds both in the house, including the post-abandonment phase, and below the house, in the strata that preceded the construction of the building. 1. Özgenel 2007: 239–81. See also Baldini 2016: 145–69. 2. Ellis 2007: 1–22. 3. For the so-called “middle class houses,” see Sodini 2003: 25–56; Zanini 2006: 373–411; Ellis 2006: 413–37. A very similar plan to that of B1 has been documented in Ellis 2006: 424, Fig. 3. For a general overview of late antique houses, see Lavan, Özgenel, and Sarantis 2007. For a detailed archaeological description and structural features of the house of Serenos (B1), see Davoli, Amheida VI (forthcoming). 4. Cribiore 2019: 269–80. 5. Ellis 1997: 41–51. On the architecture of convivial rites in Late Antique Egypt, see also Alfarano 2018: 469–88 and Alfarano 2019.

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A particular aim of this study has been to contextualize the ceramics recovered during the excavation of the House of Serenos in their archaeological setting. The analysis of materials discovered during the excavation of the building B1 and Streets 2 and 3, associated with the archaeological evaluation of stratigraphy and architecture, the objects, and the written sources, have allowed us to define the chronology of the house with a relatively high level of precision. At the same time, thanks to the trenches opened in some of the rooms of the house and its surroundings, it has been possible to analyze the huge quantity of sherds belonging to dumped debris used in the preparation of the site and to refine our interpretions of the nature and dating of the layers upon which the features in Area 2.1 were built. In general terms, identifying the vessels that belonged to the occupation levels has sometimes been problematic because of the considerable number of fragments (chinking sherds) abundantly reused in the construction of the walls and the vaults. These have been widely dispersed in the strata when the features into which they had been incorporated collapsed. These collapses also damaged the mud floors, which further complicated the process of stratigraphic analysis. After a comprehensive study of all the ceramics, the assemblages from the occupation contexts of the house and the streets have revealed a substantial difference from the materials found in the levels below the floors. These differences are detectable not only in the morphological characteristics of the vessels but also in some fabrics and wares attested exclusively in the contexts above the floors. Every vessel that could be associated confidently with the occupation contexts has been included in the catalogue, as well as the most recurrent types predating the phase of activity of the house and its surroundings. Special care has been given in this volume to present the floor deposits in their entirety, in order to provide the total assemblage of House B1, S2, and S3. The functional range of the vessels from the assemblages in the floor deposits corresponds to what one would expect in a domestic setting (Table 19). First of all, we note the importance of the tableware, consisting mostly of bowls and plates (34.3%). These classes cover probably quite varied uses, including food consumption and the presentation of sauces and condiments. The medium convex bowls, usually decorated on the rim or on the inner surface, often have traces of soot on their surfaces, proving that they were also used as lids for cooking vessels. Notable is the presence of bowls decorated with vertical lines and red circular elements on a cream-colored base, together with swastikas and spiral motifs. Moreover, there is a considerable presence of small footed bowls. Regularly attested in the Oases and in the Nile Valley, they seem to have preserved an almost identical shape throughout the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. In Area 2.1, these types of bowls are present in all contexts, both above and below floors, in a considerable number. It is not easy to say what their main function was, but it is likely that they were in frequent use, possibly as beakers or to serve individual food portions. Alongside these local productions we find fine wares with red slipped surfaces (0.8%), exclusively present in the floor deposits of House B1, S2, and S3. This class of vessel is attested at several sites in both the Dakhla (Oasis Red Slip Ware) and Kharga Oases (Kharga Red Slip Ware) during the fourth and fifth centuries CE. It is common in Roman and Late Roman periods ceramic table assemblages to find fine ware types in different wares, which are not part of the recognized local

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production history. Generally, the shapes associated with this fabric are open forms like small and medium bowls and plates, largely imitating the North African Red Slip Ware. The vessels for liquids (costrels, jugs, and flagons) represent 6.5% of the ceramic furnishings, indicating a moderate consumption of these classes of containers or, most probably, the greater fragility of these vessels. They were mostly suitable for containing liquids, used to serve water, beer, or wine on the table, but also to preserve other more or less precious liquids. Most of them are made of porous clay, which is permeable to the air and permits the cooling of liquids. Particularly, the costrels with strainer are the best attested in the floor deposits. The quantity of cooking vessels is significant (26.1%). The variety of pot shapes probably reflects different uses or various culinary recipes and cooking methods, which remain unknown to us at this stage of the study. The most common types in the fourth-century contexts are pots with thin walls, ovoid bodies, and rounded bases. Casseroles are often bowls reused for cooking, or vessels with a larger diameter compared to the pots and globular body. The only evidence of cooking dishes comes from the dump layers. Large open vessels, such as basins and kraters, represent 7.7% of the ceramic assemblage. It is very difficult, relying merely on shape, to understand if these vessels were used for preparing or serving food and liquids, or both. We can only point out that the deep large bowls or kraters are generally decorated with simple or more complex motifs and representations like vine leaves and olive trees, rendering them suitable for service; yet, almost all have traces of soot on the external surface, near the base, and therefore were also probably used to heat or cook food. Storage jars are one of the richest ceramic classes found at Amheida. These containers were used in the storage of daily food items, as well as for trading.6 The predominantly agricultural character of the oasis is well attested in the Kellis Agricultural Account Book.7 Trimithis is part of this agricultural land, and no doubt potters responded to the local economy by supplying landlords with the ceramic vessels they needed, for example, with jars for their wineries. Apart from wine, one can also consider the use of these containers for storing other liquids, such as oil.8 A cross section of the economic activities of the house is provided by Serenos’s ostraca.9 Jars are, together with bowls and pots, the most recurrent class in the analyzed contexts of the house (15.2%). One type-group of jars appears with notable frequency in the contexts above floors, together with some small decorated jars/pots, always associated with the typical ceramic productions of the second half of the fourth–beginning of the fifth century CE. Among the containers used for wine, we need to consider the several examples of doublehandled flasks with yellow slipped surfaces (1.3%) and the Egyptian amphora LRA 7 (0.8%). The presence of these two types of containers in almost all of the occupation contexts of the house and the streets suggests the regular, even if not extensive, consumption of wine imported from areas outside of Dakhla, from locales in Kharga and the Nile Valley, alongside locally produced wine. The private dump of Serenos’ house (see Chapter 6) was discovered north of B5, in a blind alley labeled R43 (DSU 160). The analysis of the material within it has shown a strong 6. Another well-attested use is for cooking (cooking jars). 7. Bagnall 1997; Bagnall et al. 2015: 149–68. 8. Worp 1995: 144; Bagnall 1997: 80. 9. O.Trim. 1 and 2.

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concentration of table, cooking, and storage wares, among which pots in A11, jars in A1 fabric, bowls in A27 and B3, and jugs in B10 and A5 fabrics stand out, along with the other categories of vessels already found in the house. Numerous remains of food (bones), glass vessel fragments, gypsum stoppers, ostraca, and coins have also been found (see Chapter 6).10 As already stated in the previous chapters, the keg is the transport container distinctive of the Western Desert oases, with a strong tradition of manufacture that continues to the present day. These barrels/kegs, intended among other purposes for preserving and distributing dairy products, underwent a series of morphological changes through the several centuries of production under study here.11 The specimens found in the floor deposits of B1, S2, and S3 have noticeably different characteristics when compared to the types found in the dump layers (Phase II): they appear to have rims and necks smaller in size and very large shaped bodies. Generally, only the rim and part of the shoulder are preserved, while the body is completely missing.12 The smaller percentage attested in the contexts of the house (3.7%) may not indicate a restricted use of these containers. The fragments of vessel walls found in contexts are numerous but most of them do not join; it is therefore hard to attribute them to any particular specimen. For this reason, the percentage represents only the diagnostic fragments, e.g., rims. Finally, there are some categories of vessels related to domestic activities and the kitchen, such as sieves (0.3%), funnels (0.1%), and different types of lids with straight walls used for covering cooking pots and casseroles. The class of lids (6.4%) also contains some specific shapes designed to seal jars, flasks, and bottles. Additional signs of domestic baking activities include the use of molds and trays, frequently associated with bread baking. Even if most of them are sooted and thus surely associated with the kitchen and the bakery, some interpretive uncertainties remain as to how exactly they functioned in some contexts of the house, as in one of the rooms for banqueting (R14). The majority of the vessels in Area 2.1 were produced using the local ferruginous and limestone clays (A- and B-Groups). These fabrics, abundantly widespread during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, continue to be attested into the Byzantine period throughout the oasis. At Amheida, the analysis of surface finds near the kilns allows us to say that the production of some classes of vessels and containers, such as bowls, jars, and kegs, is certainly local.13 The technical aspects of these containers made of these local groups of fabrics often show some over-firing or a tendency to vitrification of the clay and more or less pronounced deformation of the walls, further proofs of local production. To these fabrics is added, from the beginning of the fourth century CE, the refractory brittle fabric A11, used especially for manufacturing thin-walled and ribbed cooking vessels. For this fabric, it is possible to affirm with a certain confidence that it was made in the Dakhla oasis. Although the source of supply of the kaolinite clay has not yet been identified, in particular 10. For the ostraca found in this dump see O.Trim. 3, forthcoming. 11. Ballet 2019: 155–60. 12. A graphic reconstruction of a keg is provided for Kellis/Ismant el-Kharab in Hope 1983, Figure 9. 13. At Amheida, at least five Roman kilns have been investigated and documented in Area 1 respectively during the survey conducted by the DOP in 1979. Especially near one of the ovens (called Kiln 1) in House B2, a large quantity of clinkers, as well as unbaked fragments of ceramics, a high density of sherds, and large numbers of unfired vessels have been found, see Boozer 2015: 29–30.

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Kellis/Ismant el-Kharab shows a strong concentration of fragments belonging to this production scattered throughout all the site. So far, there is no production evidence of this material at Amheida. The brittle kitchen vessels made of this fabric are usually attested in the fourthcentury contexts of the city. With specific reference to Area 2.1, although this production is omnipresent in the last occupation deposits of the structures, it is interesting to note that we already found a small percentage of it in the layers corresponding to Phase III.2 and then in a considerable quantity in Phase III.3. The last phase of occupation of the house and the streets (Phase III.3), the third quarter of the fourth century CE, is characterized by the joint presence of the regional iron-rich and calcium-rich fabrics (A27 and B3), used respectively to produce the shiny-red slip fine wares (OSRW) and the yellow slip flasks and bowls (YSW), and the Nile Silt fabric (A3b) characteristic of the wine amphorae LRA 7, small table amphorae, and bottles coming from the Nile Valley. The ceramic characteristics revealed during the analysis showed that the range of shapes at Amheida is shared with other contemporary sites of the Great Oasis, especially Kellis/Ismant el-Kharab and ‘Ain el-Gedida, for Dakhla, Douch/Kysis and El-Deir, for Kharga,14 and that they have some general formal similarity with the ceramics from other parts of the country such as Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphyrites, El-Ashmunein/Hermopolis Magna, and Elephantine. The constant interaction and influences that reached the oasis from the other parts of the country, especially the Nile Valley, during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, appear to change from the fourth century onwards.15 The network of caravan roads and tracks that cross the western desert of Egypt provided a route for the maintenance of the relationship and proves how it was possible to maintain communications between the seemingly isolated oases and the Nile Valley, the regions to the north and east, Africa to the west, and Nubia in the south. The ceramic evidence we associate with the generic domestic activities of ancient households (eating, cooking, preparing food, warehousing, etc.) is readily found in most of the reliable contexts of the house. The functional categories of vessels encountered within each deposit appear to be very similar to each other, and all of them preserve dedicated table assemblages, cooking vessels, kitchen vessels, and storage vessels. However, based on the careful study of the contexts of each room, it is possible to make at least some observations. The depositional units on the floors of the rooms corresponding to the entrances (Rooms 7 and 12), the central space (2), and the L-shaped corridor (16 and 17) which connected the central core of the house with its northern part, were essentially poor in ceramics. These were public spaces and passages of the building used by both visitors and inhabitants in order to go from one part of the house to another; it is therefore not surprising that we have not found large quantities of occupationperiod ceramics in them: they were kept fairly clean. The central Room 2 offered access to the reception rooms in the southern half of the building (1, 11, 14, and 6) and to the more ordinary rooms in the northern part (4, 8, 12). In terms of ceramics, the floor deposits of Rooms 1, 11, 14, and 6 were almost empty. These rooms were used for business meetings and dining, as well as for social gatherings, and probably resting 14. For an overview of the ceramics found during the survey of the northern sites of Kharga Oasis, see Rossi and Ikram 2018. 15. Ballet 1996: 809–40; Ballet, Bonifay, and Marchand 2012: 87–310, especially 108–12.

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or retiring activities as well.16 Vessels used for eating and drinking would have been present in the rooms only during meals or for the duration of a banquet. We do, however, have one stratigraphic unit in Room 14 (DSU 233) that was very rich in ceramics, coins, and ostraca, in the layer between the two floors of the room. It contained a quite substantial number of footed bowls, wine amphorae LRA 7, and flasks. The dating of the ceramics, to the third quarter of the fourth century, would seem to indicate a renewal of the floor just before the abandonment of the house. The few ceramic fragments found on the floor of Room 6 do not clarify how this space was used. Possibly it was used as a day room by the members of the household or for a certain period as an alternative access to the house. Certainly, during the first phase of life of B1 the room had a door directly onto Street 2, which was blocked up simultaneously with the construction of the floor of the stibadium. According to the ceramic materials, this change seems to take place in the second half of the fourth century. The ceramic materials in the filling of the stibadium and in the use layer suggest a relatively short period of life of this structure, since the house itself seems not to have been in regular use beyond the third quarter of the fourth century CE. Moving to the northern half of the house, there is another decorated room (13) just to the left of the entrance from S3 (12).17 Of particular interest in this space is the double bin, a later addition to the room, probably used as a small closet for containers related to the service and consumption of food in the room, and a very large unfired clay disc. All the vessels contained in the bins, as well as those in the floor deposit, belong to Phase III.3 of the house. It is possible that such a room could have been used to host dinner guests, invited to attend official meetings, receive friends, or entertain a small group of people. Among the less representative but indispensable spaces for domestic life is the kitchen, an area that sometimes leaves recognizable traces through cooking facilities and vessels. In general, these spaces were located in a peripheral position, to facilitate the ventilation of the smoke. In B1, in particular Rooms 4 and 8 seem to have had this function or, at least, some activities related to the preparation of food may have taken place there. The ceramic assemblages collected from the floor deposits of the two rooms consisted mostly of blackened cooking vessels, a small stove in Room 4, and a high occurrence of compacted ash. However, cooking vessels and traces of ash were also clearly visible in the layers that covered the collapse of the ceilings of these rooms, suggesting that probably even the roof was used for kitchen activities. The existence of a staircase indicates that there was certainly access to an upper story; the ceramic materials found in the layers that covered the collapses of almost all the other rooms (6, 11, 14, 13), thus corresponding to the upper floor deposits, also prove that this upper story/roof was certainly used for storing, cooking, or even for more private activities of the family, far from the ground floor with its extensive exploitation for public interaction.18 In these contexts, the best attested categories were storage and transport containers, as well as kitchen vessels, and numerous small circular lids and stoppers, all belonging to the last phase of life of the house. Surely, the general 16. Cribiore 2015b: 155–9. 17. Cribiore 2015b: 153–5. 18. For the study of the relations between archaeological furniture and their context of discovery in a chronological framework from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity see Ballet, Lemaître, and Bertrand 2019.

Conclusions

209

store of the house had to be placed during this period in Room 15, as the presence of numerous containers and vessels in use in the house demonstrates. As already stated at the beginning of this volume, when Serenos appropriated the schoolrooms, he built new floors, demolished some walls and built others, so as to create private workspaces. This is the case with the wide open-air courtyard created in the northern part of the house (9 and 10), used along with adjoining rooms in the last phase of life of the house as a stable for animals, given the presence of mangers, and for any daily domestic activities. There is no particular ceramic evidence in this area that contradicts this supposition or supports any other use for this space. Table 19. Percentage of pottery from B1, S2, S3 (occupation levels) 0 ORSW

5

10

15

20

1.2% 6.5%

Cooking Pots

17.9% 1.8%

Lids Bread Molds Baking Trays

6.4% 0.8% 1.5%

Basins

4%

Craters

3.7%

Funnels Sieves

0.1% 0.3%

Storage Jars

15.2%

Kegs Flasks YSW

35

33.1%

Jugs/Costrels/Flagons

Casseroles

30

0.8%

Bowls Plates/Dishes

25

3.7% 1.3%

LRA 7

0.8%

Sāqiya Pots

0.5%

Miniature Vessels

0.3%

Concordance Concordance of Inventory Numbers and Catalogue Numbers (B1, S2, and S3) Inventory No.

Catalogue No.

Context

A04/2.1/4/36 A04/2.1/F20/44 A04/2.1/21/156 A04/2.1/23/157 A04/2.1/9/163 A04/2.1/49/500 A04/2.1/49/505+532 A04/2.1/49/506+536 A04/2.1/23/546 A04/2.1/15/590 A04/2.1/4/993 A04/2.1/4/1002 A04/2.1/4/1029 A04/2.1/4/1076+1078 A04/2.1/23/1213 A04/2.1/23/1227+1254 A04/2.1/23/1238 A04/2.1/23/1269 A04/2.1/49/1313 A04/2.1/49/1325

No. 5 No. 24 No. 152 No. 156 No. 153 No. 49 No. 34 No. 103 No. 172 No. 53 No. 126 No. 190 No. 9 No. 31 No. 39 No. 138 No. 69 No. 139 No. 45 No. 128

Room 1 Room 4 Room 4 Room 4 Room 4 Room 2 Room 2 Room 2 Room 4 Room 4 Room 1 Room 1 Room 1 Room 1 Room 4 Room 4 Room 4 Room 4 Room 2 Room 2

211

212

A05/2.1/49/1349 A04/2.1/49/1355 A04/2.1/49/1366 A04/2.1/41/1539 A04/2.1/35/1855+1904 A05/2.1/1/2105 A05/2.1/58/2204 A05/2.1/58/2205 A05/2.1/67/2262+2362 A05/2.1/63/2334 A05/2.1/67/2356 A05/2.1/67/2358 A05/2.1/67/2361 A05/2.1/67/2367 A05/2.1/67/2369 A05/2.1/67/2370 A05/2.1/73/2561 A05/2.1/73/2562 A05/2.1/74/2697 A05/2.1/67/2712 A05/2.1/67/2766 A05/2.1/67/2774 A05/2.1/67/2776 A05/2.1/67/2777 A05/2.1/67/2781 A05/2.1/76/2989 A05/2.1/108/2993 A05/2.1/74/2994 A05/2.1/63/4017 A05/2.1/63/4454 A05/2.1/63/4457 A05/2.1/74/4509 A05/2.1/23/4670 A05/2.1/73/4744 A05/2.1/77/4793 A05/2.1/1/4985 A05/2.1/74/5109 A05/2.1/74/5116 A05/2.1/74/5139 A05/2.1/102/5597

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 123 No. 181 No. 13 No. 72 No. 90 No. 192 No. 147 No. 131 No. 162 No. 29 No. 185 No. 143 No. 81 No. 144 No. 99 No. 50 No. 187 No. 146 No. 110 No. 114 No. 218 No. 202 No. 199 No. 203 No. 204 No. 163 No. 149 No. 136 No. 186 No. 167 No. 117 No. 41 No. 141 No. 26 No. 48 No. 191 No. 184 No. 125 No. 15 No. 91

Room 2 Room 2 Room 2 Room 2 Room 4 Surface B1 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 8 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 6 Room 9 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 4 Room 8 Room 8 Surface B1 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8

Concordance

A05/2.1/68/5660 A05/2.1/98/5720 A05/2.1/104/6195 A05/2.1/104/6196 A05/2.1/104/6197 A05/2.1/104/6208 A05/2.1/102/6345 A05/2.1/102/6349 A05/2.1/102/6357 A05/2.1/102/6360 A05/2.1/102/6375 A05/2.1/102/6383 A05/2.1/102/6388 A05/2.1/102/6475 A05/2.1/107/6585 A05/2.1/107/6596 A05/2.1/107/6640 A05/2.1/106/6690 A05/2.1/107/6848 A05/2.1/74/7007 A05/2.1/74/7009 A04/2.1/4/9503 A04/2.1/4/9505 A04/2.1/9/9599 A04/2.1/9/9600 A04/2.1/9/9643 A04/2.1/9/9675 A04/2.1/4/9850 A04/2.1/41/9853 A04/2.1/41/9856 A04/2.1/34/9857 A04/2.1/1/9859 A06/2.1/181/10178 A06/2.1/152/10180 A06/2.1/152/10181 A06/2.1/157/10183 A06/2.1/157/10184 A06/2.1/157/10185 A06/2.1/157/10186 A06/2.1/157/10187+152/ 10220

No. 232 No. 17 No. 107 No. 12 No. 3 No. 166 No. 57 No. 160 No. 180 No. 40 No. 169 No. 170 No. 119 No. 150 No. 93 No. 112 No. 94 No. 115 No. 21 No. 22 No. 37 No. 30 No. 105 No. 102 No. 61 No. 6 No. 124 No. 233 No. 66 No. 89 No. 64 No. 98 No. 133 No. 224 No. 201 No. 165 No. 142 No. 111 No. 46 No. 36

213

Room 9 Room 8 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 8 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 8 Room 9 Room 8 Room 8 Room 1 Room 1 Room 4 Room 4 Room 4 Room 4 Room 1 Room 2 Room 2 Room 2 Surface B1 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15

214

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

A06/2.1/157/10188 A06/2.1/157/10190 A06/2.1/140/10191 A06/2.1/157/10192 A06/2.1/140/10195 A06/2.1/157/10198 A06/2.1/158/10200 A06/2.1/158/10202 A06/2.1/158/10203 A06/2.1/161/10204 A06/2.1/161/10209 A06/2.1/161/10211 A06/2.1/161/10214 A06/2.1/152/10219 A06/2.1/152/10221 A06/2.1/145/10225 A06/2.1/145/10229 A06/2.1/169/10231 A06/2.1/129/10234 A06/2.1/180/10237 A06/2.1/180/10238 A06/2.1/180/10239 A06/2.1/145/10240 A06/2.1/151/10251 A06/2.1/145/10254 A06/2.1/145/10255 A06/2.1/127/10256 A06/2.1/127/10257 A06/2.1/163/10259 A06/2.1/163/10260 A06/2.1/127/10262 A06/2.1/150/10263 A06/2.1/170/10264 A06/2.1/163/10265 A06/2.1/163/10270 A06/2.1/163/10272 A06/2.1/145/10273+152/10175 A06/2.1/152/10275 A06/2.1/132/10276 A06/2.1/140/10281

No. 230 No. 208 No. 134 No. 67 No. 83 No. 8 No. 51 No. 132 No. 148 No. 135 No. 27 No. 87 No. 206 No. 229 No. 84 No. 96 No. 77 No. 116 No. 173 No. 183 No. 32 No. 70 No. 88 No. 14 No. 97 No. 193 No. 43 No. 106 No. 10 No. 11 No. 2 No. 222 No. 129 No. 164 No. 33 No. 16 No. 101 No. 79 No. 120 No. 210

Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 16 Room 16 Room 16 Room 16 Room 16 Room 16 Room 16 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 1 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 15 Room 9 Room 15 Room 15 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 16 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 15 Room 15 Room 9 Room 15

Concordance

A06/2.1/145/10282 A06/2.1/145/10283 A06/2.1/157/10285 A06/2.1/145/10286 A06/2.1/145/10287 A06/2.1/145/10289 A06/2.1/145/10290 A06/2.1/157/10291 A06/2.1/157/10292 A06/2.1/157/10294 A06/2.1/146/10299 A06/2.1/171/10300 A06/2.1/157/10301 A06/2.1/145/10302 A06/2.1/132/10305 A06/2.1/128/10307 A06/2.1/157/10309 A06/2.1/145/10311 A06/2.1/145/10312 A06/2.1/146/10313 A06/2.1/132/10322 A06/2.1/132/10323 A06/2.1/132/10324 A06/2.1/127/10328 A06/2.1/127/10334 A06/2.1/127/10338 A06/2.1/127/10342 A06/2.1/127/10343 A06/2.1/152/10346 A06/2.1/163/10349 A06/2.1/151/10350 A06/2.1/151/10351 A06/2.1/122/10352 A06/2.1/117/10353 A06/2.1/167/10354 A06/2.1/175/10356 A06/2.1/154/10358 A06/2.1/154/10360 A06/2.1/128/10362 A06/2.1/128/10366

No. 207 No. 82 No. 71 No. 209 No. 212 No. 211 No. 73 No. 60 No. 62 No. 78 No. 75 No. 195 No. 237 No. 238 No. 18 No. 35 No. 85 No. 63 No. 231 No. 74 No. 159 No. 127 No. 171 No. 177 No. 188 No. 122 No. 109 No. 42 No. 86 No. 198 No. 227 No. 161 No. 197 No. 121 No. 19 No. 228 No. 7 No. 158 No. 174 No. 20

215

Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 9 Room 1 Room 15 Room 15 Room 9 Room 9 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 15 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9

216

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

A06/2.1/128/10367 A06/2.1/151/10368 A06/2.1/F106/10369 A06/2.1/119/10373 A06/2.1/157/10380 A06/2.1/132/10398 A06/2.1/132/10399 A06/2.1/127/11511 A07/2.1/221/11730 A07/2.1/221/11731 A07/2.1/241/11799 A04/2.1/261/11909 A07/2.1/233/11910 A07/2.1/191/11911 A07/2.1/221/11927 A07/2.1/252/12042 A07/2.1/233/12044 A07/2.1/233/12045 A07/2.1/233/12046 A07/2.1/233/12049 A07/2.1/233/12051 A07/2.1/233/12052 A07/2.2/233/12053 A07/2.1/243/12054 A07/2.1/261/12217 A07/2.1/262/12219 A07/2.1/262/12220 A07/2.1/F128/12224 A07/2.1/261/12228+12235 A07/2.1/261/12229 A07/2.1/261/12230 A07/2.1/210/12248 A07/2.1/196/12249 A07/2.1/214/12250 A07/2.1/218/12251 A07/2.1/215/12252 A07/2.1/208/12253 A07/2.1/208/12256 A07/2.1/216/12258 A07/2.1/209/12259+208/12255 A07/2.1/209/12261

No. 52 No. 80 No. 137 No. 200 No. 221 No. 108 No. 104 No. 196 No. 235 No. 234 No. 44 No. 4 No. 223 No. 1 No. 25 No. 168 No. 216 No. 217 No. 220 No. 189 No. 225 No. 226 No. 155 No. 157 No. 95 No. 179 No. 182 No. 92 No. 213 No. 175 No. 56 No. 118 No. 55 No. 151 No. 176 No. 178 No. 38 No. 205 No. 130 No. 145 No. 100

Room 9 Room 9 Room 10 Room 9 Room 15 Room 9 Room 9 Room 9 Room 14 Room 14 Room 10 Room 15 Room 14 Room 10 Room 14 Room 6 Room 14 Room 14 Room 14 Room 14 Room 14 Room 14 Room 14 Room 6 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 15 Room 9 Room 9 Room 4 Room 9 Room 9 Room 13 Room 13 Room 13 Room 13 Room 13

Concordance

A07/2.1/200/12262 A07/2.1/207/12263 A07/2.1/207/12264 A07/2.1/245/12265 A07/2.1/245/12266 A07/2.1/245/12268 A07/2.1/235/12272 A07/2.1/247/12273 A10/2.1/368/30016 A10/2.1/387/30146 A10/2.1/395/30142 A06/2.1/157/30148 A07/2.1/207/30150 A06/2.1/181/30153 A10/2.1/395/30166 A10/2.1/367/30171 A10/2.1/368/30173

No. 215 No. 154 No. 54 No. 219 No. 113 No. 68 No. 47 No. 140 No. 214 No. 23 No. 59 No. 76 No. 58 No. 194 No. 236 No. 28 No. 65

217

Room 9 Room 13 Room 13 Room 12 Room 12 Room 12 Room 11 Room 13 Street 2 Street 3 Street 3 Room 15 Room 13 Room 15 Street 3 Street 2 Street 2

Concordance of Inventory Numbers and Catalogue Numbers (Serenos’ Dump—Room 43) Inventory No.

Catalogue No.

A14/2.2/160/30239 A14/2.2/160/30240 A14/2.2/160/30241 A14/2.2/160/30242 A14/2.2/160/30243 A14/2.2/160/30244 A14/2.2/160/30245 A14/2.2/160/30246 A14/2.2/160/30247 A14/2.2/160/30248 A14/2.2/160/30249 A14/2.2/160/30250 A14/2.2/160/30251 A14/2.2/160/30252 A14/2.2/160/30253 A14/2.2/160/30254 A14/2.2/160/30255

No. 338 No. 339 No. 340 No. 341 No. 314 No. 268 No. 313 No. 261 No. 260 No. 263 No. 262 No. 256 No. 258 No. 259 No. 257 No. 255 No. 312

218

A14/2.2/160/30256 A14/2.2/160/30257 A14/2.2/160/30258 A14/2.2/160/30259 A14/2.2/160/30260 A14/2.2/160/30261 A14/2.2/160/30262 A14/2.2/160/30263 A14/2.2/160/30267 A14/2.2/160/30268 A14/2.2/160/30269 A14/2.2/160/30270 A14/2.2/160/30271 A14/2.2/160/30272 A14/2.2/160/30273 A14/2.2/160/30274 A14/2.2/160/30275 A14/2.2/160/30278 A14/2.2/160/30279 A14/2.2/160/30280 A14/2.2/160/30281 A14/2.2/160/30292 A14/2.2/160/30293 A14/2.2/160/30296 A14/2.2/160/30298 A14/2.2/160/30299 A14/2.2/160/30300 A14/2.2/160/30301 A14/2.2/160/30302 A14/2.2/160/30304 A14/2.2/160/30306 A14/2.2/160/30307 A14/2.2/160/30308 A14/2.2/160/30309 A14/2.2/160/30311 A14/2.2/160/30314 A14/2.2/160/30315 A14/2.2/160/30316 A14/2.2/160/30319 A14/2.2/160/30321

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 316 No. 344 No. 345 No. 346 No. 347 No. 348 No. 349 No. 350 No. 333 No. 332 No. 330 No. 331 No. 334 No. 336 No. 335 No. 271 No. 239 No. 297 No. 305 No. 324 No. 351 No. 319 No. 321 No. 303 No. 296 No. 307 No. 309 No. 299 No. 293 No. 247 No. 326 No. 327 No. 328 No. 329 No. 320 No. 298 No. 301 No. 300 No. 284 No. 292

Concordance

A14/2.2/160/30322 A14/2.2/160/30323 A14/2.2/160/30324 A14/2.2/160/30325 A14/2.2/160/30326 A14/2.2/160/30327 A14/2.2/160/30328 A14/2.2/160/30329 A14/2.2/160/30330 A14/2.2/160/30331 A14/2.2/160/30332 A14/2.2/160/30333 A14/2.2/160/30341 A14/2.2/160/30342 A14/2.2/160/30343 A14/2.2/160/30344 A14/2.2/160/30345 A14/2.2/160/30346 A14/2.2/160/30347 A14/2.2/160/30349 A14/2.2/160/30350 A14/2.2/160/30351 A14/2.2/160/30352 A14/2.2/160/30353 A14/2.2/160/30354 A14/2.2/160/30355 A14/2.2/160/30356 A14/2.2/160/30357 A14/2.2/160/30358 A14/2.2/160/30359 A14/2.2/160/30361 A14/2.2/160/30362 A14/2.2/160/30363 A14/2.2/160/30364 A14/2.2/160/30365 A14/2.2/160/30366 A14/2.2/160/30367 A14/2.2/160/30368 A14/2.2/160/30373 A14/2.2/160/30374

No. 252 No. 253 No. 282 No. 267 No. 265 No. 264 No. 270 No. 269 No. 273 No. 337 No. 266 No. 272 No. 244 No. 245 No. 249 No. 246 No. 243 No. 283 No. 286 No. 287 No. 295 No. 241 No. 242 No. 240 No. 306 No. 251 No. 250 No. 248 No. 277 No. 276 No. 278 No. 279 No. 280 No. 281 No. 311 No. 285 No. 275 No. 274 No. 322 No. 323

219

220

A14/2.2/160/30375 A14/2.2/160/30381 A14/2.2/160/30382 A14/2.2/160/30384 A14/2.2/160/30385 A14/2.2/160/30386 A14/2.2/160/30387 A14/2.2/160/30388 A14/2.2/160/30389 A14/2.2/160/30390 A14/2.2/160/30392 A14/2.2/160/30393 A14/2.2/160/30394 A14/2.2/160/30395 A14/2.2/160/30430 A14/2.2/160/30431

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

No. 325 No. 302 No. 289 No. 290 No. 304 No. 310 No. 291 No. 308 No. 254 No. 294 No. 318 No. 317 No. 315 No. 288 No. 342 No. 343

Bibliography O.Trim. 1 = Bagnall, R. S. and G. Ruffini (eds.) (2012). Amheida I. Ostraka from Trimithis, Volume 1: Texts from the 2004–2007 Seasons. New York. O.Trim. 2 = Ast, R. and R. S. Bagnall (eds.) (2016). Amheida III. Ostraka from Trimithis, Volume 2: Greek Texts from the 2008–2013 Seasons. New York. Alfarano, S. (2018), “Architettura dei riti conviviali nell’Egitto Tardoantico,” in Theatroeideis. L’immagine della città, la città delle immagini, Atti del Convegno Internazionale, Bari, 15–19 giugno 2016, M. Livadiotti et al. (eds.). Thiasos Monografie 11, vol. II, L’immagine della città romana e medievale. Rome: 469–88. Alfarano, S. (2019). Il banchetto in ambito domestico e pubblico: testimonianze testuali ed archeologiche nell’Egitto tardoantico. PhD thesis, University of Salento and University of Vienna. Arcelin, P. and M. Tuffreau-Libre (eds.) (1998). Quantitation of ceramics, conditions and protocol, proceedings of the round table of Bibracte (7–9 April 1998). Bibracte. Arthur, P. and A. Ricci (1981). “Sistemi di quantificazione della ceramica proveniente da scavi di complessi edilizi di epoca romana,” Dialoghi di Archeologia 1.3: 125–8. Aravecchia N., T. L. Dupras, D. Dzierzbicka, and L. Williams (2015) “The church at Amheida (ancient Trimithis) in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. A bioarchaeological perspective on an Early Christian mortuary complex,” Bioarchaeology of the Near East 9: 21–43. Aravecchia, N. (2018). ‘Ain el-Gedida. 2006–2008 Excavations of a Late Antique Site in Egypt’s Western Desert. New York. Ast, R. and P. Davoli (2016). “Ostraka and Stratigraphy at Amheida (Dakhla Oasis, Egypt): A Methodological Issue,” in Proceedings of the 27th International Congress of Papyrology, Warsaw 2013. Warsaw: 1447–71. Aston, D. A. (1998). Quantir I. Die Keramik des Grabungsplatzes Q1: Volume I. Corpus of Fabrics, Wares and Shapes. Mainz. Aston, D. A. (2007). “Amphorae, Storage Jars and Kegs from Elephantine: A Brief Survey of Vessels from the Eighth–Seventh Centuries BC to the Seventh–Eighth Centuries AD,” in 221

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Figures

Figure 1: The Dakhla Oasis with Amheida/Trimithis in northwest corner.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 2: General map of Amheida/Trimithis divided in 11 areas.

Figures

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 3: Plan of Area 2.1 with the House of Serenos (B1), the stable (B5), and Streets 2 and 3.

Figures

Figure 4: Roman thermae (laconicum and latrina) below B1 and B5.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 5: Macro photos of some Amheida fabrics.

Figures

Figure 6: Examples of complete or almost complete vessels from B1, S2, and S3.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 7: Examples of complete or almost complete vessels from B1, S2, and S3.

Figures

Figure 8: Examples of complete or almost complete vessels from B1, S2, and S3.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 9: Examples of complete or almost complete vessels from B1, S2, and S3.

Figures

Figure 10: Section drawing of Room 4.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 11: Small stove (F31) in Room 4.

Figures

Figure 12: Plan of Rooms 9 and 10.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 13: Plan of Room 13 showing the distribution of ceramic fragments.

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Figure 14: Almost complete unfired clay disc in Room 13 (DSU 216).

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 15: The double bin (F151+F174) in Room 13.

Figures

Figure 16: Section drawing of Room 14.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 17: Plan of Room 15 showing the distribution of ceramic vessels that received a Field Number (FN) during excavation.

Figures

Figure 18: The stibadium outside the House of Serenos.

Figure 19: Section drawing of Street 2.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figures

Figure 20: Vessels found in a dumped layer (DSU 163) lying on the floor (F117) of the laconicum.

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 21: Cooking pot (no. 129 = Inv. 10264) from DSU 170 in the laconicum.

Figures

Figure 22: The closed alley (R43) to the south of Building 6 (Area 2.2).

The House of Serenos: The Pottery

Figure 23: Illustration of Serenos’ social network.