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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean

Stone block surplus? Reconstruction of the building process and architectural form of Marina el-Alamein hypogea

2020, 29, No. 2

Szymon Popławski

0000-0002-0208-1903

Wrocław University of Science and Technology PhD Candidate

Wrocław University of Science and Technology

DOI

10.31338/uw.2083-537X.pam29.2.15

Publication date

31.12.2020

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Humanities

Discipline

archeology

Language of publication

English

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Abstract

Remains of a Graeco-Roman town on the Egyptian Mediterranean coast were discovered in 1980s during the construction of a tourist resort. At the beginning, excavation work was especially intense at a necropolis area, which after restoration became a site icon. Due to a wide variety of unearthed mortuary monuments numerous information about the town itself, its habitants, and funeral traditions were obtained. Although, those structures were frequently discussed, there is still a lot to be studied. That paper is focused on a question, if the hypogeum could have served as a quarry for its funders? For that purpose a building process was reconstructed and ancient quarrying and mason techniques were discussed. Basing on those, it was possible to estimate the quantity of stone material sourced during the execution of the underground part, while an architectural reconstruction allowed to assess a demand for stone ashlars used aboveground.

Keywords:

Bibliography

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