Cache of pottery vessels found in Alexandria

The Ministry of Antiquities found a cache containing hundreds of pottery vessels, dating back to the Graeco-Roman, Coptic and the Islamic eras, during restoration works carried out in the inner garden of the Graeco-Roman museum in Alexandria known as the “Patio”. Dr. Mostafa Waziri, General Secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that after finding the cachette, a committee from the Alexandria Antiquities headed to the museum to archaeologically inspect the cache.

Credit: Ministry of Antiquities

According to the history of the Museum, Ayman Ashmawi, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector pointed out  that these pots were most probably hidden by archaeologist Alan Rowe and the museum’s employees in the garden of the museum’s garden during the World War II, between 1939 and 1945, to safeguard and protect them from looting or being destroyed by repeated bombardments during the war. But, the hiding process was carried out quickly without being documented or recorded on the museum’s list.

Credit: Ministry of Antiquities

On her part, Nadia Khadre, Head of the Central Department of Egyptian, Graeco and Roman Antiquities, said that the cache includes a collection of pottery of different sizes and shapes. Among them, the Hadra vessels, to bury the ashes of dead people after burning their corpses in the Greek period.

In addition to a large collection of liquid vessels of various shapes and sizes, coloured pots, and a large number of dishes and tableware from the Graeco-Roman and Byzantine eras were found.

Excavations continue to explore more items.

Source: Ministry of Antiquities [July 04, 2018]