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Al-Hayz (Bahariya, Western Desert, Egypt): Late Roman Transport Amphorae and Dolia

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2014

Abstract

The topic of the poster is focused on transport amphorae and big storage containers from al-Hayz in Egyptian Western desert (Bahariya Oasis) in Late Roman period and it tries to put it in context with pre-existent residential structures. Transport amphorae belong to the most important findings in archaeological excavations.

They could serve as the best dating material, as well as good economical markpoints - the proof of where trade routes were located and how exactly trade itself was carried out. They also represent good methodological tool since their trafficking in the ancient Mediterranean is nowadays very important for the estimation of existing contacts between Egyptian Western Desert, other regions in Northern Africa (especially Nile Valley, Libya, Sudan and Mediterranean shores), and Roman empire.

Based on findings of transport amphorae and storage containers the poster sets position for the Bahariya Oasis (al-Hayz) onto the ancient trade routes in the Western Desert. Recent research in the Oasis gave rise to new insights concerning economical and social situation there.