Excavations in the North-East Quadrant. 1st Interim Report

During the past two decades all the major cities of Cyrenaica have seen new fieldwork, and much has been achieved. The Department of Antiquities has been active, particularly in the increasingly important area of rescue archaeology. Its resolute and skilful efforts have included very important work at Shahat (Cyrene) (Walker (in Walda and Walker), this volume) and at Benghazi (Berenice). At the latter city, one of the least known in Cyrenaica, the Department's excavations at Sidi Khrebish demonstrated the rich archaeological potential of the site and led to the large-scale campaigns of 1971-5, in which the Society for Libyan Studies was deeply involved.Generous support has also been extended to British teams at Euesperides (Berenice's predecessor), Driana (Hadrianopolis), Tocra (Tauchira) and Tolmeita (Ptolemais); to the Italian Mission, whose work at Cyrene has proceeded throughout the period; to the major American investigation of the extra-mural Demeter sanctuary at the same site; and to the French Mission, which has conducted annual campaigns at Susa (Apollonia) since 1976. There has also been productive research into the minor towns.Perhaps the outstanding feature of the period under review, however, has been publication. No less than thirteen major site reports (see bibliography under Apollonia, Berenice, Cirene, Cyrene and Tocra), several works of synthesis (Goodchild 1971; Huskinson 1975; Rosenbaum and Ward-Perkins 1980; Stucchi 1975), collected papers (Goodchild 1976) and a profusion of shorter studies in journals, conference proceedings (Barker, Lloyd and Reynolds 1985; Gadallah 1971; Stucchi and Luni 1987) and exhibition publications (Missione Italiana 1987) have appeared — a very rich harvest. Many of course, had their genesis in earlier research, particularly during the fecund years of Richard Goodchild's controllership. Amongst much else, this saw Boardman and Hayes' exemplary Tocra project, which in its use of quantification, scientific analysis and other techniques anticipated later British and American work; the University of Michigan's extensive research at Apollonia; and the inauguration of the Italian Mission, under S. Stucchi, to Cyrene (Stucchi 1967), whose work on the architectural development, art and anastylosis of the city continues to make an outstanding contribution to our appreciation of Libya's archaeology and cultural heritage.

Section: Houses and Innsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Archaeology in Cyrenaica 1969-1989: the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods

Lloyd

1989

“…This report presents in summary form the principal results of three seasons of work at Ptolemais in Cyrenaica (for previous interims see Gibson et al 1978;Little 1980;Ward-Perkins 1971). Further work had been planned to complete the project, but, following the untimely death of J.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…This building was an obvious choice for renewed survey, when Ward-Perkins recommenced work at Ptolemais in 1971. In the event, the major survey work on this building (hereafter House T) was not undertaken until the second season in 1978 and continued in 1979 (Gibson et al 1978;Little 1980;Vickers 1972, 40;Ward-Perkins 1971, 8). The major work of survey was undertaken by Ward-Perkins himself and Miss Sheila Gibson, whose excellent plans, elevations and axonometric reconstruction illustrate this report.…”

Section: Chronologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Town Houses at Ptolemais, Cyrenaica: A Summary Report of Survey and Excavation Work in 1971, 1978–1979

Ward-Perkins¹,

Little²,

Mattingly³

et al. 1986

Self Cite

This summary presents the main results of three seasons of survey and limited excavation work carried out by the Society at Ptolemais in Eastern Libya. The survey concentrated on two major town houses which had been partially excavated by Richard Goodchild (House G and House T), whilst excavation was carried out on the adjacent site known as the North-east Quadrant. All of the sites revealed complex structural histories and it is evident that in this quarter of Ptolemais, at least, life within the town continued well into the Islamic period.

Some Notes on Islamic Tolmeita

Kennet¹

1991

This article presents some sherds of glazed, medieval pottery which were found on the surface at Tolmeita in the vicinity of the Headquarters of the Dux. This pottery suggests a period of occupation at Tolmeita from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries AD. There is a brief discussion of the possible role of Tolmeita as a port for Barqa's trade. Yakubi, al-Idrisi and Abu al-Fida are quoted as they all mention Tolmeita by name.