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Euesperides (Benghazi): preliminary report on the spring 2004 season
- Andrew Wilson, Paul Bennett, Ahmed Buzaian, Vanessa Fell, Ben Found, Kristian Göransson, Abby Guinness, Jamal Hardy, Kerry Harris, Richard Helm, Alette Kattenberg, Estíbaliz Tébar Megías, Geoffrey Morley, Adrian Murphy, Keith Swift, Jessica Twyman, William Wootton, Eleni Zimi
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- Journal:
- Libyan Studies / Volume 35 / 2004
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 March 2015, pp. 149-190
- Print publication:
- 2004
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This article reports on the sixth season of the ongoing project at Euesperides (Benghazi). Excavation in Area P established the date of construction of the penultimate phase (and therefore of the plain pebble mosaic with inscription published last year) as 300-282 BC, following the abandonment and demolition of the antepenultimate phase beneath it. An area used for the preparation and cutting of the materials employed in the final-phase mosaics has been identified. In Area Q the dismantling of the street sequence was completed, and the W building fronting the street found to date from the fifth century BC. In Area R the crushed deposits of Murex shell were removed and working surfaces associated with purple dye production defined. Geological investigations to the west of the city revealed a possible location for the ancient harbour, and showed that the waterlogged deposits of the former sebkha are a good source for further palaeoenvironmental research.
Study of the finds also continued. Further work on reconstructing the design of the final phase mosaic in Area P suggests a central motif probably of two dolphins set within a wave-crest surround. The initial results of the analysis of the mosaic samples taken from the final-phase Building A are presented. The study of the wall plaster fragments was begun, enabling some preliminary observations on the decoration. New forms of local black glaze pots have been recovered this year along with fineware imports from Attica, Corinth, East Greece, south Italy and the Punic world throwing light on the interrelations between Euesperides and the Mediterranean world from the fifth to third centuries BC. Full quantification of the coarse pottery assemblages continued this season, doubling the dataset of fully recorded pottery, whilst detailed analysis of vessel forms and their variations identified production techniques and chronological developments of vessel shapes within the local and imported wares. The study of the amphorae identified more Punic amphorae and an unusual basket-handled amphora which may be of Cypriot origin. Initial assessments of environmental and faunal remains were conducted.
Euesperides (Benghazi): preliminary report on the spring 2003 season
- Andrew Wilson, Paul Bennett, Ahmed Buzaian, Ted Buttrey, Vanessa Fell, Ben Found, Kristian Göransson, Abby Guinness, Jamal Hardy, Kerry Harris, Richard Helm, Alette Kattenberg, Geoffrey Morley, Keith Swift, William Wootton, Eleni Zimi
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- Journal:
- Libyan Studies / Volume 34 / 2003
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 March 2015, pp. 191-228
- Print publication:
- 2003
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- Article
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This article reports on the fifth season of the ongoing project at Euesperides (Benghazi). Excavation in Area P'confirmed a date of 261-250 BC for the destruction of the penultimate phase and the construction of the final phase, with mosaics of mixed pebble and irregular tesserae. An inscription was discovered on the mosaic of the penultimate phase; and some rooms of the preceding phase were investigated. In Area Q the dismantling of the street sequence continued, together with the investigation of houses fronting the street, and the evidence for the lines of different phases of the city defences. Outside the line of the latest defences, excavation in an ancient quarry ditch revealed a refuse deposit rich in ceramics and organic materials. In Area R the rooms surrounding the courtyard were defined, and the latest phases of Murex purple dye production were investigated. At the request of the Municipality and the Department of Antiquities of Benghazi, evaluation trenches were cut to assess the impact of proposed developments on the archaeological remains south and east of the city.
Study of the finds also continued. Work began on reconstructing the design of the final phase mosaic in Area P, the central motif of which was probably a dolphin, within a wave-crest surround. Analysis of the coarsewares demonstrated that between 40-60% of third-century BC coarsewares at the site were imported, many from areas of the Punic world; this suggests active and regular trading networks. Study of the amphorae revealed that forms of Corinthian B amphorae were produced at Euesperides.
Euesperides (Benghazi): Preliminary report on the Spring 2001 season
- Andrew Wilson, Paul Bennett, Ahmed Buzaian, Vanessa Fell, Kristian Göransson, Chris Green, Cassian Hall, Richard Helm, Alette Kattenberg, Keith Swift, Eleni Zimi
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- Journal:
- Libyan Studies / Volume 32 / 2001
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 March 2015, pp. 155-177
- Print publication:
- 2001
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This article reports on the third season of the current project at Euesperides (Benghazi). A programme of geological augering has begun to investigate the presumed location of the ancient harbour and the process by which the harbour and neighbouring lagoon silted up during antiquity. Continued excavation in Area P has revealed two phases of buildings, with a plain pebble floor of the fourth century BC and mixed pebble and irregular tesserae floors of the late fourth/early third century BC. In Area Q work has identified buildings either side of a street, and two phases of city defences; outside the defences excavation has confirmed the continuation of a linear quarry ditch. In Area R the occupation sequence has been elucidated and it seems that the two main phases of purple dye manufacturing activity, using Murex trunculus shellfish, follow the abandonment of a courtyard house. Comprehensive study and quantification of coarsewares and transport amphorae has begun alongside continued study of the finewares, and confirms a wide range of trading contacts. The excavations have also produced evidence for the minting of silver coinage at Euesperides.