Bamboula, Tombs (extracted from McFadden's notebooks)

Photographs negatives missing 1955. (Probably destroyed in developing by D. Stedman, Jr.)

Street of Tombs (Tomb 40)

June 25, 1954Lay out an area 3 x 3 m. to the west of Tomb 19. About 60 cm. west of the dromos of this tomb find rgw dromos of another tomb which is designated Tomb 40. Stones blocking the stoma are found in situ.

The dromos is approximately 1.4 m. square and varies in depth from 30 to 55 cm. depending on the terrain, which is gradually rising toward the south in this area. The stoma is approximately 40 cms high and 50 cm wide. An armoraki directly opposite the stoma has a roughly circular aperture of 25 cm diameter and is hollowed down into the bed rock almost vertically to a depth of 55 cm. (width 45 cm). A few sherds and bones were found in the armoraki.

Photos Bam '54, No.7: view of dromos with door stones in situ (from north); No.8: view of dromos from east showing armoraki.

June 24, 1954Begin clearing through the stoma and soon find roof is collapsed. Clear off a section of top soil above the roof to enter from above and find a large cutting already existing in the bedrock. Open this as much as possible without disturbing an almond tree nearby and make cut to see if the tomb has already been plundered. At ca. 60 cm. below the level of the roof at the door come upon several whole pots.

Close up tomb pending negotiations on removing the tree.

July 27, 1954Remove almond tree. Free tomb completely from top. The cutting on top of the bedrock has a total length of 1.65 m. and a clearly defined shape on the N. side and E. side. The W. side is interrupted by a small pocket-like cutting going down obliquely into the chavara. The S. side is much less certain in its outline. Much of the original bedrock covering the tomb seems to be slightly collapsed but essentially in place. The shape of the cutting is:

The date of this cutting is as yet problematic but it must have been made after the bedrock roof collapsed. The cutters did not disturb the collapsed roof.

Just to the south of Tomb 40 was revealed a small dromos and a stoma-like opening more the size of an armoraki than of a tomb entrance. Clear this, finding only a sherd of WS II, one of Wash ware and a fragment of an ivory staff (??)