D. Fales, Kourion Complex (Palace) IX Oct.–Nov. 1949De C. Fales

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loose sandy soil, whereas below this point it is hard and clay. Many of the stones which cover this the drain in this room are loose and do not fit in with the general scheme of the flores more carefully laid floor stones. However there are two stones laid across this drain these stones are vertically with a flat top. and in the case of the stone that goes across ea hy comer, there can be no question that it is comtemporary with the north wall. These two stones are about at the same height as the end stone just north and east of door. Betas. Some of the stones on west side of drain are in place as shown by plaster. and that there were more in place is shown by a piece of similar plaster. Now in the last period when this drain was filled in these must have been removed and placed helter skelter over drain. That the middle vertical stone is in place is shown by its closely fitting with the stone which is in situ as shown by plaster. Now for this drain to have been open and to have what seems a high back and equally high stones across it can only mean that it was once a latrine.

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The stones on south side of north part of drain are laid on top of stones of floor in contradistinction to stones along west part which lie below the in part below the floor and are comtemporaneous with it. Now the covering of the drain was here some what more systematic and may ante date the final co filling of drain and raising of floor, for why, would they seemingly destroy one wall of drain and build up the other in closing the drain particularly when the covering would not be seen. One might imagine therefore that this part of drain was originally left open perhaps as a urinal and later closed over. That the loose sandy fill went up virtually to roof stones across this drain does not militate against this hypothesis for the soil could have sifted through and the stones been temporarily lifted, and the place filled. in order to support weight of floor above. This may have was the latrine for the visitors and users of the path, room whereas that off room M was the latrine for the servants. Nor is it to be excluded that the room on east room north of large was also a latrine one for each sex, considering christian element in building.