The small pool fed by a fountain and a “question-mark” channel have created quite a discussion on the dig at Hippos. Fountains are rarely discovered and this one seems to serve a decorative pool. In our last days, we hope to reveal part of the decorative floor on which the pool sits,
We have previously written about what looked like a fountain in the northern part of our excavation area. With today’s work, we can now say that the fountain is part of the water features of a small pool (1.67×1.67m). It is one of now two plastered pools in this part of the dig and may suggest that we have come upon a private bathing facility. We have not reached the bottom of the pool, yet. But some of the team have their water toys at the ready.
As the team prepares for the final week of the excavation, we have been cleaning and documenting some of our small finds. These are the finds that excite us:
Byzantine M Coin
Bronze Pitcher
Spiral bottle
Bone Jewelry
Cross and Palm decorative tile
Fibula
Maenad
Janus Flask
And what will we discover this week?
During the excavation season, we frequently have visitors to our site from around the world. This Friday, when several of us hiked up for a photography and drawing session, we looking up to see some unusual visitors — three powered paragliders. Had my camera been more accessible, I would have gotten an even better shot as they suddenly appeared over the edge of the cliff.
Earlier this season, we published a photo of a plastered basin in the north colonnaded building. In the northeast corner of this room is another water feature, plastered and half-round fed by a water pipe. Its function is a mystery, in part because we have not yet reached the bottom of the feature.
Christine discovered the feature and below she is seen inspecting and clearing the water pipe. Ideas anyone?
