Largest Roman Kiln

Photographer:

Stephane Compoint'

Title:

Largest Roman Kiln

Description:

For the past 20 years, the development of Alexandria's industrial zone towards the west, the proliferation of weekend cottages and the digging of a new canal in the region of Abu Mina have changed the countryside drastically and led to a need for archaeological salvage operations. Several sites where amphorae (two-handled jars with a narrow neck used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to carry wine or oil) were made have been uncovered, complete with kilns and areas for drying and storage. This picture shows the largest Roman kiln know to date. It is about 40 feet in diameter and could fire several hundred amphorae at once. The amphorae were used to transport the produce of the Mareotic vineyards across the lake to Alexandria and other locations further away.

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Last Updated: June 8th, 2011