Lamps from the Sacred Animal Necropolis,North Saqqara and the Monastery of apa Antinos *

Abstract

Some 33 lamps were recorded from the excavations of the Egypt Exploration Society at North Saqqara (1964–76). They were found in the Baboon, the Falcon and the Mother of Apis Catacombs, in the associated temple site and in the monastic establishment eventually built above the latter. Several lamps were contemporary with the primary usage of the temple and catacombs, and are of Ptolemaic and perhaps of early Roman Imperial date. Late Roman lamps come only from the monastery and its cemetery area, except one found in the entrance of the Mother of Apis Catacomb. The monastery was doubtless deserted before Fatimid times and the several lamps recovered of that and subsequent periods were left behind in the three catacombs by medieval explorers.