Western Mound – C/1
This designation represents the western mound of Area C. Two building complexes are indicated by plan and appear to be separated by a laneway. Overall the complex draws a parallel to the complexes of Area B. The large multi-roomed structure (C/1/1) in the south of this location was chosen for excavation. It measures 12m x 22m and is similar to the houses of Area A. The purpose of the building is not clear, yet it may be identified as a domestic unit. The rooms within this unit do not appear to have been vaulted and it is likely that the building was single-storeyed due to the discovery of a relatively small amount of collapse in them.
Dating evidence for the activity in this locality was provided by the discovery of 19 ostraka of the mid-3rd century CE. The majority of the ostraka relate to one person and concern tax receipts which bear more or less precise dates of Galli (252-253 CE) and Valeriani (between 252 and 260 CE). Regnal dates are also indicated by the documentary material for the years 269 to 271 CE. In conjunction with this, some vessels from the ceramic assemblage were found to resemble wares datable to the mid-late 3rd century. Parallel examples of items discovered in the C/2 excavations were also noted to be present in deposits associated with early occupation phases of C/1/1, giving credence to contemporary activity in this area.
Publications
An extensive list of publications relating to Ismant el-Kharab is available for consultation.