Some new earthquake-related evidence from Marina el-Alamein in Egypt

Abstract

Earthquake-related damage has been observed in the architectural substance recorded at the archaeological site of Marina el-Alamein on the northwestern coast of Egypt, reflecting seismic events with more widespread impact known from both written and archaeological sources in the immediate vicinity and farther out. Recent investigations in the ancient town, focused on a district in the northwestern part of the site, have uncovered more evidence of potential earthquake-related destruction in a small public bathhouse (H.39) and a building of still unspecified function (H.40) located further to the east. Apart from obvious wall cracking and floor decomposition, as well as evidence of violent fires (attributed at least in one case to the second half of the 2nd century AD), the author has also observed differences in wall construction techniques, possibly chronologically discrete, that could be explained by a desire on the part of the ancient builders to protect buildings against the effects of seismic shockwaves.