The late Roman harbor temple of Berenike. Results of the 2010 season of excavations

Abstract

Excavations in 2010 in the southwestern harbor at Berenike documented two distinct structures. One built of white gypsum/anhydrite ashlars was the earlier of the two. The later one, with walls composed mainly of extinct coral heads, but incorporating portions of the earlier ashlar structure, lay immediately southeast of the former. The later edifice, and the focus of this article, dated to the 4th and 5th centuries AD and clearly had a religious function. Excavations documented two major phases of this shrine and suggested that multiple creeds were venerated here, including one perhaps of South Arabian origin. Along with numerous cult objects made of metal, stone, terracotta, ostrich eggs and cowry shells there was ample floral and faunal evidence for offerings made or consumed by devotees.