Trench 1S

This trench almost reached the western corner of the theatre: the road, which is visible in the background, prevented its completion. The walling here forms something of a bastion, doubtless to support the pressure of the earth used in the embankment which carried the seating. It was utilised as the basis for another structure in the Medieval period: the cluster of stones on top belongs to that phase. The floor is just visible in the centre of the picture. It is 3.14m below the preserved top of the wall. Excavation here was extremely difficult due to the loose nature of the rubble lying against the wall, which also included large blocks. A fragment of Hellenistic Egyptian sculpture was found in the rubble, as well as some carved architectural blocks. The trench was excavated under the leadership of Marian Melnyczek.