Robert J. Bull began the excavation of a vault on the south side of the Inner Harbour of Caesarea Maritima, Israel. The vault was one of a row of warehouses built to store goods unloaded from the harbour built by Herod the Great. Begins with an introduction to the excavation process; the study of the stratigraphy (analysis of the order and position of layers of archaeological remains) considers the later excavations of the adjoining vault, and includes new photographs, plans, and section drawings. The original construction phase, the vault's transformation into a Mithraeum (a sanctuary or temple of the god Mithras), abandonment, and final use as a "charnel house" are discussed in detail. Also, includes detailed studies of the fragmentary wall paintings depicting Mithraic iconography, and of the medallion found inside the vault, in the context of the practices of Mithraism in the ancient world. The reconstruction of the ceiling splay and the interpretation in terms of astrological symbolism important to Mithraism are also detailed. A second volume describing the structure of the vault and the material culture found is planned.            

Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations List of Tables Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Chapter 1 - Introduction and Background A. The Site: Physical Setting and Early History B. The Backstory: Early Challenges for the Harvard Expedition C. The Harvard Expedition: Excavation Strategy, Methods, and Ensuing Challenges 1. 1908 Fieldwork 2. 1909 Fieldwork 3. 1910 Fieldwork D. Summary Chapter 2 - Horizontal Axis: The Ostraca Building's Original Footprint and Surrounding Area A. The Ostraca House 1. Wall A: Ahab's "Main Wall" 2. The Ostraca House: Entrance Halls, Storerooms, and Eastern Corridors (Long-Rooms) 3. Reconstructions 4. Later Additions (?) B. The Osorkon House C. Problems North and East of the Ostraca and Osorkon Houses D. Summary Chapter 3 - Vertical Axis: The Ostraca Building's Complex Depositional History A. Stratigraphic Analysis: Summary of Sections Published by the Harvard Expedition B. Stratigraphic Analysis: Discussion of Sections Relevant to the Ostraca House 1. Principal Longitudinal Section CD 2. Principal Lateral Section GH 3. Subsidiary Lateral Section AB C. Summary Chapter 4 - Ceramic Considerations A. The Harvard Excavations and the Joint Expedition: Collating the Data B. Reisner's Presentation of Pottery: A Meager Repertoire C. The 1910 Ostraca: Spatial Distribution D. The 1910 Ostraca: Typological Notes E. The 1910 Ostraca-related Pottery: Typological Notes F. The 1910 Ostraca and Ostraca-related Pottery: Comparative Ceramic Analysis 1. Epigraphic Pottery 2. Bowl Types Representing Parallels for Ostraca Pottery Forms 3. Non-epigraphic Pottery from the Same Findspots as the Ostraca 4. Comments on Some Jar Types Associated with Ostraca Pottery Forms G. Summary Chapter 5 - The Samaria Ostraca and Modern Scholarship Chapter 6 - Back to the Backstory: The Characters and Concerns behind the Harvard Expedition to Samaria Appendix A - Ostraca: Provenance Data and Vessel Descriptions Appendix B - Ostraca: Sequence of Discovery Appendix C - Non-epigraphic Pottery with Provenance Data Matching those of the Ostraca Appendix D - D. G. Lyon's Report to the President of Harvard University for the Academic Year 1898-1899, Showing the Financial Generosity of Jakob Heinrich Schiff Appendix E - Reisner's Field Drawings of Selected Ostraca Plates Bibliography Indices Biblical References Author Index Subject Index