Later history

The grandiose building works for the Triconch Palace were never completed. The building was abandoned and was immediately given over to a series of smaller, less impressive dwellings. Both domestic and industrial buildings now occupied the shell of the former palace. Most of these were constructed of timber and drystone or clay-bonded walls – and none lasted more than a generation before being reconstructed. It cannot be determined if the inhabitants were seasonal occupants or town-dwellers who somehow coped with the rising water levels.

In the fifth century many of the buildings were used for industrial activity whereas in the sixth century most seem to have been fishermen’s dwellings. It is tempting to see this period as one of crushing poverty – but, in fact, the finds from this period are rich. Coins, imported amphorae, fine tableware and quality glass all distinguish this period. The finds do, however, evidence a change in the axis of trade. Where imports mainly come from the west up until the mid-fifth century, after that and until the mid-sixth century the majority of imports come from the east Mediterranean.

Many amulets designed to protect the wearer have been found from this period of greater anxiety – but also objects of decoration and leisure, like bone gaming pieces. A small lathe-turned ivory piece is particularly fine. Resembling most of all a chess piece, it is probably an elaborate finial from a deluxe domestic object.

Then, around 550 AD the imports died up and the character of the area changed: simple graves, including infants buried in transport amphorae, now accompanied the simple dwellings. Analysis of the skeletal remains evidence many disorders – urban life was obviously taking on a new and more stressful character.

 

• A private residence
• From villa to palace
• Amulets and talismans from the Triconch Palace
• Later History
• QTVR of the Triconch Palace
• 3 eras of the Triconch Palace