TAA i.3.2.44
Typewritten and annotated report on botanical remains, page 32.
© Griffith Institute,
University of Oxford
32.
Quercus a/<A>egilops L. [Fagaceae]; Valonia Oak.
Pieces of wood (from a cross-tongue<s> of the shrine/<<third and fourth outermost Shrines, Nos. 237, and 207.)> identified as
Oak, probably Valonia Oak.
The wood of this species is very similar in character to the
wood of the two Common Oaks (Quercus pedunculata Ehrh. and Q.
sessiliflora Salisb.), which is used for ship-building and all pur-
poses where strength, rigidity and durability are needed (Stone),
for casks and heavy furniture (Wies<n>.).
I had previously (in 1925) examined a piece of similar wood
from the shrine of Tut-Ankh-Amen, and identified it as Oak (see Cart.
2, p. 39, note), without naming it specifically, though suggesting
Quercus Cerris L. (Turkey Oak) as a possibility. Examination of
the structure of further specimens has lec/<d> me to regard the wood
as more probably Valonia Oak. The improbability of its being
Turkey Oak is confirmed to some extent by the character of that
wood, which is described as having unfavourable technical properties,
being only good for burning (Wies<n>.), and as having a bad reputation
in England, because it will not stand weather or alteration of
wet and dry like the Common Oak (Elw.).
Quercus a/<A>egilops is widely spread throughout Greece and the
adjoining islands, and also Asia Minor and Crete; according to Sir
J. Hooker, it is very gregarious in Syria (Elw.).
"*Tongue from shrine <No 207 Fourth (outermost) shrine.>"; also No. 236/<7> ("*Tongue & splinter from second shrine"), [Tongue = Oak; splinter = Zizyphus).
* "Tenon" originally.