Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (10.1998(1999))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

* * *

It should be noted that on the initiative of
the Governor of Alexandria, Mr. Moham-
med Abdel Salam Mahgoub, the immedi-
ate surroundings of the site have been
arranged, the work being financed from
municipal funds. The square and parking
place on Safia Zaghloul Street and the
square in front of the Main Railway Station
(beside the tourist entrance to the Roman
Theater site) were given a re-designed
communication system, new pavements,
new green architecture. A striking new
fence along Safia Zaghloul Street and
a monument to Khedive Ismail installed
there have greatly enhanced the view of the
archaeological site, increasing popular
interest in the ancient ruins. Hence, it has
become even more important for the
Mission to increase its efforts to complete

the remaining conservation in order to
open the entire site to the public.
All through the season work continued
on removing the soil deposits in the Theater
Portico — close to 8,000 m3 this season —
enabling the team to undertake the restora-
tion of the Portico in coming seasons.
In view of the above mentioned activi-
ties and the approval by the American Re-
search Center in Egypt of a conservation
project to protect some Early Roman
mosaics in the residential quarter east of
ancient street R4, directly adjacent to Safia
Zaghloul Street, and to build a shelter over
them (Egyptian Antiquities Project
USAID Grant No. 260-000-G-00-3089-
00), it proved necessary to modify the con-
servation work program presented in
Variant I.



Fig. 2. Cisterns. Western wall of the corridor
before restoration (Photo W. Kolgtaj)

Fig. 3. Cisterns. Western wall of the corridor
after restoration (Photo W. Koigtaj)

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