Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (10.1998(1999))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

CISTERNS

Top priority was accorded the work in the
area of the cisterns lying immediately
adjacent to the access route to the project-
ed mosaics pavilion. The western wall of
the corridor-ramp, 26 m2 (Figs. 1, 2, 3), as
well as the south drawing wells (Figs. 4, 5)
were protected and restored where neces-
sary. The restoration of the crown of the
wall separating the Cisterns from street R4
was completed and a staircase was con-

structed along its southern edges. The con-
solidation of the cavities under the
Cisterns was completed (Fig. 6) and a frag-
ment of the wall fallen from the northern
fagade of the structure was put back in
place (Figs. 7, 8, 9).
The preserved lower parts of the north
wall of the Cisterns were cleared to prepare
the ground for completing the conserva-
tion of the structure in the coming season.

OTHER WORKS

The buttresses of the south outer wall of
the Baths were not rebuilt in full as a new
entrance to the underground cellars had
been revealed in recent excavations, along
with the northeastern corner of the south
gymnasium and a column belonging to it.
The corner of the gymnasium was
restored and a column has been prepared


Fig. 4. Cisterns. South double wall before
restoration (Photo W. Kolgtaj)

for raising in the coming season; prepara-
tions included raising the tripod, connect-
ing the parts of the broken column etc. In
connection with the clearing of the entire
length of the south passage of the Baths
and the execution of the southern tourist
path, a previously protected and restored
column was raised in the peristyle of the
bath latrine. A capital was mounted on top
of this column (Fig. 10:L).
The tourist walkway along the southern
limits of the site, from the Theater to street
R4 and the mosaics shelter (120 m), was
completed, including pavement, steps, cas-
ing walls and sloping work (Fig. 11).


Fig. 5. Cisterns. South double wall after
restoration (Photo IF. Kolytaf)

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