DOI issue:
Egypt
DOI article:Medeksza, Stanisław: Marina el-Alamein: conservation work, 1999
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41274#0052
MARINA EL-ALAMEIN
EGYPT
HOUSES H 10, H 10A, H 10B
AND H 19
The brunt of the conservation and cleaning
work this season was concentrated in this
complex, which is now seen as including
not only the recognized peristyle houses
H 10, H 10a and H 10b, but also a small-
er, as yet not fully excavated residence H 19
(Figs. 1, 2).
A major objective was to clear the
portico courtyard (room 1 on the plan)
and the adjacent complex of rooms 2-12
including the main entrance to the
house. This was undoubtedly the princi-
pal part of the residence, in terms of lay-
out as much as function. The clearing of
room 3a was interrupted when it was
discovered that the walls bear well pre-
served plaster with painted geometrical
motifs.
The niche discovered last year in room 2
(Fig. 3) was now restored (Fig. 4), the mural
removed to be displayed in the future on-
site museum. The only step taken was to
insert the two blocks directly supporting
the columns of the niche. No effort was
made to recreate in detail the ornamental
profile of the parapet, eroded beyond
recognition, but about 90% of the original
decoration of the niche has been preserved
(Fig. 3). Nevertheless, the structure was
found unsound, the blocks of the engaged
columns being only shallowly inserted
into the original wall structure. Every sec-
ond element of the columns was rein-
forced, using steel rods and epoxy resins,
to bond the niche to the wall behind it.
The inside of the niche, once decorated
with paintings, has been finished in plas-
ter.
Fig. 3. House H 10. Portico courtyard and room 2 with relics of niche before restoration. View from
the northeast (Photo R. Czerner)
50
EGYPT
HOUSES H 10, H 10A, H 10B
AND H 19
The brunt of the conservation and cleaning
work this season was concentrated in this
complex, which is now seen as including
not only the recognized peristyle houses
H 10, H 10a and H 10b, but also a small-
er, as yet not fully excavated residence H 19
(Figs. 1, 2).
A major objective was to clear the
portico courtyard (room 1 on the plan)
and the adjacent complex of rooms 2-12
including the main entrance to the
house. This was undoubtedly the princi-
pal part of the residence, in terms of lay-
out as much as function. The clearing of
room 3a was interrupted when it was
discovered that the walls bear well pre-
served plaster with painted geometrical
motifs.
The niche discovered last year in room 2
(Fig. 3) was now restored (Fig. 4), the mural
removed to be displayed in the future on-
site museum. The only step taken was to
insert the two blocks directly supporting
the columns of the niche. No effort was
made to recreate in detail the ornamental
profile of the parapet, eroded beyond
recognition, but about 90% of the original
decoration of the niche has been preserved
(Fig. 3). Nevertheless, the structure was
found unsound, the blocks of the engaged
columns being only shallowly inserted
into the original wall structure. Every sec-
ond element of the columns was rein-
forced, using steel rods and epoxy resins,
to bond the niche to the wall behind it.
The inside of the niche, once decorated
with paintings, has been finished in plas-
ter.
Fig. 3. House H 10. Portico courtyard and room 2 with relics of niche before restoration. View from
the northeast (Photo R. Czerner)
50