Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (11.1999(2000))

MARINA EL-ALAMEIN

EGYPT

The cornices and conch, preserved in
70%, will be restored in the coming season,
when it will be possible to recreate most of
the missing stucco elements (Fig. 6).
The wall behind the niche has been
restored to a height of 4.00 m. Other walls
in the complex range in height from 0.70
to 2.00 m, depending on their originally
preserved height and the context in specif-
ic rooms. The decisive factor was the visu-
al effect of the restored parts (Fig. 8). None
of the restored columns or walls were
replastered. In the case of the columns and
engaged columns, a lime-mortar wash was
applied, mortar being used as a filler only
for corroded elements.
HOUSES H 9 AND H 9A
The major work in House H 9 (Fig. 9; cf.
also Figs. 1,2) was the restoration of a niche

in room 14, made possible by last year's
fortuitous discovery of the niche in House
H 10. The niche, which had been excavat-
ed several years ago (Fig. 10),3) had suf-
fered considerably from lying out in the
open. It now proved impossible to use all
the original elements; the northern col-
umn had to be reconstructed entirely, and
there is little chance for saving the conch
(Fig. 11).
In House H 9a, the wall tops were
cleared of disintegrating material and
built up two or three courses to a height of
no less than 1.00 m. Only one column,
which marked the width of the eastern
portico, was preserved sufficiently to per-
mit its restoration to a height of 2.87 m.
The column used as a drain pipe proved
impossible to restore for lack of enough
original elements.


Fig. 4 . House H 10. Portico courtyard and room 2 with relics of niche after restoration. View from
the northeast (Photo S. Medeksza)

3) Cf. J. Radzik, "Aedicula", in: Archaeological background and conservation problems. The Polish-Egypdan Preservation
Mission at Marina 1998. The Polish Excavation Mission at Marina, 1987-88, vol. 1 (Warsaw 1991), 45-46.

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