Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (11.1999(2000))

CAIRO

EGYPT

MADRASA
Conservation work in the eastern sidella

Conservation work in 1999 was concen-
trated on the ceiling of the eastern sidella of
the Madrasa.2) The same measures as
applied in the previous season3) were
adopted for the work, although in this case
the wooden structure of the ceiling could
be approached only from below, the origi-
nal Mamluk protective covering4) having
been preserved in good condition. As
before, the missing elements of the tiraz-
frieze had to be replaced with new ones,
the entire ceiling had to be cleansed and
saturated with insecticides and fungicides;
finally, all the preserved, originally painted
surfaces had to be reinforced and protected.
Preserved traces of the ceiling decoration
and the tiraz inscriptions in particular

allowed the text to be identified as Surah
62, 10-11.
The currently executed work raises
occasionally controversial issues of the
adopted conservation methodology, espe-
cially with regard to heavily decorated
wooden ceilings. As the chief objective is to
restore the Madrasa to its original religious
function, it is only natural that the effects of
the conservation should correspond to the
aesthetic needs of future users of this place
of prayer. Hence, the widely recognized
puristic approach that has been adopted (in
preparation for more advanced restoration),
improving substantially the color and form
legibility of the ceiling decoration (includ-
ing epigraphic elements).

KHANQAH

The upper floor of the Khanqah has final-
ly been completed with the restoration of
partition walls in the "permanent ruin"
formula (Figs. 1, 2). This required the
restored stone pavements of the upper
story, which now have taken over the
function of a flat roof, to be properly insu-
lated with efficient rainwater run-off
facilities placed in the vertical shafts of
the lavatories, which were cleaned out and
repaired for the purpose. The solution

makes use of the main sewage canal that
runs under all the khanqah units to dis-
card waste water.5)
A layer of hydrophobic mortar on all the
exposed walls constructed in opus emplectum,
carefully modeled to ensure fast evacuation
of rainfall, provides the final protective
measure, preventing mortar from being
washed out from between the ashlar blocks
and thus removing the chief cause of dam-
age to the structure of these walls.

21 This project was concluded in the course of three months from February to April by a team of trainee conservation vol-
unteers headed by B. Wolosz.
3) Cf. J. J. Kania, PAM X, Reports 1998 (1999), 77-79, and detailed report in: M. Poplawska, B. Wolosz, Restoration of
the Funerary Complex of Emir Kebir Qurqumas in Cairo (No. 162): Conservation work on the painted wooden ceiling of
the eastern sidella of the Madrasa. A purist-preservation approach. Report. January-April 1998, (Cairo-Warsaw 1998), mss.
V It comprises superimposed layers of loose reed matting, lime mortar mixed with ashes, bricks, all bonded and covered
with a thick layer of the same mortar.
5) Cf. I. Nieduziak, "La fondation 'waqf de 1'Emir Kebir Qurqumas au Caire", ET XIV (1990), 234-281.

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