Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (12.2000(2001))

CAIRO

EGYPT

CAIRO
FUNERARY COMPLEX
OF AMIR KEBIR QURQUMAS
Restoration Project Progress Report, 2000
Jerzy J. Kania

In view of the Polish-Egyptian Mission's continuous character, the period covered hy this
report extends from January 1 to December 31, 2000. During this time the mission1}
proceeded with the restoration of the complex of the Amir Kebir Qurqumas, following
a specially updated program prepared on the request of the Egyptian side. Work was carried
out in all of the constituent parts of this big multifunctional complex. The intensity of
execution of particular tasks varied, depending on the financial resources provided by the
Egyptian side, and to a much lesser degree on the funds granted by the Polish Center of
Archaeology of Warsaw University.
Building-conservation and reconstruction activities, as well as research were carried out
in the Khanqah (Sufi monastery), Qubba (mausoleum) and Tahuna (ancient mill), but also
the so-called Rab'a (located in the southeastern part of the complex at the edge of the protected
area).
1) In 2000 the staff included, on the Polish side: Mr. Jerzy J. Kania, M.Sc.Eng., architect-restorer and head of the Mission
(all the year except July); Dr. Maciej G. Witkowski, archaeologist-epigraphist (January-May), Mr. Krzysztof Ciuk,
archaeologist-consultant (May-June); Mr. Ireneusz Nieduziak, architect-consultant, former chief of the Project (September);
Prof. Dr. Maciej Pawlikowski, geologist-mineralogist, consultant (November); Mr. Wieslaw Kuczewski, civil engineer, Site
Chief (all the year except July); Mr. Michal Smola, architect (April-May, October-December); Mr. Aureliusz Pisarzewski,
architect (October-December); Ms. Katarzyna Wodarska, student of archaeology-volunteer (February), Ms. Anetta Eyzwa,
archaeologist-volunteer (November); Ms. Eliza Jaroni, student of archaeology-volunteer (December), Ms. Ewa Kuciewicz,
student of archaeology-volunteer (December), Mr. Michal Bienkowski, student of al-Azhar University-volunteer
(December); Mr. Mariusz Dybich, technical auxiliary services-volunteer (all year except August-September). The Egyptian
side was represented by Mrs. Fatin Hassan el Fayyez, archaeologist, Chief Inspector; Mr. Nazmi Daoud Attiya, engineer
architect; Mr. Abdallah Saad, archaeologist, site inspector; Mr. Ibrahim Farag Ibrahim, conservator-chemist; Mr. Mustafa
Anwar Khalifa, archaeologist-consultant, Chief of the Area; Mr. Medhat al Minabbawy, archaeologist-consultant, former
Chief Inspector of the site.

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