Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (12.2000(2001))

DEIR EL-BAHARI

EGYPT

brought to light seven decorated blocks.
The blocks, which had come from the Main
Sanctuary of Amun and most probably from
the Sun Complex (Eighteenth Dynasty),
were reused in the Ptolemaic period to
pave the Courtyard. The blocks, protected
and preserved, will be used for future
theoretical reconstruction work.
As the present reconstruction project
assumes the paving of some parts of the

Upper Courtyard area, limestone
flagstones were laid in the colonnade area
to emphasize the position of the rows of
columns. The originally open area in the
middle of the courtyard was covered with
gravel. The contrast between the gravel
and the flagstones is meant to illustrate,
which parts of the courtyard were in full
sunlight and which were always in the
shade under the colonnade roof.

MAIN SANCTUARY OF AMUN

In the Bark Hall, where a thick layer of
dirt and soot had been removed from the
wall surfaces in the previous seasons,21) the
kheker-frieze at the top of the wall
decoration and the eastern wall, under the
vault of the ceiling, were cleaned.
Important new hieroglyphic inscriptions
(Fig. 7) and details of the painted decoration
were revealed under the dirt. The entrance
to the Ptolemaic Sanctuary, a unique
example of this feature in Ptolemaic
architecture) was given the final touches,

leaving the gilded facade shining after
restoration.22)
In compliance with a request from the
SCA, a simple, preliminary lighting
concept for the inside of the Main Sanctuary
of Amun was prepared.23) It consists of
eight lamps with electric bulbs of different
density light used to heighten the three-
dimensional visual effect, positioned in
a way that illustrates the function of the
three sanctuary chambers and brings out
the conservation effect as well.

NORTHERN CHAPEL OF AMUN

Four shafts were found hewn in the
bedrock under the pavement in the
Northern Chapel of Amun (Fig. 8). One of
these (Shaft 2) was never finished in
antiquity. Three others appear to be tombs
of a later period. The tombs consisted of
shafts more than 3 m deep and un-
decorated burial chambers located to the
west (Fig. 9). They contained remains of
burials disturbed in the 19th century.
To consolidate the tomb structures after
exploration, a stone wall was built in Tomb

1, directly under the foundation of the west
chapel wall, and another one between the
burial chambers of Tombs 1 and 4. These
two tombs were filled again, while Tomb 3
was left open. In the future, the mouth of
the burial shaft will be closed with a special
glass plate and electric lighting will be
installed inside the burial chamber.
The funerary equipment from the
tombs consisted of a group of shabtis, some
fragments of funerary figurines (feather
crown of Sokaris and a pedestal), many

21) Cf. Pawlicki, PAM X, op. cit., 12Iff.
22) Egyptological reconstruction by E. Laskowska-Kusztal, conservation work by R.W. Gazda.
23) Designed and executed by Z.E. Szafranski and M. Jawornicki. On the request of Mr. Farouk Hosni, Minister of Culture
of Egypt, a comprehensive temple-lighting project is being prepared by K. Sukiennik.

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