Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

KOM EL-DIKKA
EXCAVATIONS 2000/2001
Grzegorz Majcherek

The archaeological campaign at the Kom el-Dikka site in Alexandria was conducted between
July 2000 and the end of June 2001. The actual fieldwork lasted shorter than usual and
was concluded by the end of March, the rest of the season being devoted to documentation and
recording, as well as studies on finds from previous excavations.1} Work was undertaken
again on the Islamic pottery documentation project, initiated in 1999-2> The studies avid
recording work (covering classification, drawing and photographing) continue to focus on the
medieval glazed wares discovered in earlier excavations of the site, including Early Lead
Glazes, Fayyumi, Lustre Wares, Early Sgraffito, Underglaze Tainted etc., all originating
from the Early Islamic (Omayyad through Ayyubid) period.
Site landscaping prerequisite to the completion of the first stage of the Kom el-Dikka
Preservation Project continued to take up much time and effort. To meet future landscaping
requirements and to enable excavations along the line of the stylobate of the Theater Portico,
some 3,000 cubic meters of modern (19th century) upper stratum soil had to be removed,
pushing back the limits of the excavated area another 5-6 m. This demanding task was
effectively accomplished thanks to substantial logistical assistance from the authorities of the
Supreme Council of Antiquities and the G overnorate of Alexandria.

1) The staff in the 2000/2001 season included: Dr. Grzegorz Majcherek, Director; Prof. Barbara Lichocka, numismatist;
Dr. Barbara Tkaczow, Mrs. Renata Kucharczyk, Ms Grazyna B^kowska, Ms Aleksandra Chabiera, archaeologists;
Mr. Aureliusz Pisarzewski, architect; Mr. Waldemar Jerke, photographer; Ms Joanna Lis and Mr. Wladyslaw Weker,
conservators. Ms Malgorzata Ujma, conservator, joined the mission for a short period to carry out the provisional
conservation of a wall painting discovered in the Early Roman villa.
Mr. Ahmed Moussa was again appointed as the SCA representative, working together with Mr. Mohammed Helmi. Their
services to us were indispensable. Our thanks are also due Prof. Gaballa Ali Gaballa, Secretary General of the Supreme
Council of Antiquities, and all the SCA staff in Alexandria for their invaluable help and friendly support.
2) The efficient management of this laborious and demanding documentation project is in the hands of Ms Malgorzata
Redlak, assisted this year by Ms Teresa Witkowska.

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