Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (14.2002(2003))

DEIR EL-BAHARI

EGYPT

A lighting system was designed for the
Chapel of Anubis interior, using the joints
of the court's north wall to conceal all of
the electric wiring. At the request of
Mr. Mohammed El-Bialy, a special metal-
and-glass viewing door was designed for
the chapel entrance, the objective being to
display while protecting. Visitors will be
able to admire the excellent painting
inside the chapel without entering the
restricted space.
WEST WALL OF THE SOLAR COURT
The work on the wall started with
a cleaning of its surface. Extreme caution
was expended in view of the ancient dipinti
decorating the walls of the solar court and
its niches. The effort was rewarded with


Fig. 4 ■ A detail from the decoration of the Up-
per Chapel of Anubis, after conservation
(Photo M. Jawornicki)

the discovery of three previously unknown
red-painted hieratic graffiti on the west
wall. A palaeographic dating put the
graffiti in the period of building operations
during the reign of Hatshepsut.
The ancient blocks of the cornice
surmounting the top of the walls of the
solar court were placed on top of the west
wall (Fig. 6). As some of the blocks were in
extremely poor condition, it was necessary
to consolidate them with Steinfestiger
Funcosil 300. Where necessary, iron
tenons and epoxy glue were used. To
strengthen the small fissures in the stone
structure injections of Primal AC-33
(Rohm & Haas) were applied.
Two of the three original lanterns that
once lighted up the Northern Chapel of


Fig. 5. The Upper Chapel of Anubis after com-
pletion of the work
(Photo M. Jawornicki)

203