Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

PALMYRA

SYRIA

PALMYRA
SEASON 2003
PRELIMINARY REPORT
Michal Gawlikowski

The mission worked in Palmyra for two months from April 27 to June 25.1 The main task
this year was to uncover the mosaic floor discovered in our sector in 2002, behind the shops
of the Great Colonnade. This was done in the first two weeks of work. The pavement is
nearly complete and remarkably well preserved. It measures 11.40 m by 5.60 m.
It was cleaned and systematically repaired by restorers as it appeared. All the cracks and
some minor holes were filled with recovered tesserae and, following present trends in
restoration, no attempt was made to straighten the gently rocking surface. Further work shall
be needed in the future, but there is no urgency now.
It was decided to excavate the immediate surroundings of the pavement. Parts of two
streets bordering block E (so marked on Gabriel’s plan) were cleared and the task will be
continued in the future. The street to the east has been called Diogenes Street after an
inscription on a neighboring column; the other one is Oil Press Street, after a feature further
up along it. The entire area between the two streets is now uncovered, not only the hall
adorned with the mosaic pavement, but also shops behind the Colonnade and other remains
dating to the first three centuries AD (Fig. 1). We have also tested the terrace in front of
Basilica I.
1) The mission, led by the present writer, included Dr. Grzegorz Majcherek, who acted as Deputy Director in the first two
weeks; Dr. Marta Zuchowska, Dr. Magdalena Zurek and Mr. Marcin Wagner, archaeologists; and three restorers:
Dr. Krzysztof Chmielewski and Ms Joanna Lis (both working on the mosaic), and Mr. Tomasz Myjak (in charge of coin
conservation). We had the assistance of a photographer, Mr. Waldemar Jerke, and an architect, Ms Daria Tarara. A student
from Homs, Mr. Mozafer Mustafa Salman, joined as a volunteer and helped with the mosaic restoration. Mrs. Krystyna
Gawlikowska also participated in the work.
It is our pleasant duty to acknowledge the standing support of Dr. Michel al-Maqdissi, Director of Excavations at the
DGAM in Damascus. We had an inspection visit of Dr. Widad al-Khoury with whom I was able to discuss standing matters
and future projects. In Palmyra, our old friends Messrs. Khaled Asa'ad and Ali Taha assisted us in every way as always.
Messrs. Khalil al-Hariri and Jamil Hassan served as inspectors attached to the mission and spared no trouble to help. They
are assured our heartfelt thanks.

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