Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

DEIR EL-BAHARI

EGYPT

DEIR EL-BAHARI
THE TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT
SEASON 2004/2005
Zbigniew E. Szafranski

The Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Conservation Mission to the Hatshepsut Temple at
Deir el-Bahari conducted its work from 5 December 2004 to 18 April 2005.1
The main objectives of the season included the restoration op the Solar-Cult Complex,
conservation of the North Chamber of Amun-Re, and continued documentation and excavation
in the Royal Mortuary Cult Complex. Supplementary tasks included the final restoration of
two of Hatshepsut's figures in the form of Osiris placed in the Upper (Coronation) Portico;
cleaning of the northern outer face of the Upper Ramp; preliminary conservation of the sandstone
painted statue of king Amenhotep I. The study of the decorative scheme in the Temple of
Tuthmosis III is in progress.
The Mission took an active part in meetings of the Round Table for Conservation at Thebes.
In co-operation with the Luxor branch of the SC A (Dr. Holeil Gloaly), a standardized model
for documentation and conservation reports was recently proposed. Conclusions presented after the
meetings should further international co-operation in the field of conservation.
1 The staff included: Dr. Zbigniew E. Szafranski, Egyptologist (Director); Dr. Mirosiaw Barwik, Egyptologist (Deputy
Director); Mrs. Izabela Uchman-Laskowska, conservator (in charge of the conservation program); Mr. Ahmed Ellaisy
Fath El-Bari, SCA inspector; Mrs. Olga Bialostocka, Egyptologist; Ms Malgorzata Czapinska, student of architecture;
Ms Ewa Czyzewska, archaeologist; Mrs. Monika Dolmska, Egyptologist; Mr. Jerzy Gabryszewski, conservator; Ms Hanem
Sadeek Kenawy, SCA inspector; Ms Jadwiga Iwaszczuk, Egyptologist; Mr. Maciej Jawornicki, photographer;
Mr. Wladyslaw Jurkow, documentalist; Ms Teresa Kaczor, architect; Mrs. Manal Mohamed el-Sayed, SCA inspector;
Mr. Wieslaw Kuczewski, constructor; Mrs. Maria Lulkiewicz-Podkowinska, conservator; Mr. Mieczystaw Michiewicz,
constructor; Mr. Wojciech Myjak, conservator; Mr. Andrzej Sos'nierz, conservator; Ms Anastazja P. Stupko, student of
archaeology; Prof. Dr. Zbigniew Taranienko, art documentalist; Ms Agata Urbanlak, student of archaeology. Plumbers
Mr. Tomasz Gramatowski, and Mr. Tadeusz Zukowski helped specifically with the rehabilitation of parts of the
Metropolitan House.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary' General of the Supreme Council of
Antiquities; Mr. Sabry Abd El Aziz Khater, General Director of the Pharaohnic Department, SCA; Dr. Holeil Ghaly,
Head of the Central Directorate of Upper Egypt and the Oases, SCA; Mr. All el-Asfar, Director of Antiquities at el-
Gurna, SCA; Prof. Dr. Michal Gawlikowski, Director of PCMA, for their invaluable help and continuous support
Special thanks are due Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Chaiasinska-Macukow, Pro-Rector of Warsaw University, for assistance in
the important logistic task of restoring the southernmost wing of the Metropolitan House, the Mission's field quarters,
which after almost a century' from its construction was in dire need of repairs. It has now been restored to its previous
design.

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