Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

MAREA

EGYPT

THE BASILICA - KILN AREA

The outer wall of the kiln surrounding
the grate was constructed of mud brick;
it shows evidence of burning due to heat
generated inside of the kiln. This burned
surface was suitable for treatment with an
impregnating breathable solution (30 1)
of FUNCOSIL SNL (by Remmers).
The crown and outer face of the wall
are severely deteriorated and have soft,
powdered surfaces {Fig. 4]· In order to
prevent further deterioration of this wall,
a temporary mud-brick coping was
installed, manufactured on site, using
locally available clay, sand, and chopped

straw, and very small addition of cement,
to increase the water resistance of the
brick. This coping with pronounced drip
edges, was set in a mud mortar bed (no
cement added). Small sections of the wall
were patched with original brick found
on site, and with new mud brick. It
should be emphasized that the new
coping is not an attempt at recon-
struction; it has been installed merely as
a preventive measure against the ele-
ments. The mud coping can be removed
in the future, if required for the
following conservation seasons.

THE FUNERARY CHAPEL

The vault walls of the chapel and a footprint
of the structure are preserved to
approximately half a meter below the chapel
floor (not existing). The interior walls of the
chambers are exposed to the level of the wall
footing. Due to deep excavation and loose
stone bond, some partitions adjacent to the

stairs have collapsed {Fig. 3, top}. The
reconstructive work in the chapel included
reconstruction of these walls, and sup-
porting of the stairs {Fig. 5, bottom}. All
the chambers were backfilled with com-
pacted dirt (post-excavation fill) in order to
stabilize the wall foundations.

67