Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

MARINA EL-ALAMEIN

EGYPT

RESEARCH, BUILDING CONSERVATION
AND RESTORATION

Architectural features prepared for
building conservation work were cleaned
under archaeological supervision; some
archaeological testing was also carried out
in order to study and document con-
struction phases.
Methods have not changed from
previous seasons, including essentials like
wall jointing maintenance, complete
rebuilding and protection of consolidated
wall tops, adding sections of new wall to

ward off damp and dilapidation. White
cement is regularly added to the lime
mortar (six parts sand to three parts lime
and no more than one part of white
cement) to compensate for the poor quality
of local lime. Conservation practice over
the years has demonstrated that strict
adherence to ancient building methods
identified at Marina el-Alamein is not
possible because of the poor durability of
clay and lime-clay mortars and under-


Pig. 1. General situation plan of the site of Marina el-Alamein showing areas of work by the
Polish-Egyptian Preservation Mission (PCMA archives)

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