Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

ALEXANDRIA

EGYPT

ALEXANDRIA
EXCAVATIONS AND PRESERVATION WORK
PRELIMINARY REPORT 2006/2007

Grzegorz Majcherek

The work covered in this report was carried out between September 2006 and the end
of August 2007.1 This seasons busy schedule was fdled with multiple tasks covering
both conservation and archaeological work. With pending completion of the first stage
of the Kom el-Dikka Preservation Project (southern zone of the site), our activities
were conditioned to a large extent by the requirements of this project. Top priority was
given to the work in the bath complex where most of the preservation operations were
concentrated.
A vast collection of Islamic-age finds originating from both former and present
excavations continued to be documented and studied, the work being carried out by
Malgorzata Redlak, assisted by Szymon Maslak. The finds were catalogued, duly
photographed and drawn. Likewise, a collection of some 80 inscribed funerary stelae
was studied by Dorota Malarczyk. Both groups of finds are to due be published soon.
1 The Kom el-Dikka Project is funded joindy by che Supreme Council of Andquides (resroradon work) and die Polish
Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw (archaeological research). The team headed by Dr.
Grzegorz Majcherek included: Renata Kucharczyk, Deputy Director, archeologist-ancient glass specialist; Emanuela
Kulicka, Kinga Bigoraj, Ewa Czyzewska, Iwona Zych, Szymon Maslak, archaeologists; Robert Mahler, anthropologist;
Dorota Malarczyk, islamologist; Marta Momot, documentalist; Dr. Wojciech Kolqtaj, Alexandra Brzozowska, Daria
Tarara and Aureliusz Pisarzewski, architects; and Monika Wi^ch, Piotr Malihski and Szymon Zdzieblowski, students of
archaeology. The Supreme Council of Antiquities was represented throughout the season by Iman Mohsen Shahawy, Said
Mohammed Atallah, Anhar Abdel Hady, and Mohsen Shahawy, all of whom actively participated in our work. The
Mission also offered field training to two junior SCA archaeologists.
The Mission would like to express its sincere gratitude to all SCA authorities and officials, especially to Dr. Zahi Hawass,
Secretary General of the SCA, as well as Dr. Mohammed Abdel Maqsud and Dr. Atiya Radwan for their all-encompassing
assistance and support. Last but not least, we would like to thank Mr. Ahmed Musa, Director of the Kom el-Dikka site,
for his invaluable help in facilitating our work and solving everyday problems.

Polish Archaeology in che Mediterranean XIX, Reports 2007

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