Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

MAREA

EGYPT

CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
OF THE BAPTISMAL FONT

Less than half of the baptismal font has
survived over the ages, including fragments
of the steps and south half of the basin
[Fig. 2, top] erected of limestone blocks and
red baked brick. The undermined structure,
missing floor and footing, was in danger of
collapse. The east and west steps of the font
were lined with waterproof plaster (opus
signinum), and the basin was lined with a
white limestone mortar bed featuring
imprints of the finishing tiles (the latter not
preserved). All the coatings were severely
deteriorated, cracked and displaced and in


Fig. 2. Baptismal font, condition before (top)
and after stabilization and conserva-
tion (Photo JackM. Kucy)

danger of detachment. The entire assembly
was in immediate need of structural
stabilization and conservation of the
finishes.
First of all, the steps and the basin of the
font had to be supported [Fig. 2, bottom].
The new footing was constructed of
limestone blocks set on a surface hardened
with crushed brick, stone and light mortar
soil, approximately 30 cm below the floor of
the font. A small fragment of the basin,
adjacent to the east steps, was supported
and protected with a low retaining wall
constructed of the limestone blocks set in
lime mortar. All major voids between new
support stones and the font were filled in
with limestone mortar. The old structure
was consistently separated from the new
work with strips of bituminous membrane.
After stabilization of the structure, conser-
vation work on the preserved surfaces of the
font was executed and included cleaning of
the surfaces and cavities with water, filling
the cracks and voids beneath the plaster
with grout (a, for specification of materials
used, see below), re-adhering edges of the
plaster (b), and filling in the plaster cracks
with grout (a) and mortar (c). Finally, all
surfaces were dusted, desalinated and
impregnated (d). The basin was backfilled
with loose soil to the top of the new footing.
Drainage was ensured in the ground and
low provisional curbs were built around the
font to limit water accumulation in this
area.
The retaining wall built this season
adjacent to the font to protect the pottery
kiln wall (see below) abuts the new support
of the east steps of the font.
The materials used were as follows:
(a) one part hydrated lime, two parts sand,

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007