Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

MAREA

EGYPT

sieved to pass through a 0.5 mm sieve,
mixed with 10% water solution of PRIMAL
AC30 by Remmers;
(b) all voids behind loose plaster cleaned of
dust and primed with 5% water solution of
Primal AC30, and re-adhered with grout of
one part hydrated lime, two parts sand,
sieved to pass through a 0.5 mm sieve, mixed

with 10% water solution of Primal AC30
by Remmers. The edges were finished with
mortar of type (c);
(c) one part hydrated lime, three parts sand,
sieved to pass through a 0.5 mm sieve, mixed
with 10% water solution of PRIMAL AC30
by Remmers;
(d) FUNCOSIL KSE 300 by Remmers.

POTTERY KILN PROTECTION

The outer wall of the pottery kiln,
constructed of dried mud brick, was the
object of conservation and protection
during the previous season of 2006. Due to
mechanical damage incurred over the past
year to the temporary coping installed over
the kiln’s wall, and erosion of a soil infill
found back of the wall, the method of
protection needed to be revised. Provisional
mud-brick copings installed during the last
season and compatible with the original
fabric, as well as a mud-mortar infill were
noted to perform very well in protecting the
original wall from mechanical damage. Mud
mortar took impact well and had not been
vandalized; the copings remained in
excellent condition. All things considered,

it became clear that stronger protection was
required for this open and vulnerable site.
The exterior face of the mud wall, now
exposed, required a new backing at the very
least. The new retaining wall [Fig. 3] was
constructed of limestone blocks collected
on site, set approx. 20 cm from the kiln’s
mud wall. The cavity was filled loosely with
earth collected on the site. The mud-brick
copings installed last season were reused to
level the wall crown, set in a mud mortar
[Fig. 3, right]. A new cantilevered limestone
coping set on a new retaining wall, and a
brick cap over the kiln wall (set on angle to
discourage walking) were installed, separat-
ed from the original wall with bituminous
membrane to prevent water penetration. As


Fig. 3. Outer wall of the kiln, inboardface (left) with new mud-brick infill and brick and stone coping,
and outboard face (right) ivith neiv retaining wall and coping (Photo Jack M. Kucy)

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007