DOI article:
Kołątaj, Wojciech: Conservation work on Kom el-Dikka in Alexandria, in the 1989 season
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26389#0017
CONSERVATION WORK ON KOM EL-DIKKA IN ALEXANDRIA IN THE 1989 SEASON
by Wojciech Kotataj
Work conducted in the 1989 season is part of a broader conservation program
undertaken by the PCMA with the Egyptian Antiquities Organization and aimed at
preserving and exhibiting a large section of the ancient city centre of Alexandria,
presently located in the centre of the modern town. The program covers several
structures of both private and public nature, which preserve the urban layout of the
4^7^ centuries A.D.. However, in cases where archaeological studies have uncovered
valuable relics from the l^century B.C. to century A.D., it is planned to exhibit these
as well, without disturbing in any significant way the Late Roman and Byzantine
systems.
Conservation work Is conducted on many sites in conjunction with archaeological
research as a rule, in order to preserve the uncovered relics of architecture left in situ.
The specificity of Alexandria and the scope of our conservation program there1 draws
from by two elements. First and foremost, there is the nature of the damages resulting
from extensive salinization and humidity of the environment, seismic activity which has
frequently destroyed the city in the past and, finally, many centuries of ransacking in
search of building material. Secondly, keeping in mind that in the future the site will
be made accessible to the public, it is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors.
Basing their judgement on the principles contained in the Venice Charter and
taking into account new trends in conservation reflecting the use of new substances
and technologies presented in publications and at congresses, the competent Egyptian
authorities have accepted and adopted the proposed general premises of the
The conservation mission included: Dr. Wojciech Kolqtaj
(director), Dr. Jan Borkowski; architect Mr. Marlusz Karst, Mr.
Kazimierz Blaszczyk and archaeologist Mr. Grzegorz Majcherek.
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by Wojciech Kotataj
Work conducted in the 1989 season is part of a broader conservation program
undertaken by the PCMA with the Egyptian Antiquities Organization and aimed at
preserving and exhibiting a large section of the ancient city centre of Alexandria,
presently located in the centre of the modern town. The program covers several
structures of both private and public nature, which preserve the urban layout of the
4^7^ centuries A.D.. However, in cases where archaeological studies have uncovered
valuable relics from the l^century B.C. to century A.D., it is planned to exhibit these
as well, without disturbing in any significant way the Late Roman and Byzantine
systems.
Conservation work Is conducted on many sites in conjunction with archaeological
research as a rule, in order to preserve the uncovered relics of architecture left in situ.
The specificity of Alexandria and the scope of our conservation program there1 draws
from by two elements. First and foremost, there is the nature of the damages resulting
from extensive salinization and humidity of the environment, seismic activity which has
frequently destroyed the city in the past and, finally, many centuries of ransacking in
search of building material. Secondly, keeping in mind that in the future the site will
be made accessible to the public, it is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors.
Basing their judgement on the principles contained in the Venice Charter and
taking into account new trends in conservation reflecting the use of new substances
and technologies presented in publications and at congresses, the competent Egyptian
authorities have accepted and adopted the proposed general premises of the
The conservation mission included: Dr. Wojciech Kolqtaj
(director), Dr. Jan Borkowski; architect Mr. Marlusz Karst, Mr.
Kazimierz Blaszczyk and archaeologist Mr. Grzegorz Majcherek.
15