DOI Artikel:
Kołątaj, Wojciech: Conservation work on Kom el-Dikka in Alexandria, in the 1989 season
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26389#0018
In 1989 work concentrated in three areas.
In the Theatre the re-erection of the southern wall of the complex was completed.
The wall had fallen during an earthquake in the 0^ century A.D. and was found lying
in order. Preserving the original courses of stones and at times lifting whole sections
together with the plaster preserved on its face2, it was possible to reconstruct this wall
and protect it from humidity by introducing insulation layers and properly forming its
top to ensure quick evaporation of rainwater. Missing blocks were replaced by new ones
made to specifications from the same kind of stone as the ancient ones. The place of
destroyed bricks, impossible to retrieve from the debris, was filled with new ones,
carefully chosen to fit into the whole as far as dimensions are concerned. No substances
of any kind, either silicon- or resin-based, were used to reinforce the surface. To date,
experiments with "Ahydrosil Z” as well as "Silak" or the Vacker preparation have shown
that instead of attempting to protect wall surfaces endangered by salt efflorescences,
it is necessary to build complete systems for protecting structures from seasonal
dampness.
It was also undertaken to clear, investigate and preserve the last three sections
of the theatre corridor {ambulacrum), left unexplored when the theatre was excavated.
Upon clearing two of the sections, measures were taken to protect their arcades and
vaulting. The fissured structure was protected by injections under gravitational
pressure of a mixture of hydrated lime, finegrained sand and white portland cement,
taken in proportions 10:20:5. Destroyed bricks were replaced with ancient bricks
retrieved from debris during excavations. In places where structural needs required
the ancient substance to be rebuilt, new ceramic material was used, in size and
resistance properties approaching ancient bricks. Effort was made to preserve even the
tiniest fragments of ancient substance in situ. 1
1 The plaster was reinforced with a water solution of casein
and polyvinyl acetate.
16
In the Theatre the re-erection of the southern wall of the complex was completed.
The wall had fallen during an earthquake in the 0^ century A.D. and was found lying
in order. Preserving the original courses of stones and at times lifting whole sections
together with the plaster preserved on its face2, it was possible to reconstruct this wall
and protect it from humidity by introducing insulation layers and properly forming its
top to ensure quick evaporation of rainwater. Missing blocks were replaced by new ones
made to specifications from the same kind of stone as the ancient ones. The place of
destroyed bricks, impossible to retrieve from the debris, was filled with new ones,
carefully chosen to fit into the whole as far as dimensions are concerned. No substances
of any kind, either silicon- or resin-based, were used to reinforce the surface. To date,
experiments with "Ahydrosil Z” as well as "Silak" or the Vacker preparation have shown
that instead of attempting to protect wall surfaces endangered by salt efflorescences,
it is necessary to build complete systems for protecting structures from seasonal
dampness.
It was also undertaken to clear, investigate and preserve the last three sections
of the theatre corridor {ambulacrum), left unexplored when the theatre was excavated.
Upon clearing two of the sections, measures were taken to protect their arcades and
vaulting. The fissured structure was protected by injections under gravitational
pressure of a mixture of hydrated lime, finegrained sand and white portland cement,
taken in proportions 10:20:5. Destroyed bricks were replaced with ancient bricks
retrieved from debris during excavations. In places where structural needs required
the ancient substance to be rebuilt, new ceramic material was used, in size and
resistance properties approaching ancient bricks. Effort was made to preserve even the
tiniest fragments of ancient substance in situ. 1
1 The plaster was reinforced with a water solution of casein
and polyvinyl acetate.
16