DOI article:
Dobrowolski, Jarosław: Polish-Egyptian restoration project at Marina/el-Alamein in 1991
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26426#0049
When the staircase was cleared it was found that the stairs
that originally ended within the chamber, were at a later date
shortened, creating a very high step separating the staircase from
the chamber. Apparently the staircase was no more in use by that
time and was blocked with large stone slabs (these were found
nearby). A new entrance led through an uncovered corridor that
joined the chamber at an angle, just beside the original entrance
(Fig. 3). The cause and purpose of this change remains unknown.
Cutting the corridor weakened this part of the tomb structurally
and subsequent cracking and erosion caused serious damage to the
walls of the staircase and especially to the rock-cut lintel over the
entrances (eventually the lintel came to rest upon a slanting and
much cracked wall only a few centimetres thick).
Immediate protection was necessary. It was decided to build
a pillar supporting the chamber’s ceiling between the entrances.
This pillar also supports an arch strengthening the lintel over the
original entrance, Small blocks of local limestone were used.
This solution has the disadvantage of altering the original
appearance of the tomb. On the other hand, it immediately
provided necessary protection to the endangered structure. It relies
exclusively on traditional materials of known durability and
complies fully with the demand that preservation works be
reversible: the protective structures do not affect the original
monument, being merely added to it.
The light/ventilation shaft was also disassembled. Its blocks
were prepared for reassembly and stored nearby, while the rock
undemeath was cleared and prepared for protecting in the same
way as the walls of the staircase. These measures prevented the
entrance part of the tomb from collapsing and enabled its safe
exploration. It should be noticed, however, that the ceiling of the
chamber itself remains dangerously cracked and requires structural
protection.
47
that originally ended within the chamber, were at a later date
shortened, creating a very high step separating the staircase from
the chamber. Apparently the staircase was no more in use by that
time and was blocked with large stone slabs (these were found
nearby). A new entrance led through an uncovered corridor that
joined the chamber at an angle, just beside the original entrance
(Fig. 3). The cause and purpose of this change remains unknown.
Cutting the corridor weakened this part of the tomb structurally
and subsequent cracking and erosion caused serious damage to the
walls of the staircase and especially to the rock-cut lintel over the
entrances (eventually the lintel came to rest upon a slanting and
much cracked wall only a few centimetres thick).
Immediate protection was necessary. It was decided to build
a pillar supporting the chamber’s ceiling between the entrances.
This pillar also supports an arch strengthening the lintel over the
original entrance, Small blocks of local limestone were used.
This solution has the disadvantage of altering the original
appearance of the tomb. On the other hand, it immediately
provided necessary protection to the endangered structure. It relies
exclusively on traditional materials of known durability and
complies fully with the demand that preservation works be
reversible: the protective structures do not affect the original
monument, being merely added to it.
The light/ventilation shaft was also disassembled. Its blocks
were prepared for reassembly and stored nearby, while the rock
undemeath was cleared and prepared for protecting in the same
way as the walls of the staircase. These measures prevented the
entrance part of the tomb from collapsing and enabled its safe
exploration. It should be noticed, however, that the ceiling of the
chamber itself remains dangerously cracked and requires structural
protection.
47