Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (5.1993(1994))

POLISH-EGYPTIAN RESTORATION MISSION
AT ROM EL-DIKKA, ALEXANDRIA, 1992-93
by Wojciech Kofytaj
In accordance with a long-term program approved by the
Egyptian Antiquities Organization, the Polish-Egyptian Restoration
Mission continued work in the Theatre, Bath and Cisterns from
October 1992 to May 1993.
THE THEATRE
Following the consolidation of the unit X arcade of the
theater corridor, i.e. ambulacrum, the central segment was
explored, removing the fill deposited after the edifice had been
abandoned in the 7th century. The adjacent section of the outer
wall, which also sustained heavy damage during modem construc-
tion works in 1964 before the theater was discovered, also called
for immediate consolidation. (Fig. 1) An inventory was made of
the wall facing before the entire section was dismantled; the wall
was then reassembled preserving as much of the ancient substance
as could be retrieved; in many cases the original mortar in the
joints was preserved, although several seriously damaged or
crushed blocks had to be replaced with new ones (Fig. 2). The
newly applied mortar was similar to the ancient one and composed
of sand, lime, and powdered bricks with a 5% addition of white
Portland cement. In the upper part of the wall, a completely

1 . .
The Mission headed by Dr. Wojciech Kolataj included: Dr. Jan Borkowski
(architect), Dr. Grzegorz Majcherek (archaeologist) and Mr. Krzysztof
Zlotkowski; EAO was represented by Inspectors: Mr. Ahmad Mousa, Mr. Ala’a
ed-Din Mahrous and Mrs. Mona Shaker.

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