Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (7.1995(1996))

ALEXANDRIA

POLISH-EGYPTIAN PRESERVATION MISSION
AT KOM EL-DIKKA 1994-1995
by Wojciech Kolqtaj
New developments in the form of the final purchase by the
Supreme Council for Antiquities of an area of 1,750 m- adjacent to
the Korn el-Dikka site from the neighbouring military unit and its
turning over to the Mission for archaeological exploration and
future incorporation into the archaeological park project
necessitated a new approach which would take into account the
new reality. Consequently, the meeting of the High Committee of
the S.C.A. and the Polish side convened to approve the work plan
for the coming three years, originally planned for late autumn 1994,
could not take place before spring 1995. On May 25, 1995,
the High Committee met at Alexandria and approved the three-year
program and budget of the Mission.
Meanwhile, the former military area was cleared of the stone
enclosure wall and the three army garages recently built on the site,
leaving two to be adapted as the mission's workshop, stores and
cloakrooms (total area of 45 nE). Clearing work has been started
and trees planted along the new enclosure wall. Mechanical means
are suggested to remove the upper layers deposited here in the
18^ century during the construction of the Napoleonic fort
(ca. 15,000 nE of earth).
Conservation work carried out between October 10, 1994,
and May 28, 1995, covered the following areas (Fig.l)*:

' The Mission comprised: Dr. Eng. Arch. Wojciech Kolqtaj (director);
Dr. Grzegorz Majcherek, archaeologist; Dr. Janusz Srnaza, sculptor-conservator.
The Egyptian side was represented by S.C.A. inspectors of antiquities:
Mr. Ahmed Moussa, Mr. Ala ed-Din Mahrous, Mr. Ashraf Abdel Raouf Ragab,
Mr. Mohammed Abdel Hamid Ismail and Mrs. Mona Said.

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