Kom El Deka

Archaeological research on Kom el-Dikka was initiated in 1960 by Prof. Kazimierz Michałowski. At present, the work is still conducted by a Polish-Egyptian archaeological and conservation expedition from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw (PCMA UW) and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (formerly Ministry of Antiquities). The current project director is Dr. Grzegorz Majcherek from the PCMA UW.[4]

The Roman theatre

In the richly decorated residences, which dominated the site in its heyday (1st–3rd centuries AD), archaeologists found wall paintings with depictions of Alexander the Great, sculptures, and mosaics.[4] A group of multicolored mosaics was discovered in the so-called Villa of the Birds, dated to the 1st century AD.[5] They are decorated with images of birds as well as geometrical motifs. In the late Roman period, the residences were replaced by more modest houses that served several families; workshops were set up as well.[4]

The construction of imperial baths took place in the 4th century AD, and followed a design that was typical in the Eastern Roman Empire at the time: compact and symmetrical with a rectangular floor plan. However, some of the rooms (e.g., the frigidarium and caldarium) resembled more those of North African thermae.[6] The roofing, presumably made of wood, was not preserved. The complex was probably partly destroyed during an earthquake in 535 and then rebuilt.[7]

Learning centre

A lecture hall at Kom el-Dikka.

In 1964, excavations started on a theatre-like Roman building (odeum), which was discovered accidentally during construction works.[8] Restoration of the structure began two years later. The original structure, like the baths, was built in the 4th century.[9] It was entirely remodeled in the 6th century in the form of a domed auditorium (auditorium maximus) to serve the needs of the school located there.[2][10]

Another feature of the site is a complex of auditoria dated to the 5th–7th century, the first ancient educational complex to be discovered. It consisted of about 22 lecture halls, with stone benches lining the walls and elevated chairs for the master teacher (philosophos).[9][11] These halls give testimony to Alexandria's reputation for higher learning in the very heart of the ancient city.[2][10]

Since 2017, tourists can visit the most important parts of the site.[12] The archaeological park on Kom el-Dikka was designed by architect Wojciech Kołątaj, who had directed the archaeological expedition for several years and had reconstructed many of the buildings. For these achievements, he received the Professor Jan Zachwatowicz Award, presented by the Polish Committee of ICOMOS.[13]

• Neighborhoods in Alexandria

• Grzegorz Majcherek. Alexandria. Kom el-Dikka. Season 2017. Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean, 27/1 (2018), 35–56
• Grzegorz Majcherek. Crumbs from the table – archaeological remains of Hellenistic Alexandria. In Hellenistic Alexandria. Celebrating 24 centuries. International Conference, Athens, 12–15 December 2017, Acropolis Museum (pp. 71–85). Oxford: Archeopress 2018.
• Wojciech Kołątaj, Grzegorz Majcherek and Ewa Parandowska. Villa of the Birds: The excavation and preservation of the Kom al-Dikka mosaics (=American Research Center in Egypt Conservation Series 3). Cairo: American University in Cairo Press 2007.
• Zsolt Kiss, Grzegorz Majcherek, Henryk Meyza, Henryk Rysiewski and Barbara Tkaczow, B. Fouilles polonaises à Kôm el-Dikka (1986–1987) (=Alexandrie 7). Warsaw: Centre d’archéologie méditerranéenne de l’Académie polonaise des sciences 2000.
• Barbara Tkaczow. The topography of ancient Alexandria: An archaeological map. Warsaw: Zakład Archeologii Śródziemnomorskiej, Polskiej Akadmii Nauk 1993.
• Wojciech Koła̜taj. Imperial baths at Kom el-Dikka (=Alexandrie 6). Warsaw: Zakład Archeologii Śródziemnomorskiej Polskie Akademii Nauk 1992.

• Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Conservation Mission to Kom el-Dikka