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Description
Villa of the Birds Mosaic Conservation project was made possible with funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Grant No. 263-G-00-93-00089-00 (formerly 263-0000-G-00-3089-00) and administered by the Egyptian Antiquities Project (EAP) of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). Notably asymmetrical, the composition, executed in opus tessellatum technique, is situated in a room (possibly a cubiculum) between A2 and A6. Each of the seven preserved figural panels represents different species of bird (duck, heron, parrot, peacock, quail, pigeons and a couple of pigeons drinking water). Some of the panels have additional decorative elements (cups, flowers, fruits, and Floral motifs). Mosaic A5 suffered extensive damage; including burning; loss of 30% of its surface; and mechanical damages. Conservation measures included: documentation (photographs and tracing); cleaning; modern interventions reversed; lime mortar protective band on mosaic edges; weak tesserae were treated with Paraloid B-60 diluted in ethanol; some fragments were reconstructed using retrieved original material. After the reconstruction of the wall foundations, missing parts of the mosaic bedding and big lacunae were filled with new mortar and gravel. For more information, refer to the Final Report or Progress Report 5. At the heart of modern Alexandria in Kom el-Dikka lies an exceptional demonstration of Domestic architecture during the Roman Imperial period. The Early Roman villa named “Villa of the Birds” houses exceptionally well preserved mosaic floors, made of tesserae. True to its name, it contains Mosaic a-5 which depicts different bird species within seven different panels. Under the auspices of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), Dr. Wojciech Kolataj and his team conserved the mosaic floors, constructed a shelter, and landscaped the surrounding area. Some related supplemental work was carried out by the Polish-Egyptian Preservation Mission, and sponsored jointly by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (currently the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities) and the Polish Center of Archaeology. Conservation work was made possible with the support of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (formerly the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities).
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