Grzegorz Majcherek

Research interests:

  • Alexandria and Egypt in the Roman period
  • Roman architecture in Alexandria and Egypt
  • Roman ceramics, Roman and Byzantine amphoras
  • Palmyra: architecture, ceramics, Palmyrene epigraphy
Professional career

Education

2020  habilitation degree from the Council of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw

1993  PhD thesis: “Roman and Byzantine amphorae from Alexandria”, Faculty of History, University of Warsaw, supervisor: Prof. M. Gawlikowski

1981 MA thesis: „A Nabatean temple in Wadi Rum”, Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw

Positions and functions

since 2001 adjunct and assistant at the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw

2001–2012 deputy director of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw

since 2010 editor of the series (previously journal) Studia Palmyreńskie

Research projects

since 2014  supervisor of the project “Studies on the character of social contacts in Roman Alexandria based on numismatic research. Analysis of monetary finds from Kom el-Dikka in an archaeological context”. NCN Fuga 3 grant UMO-2014/12/S/HS3/00088. Principal investigator: Dr. Katarzyna Lach

since 2012  participation in a project by IFAO: “Contextes et mobiliers, de l’époque hellénistique à la période Mamelouke. Volet Archéologique”

since 2010  director of the PCMA UW archaeological expedition in Palmyra (Syria)

since 2002  director of the PCMA UW archaeological expedition in Alexandria (Egypt)

1988–200  archaeological fieldwork director in Alexandria (Egypt)

since 1982  archaeological research at Kom el-Dikka, Alexandria (Egypt); as archaeologist

since 1983  archaeological research at Palmyra (Syria); as archaeologist and ceramologist

since 1987  archaeological research at Marina el-Alamein (Egypt); as archaeologist and ceramologist

1998–2009  archaeological research at Hawarte (Syria); as archaeologist and ceramologist

2000–2002  archaeological research at Marea (Egypt); as ceramologist

Other archaeological experience

1993  excavation of a Roman theatre in Pelusium (Egypt); as archaeologist

1986–1987  conservation of Nefermaat mastaba in Meidum (Egypt); as archaeologist

Scholarships, grants, awards

2005  University of Warsaw Rector’s prize for scientific achievements

1998–1999  participation in the ARCE/EAP grant “Mosaics Conservation Project” as archaeologist

1989  scholarship and internship at the Laboratoire de Céramologie w Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée in Lyon

1982–1987  exchange scholarship of the Egyptian government

Scientific bibliography

Chapters in edited volumes

2019  Majcherek, G., Survival or Revival? Urban and Architectural Change in Post-Classical Alexandria, in: G. Bąkowska-Czerner, R. Czerner (eds), Greco-Roman Cities at the Cross-Roads of Cultures. The 20th Anniversary of Polish-Egyptian Conservation Mission Marina el-Alamein. Oxford: Archeopress, 144–161

2018  Majcherek, G., Crumbs from the table – archaeological remnants of Hellenistic Alexandria, in: Hellenistic Alexandria: Celebrating 24 Centuries. Papers presented at the conference held on December 13–15, 2017 at the Acropolis Museum, Athens, Oxford: Archeopress, 71–84

2013  Majcherek, G., Archéologie d’un campus: Alexandrie, Ve-VIIe siècle, in: Catalogue de Exposition « Lumières de la sagesse. Ecoles médiévales d’Orient et d’Occident », Paris: Publications de la Sorbonne, 28–29

2012  Majcherek, G., Aleksandryjska akademia, in: G. Majcherek, R. Kucharczyk, W. Kołątaj, F. Pawlicki (eds) Starożytna Aleksandria. Polskie badania archeologiczne i prace konserwatorskie na Kom el-Dikka, Warsaw: PCMA UW, 55–92

2011  Majcherek, G., Zych, I., The evidence for Cretan presence in the ancient town of Marina el-Alamein, in: Classica Orientalia. Essays presented to Wiktor Andrzej Daszewski on his 75th birthday, Warsaw: PCMA UW, 357–378

2010  Majcherek, G., The auditoria on Kom el-Dikka. A glimpse of Late Antique education in Alexandria, in: Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth International Congress of Papyrology, An Arbor 2007 (=American Studies in Papyrology), Ann Arbor: Michigan Publishing, 471–484

2010  Majcherek, G., Discovering Alexandria: archaeological update on the finds from Kom el-Dikka, in: Alexandria and the North-Western Delta, Oxford: Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology, 75–90

2008  Majcherek, G., The pottery assemblage from the bath and saqiya, in: H. Szymańska, K. Babraj, Byzantine Marea: excavations in 2000–2003 and 2006, Krakow: Muzeum Archeologiczne, 105–127

2007  Majcherek, G., Academic life of Late Antique Alexandria: view from the field, in: M. El-Abbadi, O.M. Fathallah (ed.), What happened to the Ancient Library of Alexandria?, Leiden-Boston: Brill, 191–206

2007  Majcherek, G., Houses of Alexandria: Some aspects of architectural development in the Roman period, in: K. Galor, T. Waliszewski (ed.) From Antioch to Alexandria. Recent studies in Domestic Architecture, Warsaw: Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, 201–207

2007  Majcherek, G., The Late Roman auditoria of Alexandria: An archaeological overview, in: T. Derda, T. Markiewicz, E. Wipszycka (ed.) Alexandria, Auditoria of Kom el-Dikka and Late Antique Education (=JJP Supl. 8), Warsaw: University of Warsaw, Fundacja im. Rafała Taubenschlaga, 11–50

2007  Kołątaj, W., Majcherek, G., Parandowska, E., Villa of the Birds. The Excavation and Preservation of the Kom el-Dikka Mosaics, Cairo—New York: The American University Press

2007  Majcherek, G., Alexandria: current Polish research, in: 70-years of Polish Archaeology in Egypt, Warsaw: PCMA UW, 125–134

2005  Majcherek, G., More churches from Palmyra – an inkling of the late antique city, in: P. Bieliński, F.M. Stępniowski (ed.), Au pays d’Allat. Mélanges offerts à Michał Gawlikowski, Warsaw: Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, 141–150

2002  Majcherek, G., Mosaic floors from Roman triclinia in Alexandria, in: Egyptology

2000  Kiss, Z., Majcherek, G., Rysiewski, H., Tkaczow, B., Alexandrie VII. Fouilles polonaise a Kom el-Dikka (1986–87), Warsaw

1995  Majcherek, G., Gazan amphorae: Typology reconsidered, in: Hellenistic and Roman Pottery in the Eastern Mediterranean (Advances in Scientific Studies), The Second Nieborów Workshop, Warsaw, 163–178

1991  Majcherek, G., Egyptian and imported amphorae in Marina, in: Marina el-Alamein. Archaeological Background and Conservation Problems 1, Warsaw: Pracownie Konserwacji Zabytków, 51–54

Articles

2021 Majcherek, G., Streets and houses of Roman Alexandria revisited. Antiquity, 1–8. DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2020.242

2019  Majcherek, G., Alexandria Kom el-Dikka. Excavations and preservation work in the 2018 season, PAM 28/2, 21–42, DOI: 10.31338/uw.2083-537X.pam28.2.02

2019  Majcherek, G., Filling the gap: Mediterranean amphorae in Late antique Palmyra, Syria, 96, 395–418, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/syria.10620

2018  Majcherek, G., Alexandria, Kom el-Dikka. Season 2017, PAM 27/1, 35–56, DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.1964 

2017  Majcherek, G., Alexandria, Kom el-Dikka. season 2016, PAM 26/1, 37–53, DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0012.1768

2017  Majcherek, G., North African amphorae in the east: a view from Alexandria, HEROM Journal on Hellenistic and Roman Material Culture 6.2, 205–234

2016  Bąkowska-Czerner, G., Czerner, R., Majcherek, G., Research and Conservation in Marina El-Alamein in 2014 and 2015 (Polish–Egyptian Conservation Mission). Part one: The Southern Baths and central town square, PAM 25, 145–166, DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.1826

2016  Bąkowska-Czerner, G., Czerner, R., Majcherek, G., Research and Conservation in Marina El-Alamein in 2014 and 2015 (Polish–Egyptian Conservation Mission). Part two: The Hellenistic Baths, PAM 25, 167–184, DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.1828

2016  Majcherek, G., appendix E. Kulicka, Alexandria, Kom el-Dikka. Seasons 2014–2015, PAM 25, 33–63, DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.1747

2014  Majcherek, G., Kucharczyk, R., Alexandria. Excavations and preservation work on Kom El-Dikka. Season 2011, PAM 23/1, 23–44

2013  Majcherek, G., Excavating basilicas, Studia Palmyreńskie 12, 251–268

2007  Majcherek, G., Aegean and Asia Minor amphorae from Marina el-Alamein, Cahiers de la Céramique Ēgyptienne 8, 9–32

2004  Majcherek, G., Alexandria’s long-distance trade in Late Antiquity – the amphora evidence. Transport Amphorae and Trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. Acts of the International Colloquium at the Danish Institute at Athens–2002, Athens, 239–250

2004  Majcherek, G., Taha, A., Roman and Byzantine layers at Umm el-Tlel: ceramics and other finds, Syria 81, 229–248

1995  Majcherek, G., Notes on Alexandrian habitat: Roman and Byzantine houses from Kom el-Dikka, TOPOI 5/1, 133–150

1993  Majcherek, G., Roman amphorae from Marina el-Alamein, MDAIK 49, 215–220

1993  Majcherek, G., Taha, A., A selection of Roman and Byzantine pottery from Umm el-Tlel (Syria), Cahiers de l`Euphrate 7, 107–117

1992  Majcherek, G., The late Roman ceramics from sector “G” (Alexandria 1986–87), Etudes et Travaux 16, 81–117

1992  Majcherek, G., Abd el-Aziz el-Shennawi, Research on amphorae production on the northwestern coast of Egypt, Cahiers de la Céramique Egyptienne 3, 129–136

1990  Majcherek, G., Amphorae, in: W.A. Daszewski et alii, Excavation at Marina el-Alamein 1987–1988, MDAIK 46, 46–51

Editorial work

2014  (managing editor) A. Krzyżanowska, M. Gawlikowski, Monnaies des fouilles polonaises à Palmyre (=Studia Palmyreńskie 13), Warsaw: PCMA, University of Warsaw Press

2013  M. Gawlikowski, G. Majcherek, Fifty Years of Polish Excavations in Palmyra 1959–2000 (=Studia Palmyreńskie 12), Warsaw: PCMA, University of Warsaw Press

Conferences

Presentations

2017  Conference “Hellenistic Alexandria. Celebrating 24 centuries” Athens
Paper: “Crumbs from the table or archaeological traces of Hellenistic Alexandria”

2016  Conference „Polacy na Bliskim Wschodzie”, Warsaw
Paper: “Disrupted decade. Polish excavations in Palmyra at the outset of the 21st century”

2016  Conference “Life in Palmyra, Life for Palmyra. Conference in Memory of Khaled Asa’ad (1934–2015)”, Warsaw
Paper: “Military horreum in Palmyra”

2016  Conference “Mobiliers d’Égypte. Archéologie et textes de l’époque hellénistique à la période mamelouke”, Cairo
Paper: “From storing to serving: pottery and glass in domestic context. A view from Roman Alexandria”

2015  Conference “International Syrian Congress on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage”, Beirut
Paper: “Shaping an urban landscape: church buildings in Palmyra”

2015  Greco-Roman Cities at the Crossroads of Cultures, Wrocław
Paper: “Revival or survival? Architectural design in post-classical Alexandria”

2014  Fifth International Conference on Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean, Archaeology and Archaeometry, Alexandria, Egypt
Paper: “Looking West: African amphorae and the economy of Late Roman Alexandria”

2013  Alexandria: Current Archaeological Research and Future Perspective, The Archaeological Society of Alexandria 120th Anniversary International Conference, Alexandria, Egypt. Paper: “Archaeology’s coming of age. Polish excavations in Alexandria half a century later”

2010  Livres, lectures, bibliotheques dans l’Antiquite tardive, Colloque Internationale, L’Universite de Paris-Sorbonne, Paris, France
Paper: “The Late Roman lecture halls of Alexandria”

2010  Fifty Years of Polish Excavations in Palmyra 1959-2009,International Conference, Warsaw. Paper: “Excavating basilicas”

2008  Alexandria in Late Antiquity. Education, Art, and Scholarship, Oxford, UK
Paper: “Auditoria and the city: Alexandra in Late Antiquity”

2008  Tradition und Transformation. Ägypten unter römischer Herrschaft, Roemer-und Pelizäeus Museum, Hildesheim, Germany
Paper: “Discovering Alexandria: archaeological research at the Kom el-Dikka site”

2007  25th International Congress of Papyrology, Ann Arbor (University of Michigan), USA
Paper: “The Auditoria on Kom el-Dikka: A Glimpse of Late Antique Education in Alexandria”

2007  Symposium: 70-years of Polish Archaeology in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt
Paper: “Alexandria: current Polish research”

2005  The Auditoria of Kom El-Dikka in the Cultural and Educational Life of the Late Antique City: An International Colloquium. University of Warsaw, Bibliotheca Alexandrina Alexandria, Egypt
Paper: “The auditoria of Kom el-Dikka: an archaeological overview”

2005  The Late Antique and Byzantine Education, University of London, London, UK
Paper: “Recent excavation at Alexandria and new archaeological evidence for the Late Antique education”

2005  Late Antique Alexandria Workshop, Budapest CEU, Center for Hellenic Traditions, Budapest, Hungary
Paper: “The city in transition: urban change in Late Roman Alexandria”

2005  Conference: L’enseignement supérieur dans les mondes antiques et médiévaux. Aspects institutionnels, juridiques et pédagogiques, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
Paper: “Archaeology and the academic life in Late Antique Alexandria”

2004  What Happened to the Ancient Library of Alexandria. International seminar, Alexandria, Egypt
Paper: “Academic life of Late Antique Alexandria: A view from the field”

2004  City and Harbour, the Archaeology of Ancient Alexandria, International conference, Oxford, UK
Paper: “Archaeological update on the finds from Kom el-Dikka”

2003  International Seminar: Archaeological Activities in Alexandria and Environs in Ten Years (1993–2003). The Archaeological Society of Alexandria 110 years (1893–2003), Alexandria, Egypt
Paper: “Progress in excavations at the Kom el-Dikka site”

2002  Transport Amphorae and Trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. International Colloquium at Danish Institute at Athens, Athens, Greece
Paper: “Alexandria’s long-distance trade in Late Antiquity — the amphora evidence”

2001  Conference: Centanaire de la naissance du Professeur Kazimierz Michałowski (1901–1981), Damascus, Syria
Paper: “Military horreum in the Diocletian camp in Palmyra”

1994  Europe and Egypt, Cooperation in Archaeology, International Symposium, Alexandria, Egypt
Paper: “Recovering Alexandria — Polish excavations in Alexandria”

1992  International Congress Alexandria and the Hellenistic-Roman Word”. 1st Centenary of the Graeco-Roman Museum, Alexandria, Egypt
Paper: “Polish excavations at Kom el-Dikka, 1988–1992”

1990  Round table: „Atelier de potiers et productions céramiques en Égypte”, Cairo, Egypt
Paper: “Research on amphorae production on the North-Western Coast of Egypt”

1988  Fifth International Congress of Egyptology, Cairo, Egypt
Paper: “Remarks on Roman pottery from newly discovered site at Marina (el-Alamein)”

Organization

2005  The Auditoria of Kom El-Dikka in the Cultural and Educational Life of the Late Antique City. University of Warsaw, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria (Egypt)

Membership in scientific organizations
  • International Association of Egyptologists
  • Société Archéologique d’Alexandrie
Popularization

2016  Eulogy for W. Kołątaj being awarded the J. Zachwatowicz award by the Polish Commission of ICOMOS for his contribution to the field of monument protection (Warsaw)

2016  Preparation of materials on Palmyra for an exhibition organized by the PCMA UW: “In the shadow of war. Monuments of Syria and Iraq in PCMA UW research” (Warsaw, University of Warsaw)

2016  Training and lectures for antiquity service staff in Egypt (Alexandria)

2014  “Polish Excavations in Alexandria: 50 years later” lecture at the Egyptology Evening (a series of lectures organized by the Vyshehrad Group countries), Cairo, Egypt

2008  “Pogress in the excavation at Kom el-Dikka” lecture at the Société Archéologique d’Alexandrie, Egypt

2008  “Auditoria and the City”, lecture at the PCMA UW Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt

2004  “The lecture halls of ancient Alexandria unearthed”, lecture at the Academia Polacca delle Scienze, Rome, Italy

2004  “Late Roman auditoria in Alexandria”, lecture at the PCMA UW Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt

2001  “Villa of the Birds. A mosaic restoration project in Alexandria”, lecture at the PCMA UW Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt

2000  “Discovering Alexandria: recent Polish excavations at Kom el-Dikka”, lecture at the Egypt Exploration Society, Cairo, Egypt

1999  “Between past and present: Forty years of Polish excavations in Alexandria”, lecture at the PCMA UW Research Centre in Cairo, Egypt

1998  “Polish excavations in Alexandria (Kom el-Dikka) — recent discoveries”, lecture at the Société Archéologique d’Alexandrie, Egypt

1995  “Polish excavations in Alexandria (Kom el-Dikka) — recent discoveries”, lecture at the Société Archéologique d’Alexandrie, Egypt