Our researchers once again on a mission in Ptolemais

The Polish Archaeological Mission has been conducting archaeological research in Ptolemais since 2001 – it is one of the largest and best-preserved cities of antiquity. The entire project takes place under the auspices of the Faculty of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw, and the team's work is led by Piotr Jaworski, PhD. Representatives of the Warsaw University of Technology participate in the work as part of the Acropolis subproject, headed by Szymon Lenarczyk, PhD. This time, the work of the Polish researchers focused on continuing four main tasks: excavation of a house from the Middle and Late Roman period in the area of insula EXXI, non-invasive research of the acropolis, underwater research in the harbour, and conservation work at the local museum.

Photo: Anna Lejzerowicz

Our researchers once again on a mission in Ptolemais, photo: Zosia Kowarska

During the December mission, Paweł Czernic, together with Szymon Lenarczyk, PhD, developed a new, significantly more accurate orthophotomap of the entire Ptolemais, from the harbour to the acropolis, than the previous one. Furthermore, as an engineer proficient in the world of new technologies and calculations, Paweł Czernic supported the activities of other research teams in the field. Using the historic city as an example, he investigated the application of low-cost GNSS methods in the precise georeferencing of archaeological sites. 

“This season I had the opportunity to test a low-cost GNSS receiver adapted for drone operation as a static receiver. Thanks to the support of colleagues from the Division of Geodesy and Geodetic Astronomy at our faculty, we managed to establish a geodetic control network in a global reference system, and work is now underway to increase the achieved accuracy. As in the previous season, I also created metric models of monuments, which we are now 3D printing using SLA technology with the support of the WUT Maker Space. Such prepared prints will serve archaeologists and conservators for further analysis of the artefacts,” says Paweł Czernic from the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography at WUT.

Paweł Czernic during research in Ptolemais, photo: Piotr Jaworski

Paweł Czernic during research in Ptolemais, photo: Piotr Jaworski

Paweł Czernic during research in Ptolemais, photo: Piotr Jaworski

Anna Lejzerowicz, PhD, was also a key participant in the mission, undertaking the fieldwork in Ptolemais with a literal pickaxe in hand. Her efforts were focused on an extensive study of the local geological resources, including the areas of the acropolis, the lower city, and the surrounding landscape.

Her work is foundational, as it will enable researchers to pinpoint the origin of the construction materials used to build the ancient city. Furthermore, her investigation aims to identify the clay deposits that historically served as the source material for local workshops producing ceramics and lamps.

Anna Lejzerowicz, PhD, during research in Ptolemais, photo: Piotr Jaworski

“In December 2025, I had the pleasure of taking part for the first time in the work carried out by the Polish Archaeological Mission in Ptolemais. I must admit that this ancient city made a huge impression on me, both due to the area it occupies and the very buildings or mosaics that can be admired there. I was invited to participate in this project to conduct a reconnaissance of the geological structure of the acropolis area towering over Ptolemais, but also to determine the origin of the building material from which this ancient city was erected. The research work I conducted focused on these two areas, but fieldwork was also carried out along the coastline,” says Anna Lejzerowicz, PhD, from the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

“In outcrops, caves, or former quarries I systematically familiarised myself with the geological structure of this area, describing the sediments and rocks present there. I went to the acropolis twice and these were really interesting expeditions, not only from a geological perspective but also due to the lack of any paths in the mountains. Each time, the descent and ascent took a different route, more or less demanding, which sometimes posed quite a challenge. However, the views stretching from there over the ancient city and the Libyan coast compensated for all the hardships. The first geological research conducted this season in the area of Ptolemais and the acropolis is merely a small step towards further research work and understanding, for example, the influence of geological structure on the movement of people in ancient times – and the geology and tectonics of this region is really complicated and interesting,” adds Lejzerowicz, PhD.

Our researchers once again on a mission in Ptolemais, photo: Anna Lejzerowicz

Our researchers once again on a mission in Ptolemais, photo: Anna Lejzerowicz

This time, the group of Polish researchers taking part in the work in Ptolemais numbered 14 people. In all activities, they were supported by Libyan archaeologists and conservators.