How has the Egyptian Revolution affected Ancient Egypt?

Unless you have been living under a rock or in Mars/Jupiter, you would have been aware that Egypt has been going through a political mayhem since the end of 2010. Great for the Egyptians as they are beginning to take charge of their own country and government, though it is evident that there have been several hiccups along the way and consequences to their revolution.

As an Egyptologist-to-be, the negative effect of the revolution that concerns me most is (obviously) the Ancient Egyptian heritage i.e archaeological sites and museum objects.

Here is a link of all the damages done thus far:

http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/06/30/the-state-of-egyptian-archeological-sites-and-monuments-under-morsis-rule/

And of course, until Egypt gets its act together, the future for Ancient Egypt remains uncertain.


-chelle-

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Should a country have ownership of all excavated and looted archaeological finds, if it does not have the resources to protect and preserve the finds? 

For instance, Egypt that is currently undergoing its second revolution where people's main concern is the country's future rather than its past (I'm not saying that focusing on their future isn't the right thing to do, in fact, in my personal opinion, the Egyptians are very brave souls for standing up for what they want).  However, because of their current focus, their past is left unguarded and the government does not exactly have the funds to support the protection and preservation of the archaeological finds. So should artefacts such as the Rosetta Stone and the Bust of Nefertiti be return to Egypt?

What do you think about this? If you have an opinion about this, do tweet me at @ArcEgyptologist .


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Ancient Heliopolis slowly disappearing

Heliopolis, the only visible ancient site in Cairo, continues to suffer at the hands of looters.

For more information:

http://amun-ra-egyptology.blogspot.com/2013/06/ancient-heliopolis-under-threat.html?spref=tw


-chelle-

Preservation, Conservation and Looting of Archaeological Sites Update

Once a provincial town and cemetery of Ancient Egypt, today El-Hibeh is a site of horrible looting by armed men who have broken apart ancient bodies and torn down ancient structures.

Such a devastating sight:

Read more by clicking the link below:

http://triblive.com/usworld/betsyhiel/4206114-74/antiquities-ancient-hibeh#axzz2WTbCYUax
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"You see dogs playing with human bones, children scavenging for pottery and painted sarcophagi. You also find very well mummified fragments. It is very macabre" - said Dr. Monica Hanna, an Egyptian archaeologist who surveyed the site of Abu Sir al Malaq.

Since 2011, Hanna has been leading a team of journalists who are documented and exposing the growing illegal economy of looting in Egypt.

Click the link to read more about how this brave academic risks her life for a great cause:

http://triblive.com/news/editorspicks/4198483-74/hanna-heritage-archaeological#axzz2WMUfpWzH
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Have you heard of the new campaign "Eye On The Needle" led by Past Preservers Presenter, Dr. Paul Harrison? It is a campaign and a documentary for the conservation of Cleopatra's Needle currently located at London's Embankment.

Check out the youtube video for more about the campaign:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6CTqS5kZGug

And/or follow them on Twitter: @eyeontheneedle
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A new committee has been founded to oversee the seven Egyptian sites listed under UNESCO's World Heritage and all other Egyptian sites that have been abandoned, forgotten and/or lack of care since the country's revolution in 2011.

To find out more, click the link below:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/73838/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/New-committee-will-oversee-Egyptian-sites-on-World.aspx



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Save the Step Pyramid

If you didn't know, the Step Pyramid at Saqqara was built by Imhotep for Djoser and is the world's oldest stone monument and first pyramid. It still stands today (WHOA!) but due to natural disasters, looting and of course time, the pyramid is at risk of falling to debris with the outer layer falling apart and the ceiling of the burial chamber falling bit by bit - burying Djoser's burial chamber.

However, thanks to a collaboration between Egyptians and British, the Step Pyramid is currently in the midst of being given a new lease in life.

Watch this interesting documentary about "Saving Egypt's Oldest Pyramid" by National Geographic Channel:

Saving Egypt's Oldest Pyramid


P.S.: A MASSIVE shout out to the Egyptian and British team, especially all the labourers for their amazing work!

-chelle-

Egyptian Heritage at risk

Personally, it devastates me to hear that smugglers/looters are going out of their ways and underground to find ways to enter the Egyptian heritage sites so that they may steal treasures that were meant to be preserved and conserved [Click the link below to watch the BBC video about this current issue].

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21958326

I believe it is so extremely necessary to protect our heritage for it is through our heritage that we have our national and individual cultures, traditions and identities.

So please click the link below and sign this petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/778/312/253/urgent-call-to-stop-the-pillaging-of-egypts-heritage/#

Thank you.


-chelle-

Preserve and Conserve Our Heritage!

As a firm believer in the preservation and conservation of historical/heritage sites, I'm glad to see that UNESCO has not removed Dahshur from its World Heritage List, despite the urban destruction occuring in Dahshur. Instead, according to the Minister of State for Antiquities; Mohamed Ibrahim, UNESCO's Director General Irina Bokova, has proposed several ideas to help with the current threat against the Ancient Egyptian sites.

Click on the link for the full story:

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/66722/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/UNESCO-visits-Cairo-to-discuss-threats-to-archaeol.aspx


In my personal opinion, preservation and conservation of historical sites is a MUST because these sites are the reason why countries (like Egypt) exist today. These sites are physical representations of the country's identity and tradition. Without these sites, many countries' economies would suffer, especially Egypt's since tourism plays a vital role in the country's economy.


-chelle-

I believe in conservation and preservation of historical sites

"Sheikh Abada, ancient Roman Antinouplis, south of Malawi, in Middle Egypt, is being destroyed systematically. The hippodrome, as large as the Circus Maximus in Rome, has been flattened and laid out with cemeteries. The northwestern corner of the walled city has been bulldozed for agriculture, and the area near the Ramesses II temple has been bulldozed and levelled as the town is expanding there. We need to stop this. Archaeologists are meeting with the MSA" - Salima Ikram

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