Armed looters and violence putting Egypt's heritage at risk of being 'lost forever'
Egypt’s heritage sector is in disarray following revolution and the collapse of the country’s government in 2011, with armed gangs, looters and general destruction placing the country’s rich cultural history in peril, according to an eminent academic.
A breakdown in security to culturally significant sites in Iraq in 2003 led to widespread looting and now the same is happening in Egypt, comparative with losses seen in other warring countries in the region such as Syria, which has suffered a similar breakdown in heritage and cultural protection.
The illicit excavation of archaeological sites in Egypt – carried out in the hope of finding antiquities that can then be smuggled out of the country for sale abroad – has been going on for centuries, but there has been a huge increase in such activities since the 2011 revolution.
In addition to looting heritage sites, museums have also been targeted, while violence led to the destruction of multiple sites in Cairo, including the bombing of the Islamic Museum.
Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo said problems in the country have become serious for heritage, and dangerous to protect.
“There has been an increase in the number of armed gangs, operating with instructions from one or more knowledgeable parties, targeting sites,” said Ikram.
“Looting is going on particularly in desert areas where it is very difficult to patrol. Often the looters are armed with automatic weapons, whereas the guards have limited firepower. The encroachment on the sites is also just as terrible, as it means that the history of Egypt is being lost to us forever.”
According to the US-based Antiquities Coalition, there have been “looting activities in every major archaeological area in Egypt since the January 2011 Revolution,” with looted artefacts worth tens of millions of dollars now routinely showing up for auction in both Europe and North America.
Looters have destroyed several ancient tombs
Images of the lootings, which include desecrated ancient tombs and other historic sites, can be seen on Egypt’s Heritage Task Force Facebook page, which shows just some of the damage caused since the 2011 revolution.
In an effort to combat looters, the Egyptian government has asked the US to approve emergency measures to allow US customs authorities to seize Egyptian artefacts entering the United States, even in the absence of precise information that the artefacts may have been stolen. At present though, there is no block, meaning sales of stolen artefacts continues.
UNESCO only currently lists Abu Mena, south of Alexandria as an endangered site, though the problem seems to be much more widespread and far more dangerous for Egypt’s ailing heritage sites.
Former Egyptian army general calls for demolition of ancient UNESCO heritage site
Looters hit Egyptian museum
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
