The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities
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News Bulletin
September 2000 Bulletin
Historical celebrations held in the United Nations in New York from the 6th to the 8th of September 2000 are to be attended by 180 Kings and Presidents from various countries. 21st Century's challenges and priorities are the main themes to be discussed. The Egyptian Permanent Mission in UN is greatly participating as the Media Bureau is exhibiting 30 photos in the main hall representing the most recent underwater discoveries resulting from the cooperation between SCA and the French acting Mission. Under water excavations in the eastern harbour of Alexandria revealed important remains dating back to the Ptolemaic period in General and Cleopatra and Antonio's history in particular.
Alexandria reveals more historical secrets
Le Centre d'Etudes Alexandrines under the direction of Jean Yves Empereur discovered lately an important statue. The colossi in white marble may represent a Roman Emperor or a Roman worrier wearing the famous war uniform usually used during the reign of emperor Neyron. The French mission discovered only the lower part of the statue lying 4m under the soil level in the Old Garage, Alexandria.
Old Kingdom cemeteries newly discovered
SCA archaeologists acting in El Ahram area (the Pyramids') discovered recently a series of cemeteries referred to the Old Kingdom that might change and introduce new concepts to the Ancient Egyptian Religion. A certain similarity with the Giza Pyramids is seen through these tombs built in limestone. The offering table lye in front of the tomb as announced by Dr. Gaballah right at the end of the ascendant path.
The crows' wall in the Pyramid area
Located in the area southeast the sphinx, the so-called wall is 200m long, 10m height. A door in the middle separates the Royal Necropolis from the workers' necropolis discovered by Dr. Hawass and his working team acting in the area as from 1990 when they discovered remains of human bones mixed with seeds.
This important discovery as Dr. Hawass states has presented to the world the Pyramids' builders lying in their tombs built in mudbrick. More than 600 tombs were discovered and the work is still going on. The crows' wall is so called because of the great number of crows resting over the wall at sunset.
International Meeting to save underwater archaeology
A third International Conference was lately held in Paris to discuss a major field of interest: underwater archaeology. UNESCO had prepared a preliminary agreement to submit to specialists and experts specially meeting for this purpose. The Mediterranean Sea is rich of objects sunken under its water long ago and more than 150 countries have part of their belongings under the sea. Preserving this heritage was the main concern of this conference. It is noticeable that Egypt has taken important measures in this respect regarding part of the sunken monuments under the Red Sea and The Mediterranean Sea water as the new SCA department and responsible of this important matter is very active.
Salvage of Esna Temple
Research Institute for table water submitted a salvage project to Farouk Hosni, Minister of Culture to save Esna Temple invaded by ground water. Water level raised highly recently, almost 40cm higher, and threatens foundations and monuments as a result of the erection of Esna bridge. The Minister, aware of the importance of the problem, agreed for quick action to be taken in this respect; the project's costs would reach one and half million EGL. The location of the temple in a lower level, 10 m below ground level, allowed the water to accumulate. Esna is lacking an appropriate sewing system.
Roman Monuments in a new Museum
A new Museum is to be built on the west coast over a surface 2000 square meters. Monuments dating to the Roman period and extracted from excavations held in the area shall be exhibited, namely El Alamein where it was decided to erect an enclosure wall to surround the discovered archaeological area. The purpose is to safeguard the discovered objects either through guaranteed protection provided in situ or by exhibiting them later on in the New Egyptian Museum. SCA activities in the area are great as part of a necropolis are to be visited soon in the area as well as houses and streets part of the authentic city, which reveal the extension of activities in that part of Egypt. More details will come up soon as work is still continuing.
Registration of Restituted Monuments
Dr.Mohamed Abdel Dayem, General Manager Central Sinai announced lately the positive steps taken in order to register the monuments restituted from Israel. Part of these monuments is to be studied. The objects actually stored in El Kantara will be registered in computers with noted information. 1800 cartons are actually bearing this precious treasure.
Monument restorations in El Gharbieh cost 12 million
Farouk Hosni, Minister of Culture specified 12 million EGL for the restoration of monuments in El Gharbieh governorate dating back to the Islamic and Christian eras. Located in central Delta, El Gharbieh richness in monuments is not to be neglected as part of the restoration plan includes Bath, mosques, wekala, church…etc
Restoration work, according to SCA Secretary General had started in Serag El Din bath in Samanoud where monuments will be exhibited in a garden specially arranged for this purpose around the structure of the building.
Two churches are under restoration as previously set as well as El Metwally and Abdallah El Kani mosques, El Mehalla El Kobra.
Naglaa El Zahlawi
PREVIOUS New Bulletins:
20 September 1999
22 November 1999
23 January 2000
March 2000