Egyptian Crisis News

This page contains policy, news, and discussion on the crisis in Egypt regarding saving its  antiquities and sites. CHAMP does not take sides in Egyptian politics. This group is solely interested in preserving the country’s cultural heritage. We do not speak officially for any political or military entity, in the US or other nations, on this subject.

POLICY STATEMENTS:

“Egyptian Government and International Coalition to Protect Egyptian Antiquities” (20 May)

AIA Statement on Egyptian cultural heritage crisis (31 Jan).

Statement by US Committee of Blue Shield and others (30 Jan)

UN Agency Appeals for Protection of Egypt Treasures

APPREAL FOR AID FOR INSTITUT D’ EGYPTE! As you know lots of books were damaged and destroyed yesterday when the Institut d’Egypt was set on fire. The salvaged books have been handed over to the Dar al-Kutub, who are now organizing a rescue effort led by my amazing book conservator colleagues and involving DAK’s staff… of conservators. We’re getting a vacuum packing machine there to stop the development of any mo…ld. Here’s a list of materials needed in large quantities. Please deliver to DAK Corniche. We are also ready to purchase them, but it would be great to get them delivered asap. One of the most important things is the bags– we needed them to vacuum pack the books, so we need the bags used by food companies to vacuum pack food. It is extremely important to find a company which will sell or donate these bags in bulk.

Please reach out to your networks and help us save these books. The first 24 hours are crucial. This is my number for anyone who needs to reach me, 010 6664 7823. I am heading over there in a bit. We don’t need people now as the staff of the Dar Al Kutub is working, but in a few hours we might need help to register supplies, organize things, etc.

Thank you! Please spread. Elena

 goggles
masks
gloves (medical, non-latex)
fans
extension cords
bags used by food companies for vacuum packing bin liners /garbage bags
newspaper (printed or unprinted from a press– better!)
L-brackets
plastic (milk) crates
aprons/lab coats

 For more information, contact:  
Sarah H. Parcak, PhD, FSA
Associate Professor, Dept. of History and Anthropology Director, Laboratory for Global Observation University of Alabama at Birmingham
1401 University Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: (205) 996-7982
Fax:     (205) 996-7977

NEWS ARTICLES:

The Library of the “Institut d’Egypte” in Cairo (update of events as of 29 Dec)

“Action taken to restore Egypt Scientific Institute” (26 Dec)

“Pictures: Fire Destroys ‘Temple of Knowledge’ in Egypt” (21 Dec)

Images of library stamps from the Institut de l’Egypte for use in identifying documents.

“Egyptian Institue burns; scholars scramble to rescue manuscripts” (19 Dec)

Article on condition of “Description de l’Egypte” (19 Dec)

“Minister: Egypt still has 3 copies of Napoleon’s ‘Description de l’Egypte” (19 Dec)

Official website containing “Description de l’Egypte”

“Sharjah ruler pledges to help restore Egyptian Scientific Institute” (20 Dec)

Foreign donations of aid to restore the Institut d’Egypte (20 Dec)

Official assessment of burned Institut d’Egypte (19 Dec)

Video of inside of the burned Institut d’Egypte (19 Dec)

“Protesters tell of saving books from Institut d’Egypte fire” (19 Dec)

Video of salvage operations when Institut d’Egypte was ablaze (19 Dec

“Thousands of rare documents burned in Egypt clash” (19 Dec)

Efforts of Bibliotheca Alexandrina to digitize the holdings of the Institut d’Egypte.

Pictures of Institut d’Egypte in 2006 by Daniel Haas

Tour of bookshelves of the Institut d’Egypte

Tour of the Institut d’Egypte

 “Failure to protect Egyptian historic sites could trigger foreign intervention, warn experts” (19 Dec)

“Antiquities hotline to launch in Egypt on Monday” (18 Dec)

“A black day for heritage: Burning the Egyptian Scientific Institute” (17 Dec)

“Emad Effat on Tahrir’s Wall” (17 Dec)

“Library fire in Egypt clashes destroys ‘irreplaceable’ 200-year-old documents” (17 Dec)

“Antiquities Minister eyes new policies for Egypt heritage” (11 Dec)

 “Stolen ancient Egyptian artefacts recovered” (28 Oct)

“Q&A with Archaeologists Syndicate head Fayza Haikal“

“Feds bust group trying to smuggle Ancient Egyptian mummy coffins” (14 Jul)

“Heightened Security at Egypt’s’ Tourist Sites After Death of Osama bin Laden” (6 May)

“‘God of Silence” statues give few hints about origins” (4 May)

“Egypt Demands Germany return 3400 year old Queen Nefertiti bust” (4 May)

“Egypt: Police return stolen bronzes to state antiquities department” (3 May)

“Can Egypt Protect Its Ancient Monuments?” (1 May)

“Egyptian Archaeologicst Zahi Hawass faces criticisms about his job, ties to Mubarak” (18 Apr)

“Guards, Guns, Secure Egypt’s Ancient Treasures Again” (18 Apr)

“Priceless Egyptian Treasures Returned” (12 Apr)

“Egypt to Form Special Force to Protect Antiquities” (12 Apr)

“About 1000 Relics Stolen During Egypt Uprising” (10 Apr)

“Egypt’s Antiquities Caught in the Revolution” (5 Apr)

“Ancient Egyptian Artefacts Stolen from AUC” (5 Apr)

“Egypt’s Antiquities Warehouse Looted by Armed Gang” (1 Apr)

“Egypt Antiquities Chief Becomes Minister” (30 Mar)

“12 Museum Pieces Recovered in Snare” (22 Mar)

“Stolen Ancient Egyptian Statues Recovered” (22 Mar)

“Two Lists: Official and Unofficial” (16 Mar)

“SCA Releases Full List of Treasures Missing From the Cairo Museum” (16 Mar)

“Egypt’s Archaeological Sites Are Still Being Looted” (3 Mar)

“The Status of Egyptian Antiquities Today, 3 Mar - Hawass” (3 Mar)

Egyptian Antiquities Chief Resigns (3 Mar)

“Looting of King Ramses II Colossus Thwarted” (3 Mar)

“Looting of Cairo Museum An Amateur Job” (28 Feb)

Mission Report Egypt 02 2011-1 by Dr. Joris Kila and Dr. Karl von Habsburg (17 Feb)

Map of looted sites

“Egypt’s Antiquities Chief Says 3 of 18 Pieces Missing From Egyptian Museum Have Been Found” (16 Feb)

“ICCROM Message on Egypt’s Missing Cultural Objects” (15 Feb)

“Looted Artifacts from Egyptian Museum Found” (15 Feb)

“After the Revolution, Who will Control Egypt’s Monuments?” (14 Feb) 

Press Release of Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities Affairs (12 Feb)

Egyptian Looting Database 2011 - confirmed and unconfirmed reports (3 Feb)

“Egyptian Museum: Petrol Bombs, Vandals Threaten Artifacts During Protests” (2 Feb)

“Interview with Dr. Salima Ikram” (2 Feb)

“Egypt Sees Looting in Wake of Protest – Interview with Z. Hawass” (1 Feb)

“Museum on High Alert for Ancient Egyptian Loot“ ( 1 Feb)

“Looting Tied to Backers of Mubarak Regime” (1 Feb)

“AP Interview: Egypt Declares Treasures Safe” (1 Feb)

“Egyptian Army Boosts Security at Museums and Archaeological Sites” (1 Feb)

“Egyptian Treasures: Assessing the Damage” (31 Jan)

“Egyptian Treasures SAved From Looters and Vandals” (31 Jan)

“Damage Reported at Giza Pyramids, Looters Turned Back at Karnak – Reported by Gerry Scott, ARCE Director” (31 Jan)

“Czech Egyptolost: Ancient Egyptian Sites Damaged During Arrests” (31 Jan)

“Archaeologists Hold Their Breath on Status of Egyptian Antiquities“

“Egypt Treasures Looted, but Public Strikes Back“

“Discovery News: Tut Family Mummies Damaged in Egyptian Riots” (30 Jan 2011)

“Amid Protests and Looting, Officials Work to Preserve Egyptian Treasures” (30 Jan 2011)

“Egyptian Musuem Threatened by Fire Next Door“

“Looters Rip Heads Off 2 Mummies at Egyptian Museum“