Recent events in Egypt

I have just received this distressing email from a colleague in
Egypt, Dr. Sarah Marei, who is an Egyptologist and works for the
Supreme Council of Antiquities; in the recent sweep of ministers
asked to resign, Dr. Zahi Hawass of the SCA also resigned. One
result is described below. Please everyone forward this on to anyone
you know who can bring pressure on the existing situation to
stabilize the sites and safeguard Egyptian treasures.

    Dear Julia,

    My heart and mind have now been taken off the politics and are
    solely focused on the antiquities. We are in the most
    devastating state possible. It's truly the worst nightmare
    realized.

    Sites and storages are attacked each night in different areas
    all over Egypt. There are cases of looting, illegal excavations
    and illegal building taking place daily. Some sites like Saqqara
    have been repeatedly attacked during the day and night. The
    inspectors and guards there are terrified of more attacks. Last
    night inspectors and guards were shot and a storage looted in
    the delta.

    I've been working on a makeshift salvage operation in Giza where
    two storages were looted last week. I've been using my free time
    at home to contact all the archaeologists I can here and abroad
    to raise the alarm. I'm hoping that international and national
    pressure will force the army back on the sites to protect them.

    So far the presence of police is minimal and the army has not
    budged.

    I cannot feel more helpless or more devastated. I'm campaigning
    along with Nadja [Tomoum] for bringing the army back on the
    sites and monitoring our borders and airports and ports to
    prevent objects from leaving. I hope it works.

    A protest is scheduled tomorrow at the pyramids, Giza and Luxor
    to ask for Dr Zahi [Hawass] to return as minister in the hopes
    it will stop the looting. Without a leader we are more
    vulnerable. I'm joining the protest only to raise my concerns of
    bringing the army back and preventing antiquities from leaving
    the country.

    We are desperate for a solution and fast.
    Best Wishes,
    Sarah


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:42
                  Distributed: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-24-42-002
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