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Al-Ahram Weekly 23 - 29 September 1999 Issue No. 448 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 23 - 29 September 1999 Issue No. 448
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Saving Amun
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Comment Focus Special Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters
RESTORATION work began on the tomb of Bahensi, high priest of Amun, early last month. The tomb is located in the Ain Shams area of Cairo, which was the religious capital of Egypt in ancient times.Mohamed El-Saghir, head of the Pharaonic Department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said the tomb was discovered six years ago and has been badly damaged by underground water which has affected its base and walls.
Stone age culture
AN EGYPTIAN-Belgian archaeological mission has discovered a cave at Al-Quseir on Egypt's Red Sea coast which contains remains dating back to 7000 BC.Gaballa Ali Gaballa, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the cave contains wall paintings as well as a collection of stone age tools including axes, scrapers, knives and awls made of granite. The paintings of animals, birds and boats are similar to those found in another cave 500 metres away which was also unearthed by the team.
Islamic fortresses
THE URGENT restoration of three Islamic fortresses, Al-Abda, Al-Alayem and Al-Helaleya, all located on the Alexandria-Rashid Road, will commence early next month. The forts date from the Mohamed Ali era, and the restoration work will be similar to that carried out on Bu-Ghaz Fortress in Rashid eight years ago, explained Abdallah El-Attar, head of the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).This will entail strengthening the walls of the structures which face the Mediterranean and treating them with special chemicals to prevent further erosion from sea water. The restoration is estimated to take three years and is expected to cost LE5 million.
Pharaonic mayor
AN AMERICAN-Egyptian team working in the Abydos area of Sohag Governorate have stumbled on the residence of an ancient Egyptian mayor. It is the first such structure ever to be discovered in Egypt. Official clay stamps, along with a ring bearing the seal of the Mayor Nefer-Her which was used to approve governmental decisions, were found in the palace.The building is luxurious and sheds much light on both the lifestyle of ancient Egyptian civic officers and the manner in which they carried out their duties, according to American Egyptologists. Dust and sand accumulated in the ruins are being removed in order to reveal more about the methods of Pharaonic bureaucracy.
Ancient mosque in Sinai
A JAPANESE-Egyptian team working in the Tel Al-Raya area in southern Sinai has discovered a mosque dating back to the fourth century of Al-Hijra which could be the oldest mosque in Sinai.Gaballa Ali Gaballa, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the structure covers an area of 170 square metres and is part of the newly discovered fortress of Tel Al-Raya.
The main entrance to the mosque is located inside the front part of the fortress and is made of red stone and mud brick. Both are covered with a layer of limestone decorated with Islamic calligraphy.
Abdallah El-Attar, head of the SCA's Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Department, explained that the team first unearthed the mihrab of the mosque and a number of square columns as well as a collection of coloured pottery and glass that dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Compiled by Nevine El-Aref
