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Al-Ahram Weekly 21 - 27 October 1999 Issue No. 452 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 21 - 27 October 1999 Issue No. 452
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Palace of Ahmose
A JOINT Dutch-Egyptian archaeological team that has been working for many years in the Al-Dabaa area in Sharqiya Governorate (the location of the ancient Hyksos capital) have unearthed the remains of what they believe to be the Palace of Ahmose, the pharaoh who liberated Egypt from the hated occupiers in 580 BC.Radar and magnetic measuring equipment were used before the excavation began, in order to identify the exact location of the ancient city, which extended for a length of more than 10 kilometres, according to Mohamed El-Saghir, head of the Pharaonic Department at the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). Excavations continue.
Abu Simbel information
IN AN ONGOING effort to provide tourists with as much information as possible about the great monuments of Abu Simbel that were built by Ramses II, an information centre will shortly be established near the site. It will screen documentary films showing the history of the area from earliest times up until the UNESCO salvage operation in the 1960s.
High-tech restoration
MINISTER of Culture Farouk Hosni has approved a budget of LE500,000 to continue restoration of sites in Bahariya Oasis. These include the Temple of Ein Al-Meftela built by Ged-Khensu-If-Ankh, one of the oasis' rulers during the time of the 26th Dynasty, and the newly discovered 'Valley of Mummies', which contains over 100 mummies.Restoration work will also be carried out at the Temple of Alexander the Great and the Tomb of Amenhotep, who ruled the oasis for a period under the New Kingdom.
Attention to Bahariya
THE SUPREME Council of Antiquities (SCA), in collaboration with the Canadian archaeological mission, will introduce a new technique to ensure protection of rock-hewn tombs and temples. The work is part of ongoing efforts to overcome problems regarding the conservation of monuments.The technique aims to separate rock-hewn tombs and temples from the mountains in which they are constructed by digging a passageway between the two.
After approval is obtained from the permanent committee of the SCA, this new technique will be employed at both Al-Mezawaqa Tombs in Dakhla Oasis and Nefertari's Tomb in the Valley of the Queens at Luxor.
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.
Compiled by
Nevine El-Aref
