Tutankhamun’s golden mask. Image: Shutterstock
Flinders University is launching a worldwide call to protect the treasures of Ancient Egypt.
Archaeologists have been voicing concerns for the safety of Egypt’s treasures after street battles took place around the Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, which houses the gold sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun, among other relics. Looters broke into the Cairo’s Egyptian Museum during the protests on January 28 and damaged a number of items, including two mummified skulls, the Associated Press reported.
There have also been reports from AFP of tomb raiding at Saqqara and pilfering at an antiquities storage depot at Qattara. A call has been put out by Flinders University to the Egyptian authorities and International Law Enforcement agencies to protect these treasures.
Professor Claire Smith, Department of Archaeology at Flinders and President of the World Archaeological Congress, hopes that the fame of Egypt’s archaeological heritage would assist in the effort to provide effective protection. “Visiting Egypt is an iconic experience, and the cultural heritage of Egypt is important to people around the world.” Professor Smith announced in the press release.
“Egyptian people have a proud tradition of caring for their heritage, and the people of Cairo and the military have acted quickly to protect the Cairo Museum. However, there are many other sites throughout the country that are vulnerable.”
Professor Smith says when countries have major internal emergencies, the protection of cultural heritage can be overlooked, as in Iraq and other conflict zones. “The danger is from looters, who are just waiting for a lapse of vigilance.”
According to Professor Smith, looters and traders in illegal antiquities are quick to take advantage while the authorities’ attention is directed elsewhere. “It is a bit like walking around with a parcel of treasures, and putting it down for a moment, and someone taking that opportunity to steal them.” she says.
