Bulletin d'Information Archéologique

BIALIII

le rêve de Reeves ! Collège de Institut français Chaire "Civilisation de l'Égypte pharaonique : d'archéologie orientale archéologie, philologie, histoire"

Bulletin d'Information Archéologique

BIAwww.egyptologues.net

LIII Janvier - Juin 2016

Le Caire - Paris 2016 Bulletin d’Information Archéologique REVUE SEMESTRIELLE n° 53 janvier / juin 2016

Directeur de la publication Système de translittération Nicolas GRIMAL des mots arabes [email protected]

Rédaction et coordination Emad ADLY [email protected]

consonnes voyelles IFAO Ambafrance Caire û و ,î ي ,â ا : q longues ق z ز ‘ ء S/C Valise diplomatique 13, rue Louveau k brèves : a, i, u ك s س b ب F-92438 Chatillon http://www.ifao.egnet.net l diphtongues : aw, ل sh ش t ت rue al-Cheikh Ali Youssef ,37 B.P. Qasr al-Aïny 11562 m م s ص th ث .Le Caire – R.A.E Tél. : [20 2] 27 97 16 37 n ن Dh ض G ج Fax : [20 2] 27 94 46 35

h autres conventions هـ t ط H ح Collège de France Chaire "Civilisation de l’Égypte pharaonique : archéologie, (w/û tæ’ marbºta = a, at (état construit و z ظ kh خ "philologie, histoire http://www.egyptologues.net y/î article: al- et l- (même devant les ى ‘ ع D د 52, rue du Cardinal Lemoine “solaires”) F 75231 Paris Cedex 05 غ ذ Tél. : [33 1] 44 27 10 47 Fax : [33 1] 44 27 11 09 Z gh

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© Institut français d’archéologie orientale. Le Caire. 2016 © Collège de France. Paris. 2016 ISSN 1110-2489

SOMMAIRE

SYSTÈME DE TRANSLITTÉRATION…………….…3 SAMEDI 6 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 41 MARDI 9 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 41 ÉDITORIAL...... 5 MERCREDI 10 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 42 JEUDI 11 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 44 SOMMAIRE...... 7 SAMEDI 13 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 46 DIMANCHE 14 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 46 JEUDI 18 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 47 DIMANCHE 21 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 51 MARDI 23 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 53 MERCREDI 24 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 53 I – JANVIER 2016 JEUDI 25 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 55 SAMEDI 27 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 57 ER VENDREDI 1 JANVIER 2016 ...... 10 DIMANCHE 28 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 58 SAMEDI 2 JANVIER 2016 ...... 10 DIMANCHE 3 JANVIER 2016 ...... 10 MARDI 5 JANVIER 2016 ...... 11 MERCREDI 6 JANVIER 2016 ...... 12 JEUDI 7 JANVIER 2016 ...... 13 DIMANCHE 10 JANVIER 2016 ...... 16 LUNDI 11 JANVIER 2016 ...... 17 MARDI 12 JANVIER 2016 ...... 17 III – MARS 2016 MERCREDI 13 JANVIER 2016 ...... 18 JEUDI 14 JANVIER 2016 ...... 21 MERCREDI 2 MARS 2016 ...... 59 DIMANCHE 17 JANVIER 2016 ...... 25 JEUDI 3 MARS 2016 ...... 60 MARDI 19 JANVIER 2016 ...... 25 MERCREDI 9 MARS 2016 ...... 65 JEUDI 21 JANVIER 2016 ...... 27 JEUDI 10 MARS 2016 ...... 67 VENDREDI 22 JANVIER 2016 ...... 28 SAMEDI 12 MARS 2016 ...... 70 SAMEDI 23 JANVIER 2016 ...... 28 MARDI 15 MARS 2016 ...... 71 DIMANCHE 24 JANVIER 2016 ...... 29 MERCREDI 16 MARS 2016 ...... 73 MARDI 26 JANVIER 2016 ...... 30 JEUDI 17 MARS 2016 ...... 75 MERCREDI 27 JANVIER 2016 ...... 31 SAMEDI 19 MARS 2016 ...... 79 JEUDI 28 JANVIER 2016 ...... 33 DIMANCHE 20 MARS 2016 ...... 79 MARDI 22 MARS 2016 ...... 80 MERCREDI 23 MARS 2016 ...... 81 JEUDI 24 MARS 2016 ...... 84 SAMEDI 26 MARS 2016 ...... 86 DIMANCHE 27 MARS 2016 ...... 87 II – FÉVRIER 2016 MARDI 29 MARS 2016 ...... 88 MERCREDI 30 MARS 2016 ...... 88 LUNDI 1ER FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 37 JEUDI 31 MARS 2016 ...... 89 MARDI 2 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 38 MERCREDI 3 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 39 JEUDI 4 FÉVRIER 2016 ...... 40

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SOMMAIRE

IV – AVRIL 2016 VENDREDI 20 MAI 2016 ...... 133 SAMEDI 21 MAI 2016 ...... 133 VENDREDI 1ER AVRIL 2016 ...... 91 DIMANCHE 22 MAI 2016 ...... 134 SAMEDI 2 AVRIL 2016 ...... 92 MARDI 24 MAI 2016 ...... 135 MERCREDI 6 AVRIL 2016 ...... 92 JEUDI 26 MAI 2016 ...... 135 JEUDI 7 AVRIL 2016 ...... 92 VENDREDI 27 MAI 2016 ...... 139 VENDREDI 8 AVRIL 2016 ...... 97 SAMEDI 9 AVRIL 2016 ...... 97 DIMANCHE 10 AVRIL 2016 ...... 98 MARDI 12 AVRIL 2016 ...... 99 VI – JUIN 2016 JEUDI 14 AVRIL 2016 ...... 100 SAMEDI 16 AVRIL 2016 ...... 103 MERCREDI 1ER JUIN 2016 ...... 140 LUNDI 18 AVRIL 2016 ...... 103 JEUDI 2 JUIN 2016 ...... 143 MARDI 19 AVRIL 2016 ...... 104 SAMEDI 4 JUIN 2016 ...... 148 MERCREDI 20 AVRIL 2016 ...... 106 DIMANCHE 5 JUIN 2016 ...... 149 JEUDI 21 AVRIL 2016 ...... 110 MERCREDI 8 JUIN 2016 ...... 150 VENDREDI 22 AVRIL 2016 ...... 111 JEUDI 9 JUIN 2016 ...... 151 DIMANCHE 24 AVRIL 2016 ...... 112 DIMANCHE 12 JUIN 2016 ...... 153 LUNDI 25 AVRIL 2016 ...... 112 MERCREDI 15 JUIN 2016 ...... 154 MARDI 26 AVRIL 2016 ...... 112 JEUDI 16 JUIN 2016 ...... 154 MERCREDI 27 AVRIL 2016 ...... 113 DIMANCHE 19 JUIN 2016 ...... 158 LUNDI 20 JUIN 2016 ...... 159 MERCREDI 22 JUIN 2016 ...... 160 JEUDI 23 JUIN 2016 ...... 163 V – MAI 2016 LUNDI 27 JUIN 2016 ...... 163 MERCREDI 29 JUIN 2016 ...... 164 MARDI 3 MAI 2016 ...... 116 JEUDI 30 JUIN 2016 ...... 165 MERCREDI 4 MAI 2016 ...... 116 JEUDI 5 MAI 2016 ...... 116 VENDREDI 6 MAI 2016 ...... 118 DIMANCHE 8 MAI 2016 ...... 118 VII – WHO'S WHO ? LUNDI 9 MAI 2016 ...... 119 MARDI 10 MAI 2016 ...... 119 MINISTÈRE DE L’ARCHÉOLOGIE ...... 170 MERCREDI 11 MAI 2016 ...... 119 MUSÉES ...... 172 JEUDI 12 MAI 2016 ...... 122 UNIVERSITÉS ...... 173 VENDREDI 13 MAI 2016 ...... 125 POUVOIR EXÉCUTIF ...... 173 DIMANCHE 15 MAI 2016 ...... 125 DIVERS ...... 174 LUNDI 16 MAI 2016 ...... 126 MARDI 17 MAI 2016 ...... 126 MERCREDI 18 MAI 2016 ...... 127 JEUDI 19 MAI 2016 ...... 128 INDEX...... 174

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de restauration de cette pyramide sont déjà er Vendredi 1 janvier 2016 achevés. L’inauguration est prévue courant 2016. La présidente du secteur des musées, Ilhâm Salâh al-Dîn, a annoncé que le ministère du Tourisme a débloqué la somme de 2 millions L.E. destinée au réaménagement et au remplacement du réseau électrique du Musée Égyptien de Tahrîr. Le ministère de l’Archéologie en a consacré 1 million L.E. à la modernisation des vitrines d’exposition, du scénario muséologique et des cartels. En outre, deux appareils XR et un portail électronique ont été achetés, afin de mieux sécuriser le Rappelons que le Conseil des ministres avait musée. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère du déjà approuvé le déblocage de 15 398 150 L.E. Tourisme accorde 2 millions L.E. au ministère pour soutenir les travaux de restauration de de l’Archéologie pour le réaménagement du , gelés depuis 2011. (Ahmad Mansûr, Musée Égyptien », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1er janvier « Le ministère de l’Archéologie consacre 2 2016). millions L.E. à la restauration de la pyramide de Djoser », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 2 janvier 2016. - - Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le directeur de Saqqâra : Poursuite des travaux à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur de la pyramide de Djoser », al- Samedi 2 janvier 2016 Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 février).

Le secrétaire général du Conseil Suprême - - des Antiquités (CSA), Dr Mustafa Amîn, a pris la décision n° 9507/2015 pour la création d’une Dimanche 3 janvier 2016 commission présidée par Ilhâm Salâh al-Dîn, présidente du secteur des musées. Cette commission est chargée de recenser les La présidente du secteur des musées, Ilhâm archéologues de plus de 55 ans, afin qu’ils Salâh al-Dîn, a annoncé que le ministère de la puissent, à l’approche de la retraite, Planification a débloqué la somme de 4 transmettre les collections sous leur millions L.E. pour poursuivre l’achèvement des responsabilité aux jeunes archéologues qui vont travaux de restauration et de réaménagement leur succéder, conformément aux lois et aux du musée archéologique de Mallawî. règlements en vigueur. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le CSA forme une commission pour recenser les De son côté, l’ingénieur Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ a archéologues de plus de 55 ans », al-Yawm al- déclaré qu’un don italien de 4 millions L.E. a Sâbi‘, 2 janvier 2016). été octroyé pour moderniser les vitrines d’exposition. La deuxième phase des travaux - - muséologiques sera lancée dans quelques jours. (Ahmad Mansûr, « L’Italie et le ministère de la Le président du secteur des projets, Planification offrent 8 millions L.E. au ministère ingénieur Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ, a annoncé que le de l’Archéologie pour la modernisation du ministère de l’Archéologie a récemment musée de Mallawî », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 janvier consacré 2 millions L.E. pour poursuivre les 2016). travaux de restauration de la pyramide de Djoser. 70 % des travaux de maintenance et - -

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governmental ministries and agencies in the Mardi 5 janvier 2016 capital as well as the provincial governorates.

In 1932, an order was issued by King Fu’âd to construct “the Historical Records Department in ‘Âbidîn Palace in downtown Cairo.” After the 1952 revolution, a new National Historical Archive was established by law no. 356 of 1954, with the purpose of collecting and keeping documents from all periods. In 1969, it was transferred from ‘Âbidîn Palace to the Citadel and in 1990 it was moved to its current location on the Nile Corniche.

In 1993, a new independent authority was Dar al-Mahfuzat at the Citadel created that united the Book Organisation and Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî the National Archives and separated them from has finally assigned an archaeological the Egyptian General Book Organisation. (Nevine engineering committee to inspect the current El-Aref, “ to restore its historical National condition of the old and new wings of Egypt’s Archives building”, Ahram Online, January 5, National Archives (Dâr al-Mahfûzât) located in 2016). Salâh al-Dîn Citadel in Old Cairo. Gamâl Mustafa, director-general of al-Qal‘a (citadel) - - Antiquities, told Ahram Online that after its inspection tour, the committee is to write a Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al- detailed report on the condition of both wings Damâtî, a effectué une tournée d’inspection des and send it to the minister in order to take travaux de restauration du palais Ismâ‘îl al- concrete procedures to restore the great Mufattish, situé à Lâzughlî. Le ministre était monument. Among the required restoration accompagné du président du secteur des works are the installation of a new electronic projets, ingénieur Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ. Lancé en security system and an automatic extinguishing 2008, ce projet de restauration a été suspendu system. au lendemain de la révolution du 25 janvier 2011. En août dernier, les travaux ont repris. On Wednesday, Mustafa said, a meeting is to be held in the projects department at the Rappelant que le palais Ismâ‘îl al-Mufattish ministry with the members of the committee in date de la fin du XIXe siècle. Il a été édifié par an attempt to put early steps towards restoring Ismâ‘îl Siddîq, ministre des Finances d’alors. Le the archives. A review of previous restoration palais se compose de plus de 70 pièces, works would also be discussed. Mustafa also richement décorées, notamment aux styles said that the Ministry of Finance is to form a baroque et rococo. (Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, committee to decide on the beginning of the « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inspecte le palais restoration work. Ismâ‘îl Pacha en vue de sa réinauguration », Egypt National Archives is among the oldest al-Ahrâm, 5 janvier 2016). in the world, founded in Cairo in 1828 when Muhammad ‘Alî Pasha constructed a building in - - Salâh al-Dîn Citadel to preserve official records and named it Daftarkhâna (House of Les autorités douanières du port Documentation). The main aim behind its d’Alexandrie ont déjoué une tentative construction was collecting written d’exportation illicite de pièces pharaoniques documentation of the state’s activities and vers le Qatar. À l’intérieur d’une cargaison de maintaining it in one place. Over time the charbon, les contrebandiers ont dissimulé un Daftarkhâna became a storehouse of Egypt’s sarcophage en bois décoré (180 cm x 40 cm) national heritage. It accumulated so many renfermant 40 pièces antiques : pots en governmental documents after they were no céramique, stèles, statuettes d’animaux et longer needed that Muhammad ‘Alî was forced d’oiseaux en granite. (MENA, « Échec d’une to construct the Archival Storehouse in tentative d’exportation d’antiquités pharaoniques

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à travers le port d’Alexandrie », al-Bashâyyir, 5 Ces travaux ont été d’abord financés par janvier 2016). l’église elle-même sous la supervision du CSA. Mais à partir de 2008, ce dernier a alors - - assumé totalement la restauration qui a coûté 6 200 000 L.E. Le projet global de Mercredi 6 janvier 2016 réaménagement n’est pas encore terminé, car Il faut encore restaurer le baptême antique et le chapiteau d’une colonne pharaonique. (Doaa À 80 km du Caire se dresse Elhami, « Le monastère des Apôtres à Atfîh fait majestueusement l’église antique du monastère peau neuve », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 6 janvier des Apôtres. Cette église est devenue célèbre 2016). grâce à son fameux autel dédié aux deux saints Paul et Peter. Cette église, qui s’étend - - sur 400 m2, est la plus ancienne d’Atfîh, elle date du IVe siècle. Elle faisait partie d’un grand Pour célébrer son quarantième anniversaire, monastère qui n’existe plus aujourd’hui. le musée de Louqsor expose depuis le 22 décembre une exposition d’un mois. L’exposition L’église avait été gravement touchée par le comprend 27 pièces découvertes pendant les séisme de 1992, et avait par conséquent fermé fouilles effectuées en 2015 par la mission ses portes pendant plus d’une vingtaine égypto-espagnole opérant dans le temple de d’années avant d’être totalement restaurée. Thoutmosis III dans la région d’al-Qurna sur la « L’architecture externe et interne de l’église a rive ouest de Louqsor. « Ces pièces ont été été restaurée mais également tous les objets soigneusement choisies. Ce sont les pièces les qui s’y trouvaient ainsi que les pierres de plus importantes retrouvées au temple de calcaire de l’ancien baptême qui se trouvent Thoutmosis III au cours de cette saison de dans l’enceinte. Les annexes, qui avaient été fouille », explique Ilhâm Salâh, directrice du bâties à l’intérieur de cette enceinte, vont être secteur des musées au ministère des démolies », explique Muhammad ‘Abd al-Latîf, Antiquités. chef du secteur des monuments coptes et islamiques au ministère des Antiquités. « Le Parmi ces pièces il y a des pots antiques, séisme avait provoqué de grandes fissures une collection de bijoux, la partie inférieure dans les murs de l’église, au point qu’un mur d’une statue du roi Thoutmosis III et de entier s’est détaché du bâtiment », explique à grandes stèles sur lesquelles est gravé le nom son tour Mahmûd Sha‘bân, directeur des du roi. « La mission égypto-espagnole travaille monuments coptes et islamiques du sud de au temple de Thoutmosis III depuis 2008. Elle a Gîza. Pire encore, l’urbanisation excessive et le fait d’importantes fouilles dans ce temple qui drainage agricole ont endommagé le sol. était presque enseveli. Aujourd’hui, elle commence à dresser le temple après avoir Et c’est cet état déplorable qui a nécessité, restauré les pièces trouvées », indique à l’époque, une intervention d’urgence de la Muhammad Mustafa, archéologue. part des responsables de l’église et du Conseil Suprême des Antiquités (CSA). Les murs ont été Selon Sanâ’ ‘Alî, directrice des musées de alors consolidés avec de grosses planches de Haute-Égypte, c’est la mission égypto-espagnole bois pour éviter leur écroulement. « L’ancienne qui s’est chargée d’organiser l’exposition et elle couche de peinture des murs de l’église a été assume les frais de l’installation des vitrines où enlevée. Le mur sud qui s’était détaché a été sont placées les pièces, et ce, en accord avec remis en place. La terre cuite des coupoles a la muséologie des lieux. « Le plus important été traitée », ajoute Sha‘bân. Selon lui, toute la c’est qu’après cette exposition, les pièces boiserie de l’ornement de l’église a été resteront au musée, afin d’enrichir son contenu également restaurée. Et pour éviter une et de compléter la chronologie d’une période nouvelle détérioration du sol, les restaurateurs riche de l’histoire de l’Égypte, celle de ont encerclé l’enceinte archéologique de puits Touthmôsis III », souligne ‘Alî. de calcaire, afin d’absorber le drainage En fait, cette exposition s’inscrit dans le agricole. Les icônes de l’église ont également cadre d’une nouvelle politique du ministère des été restaurées. Antiquités qui vise à exposer au fur et à mesure les pièces découvertes lors des fouilles

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effectuées par les missions étrangères. « Nous showcases in the newly created galleries and avons mis en place un plan ambitieux qui a placing artefacts in others. pour but d’organiser plusieurs expositions de “I cannot give a specific day the museum pièces découvertes par les missions étrangères will open but I can affirm that it is very soon,” en Égypte. Ces expositions auront lieu dans les Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told différents musées égyptiens. La première sera Al-Ahram Weekly. al-Damâtî said the United celle de la mission polonaise début 2016 au Arab Emirates was working hard in Musée national d’Alexandrie, et la deuxième collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities to sera consacrée à la mission italienne et se rescue the MIA and its priceless collection that tiendra au Musée de la momification à reflects the glory of Islamic civilisation. He said Louqsor », explique Salâh. Et de conclure : « Il the UAE was the first country to respond to est temps de montrer au grand public les the Egyptian campaign, launched shortly after pièces découvertes par les missions the bombing, to finance the work and took archéologiques étrangères opérant en Égypte, responsibility for rehabilitating the inside of the au lieu de les laisser pendant des années sans museum. les montrer au public ». (Dalia Farouq, « Thoutmosis III exposé à Louqsor », Al-Ahram “We are thankful to the UAE for its full Hebdo du 6 janvier 2016). support in bringing the museum back to its former glory in collaboration with Egyptian and - - foreign experts,” al-Damâtî said, adding that UNESCO had contributed $100,000 while many countries, NGOs and the private sector Jeudi 7 janvier 2016 provided additional support. The Italian government gave €800,000, the American Research Centre in Cairo will restore the museum’s façade, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum in New York, Germany and Austria trained museum curators and restorers.

“Ninety per cent of the MIA restoration works have been completed,” Ilhâm Salâh, head of the Museum Section, told the Weekly. Salâh said the façade, building and halls had been restored and new state-of-the-art security and On Port Said Street in the Bâb al-Khalq lighting systems were installed. All the neighbourhood of Cairo stands the lofty, mountings required to erect the large artefacts honey-coloured edifice of the Museum of displayed out of showcases were replaced and Islamic Art (MIA) with its neo-Mameluke new showcases were put in their display architecture and luxurious façade hidden positions. beneath iron scaffoldings and large green and Now, Salâh added, the collection is being gray sheets. A car bomb in January 2014 at rearranged the way it was with the exception of the adjacent Cairo Security Directorate rocked the souvenir hall, previously located at the the capital and blew a six-metre crater into centre of the museum, “which will now be Port Said Street while also ripping into the relocated to another place at the end of the façade of the two-storey MIA building whose visitors’ path outside the museum”. A hall second floor is shared with the National Library displaying Islamic coins and weapons was built and Archives. as well as another hall for Islamic manuscripts. However, inside the institution the picture is One hall exhibits the daily life of people down totally different from what was the mess the Islamic ages, instruments and children’s outside. Work is at full swing to complete toys. “After the addition of these objects the restoration in time for a new opening. Workers MIA collection increased to 5,000 artefacts are spread out everywhere inside the MIA’s from 1,874 items,” Salâh said, adding that exhibition halls fixing the lighting, erecting new among the items are 2,000 coins.

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“Artefacts that were damaged in the explosion and restored are also put on display within the collection but are distinguishable from the other objects by a golden label placed beside them,” al-Shûkî said. He said the blast had damaged 179 pieces; 90 were completely restored while 10, all carved in glass, are beyond repair. Among the most important were a rare decorated Ayyubid jar and an Omayyad plate carved in porcelain.

A three-month exhibition for damaged and “What remains are the final touches,” MIA restored objects will be held at the opening of General Director Ahmad al-Shûkî said, such as the MIA, with written narratives showing the the iron shades on the façade’s windows as efforts being exerted to return the objects back well as a polish and retouches of a few walls. to their original look and the restoration al-Shûkî said 90 per cent of the showcases carried out to return MIA to life. had been erected and that the curators were currently putting the treasured MIA collection He said a showcase displaying objects from inside them. Muhammad ‘Alî’s family reign is also being added to the exhibition. It includes a gold book al-Shûkî said the original plan was to re- of the Holy Qur’an, which is exhibited for the display the MIA collection according to its first time ever, the collars of kings Fu’âd and previous exhibition scenario but that a few Fârûq, and documents concerning Fârûq’s changes had to be made in order to introduce marriages including wedding invitations. a new display concept to MIA visitors. Before the changes, al-Shûkî told the Weekly that a As for the funerary arts hall, al-Shûkî said it study had been carried out by the museum’s was converted into a hall for handwritings curators and restorers to see what was amiss because there was no funerary art in Islamic in the MIA’s original exhibition. The gift shop arts. The new hall shows the different styles of has been relocated to the MIA museological Islamic handwriting through a collection of garden outside the museum halls. In its place manuscripts, wooden and stone inscribed. al- has come a hall for Islamic weapons and coins. Shûkî pointed out that the hall originally dedicated to Islamic handwriting was converted All open showcases have been closed, he into a hall showing instruments used in daily said, to prevent dust affecting the artefacts. A life. The hall, he said, looks like a residential collection of 14 new showcases has been house during the Islamic era, and shows a installed and a new display concept designed chimney, children’s toys, jewellery-laden pots for the museum’s entrance hall to reflect the and pans and musical instruments. contribution of Islamic civilisation. The entrance hall now has five showcases, al-Shûkî explains, displaying objects reflecting the main elements that made up the birth of Islamic civilisation.

In the middle is a showcase displaying a huge book of the Holy Qur’an from the Omayyad period and near it, the oldest key of al-‘ from al-Ashraf Sha‘bân’s tenure representing the pilgrimage. The remaining three items are lamps decorated with Kufic writing representing Arabic literature, a pot from Iran to show the contribution of non-Arab countries in Islamic civilisation, and an astrolabe showing The void in front of the hall will be scientific Arab development. A wooden door dedicated to a three-dimensional sound and decorated with foliage and geometric elements light show narrating stories about distinguished is also among the objects on display at the sultans, scientists and artists of the Islamic era. entrance. The narration, al-Shûkî said, would be in English, French and Arabic according to fixed

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times during the week. that all international museums can benefit from. The original discoverer of ’s tomb, “MIA storages were not affected by the Howard CARTER, accomplished the first explosion. All are safe and sound except gallery restoration of the mask in December 1925, and No 16 which had not been touched since today we have the pleasure to present the 1903,” al-Shûkî said, adding that the gallery mask again in its original form. has been now improved by the Emirates team. What were the challenges you faced during He said MIA’s name would not be, as rumours the restoration? have it, changed to the Museum of Islamic Civilisation. “Such rumours are unfounded.” Taking the beard off the mask and (Nevine El-Aref, “Treasure house”, Al-Ahram removing the epoxy resin used in the botched Weekly, January 7, 2016. Voir également Ranâ restoration work in 2014 was the first challenge Gawhar, « Deux ans après l’attentat : le musée we faced. d’Art islamique, un témoin sur le terrorisme », The second challenge was extracting the al-Ahrâm, 20 janvier ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Deux internal gold tube discovered accidently inside ans après une tentative d’explosion, le musée the beard in order to restore the beard d’Art islamique défie le terrorisme », al-Yawm properly. The internal tube was filled with epoxy al-Sâbi‘, 21 janvier 2016). resin and then fixed inside the beard and it was hard to remove it. It took three weeks to - - remove the resin from the beard, and then we After nine weeks of restoration, the gold were able to dissolve the glue material found mask of the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun is back inside it. on permanent display in the in Tahrîr Square in Cairo, having revealed more secrets of its carving techniques and the original materials that the ancient Egyptians used to make it and to fix on the mask’s beard.

Before the showcase where the iconic gold now rests, German restorer Christian ECKMANN stands admiring the mask after repairing the botched restoration work carried out on it in 2014 and correctly fixing the beard back to its original position. He spoke to Nevine El-Aref about his experience of What is the role of the internal tube? Was working on the mask. it inserted by CARTER during the first restoration carried out on the mask in 1925 or was it part How do you feel after accomplishing your of the original mask? mission successfully? Early studies have revealed that the internal I am very happy and proud to have tube was part of the original mask and it was accomplished this great mission successfully used by the ancient Egyptians to fix the beard and returned the mask to its original condition to the mask. as it was before. It was a great challenge because we are dealing with an iconic artefact, How did you manage to take out the and we wanted to finish the restoration in a internal tube without affecting the beard? very limited time in order not to take the mask We did not use any chemical solvent to out of its permanent display and stop museum remove the epoxy resin, but used lime wood visitors from admiring it. rods to scrape away the resin between the I have to admit that it was a remarkable beard and the mask by hand, meticulously moment in my professional career when the preserving the precious gold as we did so. That mask first lay in front of me. I would have was why it took so long to remove the resin slept better if this beautiful piece had been from the beard. We only went square mm by back in its showcase. The restoration work on square mm, and the deeper we went into the Tutankhamun’s iconic mask should be a model tube the narrower was the space. At one point

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we were really a bit afraid that we wouldn’t be big differences. From the technological point of able to remove it because it was so densely view, it makes sense that the ancient Egyptians packed together. However, we did it shaped the face first before fixing it to the rest successfully. of the mask. There was a need for workmanship on both sides, and the face was What material did you use to fix the beard the last thing to be attached to the mask. and why did you choose it? There was no evidence that the gold here is We used beeswax because it is a natural, completely different to what we see on the rest safe and strong material. We used it raw of the mask. without adding any other materials to it. As for the earring holes, I am not an Beeswax was also used in the second Egyptologist so I cannot confirm that ancient restoration work to fix the beard to the mask Egyptian kings did not wear earrings. But as a in 1946, but the restorers at the time added professional restorer I can confirm that the another material to it. mummy of King Tutankhamun has holes in Did you carry out any documentation on both his ears, and if you look in the the mask during your restoration work? depictions you will see depressions in the ears of all the male figures. So I cannot say We fully documented the mask. We definitely, but I would not be surprised if you measured all the inlaid materials and the gold found ear holes on other depictions. This has sheets used to make the mask, but we now to be cleared up by study. have to analyse our data to finish the complete documentation of it. We need another Where do we find ear holes — on royal two or three months. statues of males or females or both?

What is your opinion concerning I am a technician and such a study should Egyptologist Nicholas REEVES’ theory that the be carried out by Egyptologists. (Nevine El-Aref, mask of Tutankhamun originally belonged to “Tutankhamun’s mask back on show”, Al-Ahram Queen , as is shown by the face, the Weekly, January 7, 2016). earring holes and the ? This hypothesis was suggested long ago but - - has never been investigated. We took this opportunity to study the technique used to manufacture the mask as well as to investigate Dimanche 10 janvier 2016 the controversial areas mentioned by REEVES (the face, the holes in the ears and the cartouche) in order to gain more knowledge about it. At the moment, I cannot comment on this suggestion or theory until the completion of our investigations.

We saw some traces of the cartouche, but we have to compare these to other areas on the mask that bear inscriptions in order to be sure or to prove if these are manufacturing traces or rewritings of the cartouche or something else. I cannot reject or confirm or The recovered wooden decorative elements say anything conclusive about the theory at the Egypt succeeded on Sunday to stop the moment. I have to carry out further studies sale of a collection of wooden decorative and evaluate our data first in order to come elements that were put on sale in Bonham’s up with a concrete opinion. auction hall in London. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî said that the elements, As for the face, we did not notice any which consist of eight wooden beams inscribed differences or changes in the kind of gold with verses from the Quran, had been stolen layers used for the face and the other parts of from the Abbasid caliphs dome in downtown the mask or even if they were laid on at Cairo and illegally smuggled out of the country. different times. There are slight differences in many parts of the mask, but they are not very

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‘Alî Ahmad, director of the antiquities residents. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- recuperation department, said that the ministry Damâtî explained to Ahram Online that the took all the legal measures to prove its decision was made to encourage people to possession, adding that the beams would visit more museums and archaeological sites in return back to Egypt within two weeks. Ahmad order to raise awareness on heritage issues, explained that the dome of the Abbasid caliphs and also to celebrate the work of is a square structure with three entrances archaeologists in preserving a heritage, which located behind the al-Sayyida Nafîsa shrine in does not only to Egypt but also to the whole downtown Cairo. world.

The dome was built to be the burial place Egypt began celebrating the day in 2007, for the Abbasid caliphs who died in Egypt selecting 14 January because it falls on the between the 7th and 8th century, as well as for date in which Egyptian archaeologists took over the sons of the Mamluk Bahari Sultan al-Zâhir the management of the country’s antiquities Baybars. The dome is very well preserved and from the French in the 1950’s. (Nevine El-Aref, it is decorated with distinguished inscriptions “Egypt’s archaeological sites free of charge and stalactites. It has three entrances with the Thursday”, Ahram Online, January 11, 2016. main one positioned in the northwest façade. It Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Accès gratuit also has three free sides but the fourth one aux sites et musées le 14 janvier à l’occasion has a niche adjacent to al-Sayyida Nafîsa de la Fête des archéologues », al-Yawm al- shrine. Sâbi‘, 11 janvier).

All the facades are adorned with recesses and keel arches. A mihrâb crowned with a keel - - arch exists inside the dome, while there are eight sarcophagi underneath the dome. (Nevine Mardi 12 janvier 2016 El-Aref, “Eight decorative Abbasid wooden beams recovered by Egypt from London”, Ahram Online, January 10, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie récupère des incrustations de bois volées à Londres », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 janvier ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « L’ambassade d’Égypte à Londres réceptionne 8 incrustations de bois volées », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 31 mai). - -

Exhibition invitation Lundi 11 janvier 2016 At hall number 44 on the Egyptian Museum’s first floor, a temporary exhibition telling the story behind a collection of recuperated stolen and illegally smuggled artefacts will open on Thursday. The exhibition opens on the tenth annual Archaeologists Day, a celebration organised by the antiquities ministry. The exhibition is also being held to highlight the efforts made by the ministry to protect Egypt’s heritage and in recovering stolen artefacts that were smuggled out of the country following the January 2011 uprising. The logo of the Archaeologists’ Day Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî To celebrate Egypt’s tenth annual told Ahram Online that the exhibition will put Archaeologists’ Day, the Ministry of Antiquities on show a collection of 226 objects from will make all archaeological sites in Egypt free different eras of Egyptian civilizations that have on Thursday for Egyptians and foreign

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been recovered from France, England, Denmark, des Antiquités. « En fait, la découverte de ces Germany and the United States in 2014 and statues n’a pas été facile », affirme-t-il. 2015. “This is the fourth exhibition of its kind,” Cet endroit a été soumis à un fort al-Damâtî said. The exhibition will last until the tremblement de terre dans les temps anciens, end of November. ce qui a gravement influencé les sites The General Supervisor of the Egyptian archéologiques de la région et ce sans oublier Museum Khâlid al-‘Inânî also told Ahram Online l’effet de l’érosion des roches, deux effets qui that the ministry succeeded in recovering 722 ont complètement recouvert les entrées des artefacts. 50 were returned to Egypt in 2015, chapelles par d’énormes blocs de pierres et while the rest were returned in 2014. al-‘Inânî une grande quantité de sable. « C’est ce qui a continued to say that Egypt proved its conduit auparavant les égyptologues à croire possession of 36 stolen and illegally smuggled que cette chapelle a été totalement démolie, objects to Spain and 122 to the United States. mais la mission a réussi à mettre fin à cette Among them were three sarcophagi of an polémique en nettoyant les deux chapelles pour ancient Egyptian woman named Shesibemtisher, découvrir ses statues », explique Mamdûh al- a coffin of a Graeco-Roman nobleman, 99 Damâtî, ministre des Antiquités. coins and five statuettes carved in stone.

al-‘Inânî added that the ministry succeeded in stopping the sale of a unique ancient Egyptian statue that was on show in an auction hall in Germany in June, as well as a collection of 46 beads carved in faience that were on display in a jewellery exhibition in Berlin. (Nevine El-Aref, “Antiquities minister set to inaugurate exhibition for recovered artefacts on Thursday”, Ahram Online, January 12, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « L’exposition des antiquités restituées renferme 226 pièces Le directeur Neferkhewe et sa famille se trouvant dans la chapelle 31. archéologiques exceptionnelles », al-Yawm al- Sâbi‘, 12 janvier ; Ahmad Gûda, « al-Damâtî La statue découverte dans la chapelle 30 inaugure l’exposition des antiquités restituées est une double statue du propriétaire de la en présence des ambassadeurs d’Allemagne et chapelle et son épouse dont les noms sont du Danemark », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 janvier). encore inconnus. L’homme porte une perruque en croisant les bras sur sa poitrine, position - - d’Osiris, alors que sa femme met son bras gauche sur l’épaule de son mari, alors que son bras droit est sur sa poitrine. « Une position Mercredi 13 janvier 2016 qui reflète la valeur de cet homme », souligne ‘Afîfî. Concernant les statues de la chapelle 31, Sur le site de Gabal al-Silsila au nord il s’agit d’un groupe statuaire debout, formé du d’Aswân en Haute-Égypte, la mission défunt, portant le nom de Neferkhewe, qui avait archéologique suédoise a mis au jour six belles le titre de « directeur et surveillant des pays statues gravées dans le rocher. Dirigée par étrangers » sous le règne de Thoutmosis III Maria NILSSON et John WARD, cette mission de (1390-1352 av. J.-C.). Neferkhewe est entouré l’Université de Lund, opérant sur le site depuis de son épouse et de ses deux enfants, une plus de trois ans, a découvert ces statues lors fille et un garçon. de son travail d’excavation dans les chapelles Les travaux de la mission suédoise qui ont 30 et 31. En effet, les six statues découvertes commencé en 2012 ne s’arrêtent pas là. « La datent du Nouvel Empire. « Lors des fouilles, mission continue ses travaux dans le but de deux statues ont été trouvées dans la chapelle dévoiler les secrets qui se trouvent à l’intérieur n° 30 et quatre dans la n° 31 », a déclaré des 32 chapelles découvertes dans cette Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, chef du département des importante montagne », souligne Nasr Salâma, antiquités de l’Égypte ancienne au ministère directeur général des antiquités d’Aswân et de Nubie. En fait, ces 6 statues ne sont pas les

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premières découvertes de cette mission. En mai date correspond à la première gérance 2015, une marquante découverte a été faite, égyptienne de l’Organisme des antiquités celle de la mise au jour des vestiges d’un égyptiennes en 1953, soit après plus de 100 temple égyptien remontant à l’époque située ans d’une direction purement étrangère des entre le début du Nouvel Empire égyptien et antiquités égyptiennes », explique Fatma Kishk, l’Empire romain (27 av. J.-C. — 395 après J.-C.). organisatrice de la célébration et directrice de la section archéologie et architecture au Il est à noter que ce site antique de Gabal CULTNAT. al-Silsila, situé à environ 65 km au nord d’Aswân, connu dans l’antiquité sous le nom de Les vingt Égyptiens honorés ont été Khenu ou Kheny, est célèbre pour la plus sélectionnés pour leur rôle archéologique sur le grande chaîne de carrières de grès qui s’étend terrain et sur le plan académique, dans une sur environ 2,5 km des deux côtés du Nil. variété de spécialités scientifiques. Cette « Puisque cette région était source de blocs sélection d’égyptologues couvre presque un de grès utilisés dans la construction de siècle de travail sous la direction égyptienne. nombreux temples, alors les chercheurs L’identification de ces experts a eu lieu essayent de savoir comment ces pierres étaient grâce aux recherches dans les archives du transportées à Louqsor et à Aswân », souligne grand égyptologue Silîm Hasan, comprenant les Salâma. membres de ses missions, allant de ses Le projet d’étude de l’Université de Lund, collègues, adjoints, élèves aux ouvriers et qui est un projet multidisciplinaire suédois, a cuisiniers qui servaient les experts. « Nous jusqu’à maintenant identifié 104 carrières dans avons découvert Ahmad Kamâl pacha, premier ce site. La plupart date des périodes du Nouvel Égyptien formé par l’égyptologue allemand, Empire et gréco-romaine, mais certaines Heinrich Karl Brugsch, et reconnu comme preuves suggèrent qu’il y avait aussi des égyptologue scientifique », explique carrières durant la période du Moyen Empire. l’égyptologue Amîra Siddîq, membre de l’équipe Cette équipe vise en premier lieu à découvrir scientifique du CULTNAT. C’est lui qui a fondé les modes de vie des travailleurs de carrières : la première école d’égyptologie au sein du comment ils vivaient, comment ils se Musée Égyptien, de Bûlâq à l’époque. déplaçaient à travers le site, où ils conservaient La première génération de cette école a leur nourriture, et quelles sortes d’activités ils donné des experts comme Silîm Hasan, avaient ? Pour arriver à la réalisation de Mahmûd Hamza et Sâmî Gabra, alors que la l’objectif principal de ce projet, de mieux dernière a engendré Ahmad Fakhrî et Labîb comprendre la région, Maria NILSSON et son Habashî. « Les premières générations directeur adjoint, John WARD, ont signalé que d’égyptologues égyptiens étaient très fortes les travaux de fouilles se poursuivront dans tous les domaines archéologiques : c’est- normalement dans la région, pour d’autres à-dire aussi bien sur le plan scientifique que importantes découvertes. (Nasma Réda, « Gabal dans les travaux de fouilles et la conservation al-Silsila livre ses secrets », Al-Ahram Hebdo des antiquités. Ils nous ont livré des documents du 13 janvier 2016. Voir également Muhammad d’une grande importance », commente ‘Ula al- ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Découverte de tombes de la ‘Agîzî, professeure d’égyptologie à la faculté XVIIIe dynastie à Aswân », al-Ahrâm, 31 mars ; des antiquités de l’Université du Caire. Pour Sanâ’ Fârûq, « Mise au jour de plusieurs elle, chacun d’eux se caractérisait par une tombes à Aswân », Watanî, 2 avril). spécificité précise. Ahmad Fakhrî était le roi du désert grâce à ses fouilles dans les différentes - - oasis égyptiennes comme Sîwa et Bahariyya. Une vingtaine d’égyptologues égyptiens dont ‘Abd al-Mun‘im Abû Bakr avait une solide les travaux ont marqué l’évolution de réputation dans les fouilles archéologiques et l’égyptologie ont été honorés par le National la science de l’égyptologie. Diyâ’ Abû Ghâzî, qui Center for Documentation of Cultural and était la responsable de la bibliothèque du Natural Heritage (CULTNAT). À Bayt al-Sinnârî, Musée Égyptien, était une excellente dans le quartier de Sayyida Zaynab au Caire, chercheuse. Silîm Hasan est reconnu pour ses la célébration de la Fête des archéologues a travaux de fouilles à Saqqâra, et ‘Abd al-‘Azîz eu lieu le 10 janvier. Mais la fête elle-même est Sâlih a offert plusieurs références de l’histoire fixée au 14 janvier de chaque année. « Cette égyptienne en langue arabe, et ce, sans oublier

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ses fouilles à ‘Ayn Shams et Matariyya, à l’est volcaniques sont découverts sur le territoire du Caire. égyptien. C’est sur le site archéologique de Tell Dafna, à 11 km de l’ouest du Canal de Suez, Le groupe d’experts honorés comprend des qu’une équipe d’archéologues égyptiens du égyptologues, mais aussi des ingénieurs, ministère des Antiquités, opérant sur le site, a architectes et restaurateurs. Selon l’égyptologue découvert les restes du volcan Santorin. Vers la Fatma Kishk, ces spécialistes ont servi les fin du IIe millénaire av. J.-C. (1600 av. J.-C.), la antiquités égyptiennes. Parmi ceux-ci Méditerranée avait jeté dans cette région des apparaissent l’ingénieur Ahmad Lutfî, l’architecte cendres volcaniques après une forte éruption Shawqî Raslân et le restaurateur Zakî Iskandar. venant de Grèce et considérée comme la L’ingénieur Ahmad Lutfî a participé à la première catastrophe environnementale au campagne de sauvetage des monuments de monde. « Suite à cette catastrophe volcanique, Nubie lancée par l’Unesco. L’architecte Shawqî le premier tsunami de l’Histoire a couvert les Raslân, inspecteur à Saqqâra, a reconstruit la bords des pays de la Méditerranée. Les partie détruite du complexe funéraire du roi premières études montrent que l’eau de la mer Ounas. Quant au restaurateur Zakî Iskandar, il a couvert une partie du Delta et a rempli les a participé aux fouilles de la barque solaire de branches du Nil comme la branche pélusiaque, Chéops et a restauré et consolidé ses planches inondant ainsi de nombreux sites de bois. archéologiques qui se trouvaient sur les rives D’après la professeure ‘Ula al-‘Agîzî, ce de cette branche », explique Muhammad ‘Abd genre de célébration permet de se remémorer al-Maqsûd, chef de la mission archéologique les grands pionniers de l’égyptologie, et qui fouille le site. Il assure que l’équipe encourage les jeunes générations à poursuivre d’archéologues a constaté suite à des études, un itinéraire dédié à la grandeur de l’histoire que les anciens Égyptiens ont consolidé les antique égyptienne. rives de cette branche du Nil et l’ont approfondie pour atteindre 9 m, ce qui Les égyptologues égyptiens honorés en confirme que cette branche était utilisée dans 2016 : l’Égypte ancienne.

Ahmad Kamâl pacha, Mahmûd Hamza, Silîm Le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh al- Hasan, Ahmad Fakhrî, Labîb Habashî, Sâmî Damâtî, a déclaré que « cette découverte est Gabra, ‘Abd al-Mun‘im Abû Bakr, Sa‘îd Tawfîq, très importante car elle bouleversera l’ancienne Zakî Iskandar, Zakî Yûsuf Sa‘d, Zakariyyâ idée que ce site archéologique du nord-est du Ghonaym, Shawqî Raslân, ‘Abd al-Salâm Husayn, gouvernorat d’Ismâ‘îliyya n’était ni habité ni ‘Abd al-‘Azîz Sâlih, Ahmad Musa, Ahmad Lutfî, utilisé par les anciens Égyptiens avant la XXVIe Mustafa ‘Âmir, ‘Abd al-Muhsin Bakir, Diyâ’ Abû dynastie pharaonique ». Avant cette mise au Ghâzî et Nabîl Suwaylam. (Doaa Elhami, jour, les archéologues croyaient, d’après tous « Égyptologie : À la mémoire des grands noms les monuments trouvés à Tell Dafna et dans égyptiens », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 13 janvier ses alentours, que ce site n’était pas utilisé 2016). avant cette date. - - En fait, cette découverte a mené à d’autres dont la plus importante est celle d’une île entourée de larges murs d’argile et de brique crue qui avait une double fonction. Une fonction militaire puisque le mur servait de fortification pour défendre le pays contre les ennemis du côté nord-est et l’autre fonction était de protéger l’île contre les inondations du Nil.

Sur cette île, le roi de la XXVIe dynastie, Psammétique Ier, a construit la citadelle portant son nom. Les murs entourant la citadelle de Dafna sont d’environ 20 m d’épaisseur. La Pour la première fois dans l’histoire de citadelle renferme également un certain nombre l’Égypte, des cendres et des restes de coulées de résidences fortifiées avec des murs épais.

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Le ministère des Antiquités a également in May, giving visitors to the French capital a annoncé la découverte de nombreux mastabas, few final weeks to catch it before its new des ateliers, des maisons et une zone incarnation in London. industrielle, en plus d’un ensemble de fours utilisés dans la fabrication du pain et d’autres pour fondre les métaux. « Les archéologues ont ensablé un grand nombre de coquillages, de squelettes de poissons et de crocodiles en plus des instruments de pêche », souligne ‘Abd al-Maqsûd.

Ces travaux d’excavation du site de Tell Dafna font partie du projet de développement des sites archéologiques situés sur l’axe du Canal de Suez. « Les travaux de fouilles qui ont commencé il y a cinq mois seulement, par Statuette of God Osiris on the Mediterranean seabed la plus grande mission en Basse-Égypte, avec 20 archéologues et égyptologues et plus de A pair of vast stone statues parked outside 200 ouvriers, vont continuer, afin de dévoiler the Institut on the left bank of the Seine give a d’autres secrets de cette grande forteresse », taste of what is to be found within. Discovered conclut ‘Abd al-Maqsûd. (Nasma Réda, « Sur during GODDIO’s excavations of Thonis- th les traces de Santorin », Al-Ahram Hebdo du Heracleion, submerged since the 8 century CE 13 janvier 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, beneath the waves of the Gulf of Abû Qîr east « Lancement des travaux de réaménagement of , these colossal statues of a king du site de Tell Dafna », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 and queen made in the Ptolemaic period once février). stood in the Temple of in the ancient city. Together with a fragmented stele of the - - pharaoh Ptolemy VIII dating to 118 to 116 BCE they have now found the new function of Le directeur du Musée national de Tokyo, ushering visitors towards the Sunken Mysteries Zeniya MASAMI, a effectué aujourd’hui une exhibition. tournée d’inspection du projet de la deuxième Opened by French president François barque de Chéops. Il a assisté à l’extraction HOLLANDE and Egyptian Minister of Culture des planches de bois de la fosse. Il a Mamdûh al-Damâtî in September, the exhibition également inspecté les travaux de restauration presents objects found by GODDIO and his team et de documentation des planches à l’intérieur in the remains of the underwater cities as well du laboratoire de restauration installé in situ. as items from various Egyptian museums MASAMI et la délégation qui l’accompagne ont exhibited for the first time in France. salué les efforts déployés par les restaurateurs égyptiens et japonais. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le The finds are somewhat reminiscent of directeur du Musée national de Tokyo visite la those discovered at Pompeii in Italy, destroyed deuxième barque de Chéops et le Sphinx », al- by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. Thonis- Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 avril 2016). Heracleion and Canope are thought to have been abandoned following earthquakes that - - caused them to slip beneath the waves and were thus not dramatically destroyed, as was Pompeii. But GODDIO’s rediscovery of them in Jeudi 14 janvier 2016 the 1990s has had a similar impact on the scientific community to that of the ancient For the past three months the Institut du Roman city. Monde arabe in Paris has been hosting Osiris, The exhibition bears witness to some Egypt’s Sunken Mysteries, an exhibition of finds wonderful feats of archaeological derring-do, made by marine archaeologist Franck GODDIO perhaps similar to those of the famous fictional off Egypt’s northern coast in the remains of the archaeologist Indiana Jones. GODDIO heads the ancient cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canope. Institut Européen d’Archéologie Sous-Marine The exhibition closes at the end of January (IEASM), a private institution founded in 1985 and then makes its way to the British Museum

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with the express purpose of finding and then death and resurrection of Osiris and help excavating the ancient cities of Thonis- guarantee the annual flooding of the Nile. Heracleion and Canope, mentioned in ancient Before coming to a detailed presentation of texts but believed to have been lost forever these rituals, the “mysteries” alluded to in the under the sea. exhibition’s title, visitors pass through rooms As GODDIO explains in the book two and three of the exhibition which deal with accompanying the exhibition, written in GODDIO’s excavations of the ancient cities and cooperation with archaeologist FABRE and the urban lay-outs he has deduced from them. others, the search for the ancient cities One particularly important exhibit here is the entailed the use of the latest technology, so-called Thonis-Heracleion Stele, a black including nuclear magnetic resonance scanning granite slab two metres high bearing the and lateral underwater sonar. hieroglyphic inscription of a decree of the 4th century BCE pharaoh . This stele, “Magnetic disturbances on a remarkable found by GODDIO in the Bay of Abû Qîr, is scale were recorded using lateral sonar in the practically identical to one found earlier at the Bay of Abû Qîr 6.5 km east of the modern ancient site of Naucratis in the Nile Delta. coastline,” he writes, these turning out to be due to the presence of the lost underwater city Since the Naucratis stele says it is a copy of Thonis-Heracleion, originally a vast port of one set up at Thonis, and since the Thonis- complex built around the ancient Temple of Heracleion Stele was found in the remains of Amun-Gereb. Meanwhile, the remains of the the Graeco-Roman city of Heracleion, its ancient city of Canope were rediscovered two discovery allowed GODDIO to prove that the km east of the modern port of Abû Qîr, some ancient Egyptian city of Thonis was identical of them having already been found in 1933 with the later Graeco-Roman city of Heracleion. during underwater excavations carried out by Another important exhibit in this part of the prince ‘Umar Tûsûn. GODDIO writes that research exhibition is the similar Canope Decree, this has shown that cataclysmic earthquakes time written on a two-metre limestone block in combined with a rise in sea level and slow hieroglyphs, ancient Egyptian demotic script subsidence could well have been enough to and Greek in a manner similar to the leave the area six metres underwater as it is inscription on the more famous Rosetta Stone today. that aided in deciphering ancient Egyptian Following the trail marked out by the hieroglyphs in the early 19th century. This ancient Ptolemaic statues into the exhibition, Decree, lent to the exhibition by the Egyptian visitors are first ushered into an entrance room Museum in Tahrîr Square, records decisions dominated by a massive granite statue of the made by the priests of the ancient city of god Hapy dating from the 4th century BCE and Canope in honour of the pharaoh Ptolemy III discovered in the underwater ruins of Thonis- Evergetes in 238 BCE. Its importance in the Heracleion. Myths surrounding the ancient exhibition is that it links Thonis-Heracleion with Egyptian god Osiris are also set out, since it is Canope and records the Osiris-related rituals believed that rituals celebrating the ancient cult that once took place in the two cities. of the god were once performed in the Temple These rituals are reconstructed in room four of Amun in Thonis-Heracleion, and these are of the exhibition and illustrated with materials reconstructed in detail in later rooms in the found in the Bay of Abû Qîr by GODDIO’s team. exhibition. The details remain somewhat obscure, but they According to the ancient Greek historian seem to have involved the fabrication of PLUTARCH, writing in the 2nd century CE, rituals multiple effigies of the god Osiris before which deriving from the myth of Osiris — a god who, various offerings were made. Most having died, was later resurrected from the spectacularly, a maritime procession took place dead — were among the most important from Thonis-Heracleion to Canope some 3.5 km practiced in and were associated to the west where the effigies were buried. The with the annual flooding of the Nile. It seems exhibition includes impressive photographs of that the temples of ancient Thonis-Heracleion the remains of the sycamore boats once used were particularly active in this cult, and each for this procession as it made its way along a year the temple priests would have carried out grand canal between the two cities, these elaborate rites designed to commemorate the

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having been discovered during excavations of All this and more may come to mind the sea bed. walking through the present exhibition. Perhaps the most fascinating contemporary exhibit is It also includes various incidental objects, in the film placed towards the end of the show some cases already well-known to recording GODDIO’s underwater excavations. Egyptologists, lent to the exhibition by Pipes looking like giant vacuum cleaners suck institutions in Egypt and effectively away the debris of millennia to reveal the recontextualised. There is a magnificent shapes of ancient Egyptian deities looming horizontal sculpture of the awakening god through the gloom. The wooden timbers of Osiris, shown brought back to life, dating from sacrificial boats, seemingly miraculously the 26th Dynasty (664-525 BCE) and lent by the preserved by the salt water, emerge from the Egyptian Museum. Another loan is a polished depths of the sea, showing the path of the stone statue of the goddess Thoueris (Tawaret) religious procession that once celebrated the in the form of a standing hippopotamus with death and resurrection of Osiris. lion’s feet dating from the reign of the pharaoh Psammeticus I (664-610 BCE). Many thousand more visitors are likely to According to a note in the catalogue, the want to see the Osiris, Egypt’s Sunken ancient Egyptians had ambiguous feelings about Mysteries exhibition before the show heads to hippopotamuses. Dwelling in the Nile, but the British Museum for a further run in May. sometimes emerging to wreak havoc on (David TRESILIAN, “Egypt’s sunken mysteries”, Al- surrounding farms, they represented a threat to Ahram Weekly, January 14, 2015. Voir the agriculture on which the country depended. également Nagât ‘Abd al-Na‘îm, « L’exposition However, this was only true of the reddish- Osiris joue les prolongations jusqu’en mars coloured male hippopotamus, the catalogue prochain », al-Ahrâm, 13 janvier). says. Of the more docile female of the species, lighter in colour and associated with the - - goddess Thoueris living in the Nile, “when it emerged from among the papyrus plants and water lilies in the river it represented rebirth, as can be seen from the many female hippopotamus amulets found in ancient Egyptian tombs.”

Later in the exhibition there is a magnificent black basalt statue of a dedicated by the Roman emperor Hadrian to the god Apis on his visit to Egypt in 129-130 CE and placed in the Serapeum Temple in Alexandria. Lent to the exhibition by the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, it reminds visitors that the ancient The announcement by Minister of Antiquities city of Canope once hosted a famous Mamdûh al-Damâtî of plans to revive the long- Serapeum of its own, now being excavated by awaited underwater museum of Egypt’s sunken GODDIO and his team. treasures on the Mediterranean seabed has raised hopes among project developers that Memories of the city, lost beneath the they can now move forward after a decade of waves until GODDIO’s investigations, are delays. scattered throughout the ancient sources. The Roman general Mark Antony apparently used to Several international agencies and meet the Egyptian queen there on companies have been working in collaboration his visits to Egypt in the period between 40 with Egypt and UNESCO, the UN’s cultural arm, and 31 BCE, giving the city a reputation for since 2006 on the research and development decadence. Hadrian’s favourite Antinous of such a museum in Alexandria’s ancient drowned in the city in 130 CE, causing the eastern harbour. emperor to build a temple in his memory at In 2008, a design was proposed by French his villa at Tivoli outside Rome, the Egyptian architect Jacques ROUGERIE and approved by priests having swiftly deified Antinous by UNESCO and Egypt. A feasibility study was associating him with Osiris.

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conducted in 2009, but the political turmoil in According to ROUGERIE’s design, the museum the country since 2011 has not helped the will consist of a three-part building. One part museum’s establishment. will be onshore, another offshore, and the third under the waves, along with a large open-air The aim of the project is not only to put terrace to act as a window so that visitors will on show Egypt’s sunken treasures and provide be able to view the eastern harbour. an opportunity for visitors to admire the remains of the sunken Alexandria Lighthouse, It will have four tall glass structures one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, resembling the sails of a boat, which according as well as the royal court of queen Cleopatra’s to ROUGERIE will recall the ancient Lighthouse of palace, of which over 60 pieces have survived, Alexandria that once illuminated the city’s including a sunken sphinx. It also aims to famous Library and the world. protect the treasures from underwater threats, The onshore part will house objects raised including pollution in the bay and damage by from the seabed from several sites on the fishing boat anchors. Alexandria coast, not only in the eastern The museum will enable archaeologists to harbour. There will be space for further items further protect the ruins, which have been that are yet to be discovered and cannot be prominent targets for thieves and have been left in situ. difficult to police without a permanent surrounding infrastructure and round-the-clock surveillance.

Alexandria’s ancient eastern harbour, the location chosen for the underwater museum, was one of the most important in the world for around a century. It was the location of the ancient cities of Canopus and Heracleion, two Mediterranean cities contemporaneous with early Alexandria, which in antiquity were renowned centres for science, culture and religion. Fibreglass tunnels will help viewers to pass Influences from Mesopotamia, Greece and from the onshore area to the underwater Rome mingled with the age-old culture of the section. To solve the problem of the bay’s , from which emerged a new way of murky waters that might make the monuments life that left an enduring mark on the religious difficult to see, builders will probably have to and cultural landscape of Egypt. replace the water with an artificial lagoon.

Many of the area’s treasures were The offshore part will contain important submerged during the Middle Ages due to items from the sea that may be installed in earthquakes, but now they will be able to be their original environment and exhibited in admired once again if the plans for the aquariums. The third level will be an underwater museum are put into execution underwater plexiglass tunnel providing a unique soon, as announced by al-Damâtî. window on the sunken capital of the Ptolemies.

“This level will stretch a few km along the seabed, or round one area of the sunken city, in an attempt to provide us with a first experience by which we will be able to judge the success of the technology and if there are any disadvantages, allowing us to avoid repeating them in further extensions,” director of the Underwater Archaeology Department at the ministry Muhammad ‘Abd al-Magîd said.

He told Al-Ahram Weekly that during a recent meeting with al-Damâtî, the minister had confirmed the commitment to build the

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museum. “A new feasibility study is to take The ScanPyramids Project, which aims to place as soon as funding is secured,” ‘Abd al- scan over a one-year period some of Egypt’s Magîd said, adding that the ministry was pyramids, combines several non-invasive unfortunately suffering from a lack of funds but scanning techniques to search for the presence several private organisations and agencies had of any unknown internal structures and cavities expressed an interest in helping out. in ancient monuments, which may lead to a better understanding of their structure and their The underwater museum would be a construction processes and techniques. The marvellous new attraction for visitors to technologies used are a mix of infrared Alexandria, he said, showing the ancient thermography, radiography and 3D monuments within their original context, reconstruction. especially those that cannot be taken from the al-Damâtî explains that the Muon detection seabed. The pediments of the large buildings, scans on Senefru’s bent and red pyramids in for example, cannot be removed from the Dahshûr have been completed and are seabed, but they will be visible from the new undergoing analysis in a specialised lab at the museum. (Nevine El-Aref, “Underwater museum Grand Egyptian Museum by Japanese scientist back on track”, Al-Ahram Weekly, January 14, Kunihiro MORISHIMA from Nagoya University. 2015). Hânî Hilâl, the coordinator of the - - ScanPyramids Project, told Ahram online that the short-term infrared survey reveals different temperatures on the eastern and northern Dimanche 17 janvier 2016 facades of the pyramid, which implies a discovery may be on the horizon. “The Le président de l’administration centrale de difference in temperatures cannot be the result la restauration, Dr Gharîb Sunbul, a inauguré of the difference in the kinds limestone blocks hier l’exposition Les costumes dans l’Égypte used, because the difference in temperature pharaonique qui se tient dans le musée des reaches six degrees,” Hilâl asserted. Textiles égyptiens, situé dans la rue al-Mu‘izz. L’exposition regroupe des photos des costumes The ScanPyramids Project was launched in des rois et des reines et des uniformes des October under the authority of the Egyptian prêtres, des ouvriers et des combattants à Ministry of Antiquities, the Faculty of l’époque pharaonique. L’exposition révèle Engineering at Cairo University, and the également les couleurs préférées et les Heritage, Innovation and Preservation Institute vêtements d’apparat tels qu’ils apparaissent à (HIP). (Nevine El-Aref, “Work underway to travers les gravures des temples et des uncover secrets of Egypt’s Dahshûr and Khufu tombes. (Dâlyâ Minshâwî, « Les costumes pyramids”, Ahram Online, January 17, 2016. pharaoniques exposés dans le musée des Voir également « Le ministère de l’Archéologie Textiles », al-Ahrâm, 17 janvier 2016). révèle de nouveaux secrets autour de 4 pyramides », al-Bashâyyir, 17 janvier ; Ahmad - - ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Conférence du ministre de l’Archéologie pour annoncer les résultats du The initiative to scan Egypt’s pyramids to ScanPyramids Project », al-Shurûq, 17 janvier ; uncover their secrets using infrared examination Ranâ Gawhar, « Les rayons infrarouges and Muon detection is progressing, with work dévoilent les mystères des pyramides », al- underway on King Senefru’s pyramids at the Ahrâm, 18 janvier). Dahshûr necropolis and Khufu’s pyramid on the Gîza Plateau, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- - - Damâtî said on Sunday.

“Although no discoveries have yet been made, scans have revealed several anomalies Mardi 19 janvier 2016 which indicate that a discovery could be made in the pyramids by the end of 2016,” al-Damâtî A three-day festival called “Spend the Day told a news conference held at the Grand in al-Khalîfa 3” will begin on Thursday, in Egyptian Museum. collaboration with the antiquities ministry, Cairo governorate, the built environment collective

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Megawra and the volunteer project Mashrû‘ emphasising common historical ties. The festival khayr. The festival will include guided tours of also received funding from AIC Finance and al-Khalîfa Street in Sayyida Zaynab, from private donations. (Nevine El-Aref, “Festival performances in the street and at its heritage celebrating Cairo’s historic al-Khalîfa Street to sites, a craft exhibition, a sketching and begin Thursday”, Ahram Online, January 19, photography workshop, and activities for 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, children. « Lancement des festivités Passez votre journée à al-Khalîfa », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 janvier ; « Le ministère de l’Archéologie lance les festivités Passez votre journée à al- Khalîfa », al-Tahrîr, 21 janvier). - -

The logo of “Spend the Day in al-Khalîfa 3” festival

Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, the deputy minister for Islamic and Coptic antiquities, told Ahram Online that the festival is to last for three days, and it comes within the framework of a participatory conservation initiative called al- Athâr Lînâ (The Monuments Are Ours) launched A photo for the Cairo’s ancient Eastern wall currently under restoration (Photo: Courtesy Sally Soliman) in June 2012 to bring citizen participation into heritage conservation. The initiative is organised Egypt’s antiquities ministry has denied in partnership with Terre des Hommes, with allegations by a group of conservation activists funding from UNHCR. that the restoration of part of Cairo’s medieval walls is being done unprofessionally and According to al-Athâr Lînâ’s press release, damaging the ancient structures. Earlier this the primary aim of Spend the Day in al-Khalîfa month, a group of heritage and archaeological 3 is to inaugurate the project to conserve the activists warned that Cairo’s medieval eastern th mid-13 century dome of Shagarat al-Durr, and northern walls were being incorrectly funded by the American Research Centre in restored and reported the whole matter to the Egypt (ARCE) with additional funding from the prosecutor-general. Barakat Trust. The Antiquities Revolutionaries, a Facebook It will also inaugurate a project to conserve watchdog group, had published a series photos th the mid-12 century shrines to descendants of as well as a leaked memo from a group of the prophet al-Sayyida Ruqayya, al-Ga‘farî and inspectors working with the antiquities ministry, ‘Âtika, funded by the Ambassador’s Fund for detailing how the medieval wall was being Cultural Preservation. badly restored.

The event will also showcase the results of “All those claims are lies; they were spread two preparatory workshops, the first on mural by members of the inspection team who were art inspired by the street’s heritage and the excluded from the project for incompetence,” second to redesign the traditional Ramadan Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, the head of historical lantern made of tin and glass using Cairo project and a deputy antiquity minister, contemporary approaches and traditional told Ahram Online. “Even the pictures they techniques. It will also fundraise for the current shared online do not indicate or prove efforts to clean the street and resolve its waste anything. Yes, we use cement for supporting management issues. columns, but 50 metres away from the ancient wall,” he added. The closing event will bring together Syrian and Egyptian children for educational activities The dispute comes as another episode in addressing acceptance and tolerance through the country’s recent line of restorations that

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have gone wrong. The leaked memo sent by a after they were excluded. Why didn’t they group of archaeological inspectors in the release it before or during the six months that committee assigned by the Ministry of they worked in the committee?” he asked. Antiquities to supervise the restoration works in December highlights apparent problems with the According to the leaked internal memo to restoration. the minister by the group of inspectors, they did report the violations six months ago as well Among the points raised in the report was as four months ago again, to both the how the medieval wall’s mud bricks were Historical Cairo project and the Ministry of replaced unnecessarily by new bricks. The Housing. (Zeinab El-Gundy, “Allegations of report further states that there had been no botched restoration of Cairo’s medieval walls plan by the restoration company to secure the are ‘lies’: Antiquities ministry”, Ahram Online, old wall’s bricks before or during the January 19, 2016. Voir également Ahmad restoration works, which led to the leaking of Mansûr, « Le Parquet administratif enquête sur cement on the site. les infractions autour de la restauration de The medieval eastern and northern Cairo l’enceinte du Caire historique », al-Yawm al- walls were built in the 12th century, during the Sâbi‘, 28 janvier). rule of Saladin, then sultan of Egypt and Syria. Sally Soliman, a cultural and heritage activist, - - told Ahram Online that she visited the site in late December and took photos showing what she considered clear evidence of the Jeudi 21 janvier 2016 unprofessional restoration that had been carried out there.

“They simply replaced ancient mud brick with bricks and cement unprofessionally,” the co-founder of Save Cairo heritage watchdog group said. She also added that there are concerns about the public sector construction and restoration company that is handling the project.

A total of LE167 million has been allocated by Egypt’s Ministry of Housing to restore KREMER explains to al-Damati the efficiency of the robot camera Cairo’s medieval walls. The project is assigned German engineer Friedhelm KREMER has to public sector company Wâdî al-Nîl, a offered the antiquities ministry two tiny robot construction and restoration company, with the cameras to help in exploring challenging Ministry of Antiquities supervising it. The corridors and ramps inside monuments as well company’s previous restoration projects include as small passages that are hard to reach with the Muhammad ‘Alî Palace in Shubrâ al- the usual equipment. Khayma. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî In 2012, after six years of restoration, parts told Ahram Online that training workshops are of the Muhammad ‘Alî Palace project in Shubrâ to be carried out in the next two days in order al-Khayma collapsed despite being restored at to train archaeologists and curators to operate a cost of LE55 million. The palace is currently the robot cameras. The training will take place closed after it was further damaged by a bomb inside the Tomb of Tye and on the ramp of that exploded outside Qalyûbiyya security the King Pyramid in Saqqâra Necropolis. directorate — a few blocks away — in August al-Damâtî pointed out that KREMER’s gesture 2015. illustrates the strong friendship between Egypt Asked by Ahram Online about the memo and Germany in the archaeological field. leaked online that details the violations in the restoration works, ‘Abd al-‘Azîz said that it was For his part, KREMER expressed his willingness leaked by a group of “young, angry and to help Egyptian archaeologists in developing incompetent” inspectors who were excluded efficient use of the cameras. He also pointed from the project. “They released it the day out that his love of Egypt and ancient Egyptian

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antiquities are the main reasons for his offering Three-dimensional technologies, such as Egypt the robot cameras. (Nevine El-Aref, digital surveying and photogrammetry, were “German engineer offers Egypt’s antiquities used for the first time in the Egyptian Nile ministry two robot cameras”, Ahram Online, Valley in order to document rock art and its January 21, 2016. Voir également Ahmad environmental setting in a detailed manner. The Mansûr, « Un Allemand offre deux robots au aim is to improve data recording and analysis ministère de l’Archéologie », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, while saving resources and reducing fieldwork 20 janvier ; Amânî Salâma, « Un ingénieur time. (Nevine El-Aref, “Earliest historical allemand offre 2 robots au ministère de detection of scurvy discovered in Aswân”, l’Archéologie », al-Wafd, 20 janvier). Ahram Online, January 21, 2016). - - - -

Vendredi 22 janvier 2016

Le Sénégal a demandé au ministère de l’Archéologie l’organisation d’une exposition pharaonique dans le cadre de la coopération panafricaine. Le président du secteur des musées, Ilhâm Salâh al-Dîn, a annoncé la sélection de 50 pièces antiques qui traduisent

The skeleton infected with scurvy disease les relations entre l’Égypte et les pays africains à l’époque pharaonique. À la demande du Within the framework of the Aswân Kom Sénégal, 25 pièces pharaoniques Ombo Archaeological Project (AKAP), which is supplémentaires ont été rajoutées. Il s’agit focused on pre-dynastic sites in the area of essentiellement de flèches, de lances et de Nag‘ al-Qarmîla in Aswân, a new and important textes hiéroglyphiques qui confirment l’étroitesse discovery has been made. The AKAP Italian- des liens qui unissaient l’Égypte à l’Afrique. Egyptian mission led by Maria Carmela GATTO L’exposition se tiendra le 26 novembre prochain from Yale University and Antonio CURCI from dans le Musée des civilisations africaines. Bologna University stumbled upon what is (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie believed to be the oldest case of scurvy prête 75 pièces antiques pour la tenue d’une (vitamin C deficiency) in the world, dated to exposition archéologique au Sénégal », al-Yawm the era 3,800-3,600 BC. al-Sâbi‘, 22 janvier 2016). Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî announced today that scientific examination of - - a recently discovered skeleton of a one-year- old child reveals a change in the shape of the bones, which in turn indicates that the child Samedi 23 janvier 2016 was suffering scurvy. Prosecutors referred for trial on Saturday Mindy PITRE, a physical anthropologist from eight Egyptian Museum employees charged with University of Alberta, said that the main reason negligence in relation to the botched for disease is not yet revealed, but that restoration of King Tutankhamun’s gold death unhealthy food and cultural behaviour could mask in 2014. “The officials dealt recklessly lead to scurvy. Studies are to continue on the with a piece of an artefact that is 3,300 years child skeleton. old, produced by one of the oldest civilisations Since 2005, AKAP has investigated a in the world,” a statement by the Administrative number of selected areas in the region Prosecution read. between Aswân and Kom Ombo. Many rock art The eight include two restorers, four sites within the concession area are under restoration specialists, and two former heads of threat due to the impact of modern human the restoration section at the Egyptian Museum activities. in Cairo where the Tutankhamun collection is displayed. The employees are being tried on

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charges of negligence and violation of the foundations, columns and walls. Cracks that professional rules of the workplace, the have been growing over centuries were restored statement read. while salt accumulated in several locations inside and outside the monuments’ walls due In restorations in August, October and to the high rate of humidity was removed. November in 2014, the officials caused Wooden decorative elements were restored damages and scratches that are still visible on while damaged and missing ones were the mask, the statement read. In an incident replaced. that garnered international headlines, the mask’s beard became detached during work on “The next phase of the project would the lighting of the display in August 2014 and involve installing a new drainage system in the was then hastily reattached with epoxy. whole area in order to prevent the leakage of subterranean water inside the monuments,” In a press conference in January 2015 held ‘Abd al-‘Azîz added. A new drainage system was by Egypt’s antiquities ministry, restoration installed in the area surrounding these specialist Christian ECKMANN said the epoxy monuments as a first step, and within a year could be removed and the mask properly the current inefficient system in the al-Khalîfa restored. ECKMANN said the beard had likely area will be replaced with a new one, in loosened over the years and has been collaboration with the housing ministry. detached previously. (El-Sayed Gamal El-Din, “A development project encompassing the “Eight museum employees to face trial for whole area is also set to take place soon, in botched restoration of King Tut mask”, Ahram order to transform empty spaces in the area to Online, January 23, 2016. Voir également Hind improve the lives of residents. The space will al-Sa‘îd, « 8 employés du Musée Égyptien then house a hospital, an events building for traduits devant la justice dans l’affaire de la wedding parties and funerals, a nursery and a barbe de Toutankhamon », al-Ahrâm, 24 school,” ‘Abd al-‘Azîz said. janvier). - -

Dimanche 24 janvier 2016

Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî inaugurated four newly restored medieval buildings in the al-Khalîfa area of Islamic Cairo on Sunday. The monuments include mosques and shrines dedicated to three celebrated al-Sayyida Ruqayya mausoleum women, and one man: the Prophet al-Sayyida Ruqayya Mosque and Mashad Muhammad’s granddaughter, al-Sayyida was built by al-Sayyida ‘Alam al-Amîriyya, the Ruqayya; Prophet Muhammad’s aunt ‘Âtika; the wife of Fatimid Caliph al-Hâkim Bi-Amr Allah, in wife of the Ayyubid sultan Nagm al-Dîn Ayyûb, remembrance of Prophet Muhammad’s queen Shagarat al-Durr; and a relative of granddaughter Ruqayya. It is located at the Prophet Muhammad, al-Ga‘farî. western side of al-Khalîfa Street, adjacent to al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the the Shagarat al-Durr mosque. The mausoleum inauguration of the four sites would help has three arcades and two niches with gypsum promote tourism to Egypt. The restoration, foliage elements. which was funded by a US grant of $116 Neighbouring the al-Sayyida Ruqayya million, was carried out over a year by the Mosque and Mashad are the shrines of ‘Âtika American Research Center in Egypt, the minister and al-Ga‘farî. The Qubbat (dome) al-Ga‘farî said. was built in 1120 AD to commemorate Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, deputy antiquities Muhammad Ibn Ga‘far, the great-grandson of minister for Islamic and Coptic monuments, told Prophet Muhammad’s cousin ‘Alî Ibn Abî Tâlib. Ahram Online that the restoration work included the consolidation of the buildings’

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Qubbat ‘Âtika was built in 1122 AD to architecture. Reports went viral on social media commemorate al-Sayyida ‘Âtika bent Zayd, claiming that an investigation is taking place of Prophet Muhammad’s aunt. Ministry of Antiquities’ officials due to handing the restoration project to an inefficient ‘Abd al-‘Azîz explained that Qubbat ‘Âtika is company. very important because it houses the oldest Fatimid dome in existence, while Qubbat al- The Head of the Engineering syndicate said Ga‘farî and al-Sayyida Ruqayya Mosque and in media statements that he sent the minister Mashhad display distinguished Islamic an official letter asking him to be more decorative elements. cautious in restoring such a great palace and to hand it to an architecture company.

“All these allegations are unfounded lies,” the Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online on Tuesday. He went on to say that the ministry did not receive any letter from the head of the engineering syndicate and that there has not been any administrative investigation into such a case.

Shagarat al-Durr dome

The Shagarat al-Durr dome takes the form of a small shrine with three keel-arched entrances. The qibla wall facing Mecca has a prayer niche, and the dome of the building still al-Damâtî explained that the consultant bears some of its original ornamentation, bureau, which is executing the feasibility studies including fluted lozenges and medallions and on the restoration project, has launched a keel-arched niches with fluted hoods. (Nevine brain storming campaign, inviting people from El-Aref, “Four medieval monuments inaugurated all over the country to send their suggestions in Islamic Cairo after renovation”, Ahram on how to make the best use of such a palace Online, January 24, 2016. Voir également after restoration. Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Inauguration samedi Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, the Ministry of prochain de la Qubbat Shagarat al-Durr et d’al- Antiquities assistant for Islamic and Coptic Ga‘farî après leur restauration », al-Ahrâm, 20 monuments, told Ahram Online that the janvier ; Mayy al-Shâmî, « al-Damâtî : Le projet consultant bureau is well known and is al-Khalîfa englobe la restauration de 100 registered on the ministry’s list of eligible monuments dans Le Caire historique », al- consultant bureaus that it has been working Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 23 janvier ; Doaa Elhami, « Sur with for many years. les traces d’Âl al-Bayt », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 10 février). The bureau is responsible for the execution of several restoration projects in collaboration - - with the Ministry of Antiquities such as al- Sakâkînî palace, Amr Ibn al-‘Âs mosque in Damietta, the Museum of Islamic Art in Bâb al- Mardi 26 janvier 2016 Khalq, the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria and Saint Anthony Monastery in the Red Sea, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities has denied among others. that it is under investigation for handing the ‘Abd al-‘Azîz went on to say that the bureau restoration project of the Baron Empain Palace will not execute any restoration work of the to a company specialising in concrete and not palace, and that it is only responsible for

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preparing all required feasibility studies and du palais Empain », al-Ahrâm, 26 janvier ; documents to launch a bid to select the Ahmad Gûda, « Le palais Empain n’est pas en company that would restore the palace. danger », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 26 mars ; ‘Alâ’ al- Dîn Zâhir, « Le secrétaire général du CSA : “All the work executed by the bureau was Nous examinons plusieurs propositions de free of charge in an attempt to help in the réaffectation du palais Empain après sa restoration of such a great historical palace,” restauration », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 27 mars). ‘Abd al-‘Azîz highlighted, adding that it would not spend any other expenses until the completion of all the required documents and - - studies that would be reviewed by specialised committees from the antiquities ministry. Mercredi 27 janvier 2016 ‘Abd al-‘Azîz asserted that all the executed work and steps taken in this project are completely under the supervision of the ministry, as well as a team of engineers, restorers and archaeologists. A team of Belgium experts, he asserted, would arrive in Cairo very soon to participate in the palace restoration project and to make suggestions on how the palace can be utilised after its restoration.

The restoration project of the Baron Palace consists of two parts, ‘Abd al-‘Azîz explained, One of the shrine’s blocks the first involves studies on the restoration Supervisor General of the Grand Egyptian works and the second part is find the best way Museum (GEM) Târiq Tawfîq said that the Bady to re-use the palace and its garden. According Bay shrine consists of 254 limestone blocks to 2010 restoration project, planned in engraved with hieroglyphic texts dated to the collaboration with a Belgium mission, the Late Period. Since its discovery last century, project came to a halt after it lost its budget the shrine was dismantled and stored in Gîza following the 2011 revolution. Plateau storehouses. On Wednesday, the blocks were packed in order to be transferred to the The palace was meant to be transformed GEM on Thursday. All the blocks have been into an international cultural centre and for a also archaeologically documented and small museum to be set up in the relating to photographed. the history of Heliopolis from 1907 to 1911, the period during which the palace was built. ‘Îsa Zaydân, director of the restoration Documents and rare books from the same era department at the GEM, told Ahram Online that will also be exhibited. A small jewellery it is the first time for the museum to receive museum, a ceremonial hall and a meeting this particular type of stony shrine. Hence, the room were also part of the plan. GEM team of restorers will inspect the preservation condition of the blocks before “Now with the brain storming campaign, receiving it and will then send a report to other ideas and suggestions to how to re-use Tawfîq. He explained that the blocks are to be the palace will be provided,” ‘Abd al-‘Azîz said. put in the stones laboratory in order to restore (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s antiquities ministry says its structure and paintings as well as to no inquiry into restoration project of Baron reconstruct it to its original shape. (Nevine El- palace”, Ahram Online, January 26, 2016. Voir Aref, “‘Bady Bay’ shrine to be transferred to également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de Grand Egyptian Museum on Thursday”, Ahram l’Archéologie : Nous n’avons reçu aucune Online, January 27, 2016). notification officielle de la part du syndicat des architectes concernant la restauration du palais Empain », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 25 janvier ; - - Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Le ministre de La semaine dernière, le Musée Égyptien a l’Archéologie : Nous n’avons reçu aucune inauguré une exposition de 198 pièces protestation officielle concernant la restauration

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d’antiquités qui ont été restituées à l’Égypte au inspecteur des antiquités britanniques avait cours des deux dernières années. Une envoyé la photo de la stèle en signalant sa collection que le ministère des Antiquités a mise en vente au marché noir. « Nous avons soigneusement sélectionnée parmi un total de étudié la stèle et on s’est assuré qu’elle 700 pièces récupérées par les autorités provenait du temple de Séthi Ier à Asyût qui est égyptiennes au cours de cette période. « Ces encore enseveli », se souvient le directeur. Ce pièces sont le fruit d’un grand effort de la part temple est dédié à la divinité Hathor nommée des autorités égyptiennes et le résultat d’une la « Dame du mont Dronka » et la divinité grande coopération entre l’État égyptien et 8 locale Web-Wawout qui ressemble à Anubis. autres pays, à savoir les États-Unis, l’Angleterre, Une fois que l’identité de la pièce a été la France, la Belgique, le Danemark, l’Autriche, confirmée, les démarches diplomatiques et l’Allemagne et l’Afrique du Sud », explique ‘Alî juridiques ont été lancées en vue de la Ahmad, directeur général du département des récupérer. Un rapport scientifique a été antiquités restituées au ministère des Antiquités. présenté au procureur général pour intenter un procès devant les autorités britanniques. En parallèle, une photo de la stèle a été envoyée à Interpol et à l’Unesco, pour demander son retour et pour empêcher sa vente. La stèle a fini par être retrouvée. « Le prix proposé pour sa vente était très modeste. Nous avons obtenu le nom du vendeur qui a été contraint de la rendre à l’ambassade égyptienne à Londres », ajoute Ahmad.

À l’entrée de la salle d’exposition, on voit des pancartes qui retracent les trajets des différentes pièces, leur sortie illégale du pays et la date de leur retour. La collection exposée est très variée. Les pièces proviennent de différentes époques, de la préhistoire à l’Égypte pharaonique, avec exceptionnellement quelques pièces de la période islamique. Ainsi, il y a des ornements en ivoire qui étaient incrustés dans le minbar en bois de la mosquée Ghânim al- Parmi les pièces les plus intéressantes de Bahlawân (883 de l'hégire – 1478 apr. J.-C.), cette exposition figure également une œuvre qui se trouve dans la rue Surûgiyya dans le préhistorique, un squelette d’un jeune homme quartier d’al-Darb al-Ahmar. Ces pièces avaient qui remonte à 35 000 ans av. J.-C. À l’origine, été volées en 2008 et restituées par la Grande- le squelette avait été découvert par la mission Bretagne ces dernières années. « C’est la archéologique belge du Katholieke Universiteit raison pour laquelle ces décorations font partie Leuven, qui opérait à Nazlat Khâtir dans le de la collection exposée au Musée Égyptien gouvernorat de Suhâg en Haute-Égypte en bien qu’elles datent de l’époque mamelouke », 1980. D’après les lois de l’époque, la mission précise Ahmad. archéologique étrangère avait le droit de Parmi les pièces exceptionnelles on prendre possession d’une partie de ses remarque aussi une stèle en calcaire trouvailles. Du coup, le squelette a été emmené appartenant au roi Séthi Ier et qui remonte à la aux laboratoires d’études préhistoriques de XIXe dynastie. Elle décrit le souverain l’université belge. Mais trois ans plus tard, la loi accompagné des divinités Hathor et Web- a été modifiée interdisant désormais aux Wawout. « Cette stèle est importante, car elle missions étrangères de récupérer quoi que ce a été dégagée du temple de Séthi Ier à Asyût, soit. temple qui n’a pas encore été localisé », « C’est une pièce unique d’une ultime reprend Ahmad. L’histoire de la récupération de importance puisque c’est le deuxième plus cette pièce remonte à mars 2015. Un

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ancien squelette découvert en bon état. Il Gastronomie : Apprentissage de la devait donc retourner en Égypte et retrouver sa composition des petits repas à l’époque place dans son pays d’origine », souligne pharaonique, ainsi que la fabrication du pain et Ahmad. Ce dernier a eu recours au de sucreries. département des missions étrangères du ministère des Antiquités, qui s’est chargé de Ces activités sont proposées tous les jours négocier avec les directions scientifiques de 10h à 13h30 sauf les lundis et jeudis. étrangères concernées. Et en 2015, le squelette (Doaa Elhami, « Apprendre de manière a finalement été rendu à l’Égypte, et est ludique », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 27 janvier 2016). aujourd’hui au Musée Égyptien. (Doaa Elhami, « Les trésors restitués exposés au Musée - - égyptien », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 27 janvier 2016). Jeudi 28 janvier 2016 - -

Au Musée Égyptien, les départements de l’enfant et pédagogique proposent toute l’année des activités pour les plus jeunes. Elles s’intensifient lors des périodes de vacances scolaires.

Valeur d’un objet archéologique : Cet atelier est mené en coopération avec le département de la restauration. Les enfants participent à la restauration d’exemplaires archéologiques dans un but de préservation et de conservation des antiquités. When Hishâm Farghalî speaks of the Nile Découverte d’un livre : Un livre sur Museum in Aswân, which opened on 10 l’égyptologie est raconté et discuté par des January, he tends to be effusive. “Imagine a experts. boat sailing down the Nile and going through Théâtre des marionnettes : Les fables de each of the countries it passes through from l’Égypte ancienne racontées par des south to north. People are getting off the boat marionnettes. to buy souvenirs from each of the countries they pass through until they reach the Aswân Écriture des hiéroglyphes : Les enfants High Dam. They get off there and compare all apprennent à lire et à écrire les signes the things they have collected,” Farghalî said, hiéroglyphiques. indicating something of the range of items the Ateliers de momification : Sessions pour new museum offers. apprendre les étapes de la momification. Les Back in 2004, when construction of the matériaux de la momification et les étapes museum first began, the museum was to be d’embaumement sont utilisés sur des dedicated to the Aswân Dam and the Aswân mannequins. High Dam. But by August 2014, when Farghalî Travail du cuir : Cours pour la fabrication became director of the museum, the focus of de produits artisanaux en cuir ornés de motifs the museum had shifted. A decision was taken pharaoniques. to dedicate the new museum to friendship with all the Nile River countries. Dessin : Cet atelier est destiné aux enfants âgés de 3 à 5 ans qui dessinent des motifs “When Irrigation Minister Husâm Maghâzî égyptologiques simples. came to visit us in Aswân, we discussed the large size of the museum, at 46,000 square Sports et jeux : Exercice des sports metres. The country was greatly interested in répandus dans l’Égypte ancienne dans le jardin forging closer ties with the African countries,” du musée ainsi que les jeux pratiqués dans Farghalî said. “And so I proposed that the cette époque lointaine, comme le jeu d’échecs. museum be called the Nile Valley Museum, later shortened to the Nile Museum.” Shortly

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after the minister’s visit, a consultancy office in beautiful girl to the Nile during the flood Cairo was commissioned to come up with a season in ancient times. design, and work on the museum started on In one of the wings of the new museum 24 December 2014. there is a large model of the High Dam Farghalî had been dreaming of creating a surrounded by graphics illustrating various museum dedicated to the Nile Valley, and the stages of its construction and visitors can hear new Nile Museum has made his dreams come recordings of the speeches of former president true. The museum, located on a promontory on Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir. Another model shows the the east side of the Aswân Dam, is run by the earlier Aswân Dam. Ministry of Irrigation. In the Nile Valley Hall, visitors are treated “We set up flag masts for the flags of all to a diorama of the life and work of the first the Nile Valley countries at the entrance to the Egyptian minister of public works, ‘Alî Pasha new museum,” Farghalî said. To stress the idea Mubârak, who came to office in 1869. Graphics of Nile Valley ties, the museum also illustrate some of the construction work commissioned a special piece of site-specific completed under the aegis of this exceptional artwork to display just outside the entrance. 19th-century minister. In another display, This consists of eleven balls shaped like water Irrigation Minister Husâm Maghâzî can be seen drops and bearing the names of all the Nile explaining recent plans to reclaim 1.5 million Valley countries. feddans of desert land.

The museum has three large exhibition halls. Selected exhibits from South Sudan and After entering its extensive grounds, visitors Uganda are already on show in glass display pass through a palm tree oasis and a large cases, and more exhibits are expected to arrive model of the museum, showing its main soon from other upstream nations. In one buildings, visitor centre and other facilities. room, rare land survey equipment from the According to Farghalî, part of the museum’s time of the construction of the Aswân Dam is grounds will be offered to private investors to displayed. An extensive library designed to create a motel, a business centre, restaurants accommodate tens of thousands of books, as and an open-air theatre. To attract conference well as Internet and archiving facilities, has a tourism, a large auditorium is also planned. beautiful terrace overlooking the lush grounds of the museum. Aswân was once a major international conference centre, Farghalî said. “President From the library terrace, visitors can watch Anwar al-Sâdât used to come to Aswân in the a diorama of traditional farming in Egypt, winter to meet Arab and foreign leaders. His showing peasants going about their work and visits stimulated business in the city. I wanted a daily life and using the sâqya (waterwheel), the new conference facility to be part of the tanbûra (Archimedes screw) and shâdûf (lever) project to build on Aswân’s reputation as the for irrigation. perfect place to host international conferences,” he said.

Also in the museum grounds is a section honouring the ancient Egyptian Nile deity Hapi. Six statues representing the god are arranged adjacent to the palm tree oasis. Nearby is a water feature symbolising the course of the Nile, from its source to the Nile Delta. Inside a fountain there is a map showing the eleven Nile Valley nations, with Hapi offering his protection. The composition is enhanced by images of crocodiles and other river creatures. Two aquariums have been set up: one to Then there is a walkway surrounded by display river and another for crocodiles. displays of giraffes, elephants and lions, as well Children visiting the museum can use as projections showing films about African interactive touchscreens to learn more about landscapes. A hall named the Nile Bride offers the Nile, its inhabitants and African wildlife. an account of the myth of the sacrifice of a

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Designers were commissioned to create two Governor Wâ’il Makram, Italian Ambassador cartoon characters — Timo, a , and Maurizio MASSARI, and UNDP representative Anita Firo, a hippopotamus — to interact with NIRODY. children on the touchscreens. The design of the dome-shaped museum is “I hope relations between us and our intended to resemble the shape of a sand African brothers will improve. This museum dune and to blend in with the surrounding should serve as a family house where we can desert. The museum is home to two ancient all meet and resolve our problems and whale fossils, including one of the famed exchange ideas and information,” Farghalî said. Basilosaurus Isis, a massive ancient limbed “Egypt is a land of peace, and it has never whale. thought of harming others. We are not against development plans in Africa. On the contrary, we support them,” Farghalî added. “We must preserve the water of the Nile and not pollute a river that belongs to all of us.”

Leaving the museum, visitors can read, emblazoned on its main gate, the words: “I have never polluted the Nile.” This phrase, the words of an ancient Egyptian, expresses the message of this extraordinary new museum. (Nader Habib, “Friendship and the Nile”, Al- Ahram Weekly, January 28, 2016. Voir The geological depression of Wâdî al-Hîtân également Nagham Hilâl, « Le ministère de (Valley of the Whales) was part of the Tethys l’Archéologie dote le Musée du Nil de 17 Ocean, which covered the area in the Mesozoic pièces antiques », al-Wafd, 13 février). Era about 200 million years ago. The ancient - - fossils found in the now-protected area have allowed scientists to gain rare insight into the evolution of the world’s sea creatures, especially whales.

Among the fossils found in the area are skeletons of creatures that have been extinct for 40 million years, said Muhammad Sâmih, geology and fossils chief at the Ministry of the Environment. The new museum, he said, gives scientists an opportunity to understand better the process of climate change on the planet.

Officials also hope the new museum will

encourage ecotourism in Egypt. According to A new fossil and climate change museum Fahmî, it ushers in a new phase in helping to was opened in mid-January in Wâdî al-Hîtân in protect nature through economic options that Fayyûm, two hours southwest of Cairo. The are compatible with the environment, among area, in Egypt’s in Western Desert, has been of them the development of ecotourism. Such interest to scholars since the early 20th century projects aim to help Egypt’s protected and was declared a World Heritage Site by environmental areas finance their operations in UNESCO, the UN’s cultural arm, in 2005. a sustainable manner, he added.

Environment Minister Khâlid Fahmî The project will also help to decentralise inaugurated the Wâdî al-Hîtân Museum, which is the management of such protected areas, the first of its kind in the region. The museum which today cover 15 per cent of the country. is the outcome of cooperation between Egypt, If successful, the model of Wâdî al-Hîtân can Italy and the UN Development Programme be replicated in other areas set aside for (UNDP). Attending the ceremony were Local ecotourism in the country, Fahmî said. Development Minister Ahmad Zakî Badr, Fayyûm

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Wâdî al-Hîtân director Muhammad Sâmih said the museum’s displays include unique fossils, such as that of the Basilosaurus Isis, an extinct whale that walked on legs and is viewed as being a crucial stage in the development of mammals and sea creatures.

Italian Ambassador Maurizio MASSARI said the project cost, financed by a cooperation programme between Egypt and Italy, totalled LE11 million. UNDP resident coordinator Anita The Ministry of Tourism is planning to set NIRODY said the museum enhances prospects up a special committee to manage the for ecotourism in Egypt, as well as providing surrounding area of Wâdî al-Rayyân, Fahmî job opportunities for the local community. said, including ministry officials, local (Mahmoud Bakr, “In the Valley of the Whales”, government representatives, parliamentarians Al-Ahram Weekly, January 28, 2016. Voir and local residents. Praising Egyptian scientists également Khâlid Mubârak, « Le musée des for their work in unearthing the giant fossils, baleines : une histoire vieille de 40 millions the minister noted that the museum contains d’années », al-Ahrâm, 18 janvier ; Dalia Abdel- the largest extinct whale skeleton in the world. Salam, « L’histoire des baleines racontée », Al- Ahram Hebdo du 20 janvier). The minister said that the striking design of the museum, which matches its natural surroundings, will be an inspiration for future construction in other ecotourism areas, such as Wâdî al-Gimâl and the White Desert. Egypt and Italy are also cooperating on several other - projects in protected areas, including in Sîwa, St Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, Wâdî al- - - Rayyân and Wâdî al-Gimâl. -

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reveal more details about the construction of er Lundi 1 février 2016 boats during the Old Kingdom.

The Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department Mahmûd ‘Afîfî said that a collection of clay pots and pans from the end of the third dynasty and the beginning of the fourth dynasty, which were also unearthed, could help reveal the specific date of the construction of the boat and mastaba. ‘Afîfî added that preliminary examination of the boat beams reveal that the vessel was originally 18 metres long.

The newly discovered boat pit The Czech mission uncovered the mastaba tomb AS 54 in 2009. BÁRTA said that the Czech To the north of the yet unidentified non- archaeological institute, in collaboration with royal mastaba number AS 54 at Saqqâra the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas necropolis, a Czech mission from Charles A&M University, would launch this year a University of Prague, lead by archaeologist scientific project aimed at studying the Miroslav BÁRTA, unearthed the wooden beams of techniques ancient Egyptians used in the an Old Kingdom boat. Minister of Antiquities construction of boats. He went on to say that Mamdûh al-Damâtî described the discovery as the construction details are not the only “important” because it is the first time that features that make the boat unique. such a boat has been found at Saqqâra necropolis. It also highlights the importance of The habit of burying boats beside mastabas the mastaba owner and his direct relationship began in the Early Dynastic Period. “This with the king at the time, al-Damâtî added. phenomenon has been well documented for royal structures, as well as for some tombs “Although the name of the mastaba owner belonging to members of the royal family — has not yet been identified due to the bad the elite of society,” BÁRTA told Ahram Online. preservation condition of the shrine, the boat wreck shows that he was a very important man He noted “In fact, this is a highly unusual in the royal palace — a top official or a close discovery because boats of such a size and person to the king but not a royal family,” al- construction were, during this period, reserved Damâtî told Ahram Online. He added that both solely for top members of the society, who the size of the mastaba tomb, as well as the usually belonged to the royal family. This presence of the boat itself clearly place the suggests the potential for additional discoveries deceased within the elite of his time with during the next spring season.” strong connections to the reigning pharaoh. BÁRTA explained that scholars continue to The minister also explained that a large debate the purpose of Egyptian boat burials. number of wooden beams and ropes were Did they serve the deceased in the afterlife? found that gave archaeologists an opportunity Might they have functioned as symbolical solar to understand the original design of the boat barques? Or were they used during the journey and how ancient Egyptians built it. “Most of the of the owner through the underworld? The Old previously uncovered Old Kingdom boats are in Kingdom kings adopted the earlier tradition, a very bad preservation condition except those and often had several boats buried within their of King Khufu,” al-Damâtî pointed out. He said, pyramid complexes. however, that the newly discovered boat would Unfortunately, BÁRTA pointed out, most of the pits have been found already empty of any

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timber, while others contained little more than contribuera grandement à la promotion du brown dust in the shape of the original boat. tourisme en Égypte et mettra en exergue les The only exception was the two boats of Khufu travaux de la mission tchèque dans la région that have survived and were reconstructed or d’Abûsîr. (Ahmad Mansûr, « al-Damâtî rencontre are in the process of reconstruction. le ministre tchèque des Affaires étrangères pour examiner la coopération archéologique », However, no boat of such dimensions from al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1er février 2016). the Old Kingdom has been found in a non- royal context before the new discovery at - - Abûsîr. “It is by all means a remarkable discovery. The careful excavation and recording of the Abûsîr boat will make a considerable Mardi 2 février 2016 contribution to our understanding of ancient Egyptian watercraft and their place in funerary cult. And where there is one boat, there very well may be more,” BÁRTA concluded. (Nevine El-Aref, “Old Kingdom boat ruins discovered for first time in Saqqâra Necropolis”, Ahram Online, February 1, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie annonce la découverte à Abûsîr des vestiges d’une barque en bois », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1er février ; Reuters, « Découverte de vestiges d’une barque en bois d’époque pharaonique », al-‘Arabî al-Gadîd, 1er février ; Muhammad ‘Abd Oedipus fresco al-Mu‘tî, « Mise au jour d’une barque en bois The Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square re- datant de l’Ancien Empire », al-Ahrâm, 2 launched the long-abandoned "Piece of the février ; « Découverte d’une barque Month" tradition, which aims at highlighting pharaonique vieille de plus de 4 500 ans », al- special artefacts from the museum’s treasured Bashâyyir, 2 février ; Nasma Réda, « Une collection by displaying them at the entrance embarcation sort de sables à Saqqâra », Al- gate for one month. The tradition, which aims Ahram Hebdo du 17 février). to encourage tourism to the museum, started in the early 2000s but was discontinued in - - 2006. Starting this month, the museum is displaying not only one piece, but also a Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al- collection of objects that are off the tourist Damâtî, a rencontré aujourd’hui le ministre path or stored in the museum’s galleries. tchèque des Affaires étrangères, Lubomír ZAORÁLEK ; l’ambassadrice de la République tchèque au Caire, Veronika Kuchynova SMIGOLOVA ; le directeur du Czech Institute of , Miroslav BÁRTA, ainsi que quelques représentants du ministère tchèque des Affaires étrangères. Cet entretien a porté sur le renforcement des liens de coopération bilatérale dans le domaine archéologique. A également été examinée la tenue en 2019 d’une exposition archéologique égyptienne en République tchèque. Cette exposition regroupera un certain nombre de pièces découvertes à Abûsîr par la mission archéologique tchèque.

De son côté, Lubomír ZAORÁLEK a exprimé sa satisfaction de la coopération fructueuse

établie entre les deux pays. L’organisation d’une Sen-Nefer tapestry exposition égyptienne dans son pays

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Khâlid al-‘Inânî, the museum’s general supervisor, says that for February three artefacts are being displayed; an Oedipus fresco, a statue of an ancient Egyptian holder for offerings and a coloured tapestry. He explains that the Oedipus fresco, which is being exhibited for the first time ever at the museum, represents part of a wall from a house at the Tûna al-Gabal archaeological site in the Upper Egyptian city of Minyâ. Painted in fresco and dating to the second century AD, it shows the Photo taken by the German tourist atop Khufu Greek Oedipus myth according to the play by The 18-year-old Andrej CIESIELSKI illegally ancient Greek tragedian poet SOPHOCLES. climbed the Great Pyramid of Khufu earlier this week to shoot collection of photographs and The second piece depicts an 11th dynasty videos of the Gîza Plateau from the pyramid’s holder for offerings that was discovered inside summit. Egypt has strict rules against scaling the tomb of a nobleman named Makt-Re on pyramids, which is punishable by up to three Luxor’s west bank necropolis. years in prison. CIESIELSKI was arrested by the The third object is a coloured ancient antiquities and tourism police but was later Egyptian tapestry depicting a nobleman called released because of his ignorance of the law, Sen Nefer before an offering table. The the antiquities ministry said, adding that the tapestry was covering his mummy inside his teen promised not to repeat the stunt. tomb at Dayr al-Madîna necropolis on Luxor’s west bank. Husayn ‘Abd al-Basîr, the director-general of the Gîza Plateau, told Ahram Online that “I am very happy that the Egyptian museum although the photos and the videos were has started such a tradition because it not confiscated, CIESIELSKI managed to post them on only highlights some of the museum’s treasured Facebook. ‘Abd al-Basîr added that CIESIELSKI collection that are off the tourists path, but it also took videos and photographs without will also highlight the museum as one of the permission from the antiquities ministry. (Nevine leading and important museums around the El-Aref, “German teen faces life ban from Egypt globe,” al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online. (“Egyptian after scaling Khufu pyramid”, Ahram Online, Museum displaying three artefacts for February February 3, 2016. Voir également « Le ‘Piece of the Month’”, Ahram Online, February ministère de l’Archéologie demande que le 2, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le jeune allemand qui a escaladé la pyramide soit ministère de l’Archéologie expose au Musée interdit de séjour en Égypte », al-Ahrâm, 4 Égyptien la stèle d’Œdipe pour la première fois février). après sa restauration », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 2 février ; Doaa Elhami, « La stèle d’Œdipe - - accueille les visiteurs du Musée égyptien de Tahrîr », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 17 février). - -

Mercredi 3 février 2016

Egypt’s antiquities ministry sent an official notice to the German embassy in Egypt to ban a young German tourist from visiting Egypt in the future after he illegally scaled a pyramid in Gîza, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî announced today. Membre de la famille royale, prêtre, vizir ou paysan, chacun avait son mode vestimentaire. « Ce sont les pharaons de l’Égypte ancienne qui ont appris aux différentes générations le

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tissage, la teinture, la broderie et tout ce qui Empire, la mode a évolué. Un nouveau style est en relation avec le mode vestimentaire », vestimentaire est apparu. Les nobles, hommes explique Muhammad Sâlih, directeur du musée et femmes, sont désormais vêtus de longs des Textiles égyptiens. Composé de 11 habits à manches. pavillons, le musée est situé dans le quartier C’est à cette époque que le plissé est d’al-Nahhâsîn, dans la rue al-Mu‘izz. Avec ses apparu et a dominé la mode, surtout pour les 250 pièces, il dispose d’une riche collection qui robes des reines. Parfois, ce plissé se trouvait retrace la longue et exceptionnelle histoire de seulement sur les manches. On appelait alors l’art du textile. Les tissus pharaoniques, coptes « kalasiris » tout vêtement plissé, robe ou et gréco-romains se trouvent au rez-de- même tablier. Ce style était exceptionnel dans chaussée, alors que les époques omeyade, le sens où il était porté par les reines les plus abbasside, toulonide, fatimide, ayyoubide, célèbres d’Égypte, entre autres, Néfertiti, cette mamelouke et ottomane se trouvent au premier reine connue pour sa beauté, et Karomama, étage. Depuis l’inauguration du musée en août adoratrice d’Amon. Il n’y avait que les femmes. dernier, les conservateurs travaillent nuit et jour Plusieurs gravures montrent le roi Méneptah pour faire de cet établissement une attraction portant également ce style vestimentaire. touristique. Selon Sâlih, ce musée est le (Nasma Réda, « La garde-robe des pharaons », troisième de son genre dans le monde et le Al-Ahram Hebdo du 3 février 2016). premier dans l’art du textile égyptien. Le musée multiplie les expositions. La - - dernière en date vient de s’achever. Elle portait sur le mode vestimentaire des pharaons à travers les siècles. Une autre exposition sur Jeudi 4 février 2016 l’art de la tapisserie à travers l’histoire de l’Égypte est prévue dans les mois à venir. Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al- « Pour que les visiteurs en profitent mieux, Damâtî, a rencontré ce matin les directeurs des nous avons ajouté de nouvelles pancartes instituts archéologiques étrangers établis au explicatives sur les habits des différentes Caire : Stephan SEIDLMAYER, directeur du classes sociales de l’Égypte antique », explique Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo un conservateur du musée. (DAIK) ; Irene FORSTNER-MÜLLER, directrice de l’Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut À l’entrée du musée, on se retrouve face à Kairo ; Paolo SABBATINI, directeur de l’Istituto une vitrine dans laquelle est exposée une robe Italiano di Cultura per la R.A.E. (iiccairo) ; plissée et de longs gants pharaoniques en lin, Laurent BAVAY, directeur de l’Institut français des écharpes ainsi que des tissus colorés. d’archéologie orientale (Ifao) ; en plus d’autres Commence alors une visite dans l’histoire du égyptologues. Cette réunion inédite entre le textile. Ainsi, on découvre que les reines et les ministre de l’Archéologie et les instituts rois portaient des vêtements à la fois très étrangers confirme la volonté de renforcer la habillés et pudiques, surtout pendant les fêtes coopération internationale dans le domaine religieuses. Les ouvriers et les paysans, quant à archéologique. eux, avaient des habits plus modestes, courts et amples, parfois même indécents, et ce, pour Différents projets ont été abordés au cours pouvoir bouger aisément et exécuter facilement de cet entretien parmi lesquels le sauvetage du leurs travaux dans les champs. « Chaque premier pylône du Ramesseum. Un haut comité occasion avait des vêtements spéciaux. Ces regroupant des archéologues veillera au détails vestimentaires nous sont parvenus à démontage puis au remontage scientifique des travers les inscriptions gravées sur les murs blocs de ce pylône. Les discussions ont porté des temples et à l’intérieur des tombeaux, et également sur les préparatifs du XIIe congrès même sur les sarcophages », explique Sâlih. international d’égyptologie qui se tiendra à On apprend alors que lors des événements Louxor en 2019. Par ailleurs, tous les officiels, les nobles de l’Ancien Empire participants à cette réunion ont approuvé l’idée couvraient leurs corps d’un tissu attaché par de tenir un congrès au mois de septembre de une ceinture à nœud. Ce mode vestimentaire chaque année, afin de présenter les résultats était fréquent, puisque presque toutes les de leurs travaux scientifiques. Enfin, al-Damâtî a statues et les sculptures de cette époque annoncé l’organisation de stages de formation avaient ce genre de vêtements. Au Nouvel pour rehausser le niveau scientifique et

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professionnel des archéologues et des honorary doctorate degree. The president of restaurateurs de son ministère. (Ahmad Mansûr, the university, Professor Plamen BOCHKOV, « al-Damâtî reçoit les directeurs des instituts described the event as an important moment archéologiques étrangers pour parler de for the university to present Hawwâs with an coopération », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 4 février 2016). honorary degree.

Egypt’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, Manâl al- - - Shinnâwî, noted that the bilateral relations in 2016 would be marked by more intense Samedi 6 février 2016 cooperation in the fields of tourism and culture. During the two-day event, Bulgaria’s Culture Minister Vezhdi RASHIDOV will meet L’Administration générale pour les antiquités Hawwâs. du Caire et de Gîza, présidée par al-Sa‘îd Hilmî, organise un workshop intitulé : La gestion des The honorary doctorate degree that Hawwâs zone archéologique. Ce workshop, qui se received is his sixth. He has previously received déroulera du 14 au 18 février, est placé sous honorary doctorates from Bulgaria, Thailand, les auspices du secrétaire général du Conseil the Dominican Republic, Portugal University, as Suprême des Antiquités, Mustafa Amîn et en well as the American University in Cairo. coopération avec l’inspectorat des antiquités du (“Egyptologist Hawwâs promotes Egypt in sultan Hasan et d’al-Rifâ‘î. (Ahmad Mansûr, Bulgaria”, Ahram Online, February 9, 2016). « Workshop sur la gestion des zones archéologique le 14 février », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, - - 6 février 2016). - -

Mardi 9 février 2016

Le directeur général des antiquités islamiques, coptes et juives d’Alexandrie, Muhammad Mitwallî, a confirmé la fermeture de la synagogue Eliyahu Hanavi située dans la rue al-Nabî Daniel en Alexandrie. Cette fermeture intervient après la chute d’un fragment de Hawwas receiving his PhD l’escalier interne au niveau du troisième étage. The renowned Egyptologist and former Dès l’effondrement de cet élément qui n’a rien antiquities minister Zâhî Hawwâs was invited by de structurel, une commission archéologique et the Bulgarian tourism ministry and the Egyptian architecturale a été immédiatement formée. Le Embassy to take part in the celebrations on 9 rapport technique rédigé après inspection des and 10 February in Bulgaria marking the 90th lieux recommande la fermeture provisoire de la anniversary of diplomatic relations between the synagogue, l’installation d’échafaudages two countries. During the celebrations Hawwâs métalliques et le déblocage des crédits will deliver a lecture about ancient Egypt in an nécessaires aux travaux de restauration. attempt to promote tourism in Egypt. The Reconstruite en 1850, cette synagogue n’a lecture is entitled “Pyramids, Mummies and New été l’objet d’aucune restauration récente. Discoveries,” where Hawwâs promised to reveal the mystery behind the early death of the boy L’effondrement d’un fragment du plafond de king Tutankhamun. l’escalier est dû aux intempéries survenues en Alexandrie ces deux derniers jours. (Amal al- On the fringe of the event, the University of Gayyâr, « Fermeture de la synagogue New Bulgaria honoured Hawwâs with an

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d’Alexandrie », al-Ahrâm, 9 février 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « La photo d’une également ‘Amr Anwar, « Le ministère de statue restaurée à Karnak soulève le sarcasme l’Archéologie : la synagogue n’est pas en sur Facebook », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 5 février). danger », al-Tahrîr, 7 février ; Muhammad Muhsin, « La synagogue Eliyahu Hanavi : - - fermeture en attendant la restauration », al- ‘Arabî al-Gadîd, 10 février ; Jacqueline Munîr, « Une commission archéologique inspecte la synagogue Eliyahu Hanavi en vue de sa restauration », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 29 février). - -

Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al- Damâtî, a reçu aujourd’hui l’ambassadeur du Panama au Caire, S.E.M. Tomás A. GUARDIA. L’entretien a porté sur le renforcement de la coopération bilatérale dans le domaine archéologique, ainsi que la promotion touristique. Les deux parties ont également examiné la possibilité d’organiser des expositions archéologiques égyptiennes dans les différents pays d’Amérique latine, afin d’augmenter les recettes touristiques et, par conséquent, renflouer les caisses du ministère de l’Archéologie. (Ahmad Mansûr, « al-Damâtî examine avec l’ambassadeur du Panama le Social media and Twitter users have been renforcement de la coopération », al-Yawm al- making jokes about a limestone statue of god Sâbi‘, 9 février 2016). Amun-Re in Karnak Temple on Luxor’s east bank. The statue was shown with cement legs. - - Mustafa Wazîrî, director of Luxor’s antiquities, told Ahram Online that the photo of the statue, Le président du département des antiquités while real, was from when the statue was égyptiennes, Dr Muhammad ‘Afîfî, a confirmé le restored more than 50 years ago, when using transfert des antiquités de Tell Kom al- cement in restoration was not prohibited. Nawwâm, dans le gouvernorat d’al-Buhayra, vers les entrepôts muséologiques de Mâriyâ. Ce Wazîrî told Ahram Online that the antiquities transfert est justifié par la négligence qui ministry is now only using safe materials in frappe cette zone archéologique. En effet, les restoration that never negatively affects habitants ont transformé le magasin à ciel monuments. Wazîrî asserted that the statue was ouvert des pièces pharaoniques en étable pour unearthed inside the temple by a French leur bétail. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Transfert des mission more than a 50 years ago and was antiquités de Tell Kom al-Nawwâm vers les restored at that time. magasins de Mâriyâ », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 février 2016). ‘Abd al-Nâsir Ahmad, director of restoration at Karnak Temple, said that three years ago - - some of the black cement used in the original restored cracked, and that the ministry in collaboration with a French mission filled the Mercredi 10 février 2016 cracks, in order to protect the statue. (“Karnak Amun-Re statue not recently restored as Le barrage éthiopien de la Renaissance claimed”, Ahram Online, February 9, 2016. Voir menace le patrimoine culturel dans la région

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de la vallée du Nil. C’est le signal d’alarme une responsabilité à ce niveau. Des mesures lancé par une récente étude élaborée par Dr doivent être prises pour assurer la sécurité des ‘Abd al-‘Azîz Sâlim, professeur d’archéologie à antiquités », souligne Nûr al-Dîn. l’Université du Caire. « Ce barrage aura des Le projet du barrage de la Renaissance a répercussions graves sur le patrimoine culturel été lancé par l’Éthiopie fin 2010 et vise, selon tant en Égypte, au Soudan qu’en Éthiopie », Addis-Abeba, à produire de l’électricité et à affirme l’auteur de l’étude, qui appelle l’Unesco développer le pays. L’annonce du projet et les organisations internationales concernées inquiète profondément l’Égypte qui craint que par le patrimoine à « intervenir pour protéger sa part dans les eaux du Nil (55 milliards de les monuments de la région ». m3/an) ne soit affectée. Or, l’impact sur les « L’Unesco doit agir pour sauver le antiquités peut être tout aussi dévastateur. patrimoine et éviter les dégâts que ce barrage « Cela est probable car le niveau de l’eau peut causer ou du moins diminuer leur s’élèvera dans certaines régions et baissera impact », explique le professeur. Selon l’étude dans d’autres pendant le remplissage du en question, la construction du barrage barrage. Et cela causera une instabilité au éthiopien avec ses dimensions actuelles, soit niveau du sol », estime, pour sa part, ‘Alâ’ 170 mètres de hauteur et 1 800 mètres de Yâsîn, conseiller du ministre des Ressources longueur, va endommager les sites hydriques et de l’Irrigation et membre du archéologiques à cause des immenses comité égyptien de négociations relatives au quantités d’eau emmagasinées dans les barrage de la Renaissance. réservoirs du barrage. Pourtant, certains géologues, comme ‘Abbâs « 74 milliards de m3 d’eau seront stockés Sharâqî, professeur de géologie à l’Institut des dans le barrage. Les sites archéologiques situés recherches africaines, conteste cette thèse. à proximité du barrage encourent le risque « Le niveau des eaux est stable grâce au Haut d’être submergés par les eaux. Quant aux sites barrage d’Aswân et au lac Nâsir. Et les situés dans des régions plus lointaines comme antiquités égyptiennes qui étaient à proximité le Soudan ou l’Égypte, ils seront affectés par la du Nil ont été transférées plus loin, sur des diminution du niveau des eaux. Celle-ci causera rochers en granit plus élevés que le niveau du un ébranlement du sol et exposera les Nil. Ceci évitera l’infiltration de l’eau. Même les monuments à un grand risque », reprend le antiquités en Éthiopie ne seront pas affectées professeur. Et d’ajouter : « Ce sont les par ce barrage, surtout qu’il est construit à 15 monuments nubiens de Louqsor comme le Km des frontières avec le Soudan et loin des temple d’Abû Simbil et la région de Philae ainsi sites archéologiques », estime Sharâqî. Le que la ville antique de Thèbes — considérée débat sur la question est loin d’être clos. comme patrimoine mondial depuis 1979 — qui Les sites menacés seront les plus affectés par l’ébranlement du sol ». En Éthiopie :

L’opinion du Dr Sâlim a été relayée par Le parc national de Simien : Situé au d’autres archéologues comme ‘Abd al-Halîm Nûr nord de l’Éthiopie, ce parce offre un paysage al-Dîn, professeur d’archéologie. Ce dernier spectaculaire où l’érosion massive survenue donne l’exemple de ce qui s’est passé dans les pendant des millions d’années a formé des pics années 1960 après la construction du Haut accidentés et de profondes vallées. Le parc qui barrage. « Les temples de la région proches du a été inclus dans la liste du patrimoine barrage ont été submergés par les eaux et mondial de l’Unesco en 1979 renferme une l’Égypte a dû demander l’aide de l’Unesco et faune et une flore très particulières. lancer une campagne pour sauver le patrimoine Les églises de Lalibela : Il s’agit de 11 égyptien », affirme le Dr Nûr al-Dîn, ajoutant églises médiévales creusées dans la roche par que la même chose peut se produire avec le le roi Lalibela au XIIe siècle au cœur de barrage de la Renaissance. « L’impact de la l’Éthiopie. Il s’agit d’un haut-lieu du construction du barrage d’Éthiopie sur le christianisme éthiopien. patrimoine de la région doit être minutieusement étudié. L’Unesco, le Comité du La ville de Harar : Avant d’être conquise patrimoine mondial, le Fonds de la préservation par l’Égypte, elle était au XVIe siècle la capitale du patrimoine africain et la Ligue arabe ont du royaume des Harari (1520-1568) et un

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important foyer culturel islamique, puis au XVIIe patrimoine culturel, elle devient un partenaire à siècle le centre d’un émirat indépendant. La part entière dans sa conservation. ville reflète ce riche passé en proposant un L’ONG a deux principales activités, à savoir concentré de l’architecture de différentes la restauration des monuments d’une part, et époques : trois mosquées du Xe siècle, des les services sociaux de l’autre. L’ONG a murailles édifiées au XVIe siècle et des maisons restauré différents mausolées de la rue al- traditionnelles, dont certaines sont dues à des Khalîfa et cherche également à promouvoir le immigrés indiens arrivés au XIXe siècle. C’est tourisme des monuments dans cette rue. Iqdî pour ces raisons et pour son plan urbain yawmak fi-l-Khalîfa (passe ta journée dans la typique que la ville a été inscrite par l’Unesco rue al-Khalîfa) est une initiative qui vise à en 2006 sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de encourager le tourisme. L’ONG a également des l’humanité. activités dans le domaine de la santé et de Les ruines de la ville ancienne l’hygiène. d’Axoum : Cette ville dont les ruines « Tout cela a pour objectif de développer remontent au Ier siècle comprend des la conscience des citoyens », explique Hadîr obélisques monolithiques, des stèles géantes et Sa‘îd, membre de l’ONG. « Une exposition sur des tombes royales. les produits artisanaux a été organisée, en Le parc de la basse-vallée d’Omo : Il marge de l’inauguration des monuments fait partie des sites de l’Unesco depuis 1980, restaurés récemment », ajoute-t-elle. « Des après la découverte des fragments fossiles œuvres produites par les artisans de la rue y d’Homo Sapiens vieux de quelque 195 000 ans. ont été exposées. Ces œuvres étaient inspirées des monuments. Ce fut un succès dans la Au Soudan : mesure où elle attire énormément de Gebel al-Barkal : Couvrant une région de visiteurs », ajoute-t-elle. plus de 60 Km le long de la vallée du Nil, ce Il y a aussi une école qui fait partie du site est de culture napatéenne (de 900 à 270 projet al-Asar Lînâ, et qui est destinée aux av. J.-C.) et méroïtique (de 270 av. J.- C. à 350 enfants de tous âges. Plusieurs activités sont apr. J.-C.) et remonte à l’époque du second proposées aux jeunes dont des ateliers. « À royaume de Koush. Il comprend des tombeaux travers ces activités, les enfants visitent les avec et sans pyramide, des temples, des monuments, apprennent à connaître leur bâtiments d’habitation et des palais. héritage, leur histoire, font du sport, apprennent L’Ile de Méroé : Elle était le cœur du l’anglais et travaillent l’arabe. Le tout en royaume de Koush, une puissance majeure du s’amusant », reprend Sa‘îd. VIIIe siècle av. J.-C. Le site comprend l’ancienne Et avec le temps, les monuments deviennent cité royale des Koushites au bord du Nil. On y alors des ressources qui rapportent trouve entre autres des vestiges, des pyramides énormément à tout le quartier, et aussi un et des temples. Ces sites sont inscrits sur la patrimoine que les habitants cherchent à liste du patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco depuis conserver. (Doaa Elhami, « Préserver le 2011. (Dalia Farouq, « Le patrimoine est-il en patrimoine », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 10 février danger ? », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 10 février 2016). 2016). - - - -

Encourager les citoyens à conserver le patrimoine passe par une bonne connaissance Jeudi 11 février 2016 du monument. C’est le principal objectif de l’ONG Mugawra, qui s’occupe de plusieurs Three men were arrested by police on projets dont le plus important est al-Asar Lînâ Saturday for breaking off and selling pieces of (le monument est à nous). Cette initiative a été one of the Gîza Pyramids after a video showing fondée en 2011 par des experts en bidding for the artefacts went viral online. Dot architecture et en urbanisme, en coopération Masr, a private Egyptian media Website, went avec le ministère des Antiquités et le undercover and secretly filmed the process of gouvernorat du Caire. L’idée est que lorsque la breaking off and selling pieces of the Pyramid. communauté locale apprend à valoriser son

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The video received more than 23,000 shares required the government’s assistance, it should on Facebook and showed the undercover have informed the general prosecution reporter buying a piece of the Pyramid from authorities from the beginning instead of simply one of the men who has been arrested. posting it, he said. “Granite or alabaster, which do you want,” asks Husayn Basîr, director of the Gîza Plateau, one of the illegal vendors in the video. “Here is told the Weekly that the incident had happened a piece from the Pyramid itself,” says the in a remote area south of the Menkawre unidentified man later in the video while Pyramid and off the regular tourist track. holding a piece of stone. The man was also Tourists usually visit the areas around the filmed saying that prices for foreigners ranged Khufu and Pyramids and the Sphinx, he from 100 to 500 euros per piece. The video said. Security personnel were always available resulted in considerable anger towards the on the Plateau, but they could not be government, with some even calling for the everywhere all the time, he said. He added that minister of antiquities to be sacked. the blocks shown in the video were authentic since they had fallen off the Pyramids and had not been broken off by the thieves.

“The journalists shown in the video may face charges of owning or attempting to trade stolen antiquities,” Basîr said, adding that their good will in reporting the crime may not be enough to save them from charges. “The pieces of the Pyramids are still in their possession,” he pointed out, saying that they should have handed over the blocks to the police immediately after receiving them. In a statement from the Ministry of Interior, Although security measures were in place in police said that the three suspects had the area, they should be tightened up and the confessed to “breaking off” and “selling bits” of number of security personnel increased. Raising the Pyramids for LE250 a piece. The men were awareness of the importance of heritage among detained for four days by the al-Haram the public was also necessary, he said. prosecution office on charges of damaging Salâh al-Hâdî, coordinator of the antiquities, trading antiquities and fraud. Archaeologists Syndicate, said that security According to the statement, the arrests were needed to be tightened up at all archaeological made following a complaint by the director of sites, especially those in the open air like the the Gîza Pyramids archaeological area. Gîza Plateau and Saqqâra Necropolis. Changes Head of the ancient Egyptian antiquities had occurred after the 25 January Revolution, department at the Ministry of Culture Mahmûd he said, and all archaeological sites needed to ‘Afîfî told the Weekly that he had filed a report be secured by qualified police in order to after seeing the video circulating on social guarantee the complete security of the sites. media showing the sale of pieces of stone “The penalties for those breaking the antiquities taken from the Pyramids. “I filed a report laws must be stiffened,” al-Hâdî said. (Nevine against the journalist who had filmed the video El-Aref, “Pyramid thieves arrested”, Al-Ahram and all those who had taken part in buying the Weekly, February 11, 2016. Voir également stones from the vendors without previously Amânî Salâma, « Le directeur du plateau de notifying the authorities,” ‘Afîfî said, adding that Gîza : Aucun bloc des pyramides n’a été the stone pieces sold had been pieces that brisé », al-Wafd, 4 février ; Zâhî Hawwâs, had fallen on the ground and had not been « Pyramides à vendre », al-Ahrâm, 8 février ; broken off from the Pyramids. Samîr al-Wishâhî, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie s’explique sur le vol des blocs des “High security measures are in place at the pyramides », al-Shurûq, 8 février ; Ahmad Pyramids, and no one would dare break off Gûda, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : La vente parts of them,” ‘Afîfî said, describing the video- des pierres des pyramides est un mensonge taping incident as “a form of deception”. If the qui vise à nuire à la réputation de l’Égypte », Website that had published the video had al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 février).

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- - l’Archéologie : 157 pièces antiques disparues sous la présidence de Muhammad Ibrâhîm », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 février ; Amânî Salâma, Samedi 13 février 2016 « Le ministère de l’Archéologie : Nous avons alerté le Parquet sur la disparition de 157 A report sent to Egypt’s prosecutor general pièces antiques de l’entrepôt de Saqqâra », al- accusing the minister of antiquities and the Wafd, 12 février). director of Saqqâra archaeological galleries of responsibility for the disappearance of 157 - - ancient Egyptian artefacts from Saqqâra archaeological storage facilities has caught today’s headline. The report was sent by Dimanche 14 février 2016 Egyptian lawyer Samîr Sabrî, who also requested a ban on their travelling out of the country.

According to Sabrî, a reliable source inside the ministry told him that the 157 objects disappeared from Saqqâra storage three years ago. Interpol has seized an authentic ancient Egyptian limestone relief on auction Switzerland. Its description matches the relief of "the seven oils" stored in Saqqâra gallery #1.

Interpol asked the ministry of antiquities to The recovered pre-dynastic pot make an inventory of all the Saqqâra galleries, (Courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities) in order to verify the relief. Regretfully, Sabrî Freiburg Court in Germany has affirmed said, the relief in Switzerland is the authentic Egypt’s rightful possession of a pre-dynastic piece and the one in Saqqâra storage is a Egyptian stony pot and ruled it be returned to replica. its homeland. The verdict came after the The supervisor of the minister of antiquities’ Egyptian antiquities ministry provided evidence office told Ahram Online that the ministry in of possession and that the pot was illegally 2014, during the tenure of former minister smuggled out of the country during the Muhammad Ibrâhîm, sent an official letter to security vacuum that followed the January the Public Funds Prosecution stating that the 2011 revolution. archaeological committee formed to select Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî artefacts from Saqqâra gallery #1, to transport explained that the story of the pot started them to the Grand Egyptian Museum when Stuttgart Customs Authority seized a overlooking Gîza plateau, was responsible for a collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts. A court number of irregularities. ruled that the artefacts all be sent back to The supervisor continued saying that the Egypt, except the pot, which bears elements of ministry also sent a request to the prosecutor Levantine civilisation. “The court today general in October to give the ministry a green approved the pot’s return to Egypt. The pot light to make a comprehensive inventory of was brought to Egypt through commercial Saqqâra storehouses, as well as undertake trading between the ancient Egyptian and legal procedures, if required, but that no Levantine civilisations,” al-Damâtî added. approval was given to the ministry, and that General supervisor of the Antiquities the case remains in the hands of the general Repatriation Department, Sha‘bân ‘Abd al- prosecution. Gawwâd, told Ahram Online that the pot is to be handed over to the Egyptian embassy in Investigations are currently underway to Berlin soon. clarify the situation. (Nevine El-Aref, “Investigations on in disappearance of 157 “The embassy also received an ivory statue artefacts from Saqqâra galleries”, Ahram that was illegally smuggled out of the country Online, February 13, 2016. Voir également in 2013. The statue was stolen from the Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de storehouses of Aswân inspectorate and was put

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on sale at an auction hall in Germany,” ‘Abd and leading to clinical symptoms including al-Gawwâd said. “The Ministry of Antiquities haemorrhage, the elevation of the periosteum, succeeded in stopping the sale and having it hematoma formation, and the inhibition of bone ordered to be returned to Egypt.” growth.

Until recently there has been a lack of palaeopathological evidence for the presence of scurvy in ancient Egypt, but the recent discovery of a 16-month-old skeleton of an infant at the Pre-Dynastic site of Nag‘ al- Qarmîla in Aswân by the Aswân Kom Ombo Archaeological Project (AKAP) of Bologna University in Italy and Yale University in the US has detected the first ancient Egyptian case of scurvy.

The recovered Ivory statue (Courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities)

The statue is carved in ivory at 4.8 centimetres tall and depict a man standing holding a gazelle on his shoulders. The statue is dated to the late 7th century or early 8th century AD. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt to recover The infant was placed on its left side within two stolen artefacts from Germany”, Ahram the excavated settlement in a semi-flexed Online, February 14, 2016. Voir également position with the talon of a raptor found Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie nearby. All the skeletal elements were récupère de Berlin une statuette en ivoire recovered, except for a few unfused epiphyses, sortie illégalement du territoire », al-Yawm al- and all were well preserved. The infant’s gender Sâbi‘, 9 février ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, is not yet known. « Réussite diplomatique dans la restitution “Studies have revealed that the bone d’une statuette antique volée en Allemagne », remains of the child have changes in the shape al-Ahrâm, 10 février ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Le of the skeletal structure, one of the clearest ministère de l’Archéologie récupère une signs of the vitamin C deficiency that causes céramique antique après un verdict du tribunal scurvy,” said Maria Carmella GATTO, an de Fribourg », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 février ; archaeologist at the University of Leicester in Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Le ministère de the UK who is directing the AKAP mission. l’Archéologie réceptionne 3 pièces antiques expédiées par le ministère des Affaires Writing in the International Journal of étrangères », al-Shurûq, 10 mars ; Sâmî al- Paleopathology, GATTO and bioarchaeologists Qamhâwî, « Restitution de 3 pièces antiques Mindy PITRE from St. Lawrence University in volées en Allemagne et en Grande-Bretagne », Canton, New York, and Robert J. STARK from al-Ahrâm, 14 mars). McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, said that microscopic examination of the remains - - had revealed abnormal porosity, something often seen in scurvy victims.

The child’s skull was virtually covered in Jeudi 18 février 2016 patches of porous bone, including the jaw and the eye orbits, the authors said. New bone Scurvy is a disease resulting from a formation suggestive of bone inflammation was deficiency of vitamin C characterised by the also seen on the upper leg and arm bones. interruption of collagen and osteoid formation

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“Although the cause of this infant’s probable Although it is just one infant skeleton scorbutic state is unknown, various among many others from Pre-Dynastic Egypt, circumstances such as diet, cultural behaviour, the researchers have concluded that the child and unhealthy food may have contributed to “contributes to our understanding of the the condition,” the researchers said. “Given the antiquity of ascorbic acid deficiency in the Old current lack of evidence of scurvy from ancient World and suggests that regardless of the Egyptian contexts, this case informs us of the fertile nature of the area dietary insufficiencies antiquity of ascorbic acid deficiency in the Old such as scurvy were possible.” World.” “This is perhaps the first differentially They suggested that the child’s social status diagnosed bioarchaeological example of scurvy might have played a role in its falling victim to in Egypt,” GATTO said, adding that studies would the disease. “Although he would likely have still continue on the child’s skeleton in order to been breastfeeding at this age, as ancient reveal more about the disease. Egyptians used to breastfeed their children until “In around 3800-3600BCE, the small Pre- three years old, it is possible that his mother Dynastic rural village where the infant skeleton or wet nurse was also malnourished and so was found sat on the southern periphery of was unable to provide enough vitamin C for what would later become the Egyptian state. her child,” the researchers said, adding that Although the area is now largely desert, it is there was some evidence showing that the thought to have been covered in rich farmland child had suffered bleeding as a result of the at that time,” GATTO told the Weekly in an disease. email. There was plenty of food in ancient Egypt She said that other discoveries in the area that could have provided sufficient vitamin C, had provided evidence that the inhabitants had said PITRE, but there is also written evidence a varied diet. They would have lived on cereals, from Egyptian medical papyri for treatments for livestock and by gathering wild fruit and tubers. a disease that is almost certainly scurvy. “However, there is some evidence that they “If the ancient Egyptians were eating may have struggled to get enough vitamin C primarily meat, dairy products, fish, and cooked from their diet, particularly as the emerging or preserved plants, their diets would be quite hierarchy in ancient Egypt saw much of the low in vitamin C,” she said, adding that a produce from farming being taken by the elite,” secondary condition such as malaria could GATTO pointed out. have factored into the child’s health, making She continued that archaeologists in the the child more prone to reduced absorption of past have found evidence in the area that vitamin C. suggests a flowering plant called Colocasia, or There is no direct evidence of exactly what Tarul, was added to bread, wheat and barley this ancient Egyptian child died from, PITRE and to increase vitamin C intake. colleagues noted, though “complications from “Our project, like others in the area, is infection, cachexia [wasting syndrome], and or adding much more detailed information,” GATTO cardiac and myocardial impairment often seen said, adding that the case of the infant in cases of scurvy may have contributed to the skeleton highlighted a small village that has not child’s mortality.” been investigated in previous excavations, when tombs and cemeteries were preferred.

Scurvy, GATTO said, was known in ancient Egypt as there are texts telling us about this disease, but up to now it has been difficult to find evidence of it on bones. “That is what makes the baby skeleton so special,” she said, along with the fact that the skeleton was found buried in the village and not in the nearby cemetery. She said that although researchers know from other Pre-Dynastic sites like ‘Adâyma (Isnâ) that sometimes children were buried in villages, the fact that this baby was

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seriously ill may have been a reason to bury Archaeological investigation is now taking him in a special location such as in the village. place at the Late Palaeolithic sites in Wâdî Nasr Salâma, general manager of the Aswân Kubbâniyya where the Combined Prehistoric Archaeological Area at the ministry of Expedition worked in the 1980s and produced antiquities, said that the discovery shed light new insights on human occupation 13,000 on a poorly understood period in the country’s years ago. history. “These are very important data to The AKAP has been at work since 2005 understand how the process towards food investigating the area stretching between Aswân production and social complexity started in and Kom Ombo in an attempt to preserve and Egypt and Nubia and, as a matter of fact, in document ancient archaeological finds that are all of Africa,” GATTO said, adding that the not well known. mission was also focusing on the study of the Pre-Dynastic period, finding many villages and Many archaeological discoveries have cemeteries along the Nile one of which was the already been made in the region, and in the place where the baby skeleton with scurvy had 1920s archaeologist Herman JUNKER worked on been found. the west bank of the Nile at Aswân south of Kunnabiya and found cemeteries and a Apart from the Pre-Dynastic site of monastery, and Fred WENDORF and the Elephantine, where only a few cemeteries dating Combined Prehistoric Expedition worked in the to the fourth millennium BCE have been found, 1980s on Palaeolithic sites in Wâdî Kubbâniyya. she said much more detailed information on the human occupation of the First Cataract AKAP archaeologists and research scientists region during the period that marked the rise from partnering academic institutions have been of Egyptian civilisation in dynastic times had adopting advanced three-dimensional imaging now been found. technologies in order to build detailed records of rock art left behind thousands of years ago “Rock art is another part of our work, and in its natural environmental setting. The project we use different digital methodologies to is part of an effort to quickly, efficiently, and document it. The most important site found so cost-effectively build data profiles on the region far is in Nag‘ al-Hamdulab in Aswân, and it before the rock art and other archaeological consists of a series of rock drawings from the finds are destroyed or compromised. late Pre-Dynastic and Early Dynastic periods GATTO told the Weekly that under the AKAP with representations of boats, animals, people concession was a section of the west bank and most importantly the earliest known north of Qubbat al-Hawâ, part of Wâdî representation of an Egyptian king, probably Kubbâniyya on the west bank and Wâdî Abû ,” GATTO said. (Nevine El-Aref, “Ancient Subayra on the east bank, and an area of the scurvy sufferer found”, Al-Ahram Weekly, eastern desert east of Kom Ombo. “These February 18, 2016. Voir également Ahmad areas were selected because our main interest Mansûr, « Découverte du premier cas de is to detect the nature of the interaction scorbut dans l’Égypte ancienne », al-Yawm al- between Egypt and the Nubian pastoral Sâbi‘, 21 janvier ; Doaa Elhami, « Le plus nomadic groups at the time. So we wanted to ancien cas de scorbut mis au jour en Haute- investigate not only the sites along the Nile, Égypte », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 9 mars). but also those in the desert, because those were the areas where Nubian sites could also - - be found.” Le secrétaire général du Conseil Suprême GATTO said that the mission has made a lot des Antiquités, Dr Mustafa Amîn, a nommé of discoveries over the past ten years, Yâsir Fathî Wahba au poste de directeur including of the remains of villages, cemeteries, général de l’administration du cadastre et de la temples, monasteries, towns and rock art topographie dans le secteur des antiquités dating from the Palaeolithic era to the Islamic islamiques. Yâsir Fathî succède à Anwar ‘Abd period, though its main interest has been in al-Tawwâb, décédé récemment. (Ahmad Mansûr, the study of the prehistoric sites. « Yâsir Fathî nommé directeur général de l’administration du cadastre », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘,

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18 février 2016). George asked me why my hat had become more famous than Harrison FORD’s, the actor - - who played Jones in the famous films. I told him that my hat was a real archaeologist’s hat, In May, I went to Manila in the Philippines whereas FORD’s was a fake one. Replicas were at the invitation of my friend Christoph SCHOLZ, made of my hat, and these were sold around who is the director of SC Exhibitions, a division the world, together with signed pictures, raising of Semmel Concerts. Christoph is a man with a more than $200,000 for the museum. vision. He loves Egypt and he always wants to help. He is also a perfect master of The other item that was used was gold. ceremonies, and he and his company have Gold means Tutankhamun. Only 50 small always shown a keen interest in the future of objects from Tutankhamun’s tomb were Egypt’s monuments. included in the “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” exhibition that was sent Christoph was able to create an exhibition to tour America, Europe, Australia and Japan in of replicas from Tutankhamun’s tomb called 2005. Yet the Cairo Museum contains 4,500 “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures”. objects from his treasures. This is a wonderful teaching tool because it shows the discovery of the tomb and includes Through my public lectures and my friends, videos that pique the interest of children about I was able to raise $17 million for the the “golden boy king”. Children’s Museum. The funds came from America and Japan. Christoph SCHOLZ In the Philippines he invited me to give a participated in the fundraising and was able to lecture about fundraising for Egypt’s museums accomplish more. In addition, my friend Sâmih at the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Sâwîris gave me a check for $1 million towards Technology Centres 2015 Conference held at the museum. It is therefore very strange that the Mind Museum, which was the sponsor of when the members of the Heliopolis Society the conference. My lecture was divided into two opened the museum to the public, they did not parts: my fundraising for the Children’s Museum say a word of thanks to anyone. Sâwîris should in Cairo and fundraising for the Grand Egyptian at least have been invited and gratitude Museum (GEM). The first part covered how Mrs expressed. Suzanne Mubârak had lovingly dedicated her time working to create a major museum for The museum is housed in a beautiful children. building, and there is a garden where there is a replica of the route of the Nile. We call it She read every word in the scenario and the “children of the Nile.” The garden also chose Michael MALLINSON, a prominent architect includes animals and plants from Africa, a play from England, to build the museum, and Jeff area for children, and a cafeteria. In a PATCHEN and Jennifer ROBINSON from the basement area, there is an exploration of how Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in the US to children are connected to Egyptian civilisation. write the scenario. It asks the question “Who are you?” Children We used to meet with Mrs Mubârak every can also carry out mock excavations to learn week at that time. The museum was opened how to make discoveries. They also learn about during the revolution, and no one gave a word how the ancient temples were built as well as of thanks to this great lady who dedicated her about finds in underwater archaeology. life to Egypt. It is now time to recognise her The first floor of the museum teaches achievements and her love for Egypt. children about modern Egypt, so that they can In my fundraising for the museum, two understand their present as well as their past, important items were used: my characteristic through displays, for instance, about agriculture hat and gold. My hat is known to people all and the desert. The upper floor takes them to over the world and is connected to the famous the future. In my opinion, this is the best fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones. I’ll never museum in the Middle East. forget the time when the US film director The second part of my lecture addressed George LUCAS came to Egypt to meet me, and fundraising for the Grand Egyptian Museum that we had dinner with my friends, the actor Omar is being built in the shadow of the Pyramids in Sharif and model Naomi CAMPBELL. Gîza. An international competition was held and

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two thousand project proposals were received. make all Egyptians understand that this project Each proposal was reviewed, and the project of will put Egypt at the top of the world’s cultural a Chinese architect in Dublin was chosen. agenda. Finally, we must begin an international fundraising campaign that will announce to the Brainstorming began about how to build the world that the Egyptian monuments do not conservation rooms, storage areas, and belong to Egypt only, but to people all over administration building of the new museum. the world. About $140 million came in from the 2005 King Tut exhibition. I stated that there could be Then we can request people to contribute, no free lunches anymore. We used to send and each donor could have his or her name exhibitions to Europe and America, and Egypt inscribed on a stone in a wall in the museum. received nothing from them. But the money We need people who have a vision for the received from the 2005 exhibition, between $10 future of Egypt. We do not just need million and $15 million from each city on its academics. (Zâhî Hawwâs, “Fundraising for route and $300 million from Japan, is being Egypt’s museums”, Al-Ahram Weekly, February used to construct the museum. 18, 2016. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd al- The museum was originally scheduled to Mu‘tî, « Aplanir les obstacles entravant le open in 2015, but because of the revolution, financement du GEM », al-Ahrâm, 27 janvier). and also because of the lack of vision of the person who replaced me, it has not yet - - opened, and I cannot see any date for the opening being announced. The museum will not Une délégation de l’Agence japonaise de function properly because it is under coopération internationale (JICA) effectue une government supervision. For example, when a visite d’inspection du projet de la deuxième bulb goes at the Cairo Museum today the barque de Chéops. Le but de cette visite director is unable to find the funds to replace consiste à assister à l’extraction des planches it. en bois de la fosse, aux travaux de restauration et de documentation effectués in We also do not have properly trained situ. La délégation regroupe quinze hauts people, though we do have people who think responsables de différents pays : Europe, they are so trained. The curator or director of Russie, Grèce, Autriche, Liban et Maroc. the museum should have been chosen by an Soulignons que l’équipe égypto-japonaise a déjà international competition. What can we do to extrait 586 planches en bois, ainsi que remedy these things? quelques rames. (Ahmad Mansûr, « 15 hauts When I was minister of antiquities, I began responsables du JICA inspectent les travaux de to give this new museum a special identity, like restauration de la barque de Chéops », al- the Alexandria Library, and I wanted it to be Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 février 2016). under the auspices of the prime minister as an independent cultural institution, because this is - - the Grand Museum, the cultural project of the 21st century in Egypt. We took advice from the Alexandria Library, but I left office after that, Dimanche 21 février 2016 and the people who have taken charge of the Grand Museum since have had no museum The Ministry of Antiquities will compensate experience. the families of guards who were killed and The only way to bring in funds is to follow wounded Saturday at Dayr al-Barshâ and Tell a proper plan. The board of the museum Dafna archaeological sites Minister of should be composed of business people who Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî said on Sunday can undertake fundraising. Egyptologists should that EGP 10,000 (around $1300) will be have nothing to do with this. Who are the provided as compensation to the families of people who are on the board at the moment? guards killed Saturday in an apparent heist One question to ask is what they have done in attempt at Dayr al-Barshâ in , and the past that entitles them to be on the board. two others killed in an explosion at Tell Dafna in Ismâ‘îliyya. EGP 5000 ($640) will be given to We also need to use the media and the the one guard wounded in each attack. Internet to promote the project in Egypt and

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Minister of antiquities press attaché Mushîra on the third phase of the five-stage project to Musa announced Saturday that a gang snuck restore Khufu’s second boat. into the Dayr al-Barshâ site in al-Minyâ in an The first phase began over 20 years ago, attempt to rob the tomb of the last ruler of when in 1992 a Japanese scientific and the First Intermediate Period, -Nakht. The archaeological team from Waseda University, in site’s guards defended the tomb but two were collaboration with the Japanese government, killed and one was left wounded. offered a grant of $10 million to remove the boat from its original pit, restore and “The same compensation would be provided reassemble it, and put it on show to the public. for the two workers killed and one wounded at Tell Dafna site in Ismâ‘îliyya yesterday when a The team cleaned the pit of insects and the leftover landmine detonated during excavation,” Japanese team inserted a camera through a he added. al-Damâtî says he is mourning the hole in the chamber’s limestone to assess the guards and “asks for God to bestow his mercy boat’s condition inside the pit and the over them and give their families solace.” possibility of its restoration. Images taken show (Nevine El-Aref, “Compensation for employees layers of wooden beams and timbers of cedar killed, injured at 2 Egyptian archaeological and acacia, as well as ropes, mats and sites”, Ahram Online, February 21, 2016. Voir remains of limestone blocks and small pieces également Ahmad Mansûr, « Mamdûh al-Damâtî of white plaster. déplore les martyrs de l’archéologie », al-Yawm Basel YOSHIMURA, the director of the al-Sâbi‘, 21 février ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Latîf, Japanese team, told Ahram Online that during « Arrestation de 8 chômeurs pour meurtre de the team’s inspection they found that the 2 gardiens d’une tombe pharaonique », al- second boat was in a much better state of Ahrâm, 1er mars 2016). preservation than the first when it was discovered in 1954 by architect and - - archaeologist Kamâl al-Mallâkh, together with Zakî Nûr, during routine cleaning on the south side of the Great Pyramid.

The first boat was removed piece by piece under the supervision of master restorer Ahmad Yûsuf, who spent more than 20 years restoring and reassembling the boat.

The second boat remained sealed in its pit until 1987, when it was examined by the American National Geographic Society by

remote camera. After the space inside the pit Zaydan shows KAGAWA the current restoration work on khufu’s second solar boat (photo courtesy of Eissa Zaydan) was photographed and air measurements were taken, the pit was resealed. Japanese ambassador to Egypt Takehiro KAGAWA and his wife paid their first visit to King It was thought that the pit had been so well Khufu’s second solar boat, now under sealed that the air inside would be as it had restoration at the laboratory of the Grand been since ancient Egyptian times. Sadly Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Gîza though, YOSHIMURA pointed out that this was not plateau. ‘Îsa Zaydân, director of the restoration the case. Air had leaked into the pit from department at the GEM, guided them through outside and mixed with the air inside. This had their visit to check the restoration works being allowed insects to thrive and negatively affect carried out by the Japanese-Egyptian team in some wooden beams. (Nevine El-Aref, “Japan an attempt to reconstruct King Khufu’s second ambassador pays first visit to Khufu boat under solar boat to its original look. restoration at GEM”, Ahram Online, February KAGAWA was very happy with the works 21, 2016). achieved so far, and wrote in the visiting book of the GEM that he wishes the team the best - - luck in achieving their goal. Zaydân told Ahram Online that the restoration team is now working Within the framework of the campaign launched by the Luxor Time Magazine entitled

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Luxor Times Egyptology Award 2016, Egypt’s Excavation work is now in full swing to know Antiquities Minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî honoured more about the tomb and the deceased. a number of foreign and Egyptian archaeologists for their “devotion and tremendous efforts in Egypt”. The campaign was launched on social media to determine the top ten discoveries, five best restoration projects, five ongoing achievements as well as five promising archaeological projects in Egypt in 2015.

al-Damâtî honoured ten Egyptologists including the German archaeologist Hourig SOUROUZIAN who worked for more than a decade on the funerary temple of King Amenhotep III on Luxor’s West Bank. SOUROUZIAN succeeded in discovering several elements of the temple and reconstructed it in an attempt to revive the temple to its hay day, or at least render an outline of its original design. The entrance gate of the tomb (…) Ilhâm Salâh, the head of the Museums (courtesy of the ministry of antiquities) Department, said heads of the mummification Sarah PARCAK, director of the archaeological museum in Luxor, the Atun Museum in Minyâ, mission from Alabama University, said that the the Grand Egyptian Museum overlooking the mission is now training a number of Egyptian Gîza plateau and the National Museum of archaeologists on the new techniques and Egyptian Civilization were also honoured. methods used in the documentation and (Nevine El-Aref, “Antiquities minister honours preservation of antiquities, as well as using foreign and Egyptian archaeologists in Luxor”, satellites in safeguarding the archaeological Ahram Online, February 21, 2016. Voir sites. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egyptian Middle Kingdom également Ahmad Mar‘î, « Noms des tomb discovered at al-Lisht”, Ahram Online, archéologues égyptiens et étrangers honorés February 23, 2016. Voir également Ahmad par le ministre de l’Archéologie à Louqsor », Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 20 février). annonce la découverte d’une tombe du Moyen - - Empire », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 23 février).

Mardi 23 février 2016 - - An Egyptian-American mission from Alabama University has stumbled upon a very well Mercredi 24 février 2016 preserved tomb of King ’s stamp bearer while conducting cleaning work in an Le projet de réaménagement du plateau des area south of King Senusret I’s pyramid. pyramides a repris vie la semaine dernière. Afin Muhammad Yûsuf, director of the Dahshûr d’attirer le plus grand nombre de touristes archaeological site, told Ahram Online that the dans la région, le projet lancé en 2008 a été tomb is dated to the 12th dynasty during the interrompu en 2011 suite à la révolution. Cette reign of the Middle Kingdom King Senusret I. fois-ci les travaux ont repris avec un grand intérêt officiel. The tomb is carved in the bedrock of the necropolis and has a mud brick ramp. The L’objectif initial de ce projet est de faciliter walls of the tomb are engraved with scenes la visite et d’offrir des services sur le site. depicting the deceased at work in front of « C’est un projet qui se divise en deux phases deities and in different position with his family. essentielles : la première à court terme concernant les travaux de nettoyage,

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d’éclairage et de séparation des lieux antiques dépasse pas les 5 000 par jour et atteint, lors des lieux de loisirs et d’équitation. La seconde des fêtes, une quinzaine de milliers. « Avec un à long terme, où les parcours de visite seront probable retour du tourisme et le retracés différemment pour faciliter la balade réaménagement du site, on vise 25 000 dans la zone antique. Il s’agit également de visiteurs par jour », conclut ‘Abd al-Basîr, qui terminer le centre des visiteurs avec ses quatre considère que ce projet n’est qu’une étape qui salles panoramiques qui donnent sur le plateau sera suivie par d’autres. et les pyramides », explique al-Husayn ‘Abd al- Selon lui, toute la région des pyramides Basîr, directeur général du plateau des doit connaître un développement socioculturel, pyramides de Gîza. Ce centre sera équipé de notamment la région limitrophe des sites des grands écrans qui racontent une partie de pyramides surpeuplée, Nazlat al-Simmân. Après l’histoire de l’Égypte ancienne. Des ateliers d’art son réaménagement, le plateau des pyramides pour enfants s’y tiendront aussi. On y trouvera sera lié au Nouveau Grand Musée du Caire, aussi des restaurants, des cafétérias et des dont l’emplacement se trouve à quelques boutiques de souvenirs. kilomètres. Sa première phase sera inaugurée Il ajoute que de grands générateurs seront en 2018. Les deux sites formeront ensemble un installés pour éclairer toute la région, même paysage fascinant. (Nasma Réda, « Le plateau dans la partie « désertique » sud derrière les des pyramides sous un autre jour », Al-Ahram trois pyramides. « Il y aura deux nouvelles Hebdo du 24 février 2016. Voir également portes d’entrée ainsi que des guichets et des Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie bureaux d’information », reprend ‘Abd al-Basîr. attribue le projet de réaménagement des L’ancienne entrée, donnant sur l’hôtel Mena pyramides à la compagnie Queen Service qui House, sera consacrée uniquement aux VIP. appartient aux Forces armées », al-Yawm al- 100 pancartes explicatives jalonneront le Sâbi‘, 10 février ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, parcours de la visite, 50 toilettes fixes et « Reprise du réaménagement de la zone des mobiles seront installées partout, des tours de pyramides », al-Ahrâm, 11 février ; Ahmad contrôle seront construites sur les nouvelles ‘Azab, « L’armée développe les pyramides ! », voies et tout au long de la région désertique. al-‘Arabî al-Gadîd, 11 février ; ‘Abd al-Rahmân Sayyid, « Nouveau tunnel pour les voitures et « La zone sera entourée par une clôture replanification de la zone archéologique des pour pouvoir réguler la sortie et l’entrée des pyramides », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 février). visiteurs », a déclaré à l’Hebdo le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh al-Damâtî. « En cas de plainte, une hotline sera accessible pour - - répondre aux besoins des visiteurs », assure le « Au fil des siècles, les pièces de monnaie ministre, ajoutant que dix voitures de police témoignent de tous les événements, y compris seront dans la région au secours des clients. ceux qui n’ont pas eu l’intérêt des historiens eux-mêmes. Elles jouent aussi un rôle 80 % des travaux du projet de primordial dans les domaines politique et réaménagement du plateau des pyramides sont diplomatique, économique et artistique », c’est déjà accomplis. Des parkings pour les bus avec ces mots que s’exprime Magdî Hanafî, touristiques et les voitures sont déjà installés, l’auteur de l’encyclopédie La Monnaie et une partie du parcours a été exécutée. Bien égyptienne, lors de la dédicace du 3e volume que ce soit une entreprise des forces de Les Pièces de monnaie qui a eu lieu à Bayt al- l’armée qui est en charge de la suite des Sinnârî, à Sayyida Zaynab. Hanafî est un travaux, c’est le ministère du Tourisme qui collectionneur de renommée et une référence financera la plus grande part du projet. « Dans en matière de monnaie et de timbres anciens. six mois au maximum, tous les travaux seront Ce livre écrit en arabe et en anglais est plutôt achevés », souligne ‘Abd al-Basîr. « Les sites antiques seront gérés par le ministère des un catalogue qui propose un voyage à travers Antiquités, tandis qu’une société holding, non l’Histoire par le biais d’une collection encore identifiée, sera responsable des services considérable et représentative de différents proposés », explique le directeur de la région. types de pièces de monnaie, frappés au fil d’environ cinq siècles. Le but premier de ce réaménagement est d’attirer un plus grand nombre de visiteurs. Selon l’auteur, les pièces de monnaie Actuellement, le nombre de visiteurs ne retracent beaucoup d’événements, seulement

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certains n’ont pas eu de grand intérêt pour les économique de l’Égypte pendant le XIXe siècle historiens. Il a ainsi consacré un chapitre à et la première moitié de XXe siècle, dans toute l’invasion ottomane, à l’Expédition française et cette région », reprend Hanafî. à la fondation de l’Égypte moderne par Les pièces de monnaie de la collection ont Muhammad ‘Alî pacha. Cette période (1517- aussi une valeur artistique. Au début, elles 1805) était féconde d’importants faits étaient embellies par les signatures officielles historiques fondamentaux. « Les pièces de des sultans ottomans. Ensuite, les pièces de monnaie utilisées avant l’invasion ottomane monnaie étaient ornées de calligraphie arabe. comprenaient des versets du Coran Sans oublier les effigies inspirées de l’art de qu’utilisaient musulmans et non musulmans. Ces l’Égypte ancienne. Autre point fort du pièces, bien sûr, circulaient partout, y compris catalogue, les signatures ou initiales sur les dans les vestiaires et les toilettes. Les pièces de monnaie. D’après l’auteur, ces Ottomans se sont dit offensés et voulant artistes qui dessinaient les pièces sont ignorés, protéger le Coran d’un tel sacrilège, cela aurait bien qu’ils en soient l’essence, dont des participé aux prétextes pour envahir l’Égypte », contemporains tels ‘Abbâs Shaykh, ‘Abd al- précise Hanafî. Et d’ajouter qu’après leur venue Fattâh Wahba, Sabrî Salâh et Hâmid al-‘Agamî. en Égypte, le Coran a disparu des pièces de monnaie. La pièce de monnaie est un attribut L’auteur Magdî Hanafî a été primé par la du pouvoir. Ainsi le gouverneur mamelouk du Société internationale des billets de banque Caire en 1763, ‘Alî bey al-Kabîr, a frappé une (IBNS) qui a classé son premier volume, Les pièce de monnaie qui porte son nom. Selon Billets de banque 2004, comme meilleur livre l’auteur, c’était le premier indice de l’autonomie en 2005. Le deuxième sur les petites monnaies de l’Égypte de l’Empire ottoman. a obtenu le prix de courage de la même Société. (Doaa Elhami, « Les pièces, miroirs La pièce de monnaie avait joué aussi un d’une autre histoire », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 24 rôle diplomatique. Ainsi, « Napoléon BONAPARTE, février 2016). lors de l’Expédition française en Égypte, a frappé des pièces de monnaie et a pris soin - - de garder l’inscription : an 1203 de l’hégire, date du règne du sultan ottoman Silîm III, pour éviter sa colère », commente l’auteur. Mais le Jeudi 25 février 2016 grand conquérant français n’a pas omis de laisser son empreinte en y ajoutant ses initiales The usually sedate Upper Egyptian town of N et B (Napoléon BONAPARTE). Abû Simbil was abuzz with king Ramses II fever Le catalogue souligne aussi les étapes as visitors waited for the sun’s rays to officielles de l’autonomie de l’Égypte de l’Empire penetrate through the temple’s inner sanctuary ottoman. Le sultan Husayn Kâmil (1914-1917) a on Monday to illuminate the king’s face and frappé, pour la première fois, une pièce de the statues of the gods Amun-Re and Re-Hur- monnaie avec l’effigie « le Sultanat égyptien, le Akhty, leaving the god of darkness Ptah in the sultan Husayn Kâmil ». Ses successeurs, le roi shade because of his connection to the Fu’âd et le roi Fârûq, l’avaient suivi en frappant underworld. des pièces pour revendiquer la même This phenomenon only takes place twice a autonomie. Après l’annonce du royaume year, on 22 February and 22 October, and it égyptien en 1922, de nouvelles pièces de coincides with the birthday and coronation of monnaie sont frappées avec l’effigie « al- the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II who Mamlaka al-masriyya » (le Royaume égyptien). built the Temples at Abû Simbil. Some believe Une autre évolution de l’État égyptien. that the phenomenon also marks the days of Le catalogue met l’accent encore sur le rôle cultivation and harvest. économique de la pièce de monnaie. Ainsi la This year, the event coincides with the pièce de monnaie égyptienne circulait launch of an international campaign to officiellement partout dans les pays arabes celebrate the golden jubilee of the saving of comme l’Arabie saoudite, (Nadjd et Hedjaz), le the Abû Simbil Temples in the 1960s when they Soudan pendant le règne de Mahdi ainsi que la were threatened by the construction of the Palestine jusqu’à 1927. « Cette circulation Aswân High Dam. indique la puissance, voire la domination

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The celebrations will last until October 2018 relocation process. Afterwards visitors paid a in order to mark the day when the Abû Simbil visit to an exhibition of paintings entitled “Abû Temples were reconstructed at their new Simbil in the Eyes of Painters,” which displays location on a 65-metre artificial hill above the paintings by Egyptian artists expressing their High Dam in order to protect them from being thoughts on the temples and the salvage submerged under the waters of Lake Nâsir. operations.

al-Sutûhî said that among the artists was Ahmad Nabîl who had returned to Abû Simbil for the event more than 50 years after his first visit. Nabîl, al-Sutûhî said, had been among artist Husayn Bikâr’s team responsible for the documentation of the temples from 1963 to 1966 by drawing every inch of their structures, decorative elements and hieroglyphic texts.

“This exhibition is the nucleus of a planned museum inside the artificial hill that now supports the temples,” al-Sutûhî said, adding On Sunday at midnight hundreds of people that the idea was to show the salvage descended on the Abû Simbil Temples 280 km operations as they had happened 50 years ago south of Aswân to witness the special equinox to a new public. The museum would be a event organised this year by the Abû Simbil dream come true for him, he said, as he had Temples 50 Campaign in collaboration with the first submitted plans for it to former minister of ministries of antiquities and tourism, the culture Fârûq Husnî in 2009. Egyptian Tourism Authority, the Engineers “Now my dream may come true,” al-Sutûhî Syndicate, the Egyptian Architects Association, said, explaining that the art exhibition could the Aswân governorate, the Nubian Club and a help provide the required budget. Plans are number of universities. afoot to take the exhibition on a tour around Unfortunately, after staying up all night to several European countries for two months. The witness the equinox, the assembled visitors first part of the tour will head for those were disappointed to find that fog had blocked countries, which helped in the 1960s salvage the sun’s rays from illuminating the face of the operations, including the former Yugoslavia, statue of Ramses II in the temple’s inner Germany, and Italy. al-Sutûhî said that visits sanctuary. had been undertaken last year to these countries in order to encourage them to take However, this did not affect the part in the golden jubilee celebrations. celebrations, or the entertainment that had been laid on for visitors. As strains of music At the footsteps of the Temple of Ramses from musician ‘Azîz al-Shawwân filled the night II’s wife queen , another exhibition has air at the archaeological site, visitors were able been organised on “Women who have to watch a re-enactment of the Abû Simbil Enhanced Egypt’s History.” The exhibition salvage operations that started in February displays a collection of 20 images of women 1966 and were completed in October 1968. who have added to Egypt’s history from ancient Egyptian times until the present day. A Bedouin Engineer Hamdî al-Sutûhî, who heads the tent displaying a collection of Aswân and Abû Abû Simbil Temples 50 Campaign, told Al- Simbil traditional handicrafts has been set up Ahram Weekly that ten days before the in the temple area. beginning of the event a group of engineers and artists had made a replica of Ramses II’s The Abû Simbil sound and light show took face in an attempt to re-enact the removal of place as usual, and this time round it was the king’s face from one of the four colossi attended by Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- decorating the temple’s front entrance as a Damâtî and a number of the surviving first step towards its relocation. engineers, archaeologists and workers who took part in the salvage operations in the 1960s. The replica face was shown tied with ropes and suspended from a huge crane during the On the fringes of the golden jubilee celebrations, al-Damâtî, along with minister of

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culture Hilmî al-Namnam and Aswân governor other ancient Egyptian temple, it is just a Magdî Higâzî, inaugurated the Abû Simbil coincidence,” al-Damâtî commented, explaining Temples International Salvage Operation that the effects of the equinox used to happen Documentation Centre. on 21 February and 21 October, but after the relocation they had shifted by one day. Director of Abû Simbil antiquities at the Ministry of Antiquities Husâm ‘Abbûd explained The salvage operations were proof that that the new Centre had been established at a Egypt was able to face changes and would not cost of some LE2 million and included a stand by in the face of any difficulties it had collection of 21 graphic banners and 18 to deal with, he said. “The present celebration photographs and maquettes relating to the is a great event that will help promote tourism salvage operations that were completed in to Egypt,” he added. (Nevine El-Aref, 1968 at a cost of some $42 million. Egypt paid “Celebrating Abû Simbil”, Al-Ahram Weekly, $14 million of the total cost. A collection of February 25, 2016. Voir également “Fourth tools used during the salvage operations was Aswân festival celebrates solar illumination of also on show. Egypt’s Abû Simbil”, Ahram Online, February The Centre has a photographic laboratory 19 ; Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt celebrates golden and a museological garden, and in its second jubilee of Abu Simbel temple salvage phase it will include a children’s creative centre operation”, Ahram Online, February 16). to raise the cultural and archaeological awareness of Abû Simbil’s children. - - As the assembled dignitaries waited for the equinox, musical troupes performed Nubian Samedi 27 février 2016 folkloric songs and dances. The atmosphere was joyous as hibiscus and tamarind drinks were quaffed and stuffed dates served on coloured bamboo plates were eaten. The sound of Nubian music filled the dry night air, as women, men, boys, and girls in colourful garb danced to the rhythms of the duf, a traditional tambourine without bells. A Pharaonic ballet and dancing tableau was also performed.

“This year’s celebration is not only a promotional campaign to encourage tourism in Egypt and prove that the country is safe, but Gianaclis Palace also a unique message to the whole world that Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities has started Egypt is a country of peace, science and great the documentation process for adding Gianaclis civilisation,” al-Sutûhî said, adding that the Palace in Abû al-Matâmîr city in the costal celebrations would be continued to 2018 in governorate of al-Buhayra to the country’s order to mark the golden anniversary of the Heritage List for Islamic and Coptic monuments. completion of the Abû Simbil Temples salvage Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî operations. announced today that the decision was taken During the two-year celebrations cultural according to Article 1 of Egypt’s Antiquities Law and archaeological events, seminars, exhibitions No 17/1983, stipulating that any edifice in and conferences would take place in order to Egypt with distinguished archaeological or raise awareness not only of the salvage historical value, or decorative or artistic operations but also of Egypt’s heritage and elements, be put on Egypt’s Heritage List as civilisation, he said. symbol of Egypt’s historic civilisation.

al-Damâtî said that the shining of the sun’s al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the 30 rays on the face of the statue of Ramses II feddans wide Gianaclis Palace was built within located in the temple’s sanctuary was the vineyards on al-Nubâriyya canal in Abû al- connected to the Abû Simbil Temples more Matâmîr city in 1948 by Greek businessman than to any other ancient Egyptian temples. “If Nicola BIYARKOS, known in Egypt as Gianaclis. the equinox produces similar effects at any The palace was built in Italian architectural

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style with six flours and 366 windows: one for - - each day of the year, including leap years.

In 1956, after the July 1952 Revolution, al- Dimanche 28 février 2016 Damâtî said, the palace was put into the possession of the presidency, and late President Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir decided to build Les douaniers du village cargo de Louqsor an administrative building in the palace garden, ont déjoué aujourd’hui une tentative along with electricity and water improvements. d’exportation illicite de trois manuscrits arabes. During the tenure of late President Anwar al- Muhammad M., 50 ans, propriétaire d’une Sâdât, a military airport was established as well société d’import-export, a dissimulé ces trois as a number of military settlements. manuscrits dans un colis à destination de l’Allemagne. (Tâhir al-Hassânî, « Échec d’une Along the span of its history, Gianaclis tentative d’exportation illicite de trois Palace hosted several leaders and presidents of manuscrits vers l’Allemagne », al-Tahrîr, 28 different countries. It was also the residential février 2016). home of toppled Sudanese President Ga‘far al- Numayrî. (Nevine El-Aref, “Gianaclis Palace in al- Buhayra becomes a Nile Delta archaeological site”, Ahram Online, February 27, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Inscription du palais Gianaclis sur la liste du patrimoine - islamique et copte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 27 février ; « Le palais Gianaclis classé monument - - historique », al-Shurûq, 27 février ; ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn Zâhir, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie classe le - palais Gianaclis », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 28 février ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Le palais Gianaclis classé monument historique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 mars).

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« Les meubles et l’éclairage ont été conçus de Mercredi 2 mars 2016 manière à refléter le style du XVe siècle ». L’hôtel adoptera le mode de vie musulman. Il ne présentera pas de boissons alcoolisées et il n’y aura pas de piscine. Le coût de l’hébergement à l’hôtel doit être déterminé par le ministère du Tourisme qui est en train d’étudier les offres des sociétés privées qui vont gérer l’hôtel. Les magasins donnant sur la rue al-Gamâliyya seront utilisés comme ateliers pour ressusciter les anciens métiers comme al- Nahhâsîn (artisans du cuivre) et al-‘Attârîn, (vendeurs d’épices), etc.

Avant ce projet d’hôtel, Wakâlat Qâytbây a Après des années de fermeture, Wakâlat été témoin d’un grand projet de restauration. Qâytbây (fondée en 1480) fait l’objet d’un Celui-ci avait commencé il y a deux ans, projet de réhabilitation qui consiste à lorsque les ministères des Antiquités et du transformer cet ancien caravansérail en hôtel Logement avaient conclu un protocole de cinq étoiles. « Enfin, Wakâlat Qâytbây va coopération visant à restaurer et réaménager retrouver sa fonction d’autrefois », souligne Le Caire historique, surtout le caravansérail de Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, directeur du grand Qâytbây. Ce protocole s’inscrivait dans le cadre projet du Caire historique. Comme tous les d’un travail de préservation de l’identité caravansérails, Wakâlat Qâytbây servait à culturelle et historique des anciens édifices. l’hébergement des voyageurs, des marchands étrangers et à la vente de leurs marchandises. « Ce bâtiment rectangulaire était dans un Selon ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, cet hôtel sera le premier de état lamentable », explique le directeur du son genre en Égypte. département du Caire historique. Des personnes se sont emparées des magasins, et plusieurs Cette région a un caractère spécial étant violations de ce site antique avaient eu lieu. donné qu’elle est située à proximité de la Même les moucharabiehs (fenêtres en bois grande porte antique du Caire fatimide, dite résineux) qui décorent la grande façade ont Bâb al-Nasr, dans la région fatimide de été cassés ou arrachés. Selon ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, Gamâliyya. Ce caravansérail de style mamelouk « au cours des siècles, ces moucharabiehs se gardera son aspect d’origine lorsqu’il a été sont dégradés. Cela nous a forcés à en e fondé au XV siècle par le sultan Qâytbây. fabriquer de nouveaux, identiques, pour que le « Après de longues études faites par le bâtiment conserve autant que possible son ministère des Antiquités en coopération avec le aspect authentique et sa beauté d’antan ». ministère du Logement, nous avons pu déterminer les points faibles du bâtiment et Trois étages seulement forment ce nous avons commencé à y remédier », assure caravansérail. « On a presque reconstruit le ‘Abd al-‘Azîz. troisième étage », poursuit-il. Même la grande cour du milieu, qui servait autrefois de lieu de Le nouvel hôtel comprendra 28 suites. rencontre des marchands ou simplement à Chaque suite formera une unité complète avec passer du temps, servira de réception à cet salle de bains et une petite salle de réception. hôtel antique qui proposera aux touristes des « Nous allons inaugurer partiellement cet hôtel soirées de folklore typiquement arabe. « Le d’ici un an. Nous évaluerons alors l’expérience, coût des travaux de restauration a dépassé les et si celle-ci est concluante, nous achèverons 35 millions de L.E. (4 millions de dollars). Il ne le projet », affirme ‘Abd al-‘Azîz. Et d’ajouter : reste que quelques touches de peinture

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décoratives à faire. Dans quelques semaines, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî tout sera prêt en vue de commencer la told Ahram Online that the newly discovered réhabilitation de la Wakâlat », indique ‘Abd al- structures were stumbled upon by chance as a ‘Azîz. team of archaeologists were carrying out a survey on the foundations of the mosque to C’est en 2001 que l’ancien ministre de la determine the causes of a depression of the Culture également responsable des antiquités, ground beneath it. Initial investigations of the Fârûq Husnî, a tenté de réutiliser de tels structures, he explained, reveal that they date édifices pour des activités liées aux arts. Sâlih to an age older than the mosque. Lam‘î, urbaniste, était contre un projet semblable à Bâb al-‘Azab, car il allait According to al-Sultan Hasan Mosque’s bouleverser l’architecture de la région. Il a construction document, the mosque was constaté que dans Le Caire historique, l’aspect originally built on the remains of Islamic initial a été bien conservé lors des structures that are not identified. restaurations passées et la question qui reste Ahmad Mutâwi‘, director of the Islamic pour lui est d’ordre sécuritaire. « Les mesures antiquities section at the ministry’s technical de sécurité prises pour cet hôtel affecteront- office, said that the work team took samples of elles les bâtiments antiques ? », demande-t-il. the ground beneath the mosque in order to Malgré plusieurs expériences réussies de analyse and determine the causes of the réhabilitation de monuments islamiques comme depression. They will also explore the area le sabîl Muhammad ‘Alî qui sert actuellement further, in order to identify the origin and de Musée des Textiles égyptiens, l’idée continue nature of the discovered structures. aussi à troubler les responsables archéologiques. Certains y voient une chance al-Sultan Hasan Mosque is a gigantic de préserver ces monuments, d’améliorer la Mameluk edifice built in 1356 AD and includes conscience archéologique des citoyens qui a mosque and a madrasa (Qur’anic school) for vivent aux alentours. D’autres, au contraire, the four Sunni schools. At the time of rejettent cette idée qui mènera selon eux à la construction the mosque was considered détérioration rapide des monuments. remarkable for its fantastic size and innovative architectural components. (Nevine El-Aref, « La transformation de la Wakâlat en hôtel “Robot camera discovers old Islamic structures est une violation de la loi 1984 sur les beneath al-Sultan Hasan Mosque in Cairo”, antiquités », déclare un archéologue qui a Ahram Online, March 2, 2016. Voir également requis l’anonymat. « Pas du tout ! », s’écrie Ahmad Mansûr, « Le robot allemand à la ‘Abd al-‘Azîz. « Ce projet aidera à la découverte des antiquités islamiques du sultan restauration de l’édifice lui-même en plus de sa Hasan », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 2 mars ; MENA, rentabilité pour le ministère des Antiquités ainsi « Un robot allemand explore un monument que pour tous ses partenaires », dit-il. « De islamique », al-Tahrîr, 2 mars). même, on doit conserver nos sites antiques qui serviront au développement social, économique - - et touristique de toutes les régions où ils se trouvent », ajoute-t-il. Car selon Wa‘d ‘Abd al- ‘Âl, directeur du secteur des projets au Jeudi 3 mars 2016 ministère des Antiquités : « La réhabilitation et l’exploitation des monuments historiques The country’s archaeologists and heritage mènent au développement durable ». (Nasma professionals were encouraged when Mamdûh Réda, « Wakâlat Qâytbây retrouve sa splendeur al-Damâtî was named minister of antiquities. He d’antan », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 2 mars 2016). began his tenure in June 2014, during then- Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib’s second - - government. They felt that his track record During the first operation of the robot would allow him to manage Egypt’s antiquities camera offered last month by German engineer portfolio efficiently. He was familiar with the Friedhelm KREMER, the Ministry of Antiquities ministry’s different sections and its many uncovered the ruins of a number of Islamic hidden doors. They also thought al-Damâtî’s structures beneath al-Sultan Hasan Mosque in relative youth would stand him in good stead. the Citadel area in old Cairo.

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During the two years since his appointment, antiquities have been published in the media, al-Damâtî’s mission has been to embody a new while other stories have been stopped and vision and carry out an action plan to properly positive news has gone unpublished. preserve the country’s antiquities, upgrade the In the pyramid incident, for example, the skills of ministry staff, and work to resume thief could not by any means harm or break archaeological projects that have been on hold. the pyramid’s blocks because he could not get He has also encouraged two major exploration through the plateau entrance gate carrying a projects, the first investigating theories of a hammer or any destructive tools. There are hidden tomb inside the tomb of the boy king tight security measures in place, and the gate Tutankhamun in the , and is safeguarded with electronic security devices the second to identify the internal designs of that detect any metal instruments. the Dahshûr and Gîza Plateau Pyramids (the ScanPyramids Project). The incident happened in a remote area south of the Menkawre Pyramid, which is off However, al-Damâtî’s management style has the tourist track, but is reachable by the horse not pleased everyone, and there have been and camel owners who have passes to campaigns both against the minister and circulate freely in the area as part of the tours against the ministry’s stewardship of the they offer to tourists. country’s antiquities. Some Egyptian and foreign archaeologists, speaking on condition of The blocks shown in the video are anonymity, say that the exploration of authentic, but they fell off the pyramids and Tutankhamun’s tomb has been given to were not broken off by thieves. The criminals “deceitful” British archaeologists involved in seen in the video have been arrested and pricing stolen artefacts for antiquities traders. detained on charges of vandalism, trading in They also claim that the ScanPyramids Project antiquities and fraud, but nobody has published is being undertaken for publicity purposes. this news.

Campaigns have been launched against the As for the Amu-Re statue that the media is ministry on several TV talk shows and on calling “Polio Amun-Re,” this was not wrongly social media like Twitter and Facebook. A restored with cement as is being claimed. The privately owned online news site posted a five- statue was restored when it was discovered by minute video on YouTube showing four people a French mission in Karnak more than 50 years breaking off and selling pieces of one of the ago, and it was this mission that used the Gîza Pyramids. Newspapers have also published cement in the restoration work, when the reports about the Amun-Re statue at the material was not prohibited. The same thing is Karnak Temple in Luxor and the columns of true of the columns of the Kom Ombo Temple. the Kom Ombo Temple, claiming that they have The case of the 157 ancient Egyptian been badly restored using cement, which is artefacts from Saqqâra occurred during the prohibited for use in restoration. They have tenure of former minister of antiquities also claimed that 157 artefacts have Muhammad Ibrâhîm, and the ministry at that disappeared from the Saqqâra archaeological time sent an official letter to the Public stores and that some of the artefacts were Prosecution stating that the archaeological replaced with replicas. committee formed to select artefacts from Al-Ahram Weekly met with al-Damâtî in his Saqqâra to transport them to the Grand office in Cairo to ask him for his views on the Egyptian Museum overlooking the Gîza Plateau allegations against the ministry. had been responsible for a number of irregularities. — Why, in your view, has a campaign against the Ministry of Antiquities been taking The ministry also sent a request to the place? prosecutor-general last October to give the ministry the green light to make a The campaign is not against the Ministry of comprehensive inventory of the Saqqâra Antiquities and Egypt’s heritage. On the storehouses, as well as undertake legal contrary, it is a systematic campaign against procedures, if required, but approval was not the country as a whole. The Ministry of given to the ministry, and the case remains in Antiquities is just the scapegoat. Several the hands of the Public Prosecution. The whole incorrect news stories about the country’s

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case is now under investigation and in the archaeological sites or museums, as has been hands of the prosecutor-general. rumoured.

The last unfounded claim was three weeks On the contrary, it will only manage the ago during the celebration of the equinox at touristic aspects of the archaeological sites in the Abu Simbel Temple. I was quoted as saying order to upgrade the level of services provided, that the equinox at the Abu Simbel Temple was which in turn will increase the ministry’s a “coincidence”. But this was the opposite of income. The company will be affiliated to the what I said. In fact, I said that the equinox was ministry. The establishment of such a company only connected to the Abu Simbel Temple and is not something new. The Sound and Light not to any other ancient Egyptian temples. If Company at the Gîza Plateau is another any similar phenomenon occurred at them, I example of a similar idea. said, then it was just a coincidence. — Why do archaeological exhibitions abroad — Why are these claims spreading now? not help in raising ministry funds?

I think it is because of the administrative The income of an exhibition is measured changes I recently made in some posts in the according to three elements: the kind of ministry’s echelons. Those who do not like artefacts, the number of travelling objects and these changes feed the media with unfounded the exhibition period. The Tutankhamun claims as if they were real news. Regretfully, collection, for example, has the highest revenue some officials have weak hearts. I am now of any exhibition materials. calling on all journalists and media Other elements are also involved. When professionals not to believe all the information there have not been any travelling exhibitions they get before checking it. for a long period, these have to be restarted My press office and I personally will by providing a very good exhibition with a respond to them if need be. Publishing decent collection at a suitable price, as well as incorrect information without being sure of its help in sending it abroad. After the revolution, credibility creates confusion and stirs up public the ministry exaggerated the fees it asked for opinion. Such publishing is not only an insult to travelling exhibitions, which was one reason why the ministry but it also harms Egypt’s other countries did not host them. reputation abroad. During that time not a single archaeological — Has the ministry succeeded in exhibition travelled abroad, and this was true overcoming its financial problems? until six months ago when the Sunken Treasures exhibition was inaugurated at the Regretfully, not yet. The ministry is still Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. suffering from a lack of finance, and the financial situation has got worse due to the When I was Egypt’s cultural attaché in decline of tourism in Egypt since the 2011 Germany, an exhibition was organised to Revolution. The ministry still borrows funds from celebrate 100 years of the discovery of the Ministry of Finance to pay employees’ Amarna, in which the famous Nefertiti bust salaries, at a cost of LE77 million a month. As would be the focal point. The German side for the projects it sponsors, the ministry asked Egypt to send some of its Amarna provides financing through the archaeological collection on loan for the exhibition period, but missions working in Egypt and grants and the ministry asked a very high price. loans. Because of this, the German side brought — How can such problems be solved? objects from the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum in They can be helped by the establishment of the United States and Hildesheim in Germany a holding company, which will be established in instead. The same thing happened with the the next two months. The company aims to Queen of Egypt exhibition in Japan. Today, help manage the services provided at there are two exhibitions abroad, one in Japan archaeological sites and museums across and one in Paris, but we also have more on Egypt, including shops, cafeterias and the agenda. restaurants. It also aims to establish a new production unit to make and sell replicas. The — What new projects does the ministry company will not by any means manage the have planned?

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There are several. Some of them are They have been sent, and the results are connected to the security measures taking positive thus far. We are now discussing the place now on Luxor’s west bank and at al-Dayr matter and studying the case in order to al-Baharî, using a soft loan given by the DIFFEX choose the most efficient and least invasive Company. These measures will see the method to probe within Tutankhamun’s burial installation of a new lighting and security chamber and see what lies behind it. system using infrared technology. The same — Will the ministry be taking measures to systems will be applied at the Gîza Plateau protect the Tell Dafna archaeological site in using funds from the Ministry of Tourism. Qantara East? The Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo is to be The ministry has made an agreement with officially re-inaugurated soon, and DIFFEX will the Defence Ministry to investigate the whole install an infrared security system. The Tell al- area and clear it of any bombs or booby traps. Amarna Visitor Centre in Minyâ will be The area was used in the 1967 and 1973 wars completed soon, and the Idfû Temple will be with Israel. reopened after the completion of work to reduce the subterranean water that damaged — What is the ministry’s policy regarding the temple’s walls. the return of illegally smuggled antiquities?

Within a week, the mediaeval al-Qasr village In 2014 and 2015 the ministry succeeded in in al-Dâkhla Oasis is to be officially recovering 723 artefacts that had been stolen inaugurated after restoration, as well as the al- and illegally smuggled out of the country Qusayr archaeological site on the Red Sea. The during the security vacuum in the aftermath of latter includes the Muhammad ‘Alî Citadel and the 25 January Revolution, when several the old police station. This project is being antiquities storehouses were subjected to theft carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of and illicit excavation was widespread at several Tourism, and the Red Sea Governorate financed sites. the project. In collaboration with the Tourism and Work has resumed at the Suhâg Museum, Antiquities Police, the ministry also succeeded and construction work at the Atun Museum in in seizing a collection of 511 stolen objects in Minyâ is to be resumed soon, according to the 2014 and 2015. (Nevine El-Aref, “The truth protocol signed between Minyâ in Upper Egypt about the ministry”, Al-Ahram Weekly, March 3, and Hildesheim in Germany. This museum will 2016). have its own very positive impact on friendship between Egypt and Germany. - - In the summer, the temporary exhibition hall at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) is to be opened as a soft opening of the museum. This hall is to display some of the museum’s permanent collection, and this will be changed every three months.

— Is there any news about the underwater museum planned in Alexandria’s eastern harbour?

Yes, work will start when the Sunken Treasures touring exhibition returns home. This exhibition is promoting the construction of the museum, and I hope that it will collect the required funds. The Seven Sacred Oils relief (Courtesy of the Ministry of — Have the Japanese experts sent the Antiquities) results of the examination of Tutankhamun’s Egypt’s embassy in Bern, Switzerland tomb as part of the search for Nefertiti’s burial received the ancient Egyptian Seven Sacred place? Oils relief within the framework of a bilateral agreement between Switzerland and Egypt

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prohibiting illegally importing and exporting Cairo, was founded in 1933 to celebrate the antiquities, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- International Railway Conference held in Cairo Damâtî announced Thursday. that year. It was the first of its kind in the Middle East and the second national railway Sha‘bân ‘Abd al-Gawwâd, supervisor of the museum after the British Railway Museum. The Repatriation Antiquities Section, told Ahram Egyptian railway system, which started in 1854, Online that the relief is dated to the Old is one of the oldest in the world. Kingdom and is carved in limestone. The relief was originally unearthed in 1996 in King ’s The museum is a two-storey building royal tomb at the Saqqâra necropolis by an displaying more than 700 kinds of train models Australian-Egyptian excavation mission. It in addition to a collection of statistical includes a list of the sacred oils used in documents and maps that demonstrate the ancient Egypt including those used by the development of transportation in Egypt over the under-taker Anomeen. ‘Abd al-Gawwâd said that decades. During the official opening, al-Giyûshî the relief was bought by a Swiss collector announced that all museum visitors could enter named Jean Claude CANDOUR from a Belgian free for seven days, and that discounts would antiquities trader. be offered to students and researchers all year long. However, when CANDOUR discovered that the relief was stolen and illegally smuggled out of The museum consists of five sections Egypt in the aftermath of January 2011 covering the history of railways. The first revolution, he informed Swiss police, who took section is transportation before steam engines, steps to return the relief to its homeland. including means of transport in ancient Egypt. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egyptian ‘Seven Sacred Oils’ The section features Model boats and horse- relief recovered from Switzerland”, Ahram drawn chariots and wagons that pharaohs used Online, March 3, 2016. Voir également Ahmad in everyday life and in wars. Mansûr, « La Suisse restitue à l’Égypte la tablette des sept huiles sacrées », al-Yawm al- The second section is dedicated to the Sâbi‘, 3 mars ; « Prochainement, restitution de development of rail wagons to modern trains. A la tablette des sept huiles sacrées », al-Wafd, bridges section contains models of all railway 4 mars). bridges in Egypt, and features paintings and pictures depicting the bridges and their design. - - The airplane section gives a brief history of the development of airplanes from the Wright brothers till today. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s Railway Museum inaugurated after major renovation”, Ahram Online, March 3, 2016). - -

The Ministry of Antiquities is preparing the required files to have four archaeological sites in Alexandria and Sinai added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The sites, said Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî, are the Old City

The second floor of the museum (courtesy of Husayn al-Shabouri) of Alexandria, the Ptolemaic Temples in Alexandria, and al-Gundî and Salâh al-Dîn The renovated Egyptian Railway Museum fortresses on Pharaoh Island in Sinai. was inaugurated on Tuesday after the completion of a modernisation project at the “Placing these archaeological sites on cost of EGP 10 million. The event was attended UNESCO’s World Heritage List is a very by a number of ministers and government important step based on the ministry’s officials, including Minister of Transportation keenness on registering the largest number of Sa‘îd al-Giyûshî, Cairo Governor Galâl al-Sa‘îd, Egypt’s archaeological sites possible on the list and Minister of Tourism Hishâm Za‘zû‘. in order to secure the level of maximum protection which matches their importance and The Railway Museum, which is located in uniqueness,” al-Damâtî told Ahram Online. the Ramses Square Railway station in downtown

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He explained that the sites that would be commencé à fouiller », explique Yûsuf. Il ajoute registered for the Old City of Alexandria être presque certain que cette tombe a été include Kom al-Shuqâfa, Kom al-Dikka, the fouillée illégalement après 2011. « Mais les Pompey Pillar and the underwater antiquities in cambrioleurs n’ont pas pu aller plus loin ». both the eastern harbour and Abû Qîr. A Une chaussée montante en brique crue a collection of Islamic monuments, among them conduit la mission à ce tombeau sculpté dans the cistern of Ibn al-Nabîh and the old la roche. « Cette tombe trouvée au sud de la Alexandria towers, would also be on the pyramide du roi Sésostris Ier appartient à un documentation list. haut fonctionnaire de la cour royale de la XIIe Ahmad ‘Ubayd, co-ordinator for international dynastie », souligne Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, chef du organisations in the ministry, told Ahram Online département des monuments égyptiens au that the ministry’s permanent committee is to ministère des Antiquités. Une fois la tombe meet soon in order to discuss and review the découverte, les fouilleurs ont réussi à détecter documentation files of the sites before sending immédiatement son propriétaire. De nombreux them to UNESCO. titres apparaissent sur les murs. « Le commandant d’armée », « le général », « le He added that the ministry is now porteur des sceaux royaux » sont les titres organising a number of workshops to train d’Intef, propriétaire de ce tombeau. « On a pu archaeologists and curators on preparing découvrir la fausse porte de la tombe, documentation files for other archaeological également la porte d’entrée et une dizaine de sites. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt prepares for poteries et de jars. De même, des scènes addition of 4 archaeological sites on UNESCO colorées décorent toutes les parois intérieures Heritage List”, Ahram Online, March 3, 2016. de la tombe », déclare le directeur égyptien de Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le CSA : la mission. L’inscription de l’Alexandrie antique sur la liste Les plus belles scènes de la tombe sont du patrimoine attire le tourisme », al-Yawm al- celles montrant Intef chassant un bœuf, une Sâbi‘, 6 mars). autre le présente assis devant la table des - - offrandes, une troisième montre ses cinq fils, ainsi que leurs noms et titres. « L’aîné portait les mêmes habits que son père et la même Mercredi 9 mars 2016 perruque puisqu’il est son héritier », dit Yûsuf. Les explorations dans cette zone ont commencé en 2011 quand PARCAK est venue explorer le terrain et examiner de près le résultat des images satellites. Son but essentiel était de préserver ces sites des fouilles illicites. Cette mission a alors été chargée par le ministère des Antiquités de mener des fouilles de sauvetage. « Son travail initial était basé sur la documentation et la préservation, par des moyens sophistiqués liés aux satellites, des Une mission archéologique égypto- sites qui ont été volés après la révolution du américaine opérant sur le site archéologique 25 janvier 2011 », déclare Mamdûh al-Damâtî, d’al-Lisht près de Dahshûr (Gîza) a mis au jour ministre des Antiquités. À noter que une tombe remontant au Moyen Empire, au l’archéologue américaine Sarah PARCAK est cours des travaux de documentations et de spécialisée dans le travail de détection des fouilles de sauvetage. C’est lorsque pillages sur les sites antiques grâce à un l’archéologue Muhammad Yûsuf, directeur de la traitement particulier des images satellites. mission, ainsi que Sara PARCAK, de l’Université d’Alabama, ont trouvé quelques rochers « Ces quatre dernières années étaient dispersés devant un fossé, qu’ils ont flairé le horribles pour l’archéologie égyptienne », a-t- potentiel. « Les pièces trouvées étaient elle estimé lors d’une conférence de presse différentes de toutes celles qui étaient dans le tenue à Vancouver, en février dernier. « En sable. Elles portaient des inscriptions avec des comparant les sites en 2011 avec des images couleurs presque effacées. Alors on a capturées en 2009, j’ai constaté des

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différences, j’ai trouvé des taches noires sur Egyptian era, but the majority belong to the quelques sites, surtout dans la nécropole du New Kingdom. Moyen Empire à al-Lisht-nord », raconte-t-elle, The most important pieces are the red espérant que cette nouvelle technologie sera granite colossus of king Amenhotep III with the d’une aide importante pour les archéologues god Horus that weighs four tonnes. The statue du monde entier. « Pour les sites énormes que is planned to be put on display on the GEM’s possède l’Égypte, c’est une méthode qui permet grand staircase. Also among the transported d’être plus sélectif dans le travail, on peut ainsi objects are a collection of clay pots and pans savoir où commencer les fouilles. C’est un outil as well as a collection of painted sarcophagi. important qui nous permet de nous concentrer sur un lieu donné », assure-t-elle. ‘Isa Zaydân, the general director of restoration at the GEM, told Ahram Online that En attendant la révélation d’autres secrets, preliminary restoration work has been les travaux de documentations reprendront en performed on some objects in situ in order to mai prochain. (Nasma Réda, « al-Lisht promet guarantee their safe transportation from Luxor. d’autres découvertes », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 9 The packing was carried out in accordance mars 2016). with the latest technology.

- - Zaydân said that the antiquities were transported in special trucks equipped with electronic devices that control of the level of humidity and heat around the objects as well as prevent any movement during transportation. (Nevine El-Aref, “778 Ancient Egyptian artefacts from Luxor to bolster Grand Museum in Gîza”, Ahram Online, March 9, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le GEM reçoit demain 778 pièces antiques en provenance de Louqsor », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 mars ; Muhammad ‘Abd al- Mu‘tî, « Le GEM accueille aujourd’hui 778

pièces archéologiques », al-Ahrâm, 10 mars). The Amenhotep III statue during transportation (courtesy of the ministry of antiquities) - - A batch of 778 artefacts will arrive at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Gîza Plateau on Thursday from Luxor to bolster the museum. The GEM is home to a permanent collection of antiquities that were carefully selected from different sites and museums around Egypt.

GEM general supervisor Târiq Tawfîq told Ahram Online that the objects to be delivered to the museum were previously stored in ‘Alî Hasan and Abû al-Gûd’s archaeological galleries in Luxor, as well as in archaeological storehouses in Isnâ. Tawfîq explained that the Toute personne qui passe sur la corniche objects would be restored upon arrival to de à Alexandrie remarque la villa prepare them for permanent exhibition in the Sepahi, une merveille architecturale de style GEM by the time of its soft opening planned marocain construite dans les années 1940 du for 2018. siècle dernier par l’ingénieur égyptien ‘Alî Thâbit. Ce monument, l’un des chefs-d’œuvre The artefacts were carefully protected and de l’architecture alexandrine, et qui figure sur secured by the Tourism and Antiquities Police la liste des bâtiments à caractère historique du during transfer. Tawfîq added that the objects gouvernorat, est aujourd’hui menacé de are dated to different dynasties of the ancient destruction en raison de la négligence de ses propriétaires.

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« L’importance de la villa Sepahi réside non autres villes d’Égypte. Elle se distingue par ses seulement dans le fait qu’elle est la seule villa merveilleux bâtiments, datant du siècle dernier, d’Alexandrie construite dans le style marocain qui ont une valeur architecturale exceptionnelle. par un architecte égyptien de la génération des Ces monuments racontent le passé glorieux de pionniers, mais aussi par le fait qu’elle occupe la ville et témoignent de sa beauté. une position charmante au centre de la ville (…) « Ces constructions sont un héritage d’Alexandrie. Ses élégants murs et ses portes qui doit être conservé en raison de leur valeur en bois incrustées donnent sur les vagues de architecturale, historique et culturelle. L’État la plage Stanley, l’une des plus belles et des doit les préserver quel que soit le coût », plus célèbres d’Alexandrie, et qui a vu le assure Muhammad ‘Awad, directeur du Centre tournage de nombreux films égyptiens », de conservation du patrimoine d’Alexandrie. Le explique Ahmad ‘Abd al-Fattâh, archéologue et problème est que ce patrimoine est en train de spécialiste du patrimoine alexandrin. disparaître. D’innombrables bâtiments ayant une Ce bâtiment, abandonné par ses valeur architecturale ont ainsi été démolis. « En propriétaires, depuis longtemps sans entretien, l’espace de 4 ans, pas moins de 40 bâtiments est en proie à l’érosion et aux fortes pluies de ont été démolis dont la villa Aghion et la villa l’hiver. Ses propriétaires ont tenté de combler Cicurel, après avoir été retirées de la liste du les fenêtres avec des briques et des panneaux patrimoine, qui renferme 1 132 bâtiments sur en bois, et ont rehaussé l’enceinte qui entoure décision de la cour administrative », ajoute la villa. Certaines mauvaises langues affirment ‘Awad. Et des dizaines d’autres bâtiments cependant que les propriétaires cherchent pourraient subir le même sort. délibérément à dégrader la villa, afin de la La loi 44 de l’année 2006 est censée démolir. De nombreux bâtiments faisant partie protéger les bâtiments ayant une valeur du patrimoine de la ville ont connu un tel historique ou architecturale. Mais certains scénario. propriétaires exploitent les failles de la loi pour C’est dans les années 1940 du siècle vendre ces propriétés à des entreprises dernier que la famille d’origine syrienne, Sepahi immobilières qui les démolissent et construisent pacha, fondateur de l’industrie du textile en à leur place des immeubles. « La loi donne Égypte et propriétaire de la première usine de aux propriétaires le droit d’engager un recours textile, qui existe encore de nos jours dans le devant la justice pour demander le retrait d’un quartier d’al-Siyûf, a choisi la célèbre corniche bâtiment de la liste du patrimoine. Le problème de Stanley, qui regroupait un grand nombre de est que, très souvent, aucun représentant de palais, pour bâtir sa belle villa. Celle-ci l’État ne se présente devant le tribunal, et la demeure aujourd’hui encore l’une des curiosités cour tranche rapidement en faveur du de la corniche d’Alexandrie. La villa, composée plaignant », affirme ‘Awad. « Il faut modifier les de quatre étages, s’étend sur une superficie de lois et interdire formellement la construction 3 000 m2. Sa construction a coûté 50 000 L.E., sur les emplacements de bâtiments historiques une grande somme à cette époque. La villa qui ont été démolis », conclut ‘Awad. (Samar était dotée de décorations florales et animales Zarée, « Sepahi attend d’être sauvée », Al- de couleurs vives, qui caractérisent Ahram Hebdo du 9 mars 2016). l’architecture marocaine. Le nom « Sepahi » est inscrit sur l’un de ses murs. - - La villa Sepahi est aujourd’hui en très mauvais état. Il faut que les responsables Jeudi 10 mars 2016 agissent très rapidement pour la sauver et éviter qu’elle subisse le même sort que I always laugh when I hear people who have beaucoup d’autres villas d’Alexandrie. « Au lieu no academic credentials announce a false de construire de nouveaux bâtiments opinion on major issues concerning ancient administratifs qui coûtent des milliards de objects or monuments. For example, a person livres, le gouvernement ferait mieux de louer who shall remain nameless has recently written ces édifices afin d’indemniser les propriétaires, that the mask of Tutankhamun is a fake. ce qui pourrait limiter ces destructions », souligne ‘Abd al-Fattâh. Il ajoute qu’Alexandrie, Can you believe this? This person does not perle de la Méditerranée, n’est pas comme les seem to know that there is a multitude of

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great foreign and Egyptian archaeologists who Gîza. There is a shaft and burial chamber can confirm its authenticity. However, this without a superstructure at the same site, and person still talks about this issue. He has also Egyptologists have speculated that this belongs made the statement that the Sphinx is to Kha-ba. The last king that we know of from “drowning” in water. this dynasty is . He has nothing to do with the Maydûm Pyramid that for many years was When I read this I thought it could be true attributed to him, and some believe that his as it was published in a respected newspaper. I pyramid has yet to be found. went early in the morning to the Sphinx to check, but found that what the writer had said The newspaper said that the tomb found in was untrue and that the monument was safe. Qwisnâ was built of mud brick, and inside it there was a brick seal with the name of Kha- Another individual who has a secondary- ba on it. However, no Third Dynasty king would school qualification in agriculture was given the have built his tomb of mud brick, and finding title of doctor by a newspaper and published the name of a king in a tomb does not an article in it claiming that the Step Pyramid indicate that it belonged to that king. is in danger of collapsing. The foreign press then published this because they thought that There are tombs of First Dynasty officials at this unqualified person was a scholar, and as a Saqqâra, and in them there are the names of result the story was disseminated all over the this dynasty’s kings, even though these were in world. I don’t know what has happened to our fact buried at Umm al-Qi‘âb in Abydos. There press, since the reporter who published the is no reason why Kha-ba would have been the story never asked respected scholars about the only such king to build his tomb in the Delta. truth. We need more explanation from the expedition.

Recently, details of two important issues The second issue referred to in the were published in the same paper. The first newspaper concerns the announcement of the concerns the discovery of the tomb of King return of 123 objects from the US to Egypt. Kha-ba at the site of Qwisnâ in the Delta. The The paper said that these left Egypt in 2014 only information available to me was an and the ministry, after great efforts, had been announcement by the Ministry of Antiquities able to arrange their return. I will explain the published in the newspaper. I don’t know if correct story in a later column. (Zâhî Hawwâs, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî read “The curse on antiquities”, Al-Ahram Weekly, the report of the English expedition that made March 10, 2016). the announcement. Kha-ba was one of the kings of the Third - - Dynasty, and we know from the Egyptian It has become commonplace to read or historian that there were eight kings in hear news of tomb robberies and museum this dynasty. King Djoser, of the same dynasty, thefts in Egypt. Recently, the Ministry of built the Step Pyramid at Saqqâra, which was Antiquities announced that the loss of dozens designed by the great architect Imhotep, the of artefacts from one of Saqqâra’s many first person to work in limestone rather than storerooms had been discovered during an mud brick. He was the first architect ever to inventory. work with stone pillars and ceilings. The reaction to the theft by those in charge Djoser was followed by King Sekhem-khet, at the Ministry of Antiquities was a carbon who built an unfinished step pyramid at copy of their reaction to many other incidents Saqqâra. Inside its burial chamber, a sealed reported to the police. The many questions sarcophagus was found. The discoverer of the about how and why such incidents keep pyramid, Zakariyyâ Ghunaym, invited then- happening are still without answers. President Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir to attend the opening of the sarcophagus, but when it was When the mask of Tutankhamun was badly opened to everyone’s surprise it was found to restored, the ministry did not research what be empty. had gone wrong. Instead, it called a press conference and sent the case to the There is evidence of two other Third prosecution authorities, with the result that now Dynasty kings. Neb-ka built the Layer Pyramid some curators and restorers are being taken to at Zâwiyat al-‘Iryân, located between Abûsîr and

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court as if the solution to such problems is In other words, we cannot protect our simply a matter of applying security measures. antiquities because we do not know exactly what we have. If we are still not in a position What is lacking is a proper study of the to control the country’s sites and museums, problems faced by antiquities in Egypt, such together with their collections, thefts, robberies that we can come up with real and applicable and smuggling are to be expected. One of two solutions to protect our heritage. Over the last paths could be adopted. 20 years of my work in the field of Egyptian archaeology, I have failed to find even one The first is to continue with security case study carried out in Egypt that addresses solutions, including the new antiquities law and this subject. new security installations involving more security cameras and more police. The country It falls beyond the scope of this article to can also finish its present mega-museum blame individuals or condemn an institution for projects, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the the bleeding of our archaeological heritage. joint project with UNESCO, the National However, the fact that protecting Egypt’s past Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC). is the duty of the whole country and of everyone should be stressed. It might be useful However, a second path would be to if we could clarify the unfortunate situation of establish an Egyptian antiquities database, Egypt’s antiquities, together with the risks that which is what I propose in this article and threaten them. which deserves to be discussed. The aim is not only to say to the outside world that we know In doing so, we would also be able to have our responsibilities regarding our heritage or a better idea of the true number of even to build the trust of the Egyptian people, archaeological sites, which at present is who are directly involved in protecting our unknown, the number of in situ monuments archaeological heritage. It is also to enhance (ancient Egyptian, Graeco-Roman, Coptic, Jewish and develop new methods for managing Egypt’s and Islamic), and the number of mobile antiquities in a system that would record all artefacts either stored in site or in museum the country’s artefacts and make it impossible storage rooms. The number of both site and for them to be forgotten or stolen. museum registers is also unknown. Before we go into the benefits of such a It should be borne in mind that neither our database, a definition is needed. One can well sites nor our museums follow one system for imagine the results of one reliable account that documentation and registering artefacts. For contains full information on every object, tomb, example, it is common to find 10 or more temple, museum and site in Egypt, and that objects bearing the same registration number connects all the sites and museums in the because they are registered in different country to a central database containing full registers. What would happen if a register was documentation on them. lost? The answer is that the artefacts registered in it would turn into unregistered The creation of such a system would mean objects, making it easy for them to be stolen the establishment of a systematic register and and smuggled abroad. tracking number for every mobile object in every storeroom and museum in the country. Now we come to the risks that threaten At the same time, all previous numbers given Egypt’s archaeological heritage. These can be to the objects would be kept in the records so summarised in one sentence: Egypt does not at that the provenance of the objects could be present have a proper archaeological risk map. recorded. Contrast this to what happens now, This is an exact account of the above- which is that when an object leaves one mentioned information, in addition to the storeroom for another or even one museum for definition and the nature of the risks another, it is given a new number and its old threatening the heritage. Needless to say, number is deleted along with the recorded Egypt’s archaeological heritage is facing a provenance of the artefact. number of human and natural risks, such as illegal digging, theft, rising water levels, Some people may consider the proposed unplanned urban growth, unplanned tourism, solution to be simply a dream, but it is one earthquakes, climate change, and so on. that has certain urgency. We could wait another 100 years and still not have a reliable

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system to protect our monuments. What we Who should establish the antiquities need to do is to save our antiquities from database? The answer of course is the Ministry neglect and to document and publish of Antiquities, which must be the owner of the information about them. project. However, mistakes that have occurred in the past should not be repeated, among Setting up an antiquities database would them what happened with the building of the allow for better museum and site management, Antiquities Documentation Centre in Zamâlik in since it would mean that records were fixed Cairo in 1955-1956. and necessary information was easily available. Millions of pounds could be saved on The centre was built in order to document antiquities projects. Establishing an exact and the country’s antiquities. However, the centre’s well-documented account of our archaeological activities have not always been well sites would enable us to plan tourism and coordinated, and there is a need for research other activities better and give the world a to find out exactly what it has done since its better taste of the country’s long history. establishment. An active partner is needed.

This is necessary because interest in The only scientific institution in the country cultural tourism is decreasing. People are fed that has the resources for a project like a up with looking at the same sites from the national antiquities database is the Bibliotheca same angles in almost all the advertisements Alexandrina in Alexandria. As director of the used to sell tours to Egypt. These simply Library’s Antiquities Museum, I have seen young reproduce images of the Pyramids at Gîza, the people from the museum and the Library’s Sphinx, the Grand Hall of the Karnak Temple, Information and Communication Sector, or the Sphinxes Avenue of the Luxor Temple. encouraged by Ismâ‘îl Sirâg al-Dîn, the director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, work on an Egypt is not reducible to only these sites. ambitious project to build Egypt’s first virtual There are many other sites that take your museum application. breath away, but few people visit because they are the sites are badly documented, poorly The results show that the required preserved and are badly managed to receive technology can be properly managed and the tourists. data well protected, and these things augur When Egypt decides to organise an well for the proposed national database. exhibition abroad, a team of people will usually However, further resources will be needed to go to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square to carry out the database project. These could be choose objects from the museum collection or fully covered by donors if we can prepare a sometimes from its storage rooms. As a result, comprehensive proposal. Solutions are not Egyptian exhibitions outside Egypt do not impossible, and dreams can lead to change. reflect the real amount of treasures that the (Târiq al-‘Awadî, “An archaeological database”, country is burying in dust and darkness. Al-Ahram Weekly, March 10, 2016).

The establishment of a proper database will remedy this situation, since it will allow us to - - identify different objects and to send them abroad. This will mean increasing the range Samedi 12 mars 2016 and conceptualisation of the exhibitions we send abroad and, in turn, will mean increasing amounts of hard currency flowing into the country and more opportunities for Egyptian archaeologists and restorers to travel abroad. The objects sent will also be properly restored and conserved.

Let us not forget the free publicity Egypt gains from sending exhibitions abroad, which in turn increases the number of tourists visiting the country.

The crocodile god Sobek (Courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities)

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During an excavation mission carried out at Tal‘at Muharram, the director-general of the the Graeco-Roman cemetery in Tell al-Tablala restoration department at the North Cairo archaeological site in Daqahliyya governorate, a Archaeological Inspectorate, told Ahram Online collection of statuettes of ancient Egyptian that although it was subjected to theft, the gods has been unearthed. They are carved in pulpit is still in good condition, in comparison mud-brick and among them the crocodile god with other pulpits which were removed by Sobek. A collection of Graeco-Roman bronze, looters such as the one from the al-Tanbaghâ faience and ivory jewelleries has been also al-Mardânî Mosque, as well as the mosques of unearthed, along with clay pots and pans and Qâytbây and Ghânim al-Bahlawân. Alabaster amulets. The newly discovered objects He explained that before starting the actual have been stored in Daqahliyya’s archaeological restoration work, restorers drew diagrams of all galleries for restoration. the pieces of the pulpit, in an attempt to correctly reassemble it. Missing wooden parts Last year, the Egyptian mission at Tell al- have been replaced with new ones, while faulty Tablala discovered a mud-brick mastaba tomb restoration work carried out on the pulpit in consisting of a number of burial shafts. In one 2007 has been adjusted. of the shafts, archaeologists uncovered a limestone anthropoid sarcophagus of a lady Muharram said the restoration had taken a called Werty, along with a large collection of long time not only because it was a very 180 figurines carved in wood and complex restoration work but also due to lack limestone. (Nevine El-Aref, “Statuettes of ancient of funds. The antiquities ministry says it is Egyptian gods unearthed in Delta”, Ahram suffering from a lack of funds due to a drop in Online, March 12, 2016. Voir également Ahmad tourism in Egypt in recent years. Within two Mansûr, « Nouvelles découvertes archéologiques months the pulpit restoration will be completed à al-Daqahliyya », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 mars ; and the whole mosque will be officially re- Nasma Réda, « Un site qui ne cesse de inaugurated, Muharram said, saying 90 per cent surprendre », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 30 mars). of the work was done.

- - The mosque complex consists of a mosque, a madrasa and a mausoleum. The mosque was built by the Mamluk Sultan al-Mu’ayyid Sayf al- Dîn Shaykh in 1421, replacing a prison that al- Mu’ayyid himself had been imprisoned in by the previous ruler. (Nevine El-Aref, “Pulpit restoration at medieval Mosque of Sultan al- Mu’ayyid nearly complete”, Ahram Online, March 12, 2016). - -

al-Mu’ayyid Shaykh mosque

Next to Bâb Zuwayla in the district of Mardi 15 mars 2016 Historic Cairo stands sultan al-Mu’ayyid Shaykh Mosque, built in distinguished Mamluk A European excavation team working on the architectural style in 1421. The pulpit of the funerary temple of King Amenhotep III mosque was unfortunately stolen in 2011, in discovered a set of statues depicting the the insecure atmosphere that followed that lioness goddess of war Sekhmet and a partial year’s revolution, but local residents managed statue of King Amenhotep III. to catch the thief red-handed and the pulpit Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî was recovered. told Ahram Online that the newly discovered In 2012, the antiquities ministry started a statues are to be put on display within two comprehensive restoration of the pulpit, a months at their original location in the temple wooden structure embellished with ivory after the completion of a wall now under geometrical and foliage decorative elements. construction around the structure.

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put on display at the museum soft opening in 2018 for the show.

The GEM restorers are currently working on two very distinguished organic artefacts: a papyrus of the Late Period queen Hent Taw Set Hathor and king Tutankhamun’s hunt arrows collection, GEM officials say.

Husayn Kamâl, head of the technical affairs at the GEM restoration centre, told Ahram Online that the papyrus includes seven parts of hieroglyphic written in black and red ink. But, regretfully, Kamâl revealed, that the papyrus is Statue of goddess Sekhmet Torso of goddess Sekhmet in a bad shape. Previous inadequate restoration sitting on the throne work, Kamâl explains, is to blame for the Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, head of the ancient Egyptian deterioration in the condition of the papyrus; antiquities department, explains that three of this was compounded by wear-and-tear the statues are complete figures depicting the resulting from repeated movement between goddess Sekhmet sitting on a throne and various museums. holding in her right hand the ankh symbol of life. Another of the statues depicts Sekhmet The papyrus was originally located in the standing and holding the papyri slogan in her Bûlâq museum, and then transferred to the left hand, with a fifth statue depicting a Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr before finally standing King Amenhotep III wearing the official reaching the GEM. Kamâl added that restorers suit of his jubilee. have used a state-of–the-art techniques to conserve the papyrus: supporting it on a specific Japanese paper called Chio, which acts SOUROUZIAN pointed out that during the last excavation season the mission unearthed a as a very good holder of the papyrus instead collection artefact of the goddess Sekhmet of the old fashion method which used glass wearing the triode wig and a long tide dress. planks. (Nevine El-Aref, “Statues discovered in “This is not the only papyrus in restoration; Amenhotep III temple on Luxor’s west bank”, 60 per cent of the lab collection includes Ahram Online, March 15, 2016. Voir également papyri written in coloured inks and belonging Rîhâm al-Tuhâmî, « Mise au jour de 8 statues to different ages,” kamâl said. These papyri de la déesse Sekhmet », al-Badîl, 22 mars ; would be documented and registered before Doaa Elhami, « Sekhmet au centre de restoration in order to determine areas that l’attention », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 30 mars). require sensitive handling and the best restoration techniques to be used. - -

A collection of papyri under restoration Tutankhamun’s arrows collection

Work at the restoration laboratory for The hunting arrows, which belonged to the organic artefacts at the Grand Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun, are a unique object Museum (GEM) at the Gîza Plateau is in full because it is the only complete arrows swing to prepare all the objects that would be collection ever found from the ancient Egyptian

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era. The collection includes different styles of ministry, pointed out that the graffiti found arrows’ heads, which are made of glass, wood, depicts engravings of wild animals, cattle, ivory and bronze. Kamâl explains that the gazelles, birds and ostriches. Sacred religious arrows collection was restored for the first time rituals are also engraved at the site. These upon its discovery in 1922. Today’s efforts are rituals reveal the early religious practices that the second such attempt. were undertaken to facilitate the hunting of wild animals. The artefacts have been cleaned, the The noblemen cemetery includes of a Paraffin wax used in the first restoration collection of rock-hewn tombs carved into the attempt was removed in order to allow for the western mountain of Aswân. They date back to use of organic materials to rehabilitate the the 23rd century BC and are filled with the items. Kamâl estimates that restoration works rock-hewn tombs of princes from the Old on these two collections could last until the Kingdom to the Roman period. All the tombs end of March. (Nevine El-Aref, “Late Period are decorated with vivid murals scenes of daily papyrus and Tutankhamun’s arrows restored for life, hieroglyphic texts and different titles of the GEM”, Ahram Online, March 15, 2016). deceased as well as their trips to Africa.

- - The most distinguished tombs are those that belong to the 12th dynasty nobles Mercredi 16 mars 2016 Sarenput I and II, Pepynakht, Sibni, Mekhu and Qubbat al-Hawâ. (Nevine El-Aref, “Holy predynastic graffiti uncovered in Aswân”, Ahram Online, March 16, 2016. Voir également « Découverte de reliefs prédynastiques dans les tombes des nobles à Aswân », al-Bashâyyir, 16 mars ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie découvre des inscriptions rupestres prédynastiques à Aswân », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 mars ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Mise au jour d’inscriptions prédynastiques à Aswân », al-Ahrâm, 17 mars).

- - Holy graffiti discovered La Rencontre égypto-européenne sur la A German excavation mission from Bonn protection et la lutte contre le trafic illicite des University discovered 15 separate prehistoric biens culturels a regroupé lors de sa deuxième graffiti texts during their excavation work in the édition, les 8 et 9 mars, des responsables du Noblemen cemetery in Aswân. “It’s a very ministère des Antiquités, des archéologues des important discovery because it is an indication missions étrangères et des services de police that this area was a human settlement since spécialisés en Égypte et en Europe. Elle vise en the predynastic era,” Antiquities Minister premier à présenter les nouvelles méthodes de Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online, adding travail et les échanges d’informations entre les that he considers the newly discovered graffiti experts égyptiens et européens, afin de pouvoir to be “the oldest engraving ever found in such arrêter toute destruction du patrimoine culturel, area until now.” surtout à l’issue des multiples violations et al-Damâtî went on to say that the graffiti pillages des sites archéologiques antiques et du also reveals that the area where it was found patrimoine islamique de l’Égypte. was a holy place, which urged the predynastic « La lutte efficace contre le pillage people living there to engrave sacred graffiti on commence par renforcer la coopération its stone rocks. “More graffiti is to be found, internationale entre les différents services for sure, after further exploration works,” al- chargés des enquêtes », a souligné Damâtî explained. l’ambassadeur de France, André PARANT, lors de Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, the head of the Ancient son discours. De même, la poursuite, non Egyptian Antiquities section in the antiquities seulement des pilleurs des sites mais aussi des

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contrebandiers, est indispensable. « On doit son département pour sécuriser les antiquités arrêter ce trafic illicite à la racine », explique sous-marines, insistant sur l’importance le général Ahmad ‘Abd al-Zâhir, directeur de la d’enregistrer les antiquités périodiquement. Police du Tourisme et des Antiquités. Il ajoute « La documentation numérique des que ces trafiquants créent de faux papiers et collections égyptiennes » était le thème de de fausses histoires dans des pays de l’allocution de Yâsmîn al-Shâzlî, assistante du transition avant même de les vendre en ministre des Antiquités pour les musées, Europe. « En outre, ils mélangent des répliques soulignant que la documentation est devenue à de vraies pièces antiques en recherchant les indispensable pour prouver la propriété de ces gains financiers », dit-il. biens. « Jusqu’en 2015 on a pu documenter et « L’Égypte a vécu de nombreux cas de vol. enregistrer 1 065 artefacts au Musée égyptien On a vu des pertes ainsi que des succès de du Caire », explique-t-elle. « Lors de l’attaque restitution des pièces durant les dernières du musée en 2011, cette base de données années », souligne ‘Alî Ahmad, ex-directeur nous avait beaucoup servi pour trouver les général du département de récupération des pièces qui avaient été volées », se souvient- antiquités. Il a donné lors de son allocution de elle. multiples exemples de cas de restitution, dont En fait, l’enregistrement des biens culturels le plus célèbre était celui de la tablette en ne se limite pas aux pièces qui se trouvent albâtre des sept huiles sacrées datant de la Ve dans les musées. Il touche aussi les chantiers, dynastie av. J.-C. volée des entrepôts de l’intérieur des tombes et des temples, ainsi que Saqqâra. Cette pièce antique a été remise par les entrepôts où la documentation n’est pas une collectionneuse suisse, le 7 mars, à parfaite. l’ambassade d’Égypte à Berne. « L’Égypte possède toujours hors de ses frontières des Une opinion partagée par Ludovic EHRHAT, milliers d’autres pièces. Il faut savoir que la chef de l’Office central de la lutte contre le voie n’est pas toujours facile (pour les trafic des biens culturels en France : « Plus le récupérer) », indique-t-il, accusant la présence bien est connu, photographié et publié, moins il de plusieurs lacunes dans les articles des risque d’être volé ». Ajoutant qu’Interpol a conventions internationales. dernièrement modernisé sa base de données, et qu’il est temps que tous les pays en Lors de la rencontre, les participants ont profitent. « En tant que policier je réclame que signalé que les pillages se sont aggravés (les trafiquants) doivent être emprisonnés, car depuis le déclenchement de la révolution en l’argent gagné par ce trafic est utilisé dans des 2011. « Les images satellites offertes par notre actes terroristes qu’affrontent actuellement partenaire Sara PARCAK ont montré la présence l’Égypte et la France », donnant l’exemple des de fouilles illicites dans différentes régions. À deux gardiens décédés fin février dernier à l’arrivée des archéologues sur un chantier, ils Dayr al-Barshâ, en Égypte. Cet incident a le trouvent soit détruit soit fortement pillé », a déclenché, lors de la conférence, une série déclaré ‘Alî Ahmad. d’exemples de violation sur les sites Un autre problème débattu, celui des archéologiques. méthodes de sortie des pièces antiques aux L’idée de cette rencontre a surgi en 2014 frontières égyptiennes, surtout via les ports suite à l’exposition au Musée de Budapest en maritimes, comme celui de Nuwayba‘ ou de 2013 de deux épitaphes qui avaient été volées Damiette. « Vers la fin de 2015, plus de 300 à Tabat al-Gaysh, à Saqqâra (procès en cours), pièces antiques ont été saisies dans un camion et « Les menaces sur le patrimoine de Dayr plein de charbon avant de quitter le territoire al-Barshâ » a été l’axe des discussions en égyptien à destination de la Jordanie ». Cette 2016. Le Belge Harco WILLEMS, du Katholieke dernière n’est qu’un pays transitoire, car les Universiteit Leuven, opérant sur le site en mafias de ce genre de commerce visent les Haute-Égypte, a souligné sa tristesse à la suite pays du Golfe ou l’Europe. « On ne réussit à de la mort des gardiens « courageux ». Il arrêter que 10 % des pièces avant leur recommande alors à la police égyptienne de franchissement des frontières », renchérit mieux former les gardiens et de mieux les Muhammad Mustafa, directeur du département armer. des antiquités sous-marines d’Alexandrie, qui a souligné la grande difficulté qu’il affronte dans

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La détérioration du Caire islamique est un necropolis, in an area south of a still autre exemple de violation. « Lorsqu’on observe unidentified non-royal mastaba tomb identified la rue al-Darb al-Ahmar de haut, on ne voit ni as AS54. les minarets ni les coupoles d’autrefois. Ils sont Miroslav BÁRTA, the leader of the mission, noyés dans une forêt de constructions de told Al-Ahram Weekly that this unexpected grande banalité défigurant la cité qui fut, un discovery once again highlights the importance jour, historique », se plaint Galila Al-Qadi, of this Old Kingdom official cemetery. He said directrice du département d’architecture de that the excavation work that led to this l’Université française d’Égypte. important discovery started in 2009 on Au cours des cinq heures, les mastaba tomb AS54 and had been followed by recommandations se sont multipliées. La several seasons of excavations. coopération et les accords bilatéraux entre les The tomb’s exceptional size (52.60 metres différents pays dans le domaine de la by 23.80 metres), orientation, architectural protection du patrimoine et de la lutte contre details, as well as the name of the Third le trafic illicite des biens culturels sont une Dynasty king Huni discovered on one of the initiative indispensable pour la réussite dans ce stone bowls buried in the northern underground domaine. Les participants ont insisté sur chamber, indicated the high social standing of l’importance de la sensibilisation des citoyens à the person buried in the main and so far la valeur du patrimoine culturel de l’humanité. unallocated shaft, he said. (Nasma Réda, « Patrimoine : Les méthodes pour mieux le protéger », Al-Ahram Hebdo du “Unfortunately, his name remains unknown 16 mars 2016). due to the bad state of preservation of the cruciform chapel,” BÁRTA said. He added that - - clearance work in the area south of the tomb during the autumn excavation season, from October to December 2015, had revealed an Jeudi 17 mars 2016 18-metre-long wooden boat.

“Although the boat is situated almost 12 Scholars have long debated the purpose of metres south of the tomb, its orientation, ancient Egyptian boat burials. Did they serve length and the pottery collected from its the deceased in the afterlife? Or might they interior make a clear connection between the have functioned as symbolic solar barques structure and the vessel, as both are dated to used during the journey of the owner through the very end of the Third or beginning of the the underworld? Fourth Dynasty, or around 2550 BCE,” BÁRTA The Old Kingdom kings adopted the earlier said. tradition and often had several boats buried While extremely fragile, the roughly 4,500- within their pyramid complexes. Unfortunately, year-old planks should shed new light on boat most of the pits that have been found are construction in ancient Egypt. The wooden empty of timber, while others contain little planks were joined by wooden pegs that are more than brown dust in the shape of the still visible in their original positions. original boat. The only exceptions are the two boats of the king Khufu, and these have been Extraordinarily, the desert sand has reconstructed or are in the process of preserved the plant-fibre battens of the boat reconstruction. that covered the planking seams. Some of the ropes that bound the boat together are also However, no boat of such dimensions from still in their original position, with all their the Old Kingdom has been found in a non- details intact. royal context until the newly discovered boat at Abûsîr. “It is really a unique discovery in the study of ancient Egyptian boats,” BÁRTA told the Last December, a Czech archaeological Weekly. He said that all the minute details are mission from Charles University in Prague of the highest importance, since most ancient stumbled upon what is believed to be the first Egyptian boats and ships have survived either remains of a non-royal ancient Egyptian in a poor state of preservation or have been wooden boat ever found. The discovery was dismantled. made during excavation work at the Abûsîr

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During this current spring season, which reign are largely unknown, despite the Turin started earlier this month, BÁRTA said that the Royal Canon from the New Kingdom identifying Czech Institute of Egyptology has launched a him as having had a long reign of 24 years. project in collaboration with experts from the “The historical evidence for Huni’s existence Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) at Texas is minimal,” BÁRTA said, adding that neither his A&M University to study the techniques used in tomb nor his funerary complex and collection the hull’s construction. have been located. The only contemporaneous The construction details are not the only monument explicitly attesting to his existence is features that make the boat unique, he said, a red granite block found in Elephantine in adding that the habit of burying boats beside 1909 by Egyptologist Henri GAUTHIER. mastabas began in the Early Dynastic period. The block includes the pharaoh’s name in a This phenomenon has been well documented cartouche and a caption that mentions the for royal structures, as well as for some tombs building of a fortress or palace. belonging to members of the royal family, the elite of society. BÁRTA explained that apart from the Abûsîr and Saqqâra residential cemeteries, Huni was “In fact, this is a highly unusual discovery known only from the mastaba of Metjen. Huni’s since boats of such size and construction were name occurs there in connection with a during this period reserved solely for top funerary domain in the second Lower Egyptian members of the society who usually belonged nome (district). The tomb of Nefermaat and to the royal family. This suggests the potential Atet in Maydûm has also been connected with for additional discoveries during this spring Huni. season,” BÁRTA noted, adding that where there was one boat, there very well may be more. “Now we have new evidence for Huni from the mud-brick mastaba tomb AS54 in Abûsîr He said that the boat is a remarkable where a pot engraved with his name was discovery and that “the careful excavation and found,” BÁRTA said. He added that the tomb recording of the Abûsîr boat will make a measures 52.6 metres by 23.8 metres and considerable contribution to our understanding consists of a southern chapel, northern chapel, of ancient Egyptian watercraft and their place northern substructure and some adjoining in funerary cults”. structures. “The boat by the southern wall of the The entire eastern facade of the mastaba is mastaba tomb indicates the extraordinary social protected by a surrounding 1.4-metre-high wall. position of the tomb’s owner,” Minister of The cult chapel is situated at the southeast Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told the Weekly, corner of the mastaba and is embedded within explaining that since it was not located its superstructure. The facade of the entrance adjacent to a royal pyramid the owner of the has an inclination of 81 degrees and was mastaba was probably not a member of the entered through a small corridor. The cult royal family. room itself originally assumed the shape of a However, both the size of the tomb and the typical cruciform chapel and is about 40.8 presence of the boat itself clearly placed the metres above sea level. deceased within the elite of his time with “Apparently, during the use of the tomb the strong connections to the reigning pharaoh. chapel was converted into a simple cult room al-Damâtî described the discovery as “very with a false door located in the western wall,” important” because it is the first time that such BÁRTA said, explaining that this renovation was a boat has been found at the Abûsîr made by walling up the original niches in the necropolis. A collection of clay pots from the western, southern and northern walls. end of the Third Dynasty and the beginning of The tomb has a subterranean structure that the Fourth Dynasty, also unearthed, could help was accessible through a 12.6-metre-deep shaft. reveal the specific date of the construction of A collection of badly damaged stone vessels the boat and mastaba, he said. was found in the subterranean structure, BÁRTA said that King Huni, whose name was including bowls, tables and trays, along with found on a pot in tomb AS54, was the last beakers, medium-sized jars of several types, tall king of the Third Dynasty and details about his cylindrical jars and a lid. A number of calcite

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vessels and others made of anorthosite, documents kept by Ridâ Sulaymân, head of the magnesite, anorthosite gneiss, limestone Documentation Department, who has now metagabro, breccia serpentinite and dolomite reached retirement age. have been found. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî Due to the fact that most of these said the documents consisted of a number of materials are homogenous, BÁRTA suggests that letters exchanged between those supervising the vessels may have come from a single the then Egyptian Antiquities Organisation, deposit. In one particular case, it is possible to which has since been replaced by the Ministry read a rare form of Huni’s royal name on the of Antiquities. Some of the letters were between inner rim of a magnesite bowl. Egyptologists such as Gaston MASPERO, Jacques DE MORGAN and Pierre LACAU, and archaeologists “This is the only inscriptional evidence from who were excavating in Egypt at that time, the mastaba that we have so far,” he noted. It among them British Egyptologist Howard CARTER was interesting that all the vessels except for and French archaeologist Philippe LEGRAND. this one were devoid of inscriptions, he said. Adjoining the tomb’s eastern enclosure wall on The documents also include reports on the northeast side, four shafts were found with digging operations conducted during the 18th some of them used for burials. century written in various languages, in addition to papers related to the Gabrî and Fayyâd “Despite the meagre evidence, the tomb families, who were known for trading in discovered in Abûsîr has several features that antiquities. Among the documents is a complete show its importance and the high social rank file on the Egyptian Exploration Society and the of the anonymous owner,” BÁRTA said. The law regulating work on antiquities. tomb also has a noticeably elevated location within the cemetery, in fact the highest location Al-Damâtî said that a file on the work of in the area overseeing Lake Abûsîr and the the French Institute for Oriental Studies was once principal entrance into the Third Dynasty also found. It includes documents on some of necropolis of Abûsîr and Saqqâra. the sites explored by a mission from the French Institute such as Tanis, Matariyya in Two other prominent features, BÁRTA pointed Heliopolis and Karnak Temple in Luxor. Old out, are the unique monumental architecture of maps of the Theban necropolis in Luxor in the tomb and the large corpus of stone 1921 and of the Eastern Desert in 1904 were vessels. (Nevine El-Aref, “Boat discovery sheds also found. light”, Al-Ahram Weekly, March 17, 2016). “These are the oldest documents found in - - the history of the Antiquities Ministry,” said Hishâm al-Laythî, director of the Egyptian Antiquities Registration Centre. He told Al- Ahram Weekly that the minister had asked for the papers to be transferred to the centre in Zamâlik in order to start the restoration process. The documents will be studied and transcribed and their contents published, he said, adding that in a committee has been formed to examine and archive the documents. al-Laythî said that among the documents are items relating to a collection of Greek papyri found in Fayyûm, as well as laws relating to

antiquities. A collection of important documents on Egyptian antiquities and archaeological sites A letter written by MASPERO when he was has been accidently uncovered inside the head of the Service des antiquités égyptiennes Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) premises in the 19th century asks the Ottoman Bank in in the Cairo district of ‘Abbâsiyya. The Paris to send him 2,500 French francs to collection, dating from the 18th and 19th continue his excavations in Egypt. (Nevine El- centuries, was found accidently in one of the Aref, “Important documents found”, Al-Ahram storehouses of the SCA during an inventory of Weekly, March 17, 2016. Voir également Ahmad

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Mansûr, « Mise au jour de documents of Religious Endowments and businesses, importants concernant les découvertes including Misr Insurance Company and the archéologiques aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles », al- Egyptian Bank Union. Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 6 mars ; Nevine El-Aref, “18th “Great artists like actor ‘Alî al-Kassâr first and 19th centuries Egyptian archaeological came to the attention of the public through documents accidently found”, Ahram Online, their work on the street,” says Muhammad March 7 ; Doaa Elhami, « Au commencement Sha‘bân, an ‘Imâd al-Dîn Street shop owner. était l’archéologie », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 23 “But by the 1980s all this had changed. The mars). street was no longer the heart of the - - entertainment district.” Sha‘bân likes the street furniture that has been installed and approves of the colour scheme employed on the repainted buildings. He is not alone. The owner of a neighbouring coffee shop waxes nostalgically over the street’s past. “‘Imâd al-Dîn was full of famous orators and comedians like Actor Nagîb al- Rihânî,” he says.

“There used to be a tram in ‘Imâd al-Dîn Street,” remembers an electrician. “Many foreigners and artists lived here, and in Fu’âd,

now 26th of July Street. Now, of course, it’s just In Khedival Cairo, Suhayr Zakî Hawwâs like any number of other downtown streets.” records how, in 1863, Khedive Ismâ‘îl, impressed by the HAUSSMANN redesign of Paris, decided to do the same in Cairo. The massive building programme took five years. Now, a century and a half later, what remains of Ismâ‘îl’s “Paris on the Nile” is once again the site of major renovation works. Since April 2015, the government has been busy reviving the spirit of Ismâ‘îl’s Cairo.

The first phase included al-Alfî Street and Tal‘at Harb Square. The second phase, now complete, extended the renovations to ‘Imâd al- Dîn Street, once the hub of Cairo’s The renovations, says Labîb, are being entertainment district and home to many phased. “First we fix any structural problems. theatres and cinemas. The project is being Then we repair air-conditioner drainage systems jointly managed by the Cairo governorate and so they no longer damage the buildings. We the Cultural Coordination Organisation. use old pictures of the buildings to determine the original design features and take samples Mahmûd Labîb, an engineer with the Arab of the materials used in each building so that Contractors Company, is supervising the we can replicate them in the restoration work.” renovations. He says the exteriors of seven buildings have now been restored. They include Muhammad Sâlihîn, a downtown shop owner, two in Mustafa Kâmil Square at the beginning believes the cleaning and paving of streets of ‘Imâd al-Dîn Street, four at the end and should be a priority. Still, he says, “The ‘Imâd “building number 40, on the corner of ‘Abd al- al-Dîn renovations are excellent.” One thing he Khâliq ”. Among the most important to would like to see added are “umbrellas on the be restored are the twinned and domed benches built for pedestrians in the street”. Khedival Buildings, a massive apartment “The streets now cannot be compared to complex built in 1911. how they were in the past, although they are The project is funded by the Cairo renovating them well. But they should have governorate, with donations from the Ministry started by renovating the buildings before

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replacing pavements. By the time they finish Atonien en construction depuis plus de 15 ans work on the buildings, the earlier work on the à cause de manque de crédits nécessaires. pavements has been ruined,” says the Le directeur du musée Atonien, Dr Ahmad proprietor of an electrical shop. Humayda, relève que la création d’un mall jouxtant le nouveau musée constitue une “As money becomes available, we will violation de la charte de l’ICOM. Il a adressé continue with the project. Our end goal is to une note à ce sujet au ministre de restore every building of note in downtown l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî. Rien n’y Cairo,” says Labîb. (Mai Samih, “Returning to fait. Lors de sa récente visite au gouvernorat past glory”, Al-Ahram Weekly, March 17, 2016). de Minyâ, le ministre de l’Archéologie a exprimé - - son embarras face à la situation. Soulignons que lors d’un entretien avec le Samedi 19 mars 2016 gouverneur de Minyâ, major général Târiq Nasr, la directrice du Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim et membre du bureau exécutif de Le Comité permanent, présidé par le l’ICOM, Dr Regine SCHULZ, a menacé d’annuler secrétaire général du CSA, Dr Mustafa Amîn, a le don allemand en cas de construction du décidé, lors de sa réunion du 13 mars, mall. (Nûr Sâbir, « L’avenir du musée Atonien l’inscription du dôme de Shwîkâr Hânim sur la est menacé », al-Ahrâm, 20 mars 2016. Voir liste du patrimoine. Situé dans la nécropole al- également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le gouverneur de Mugâwîrîn, ce dôme en très bon état jouit Minyâ accorde un permis de construire à un d’une valeur architecturale et historique énorme supermarché contigu au musée particulière. Il a été fondé en 1947 par Shwîkâr Atonien », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 mars ; « Le Hânim, petite-fille de Muhammad ‘Alî. (Ahmad ministre de l’Archéologie inspecte la 3e phase Mansûr, « Le dôme de Shwîkâr Hânim classé des travaux du musée Atonien à Minyâ », al- monument historique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 19 Wafd, 2 mai). mars 2016). - - - - In a bid to promote tourism in Egypt, especially in the Upper Egypt city of Minyâ, Dimanche 20 mars 2016 Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî inaugurated today the Tell al-Amarna Visitors Centre. The centre highlights the reign of monotheistic King , considered one the country’s most important and fascinating eras in the span of ancient Egyptian history. al- Damâtî explained that the centre puts on show replicas of King ’s tomb, along with a collection of fully furnished palaces and houses of this distinguished era.

A collection of statues of King Akhenaten and his wife, Queen Nefertiti, are also on show, Malgré son emplacement distingué au bord along with busts of their daughters. A three- du Nil à l’Est de la ville de Minyâ, le sort du metre tall statue of King Akhenaten is located musée Atonien est incertain. Il en va de même in the centre’s entrance gate, to welcome de son inscription sous l’ombrelle de visitors. l’International Council of Museums (ICOM) et du don allemand de 10 millions d’euros consacré “It is a very important project built by the à l’achèvement de la phase finale de sa Ministry of Antiquities,” Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, head of construction. À l’ombre de ces préjudices se the ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department at cache la décision du gouverneur de Minyâ the ministry, told Ahram Online, adding that it d’affecter le terrain adjacent au musée à la will extend a hand to promote local and création d’un grand centre commercial. Il s’agit international tourism, as the centre displays a d’une crise sérieuse qui menace le musée

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replica of Tell al-Amarna town with its streets, significant efforts in collaboration with all houses, palaces and temples. concerned international authorities in order to bring home the artefact, successfully proving its Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ, head of the ministry’s ownership and identifying how it was smuggled Projects Department, explained that the centre out of Egypt after being obtained through is 10,000 square metres large and was built at illegal digging. The general supervisor of the a cost of EGP 44 million. It consists of a ministry’s Repatriated Antiquities Department, display area, a service building, a cafeteria, a Sha‘bân ‘Abd al-Gawwâd, said that the statue library and a parking lot. was discovered at a Belgian auction house in During the opening ceremony, al-Damâtî 2014. said that work on the Museum and Mallawî Museum is at full swing, and that news The statue is made of black steatite stone, to the contrary is false. representing a standing couple (a man and a woman) with hieroglyphic inscriptions on the It was published today that the Aten base referring to the name and title of the Museum, which highlights the history of the statue owner, according to ‘Abd al-Gawwâd. King Akhenatun era and his capital, Akhtaten, (Nevine El-Aref, “Stolen ancient Egyptian statue was subject to encroachment and construction on its way back from Belgium”, Ahram Online, work stopped. Similar claims were made on the March 22, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, Mallawî Museum, which was subjected to looting « Le ministère de l’Archéologie récupère de and deterioration in 2013, during violence that Belgique une statue du Moyen Empire », al- followed the dispersal of sit-ins by supporters Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 22 mars ; Muhammad ‘Abd al- of ousted Islamist president Muhammad Mursî Mu‘tî, « La Belgique remet une statue antique at Râbi‘a al-‘Adawiyya in Cairo’s Nasr City importante à l’Égypte », al-Ahrâm, 23 mars ; district and al-Nahda Square in Gîza. (Nevine ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn Zâhir, « Le ministère de El-Aref, “Tell al-Amarna Visitors Centre in Minyâ l’Archéologie récupère une statue égyptienne opens”, Ahram Online, March 20, 2016. Voir volée en Belgique », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 23 mars ; également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministre de Sahar Diyâ’ al-Dîn, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie inaugure dimanche prochain le l’Archéologie récupère de la Belgique une pièce centre des visiteurs de Tell al-Amarna », al- antique », al-Wafd, 22 avril). Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 17 mars ; Ashraf Kamâl, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inaugure le centre des - - visiteurs de Tell al-Amarna », al-Wafd, 20 Archaeological sites in Alexandria are facing mars). ruin, with renovation projects by the Antiquities - - Ministry covering 13 ancient Islamic, Coptic and Jewish monuments stalled due to a shortfall in funding that stretches back many years. Eighty Mardi 22 mars 2016 per cent of the province’s sites, meanwhile, have not been touched by conservators for tens of years.

Archaeologists have told al-Masrî al-Yawm that the whole history of Alexandria is threatened with extinction, especially since the only UNESCO-registered ancient Coptic site, the Abî Mînâ archaeological zone, may be removed from the organization’s world heritage record due to high levels of underground water at the 600-feddan site.

Among those concerned is Antiquities The Egyptian embassy in Brussels, Belgium Ministry official Muhammad ‘Alî Sa‘îd, the former received an Egyptian Middle Kingdom statue as director of Alexandria’s antiquities. He told al- a preliminary step in bringing back to Egypt, Masrî al-Yawm that many ancient Islamic sites said Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- are near collapse, either due to a lack of Damâtî. The antiquities ministry has undertaken renovation work or work being interrupted.

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Enumerating the endangered structures, administration said nearly LE57 million had Sa‘îd listed the al-Shurbagî Mosque, the Tirbâna been earmarked for renovations at the Tirbâna Mosque, the Haqâniyya courthouse, the and al-Shurbagî mosques since 2009. The Ptolemaic Wall, the old towers, the cisterns of official said that, while the first phase of Ibn al-Nabîh, Ibn Battûta Ismâ‘îl and Ingî Hânim, renovations was concluded before the 2011 as well as the entire Abû Mînâ Coptic site. He uprising, later phases were halted due to said that while renovations at some sites have political upheaval. been halted for at least six years, others have According to the official, four other schemes not seen conservators for more than 20 years. are planned for the same sites, including the Sa‘îd urged “immediate intervention” by the renovation of the ancient cemeteries and ministry to save the historic sites, warning that draining groundwater there. However, work weather conditions, most notably seasonal cannot begin until the money has been found. winter storms, represent a serious threat to (“Alexandria’s ancient sites face extinction due them. In his warning, Sa‘îd gave special to stalled renovation”, Egypt Independent, attention to the Abû Mînâ area, which, he March 22, 2016). explained, is Egypt’s only Coptic site listed by UNESCO. He said groundwater levels at Abû - - Mînâ have reached 5.5 meters, submerging the ancient tomb of Saint Mâr Mînâ. Mercredi 23 mars 2016 Ahmad ‘Abd al-Fattâh, another expert and a member of the ministry’s permanent antiquities Deux expositions ont actuellement lieu hors panel, warned of rising groundwater levels at du pays, ayant l'Égypte antique pour thème. the ancient Ptolemaic and Greek tombs of Mustafa Kâmil, Shatbî and Anfûshî, where walls and floors are being gradually eroded. He said the structures should be prioritized for renovation, especially due to their exposure to high humidity levels resulting from proximity to the sea.

‘Abd al-Fattâh pointed to the endangered ancient Ptolemaic cemeteries of Alabaster and Wardiyân near the seaport, which he identified as two of the most historical sites in the Alexandria area. The Ptolemaic cemeteries of Sûq al-Gum‘a, are also suffering “severe deterioration” according to ‘Abd al-Fattâh. “They fall between the tramway and low-income housing, surrounded by piles of garbage on all sides,” he noted.

Speaking from Abû Mînâ, the region’s États-Unis antiquities official, Father Tedaous Avamina, said that in 2005 the Antiquities Ministry Le Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), aux embarked on a LE50 million schemes, États-Unis, a inauguré le 13 mars dernier une sponsored by UNESCO and the government, to importante exposition consacrée à l’Égypte reduce groundwater levels at the site. He ancienne, intitulée Pharaoh : King of Ancient explained that, though the project was Egypt. Cette exposition intervient dans le cadre completed in 2010, political upheaval and de la célébration du centenaire de ce musée, economic hardship meant there was not et durera jusqu’au 12 juin 2016. En enough money for periodic maintenance of the collaboration avec le British Museum, water drainage equipment. l’exposition comprend 150 pièces antiques, explorant la vie quotidienne des familles Political instability was also responsible for royales ainsi que les mythes et les histoires stalled renovations at other sites. An official autour des hommes au pouvoir. Les source at the ministry’s engineering organisateurs ont conçu un catalogue illustré

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de 180 pages, publié par le Cleveland Museum loyauté envers son mari Osiris. « La statue of Art et distribué par Yale University Press. Le reflète le rôle central de la mère à l’époque CMA a aussi inauguré en février dernier une des pharaons », explique Sabâh ‘Abd al-Râziq, exposition de photos, intitulée Pyramids & secrétaire adjoint du musée pour les affaires Sphinxes, qui se poursuit jusqu’au 24 mai. archéologiques. Selon le directeur du musée, Khâlid al-‘Inânî, le fait de mettre en valeur Isis Barcelone est « notre manière de faire le lien entre Le Museu Egipci de Barcelona vient l’actualité et l’histoire antique ». (Nasma Réda, d’inaugurer ses salles du sous-sol après « Le Musée égyptien du Caire célèbre aussi la rénovation. À l’honneur, une exposition sur Fête des Mères », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 23 mars Osiris, le dieu égyptien de la mort, de la 2016. Voir également « Le ministère de résurrection et de la fertilité. Ouverte du 8 l’Archéologie célèbre la Fête des Mères », al- mars au 30 juin, l’exposition comprend de rares Tahrîr, 21 mars ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Le pièces qui, jusque-là, n’ont jamais été ministère de l’Archéologie célèbre la Fête des présentées au public. C’est le cas d’un Mères », al-Ahrâm, 22 mars). sarcophage ptolémaïque en bois ou des gravures illustrant le culte d’Osiris. « Ce - - sarcophage est en cours d’étude », affirme l’égyptologue Jordi CLOS, président de la Fundació Arqueològica Clos. Il a rappelé que le musée a ouvert il y a 24 ans et accueille « un nombre extraordinaire de visiteurs, près de 250 000 par an, dont 30 000 enfants ». Et pour attirer davantage de visiteurs, il collabore désormais avec de grands musées comme le British Museum, pour leur emprunter de nouvelles pièces. Tous les six mois, le musée accueille une nouvelle exposition. Des thèmes tels que les relations Égypte-Rome ou le mariage en Égypte antique seront L’ancien ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr prochainement à l’ordre du jour. (Nasma Réda, Mamdûh al-Damâtî, quitte le siège de Zamâlik « L’Égypte bien présente », Al-Ahram Hebdo du après avoir salué tout le personnel et souhaité 23 mars 2016. Voir également Basant Gamîl, du succès au Dr Khâlid al-‘Inânî. En effet, celui- « Le CMA inaugure une exposition ci vient d’être nommé à la succession d’al- pharaonique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 11 mars). Damâtî. Au cours d’une réunion de plus d’une heure, la passation de pouvoir a eu lieu entre - - ces deux responsables. (Ahmad Mansûr, « al- Le Musée du Caire célèbre comme chaque Damâtî quitte le ministère en souhaitant bonne année la Fête des Mères (21 mars) et la chance à al-‘Inânî », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 23 mars Journée internationale de la femme (8 mars). 2016). Et pour ces deux occasions, les responsables du musée ont choisi la statuette d’Isis comme - - pièce du mois et la présentent au public. Il Khâlid al-‘Inânî, Egypt’s new minister of s’agit d’une statuette en bronze de 25 cm, de antiquities, told Ahram Online that plugging the la déesse-mère dont la légende remonte à la hole in the ministry’s finances will be his top période préhistorique. Elle était considérée priority, because when funds are available comme la protectrice des femmes et des projects that were put on hold could be enfants. Isis est assise sur son trône, allaitant resumed. son fils Horus, dieu du ciel, et coiffée d’une perruque couronnée d’un disque solaire. Cette al-‘Inânî completed his doctorate in statue a été sculptée vers la fin de la XXVIe Egyptology in 2001 at Montpellier III University dynastie. in France, writing about ancient Egyptian royal names. He then began an academic career in Tout au long de l’histoire de l’Égypte the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management ancienne, les Égyptiens ont voué un véritable culte à Isis, connue pour son amour et sa

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at Hilwân University, where he rose through the Damâtî and all heads and directors of sections ranks. in the ministry, in order to put in motion a plan for the ministry’s future work. (Nevine El- While at Hilwân, al-‘Inânî was director of the Aref, “New Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî Open Learning Centre, head of the Tourism vows to tackle budget gaps: Interview”, Ahram Guidance Department, vice-dean for education Online, March 23, 2016. Voir également Ahmad and student affairs and professor of Mansûr, « Qui est Khâlid al-‘Inânî, le nouveau Egyptology. He is also an associate scientific ministre de l’Archéologie ? », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, expert and member of the board of 23 mars ; Muhammad Safâ’ al-Dîn, « Après sa administration at the Institut français nomination, al-‘Inânî suscite de gros espoirs », d’archéologie orientale (IFAO) and a visiting al-Badîl, 23 mars ; Salâh Laban, « Le nouveau professor at Montpellier III. He has lectured in ministre de l’Archéologie : Sécuriser les sites France and Switzerland. archéologiques et trouver des crédits sont à la In October 2015, the French government tête de mes priorités », al-Tahrîr, 26 mars). awarded al-‘Inânî the French Chevalier (knight) of the Order of Arts and Literature for his - - achievements in archaeological studies and his efforts to preserve Egypt’s heritage and create Il Nilo a Pompei. Visioni d’Egitto nel mondo a strong bridge of cooperation between Egypt romano (Du Nil à Pompéi, vision de l’Égypte and France in the field of archaeology. dans le monde romain) est le thème d’une al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online by phone after série d’expositions qui couvre aussi bien l’art swearing the oath of office in front of que la culture de l’Égypte ancienne et qui se President al-Sîsî that he would continue what tient dans trois villes italiennes. « C’est une his predecessors started, as the post does not chose extraordinaire de rassembler l’histoire, la suggest one should start from scratch, or erase culture et le savoir », a déclaré Evelina all previous efforts exerted. Rather, the aim CHRISTILLIN, présidente de la Fondazione museo must be to build on what has been done. delle antichità egizie di Torino, qui est à l’origine de ce projet. C’est ce musée qui a Helping junior Egyptian archaeologists and inauguré l’exposition le 5 mars dernier qui se curators to develop their skills to meet their poursuivra jusqu’au 4 septembre. Neuf pavillons counterparts abroad is another goal that al- sont consacrés à la propagation de la culture ‘Inânî vows to work hard to achieve, through égyptienne dans les civilisations du bassin the establishment of workshops on research méditerranéen. methodology in Egyptology as well as sending archaeologists for training abroad. He « Il Nilo a Pompei met l’accent sur le point continued: “I have several ideas in mind and I de rencontre entre la culture égyptienne et la will work hard to implement them, in order to culture gréco-romaine depuis Alexandre le protect and preserve Egypt’s heritage.” Grand jusqu’aux sites religieux en Italie, surtout à Pompéi », explique le ministre égyptien des al-‘Inânî promised to have a soft opening of Antiquités, Mamdûh al-Damâtî, qui a assisté à the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization la cérémonie d’inauguration à Turin. (NMEC) in 2016. The press conference on the results of the radar survey of Tutankhamun’s 330 pièces sont ainsi exposées, dont tomb is to be held 1 April according to certaines pour la première fois : des pièces schedule. uniques provenant des fouilles de Pompéi, des sphinx, des mobiliers antiques, des poteries, al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online that Prime des sculptures des pharaons et d’autres. Minister Shirîf Ismâ‘îl assured him he would L’originalité de l’exposition réside dans sa remove all obstacles the ministry has faced in muséologie. « Le Museo Egizio di Torino a the pursuit of its archaeological work. He exposé de façon originale les chefs-d’œuvre added that Ismâ‘îl encouraged him to work in collaboration with the ministries of tourism and rassemblés. Les statues égyptiennes étaient civil aviation to improve Egypt’s heritage profile placées côte à côte avec les gréco-romaines. and build up the country. La ressemblance entre les différentes statues montre clairement aux visiteurs l’ampleur de Upon arrival to the ministry al-‘Inânî met l’influence de la culture égyptienne sur le goût with former Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- et l’esthétique grecs. Même les explications

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sont inscrites en italien et en arabe », souligne égyptiennes exposées dans Il Nilo a Pompei en Khâlid al-‘Inânî, directeur du Musée égyptien du Italie », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 7 mars). Caire, invité à Turin.

Il Nilo a Pompei raconte à travers les trois - - expositions la façon dont les anciens Grecs ont observé et « absorbé » les cultes égyptiens et Jeudi 24 mars 2016 leurs divinités, pendant le règne des Ptolémées. Et surtout, elle démontre comment les cultes For almost a century after the discovery of égyptiens dominaient tout le bassin Tutankhamun’s intact tomb in the Valley of the méditerranéen et l’Italie en particulier. « J’étais Kings at Luxor, nobody — even its discoverer très surpris à Turin, car pour la première fois, British Egyptologist Howard CARTER — imagined j’ai découvert à quel point les liens historiques that its excavation was still essentially et commerciaux entre l’Égypte et l’Italie étaient unfinished. forts. Plus étroits qu’avec n’importe quel autre pays méditerranéen », souligne al-‘Inânî. However, based on a theory launched in August last year, the Ministry of Antiquities Parallèlement, à Pompéi, une autre conducted the first-ever radar scans last exposition se tiendra également sur l’Égypte du November of the north and west wall of the 16 avril jusqu’au 2 novembre. Cette exposition burial chamber. British Egyptologist Nicholas en plein air présentera une collection REEVES had claimed that the burial place of d’antiquités égypto-grecques. Sept statues à Queen Nefertiti is hidden inside the tomb of tête de lion représentant la déesse Sekhmet, her son-in-law, the golden boy-king ainsi que la statue du pharaon Thoutmôsis III Tutankhamun. assis sur son trône seront là. Isis et Osiris sont également à l’honneur.

Et pour finir, la dernière étape de l’exposition Il Nilo a Pompei se tiendra à Naples. Intitulée L’Égypte-Naples : Cultes orientaux en Campanie, elle sera inaugurée le 28 juin au Museo archeologico nazionale di Napoli et se tiendra jusqu’au 8 octobre. La collection de Naples exposera au public plus de 1 200 artefacts qui, en même temps que ceux de Turin, constituent l’une des collections égyptiennes les plus importantes en Italie.

Ces trois expositions viennent non REEVES came up with his theory after a close seulement montrer la forte influence de examination of high-resolution 3D laser scan l’ancienne Égypte sur l’Italie, mais elles photographs taken by the Spanish Factum Arte interviennent également dans le cadre d’un Organisation to create a replica of projet plus vaste pour mettre en valeur les Tutankhamun’s tomb, now erected in the area relations entre les deux pays à travers les adjacent to the rest-house of its discoverer on siècles. Une sorte de voyage à travers le Luxor’s west bank. temps qui jette la lumière sur l’influence de After four months of technical studies in l’art des pharaons sur l’art gréco-romain et Japan, radar expert Hirokatsu WATANABE sent a vice-versa. « C’est un grand projet international, detailed report to Minister of Antiquities avec un objectif scientifique, et qui peut Mamdûh al-Damâtî asserting, with more than 90 représenter une attraction touristique per cent certainty, that both walls of importante », souligne le ministre italien de la Tutankhamun’s burial chamber conceal behind Culture, Dario FRANCESCHINI. Idée partagée par them void spaces that could be two previously al-Damâtî qui estime que de telles rencontres unknown chambers. jouent un rôle important pour la promotion touristique en Égypte. (Nasma Réda, « Égypte- In a press conference held at the ministry’s Italie : Des liens culturels si étroits », Al-Ahram premises in Zamâlik earlier this week, al-Damâtî Hebdo du 23 mars 2016. Voir également announced that the radar scans have not only Ahmad Mansûr, « 300 pièces archéologiques revealed the void spaces, but have also shown

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objects of different materials and spots of damaging the painted walls of Tutankhamun’s different colours. Solid and empty spaces had burial chamber,” al-Damâtî said. been found behind the walls, he said, as well He suggested that one idea is to probe the as lintels and curves that indicate the existence walls using a fibre-optic camera, but a way will of doorways. have to be found to investigate them without “Organic and metal materials were detected causing damage. During the probing process, inside the empty spaces, but until now we have al-Damâtî said samples of the air inside, as not been able to determine what they are,” al- well as the rocks, would be taken to carry out Damâtî said. “I cannot ascertain what these comprehensive analyses. organic materials might be. They could be a The probing could also be undertaken from mummy, a sarcophagus or something else. But an antechamber of the burial chamber that has there is something behind the walls.” unpainted rough walls, he said. A probe could Dark and light spots were also found, al- be inserted from the top of the cliff, from the Damâtî said, explaining that the dark spots ground outside the tomb, or even from the were the original bedrock of the Valley of the ends of the walls, which have less painting. Kings while the light ones were empty spaces. “But I think the ideal place to insert the “A difference in thickness has also been camera to reach the north wall is the treasury noted,” he said. room. The magic brick niche is the best place al-Damâtî added, “Egypt is about to see the for the probing to reach the west wall. I think discovery of the century. If the discovery of this would be the safest place to guarantee the Tutankhamun’s tomb was the discovery of the complete preservation of the paintings,” al- 20th century, its rediscovery might lead us to Damâtî said, adding that these are all ideas the discovery of the 21st century.” He said that that will have to be discussed by the ministry’s the results of the radar scans represent permanent committee. another crucial step towards a new al-Damâtî does not believe that the understanding of one of the most famous concealed burial chamber that might lie behind tombs and most perplexing ancient Egyptian the north and west walls of Tutankhamun’s kings. burial chamber belongs to his stepmother, He could not speculate further about the Queen Nefertiti, since she, along with her things that may lie within the void spaces, or husband Akhenaten, abandoned the Amun cult even if these spaces are burial chambers or for the god Aten, and Thebes is the city of not. In order to correctly select a second step Amun. to reveal more about the tomb, he said he is They built their royal tombs in Tell al- about to conduct another radar scan of the Amarna, where they were buried, he said. In north and west walls of Tutankhamun’s burial their tombs there is a border relief bearing an chamber in order to re-investigate and confirm oath in which Akhenaten and Nefertiti swear the results of WATANABE’s survey. that they would never leave Amarna, neither in “The new radar scanning is to be carried life nor in death. al-Damâtî said the hidden out on 31 March in collaboration with the chamber could be that of another woman, such Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University and a as Tutankhamun’s sister Meritatun or his foreign expert whose nationality I will not mother or grandmother . reveal,” al-Damâtî told Al-Ahram Weekly. He For his part, REEVES commented on the described the new scan as a very important radar scans in a phone call with the Weekly, step in an attempt to explore the two walls saying that the results support his theory and find correct and safe methods to uncover because they show concealed chambers behind what lies behind them. both walls. “The radar has also revealed that “I cannot now give a determinate solution, the tomb’s ceiling extended behind the northern as we have to conduct the new radar survey and western walls, which confirms my theory to be 100 per cent sure of the results, as well and suggests the existence of two uncovered as consult other scientists, technicians and chambers. Everything is adding up,” he said. archaeologists, in addition to members of the ‘Abbâs Muhammad, professor at the current research team, to find an appropriate National Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics method to reveal the hidden chambers without

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in Cairo, told the Weekly that although the 19 mars ; Nasma Réda, « Chambres cachées results were promising, “we cannot be 100 per derrière Toutankhamon », Al-Ahram Hebdo du cent sure of the data given by the radar until 23 mars ; Nevine El-Aref, “Second radar survey it has been studied in order to provide an of Tutankhamun’s tomb to be conducted accurate result.” tomorrow”, Ahram Online, March 30).

If WATANABE was sure that the north wall had a void space behind it, he said “I think - - from my reading of the given radar data that it is not that big and could be only a hole. We Samedi 26 mars 2016 have to be cautious before announcing any results. The data has to be completely After an official report, a block engraved analysed in order to know the shape that with the Star of David has been removed from appeared on the radar screen and whether it the Ptolemaic temple of the god Osiris Nesmeti was a result of the existence of a void or any on Elephantine Island in Aswân. Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, disturbance in the soil.” head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Muhammad said that the bedrock of the Department, told Ahram Online that the Valley of the Kings was made of choky engraved block was discovered 15 years ago limestone, which contains cracks, gaps and by the German-Swiss archaeological mission on fractures. It is also soluble in water and can Elephantine Island that has been working there easily form caves. “Therefore, we have to for 40 years. eliminate various theories in order to be sure that the void space is a result of the existence of a chamber and not the result of a rocky component,” he said.

He said that radar would reveal much more than any other type of scan and that it was likely to capture any blocked-over partition or doorway. “It should be very clear and accurate after analyses and comparisons have been ‘Afîfî said the mission did not carve the made,” he added. Radar scanning is a non- Star of David on the block, as was claimed by invasive and non-destructive means not only of some newspaper reports. The mission inserted exploring archaeological sites but also of the block within its rebuilding work of the detecting caves, infrastructure and petrol temple. “The block is now removed to the site’s resources, among other things. archaeological gallery, in order to study its Some foreign and Egyptian Egyptologists do date of carving, and to inspect its authenticity,” not support the research as they see it as ‘Afîfî said. “only speculation”. One foreign Egyptologist speaking on condition of anonymity this week The block is of plain limestone engraved told the Weekly that Egyptologists should be with two drawings of the Star of David, each cautious about the results of the radar scans 10 centimetres wide. (Nevine El-Aref, “Brouhaha because they cannot be depended on alone. over block engraving on Egypt’s Elephantine Island”, Ahram Online, March 26, 2016. Voir “Scientific and archaeological discussion has également ‘Awad Silîm, « Une mission to take place, as well as more radar scans,” archéologique allemande défigure un temple he said. (Nevine El-Aref, “Tutankhamun tomb pharaonique à Aswân avec une étoile de scans continue”, Al-Ahram Weekly, March 24, David », al-Tahrîr, 24 mars). 2016. Voir également MENA, « Mustafa Wazîrî : La découverte du siècle se cache derrière la - - tombe de Toutankhamon », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, Soon after swearing the oath, newly 13 mars ; Nevine El-Aref, “Radar survey appointed Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî suggests 90pct chance another tomb behind paid a visit this morning to the Gîza Plateau to Tutankhamun’s burial chamber”, Ahram Online, inspect development works at the site. al-‘Inânî March 17 ; « Nicholas REEVES s’autoproclame was joined by Minister of Tourism Yahya Râshid Howard CARTER du XXIe siècle », al-Bashâyyir,

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and Gîza Governor Kamâl al-Dâlî in order to Zamâlik. Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî draw up a plan to strengthen cooperation explained that the idea of establishing the between both ministries and the governorate, to centre started after launching the Salvage remove any obstacle in the way of the Nubia Campaign in 1960, in order to document completion of the Gîza Plateau development Nubian temples before their relocation amid the project. construction of the Aswân High Dam.

Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, head of the Ancient Egyptian After completing its work on Nubian Antiquities Department, told Ahram Online that temples, the centre continued to document al-‘Inânî visited King Fârûq rest-house and the archaeological sites and objects all over Egypt. location of King Khufu’s second solar boat as “Recently the centre is documenting and well as the plateau visitor centre located on register all stored papyri, after the the Gîza-Fayyûm road. ‘Afîfî added that the establishment of a papyri section within its minister, during his inspection tour, gave orders echelon,” al-‘Inânî pointed out. to the head of Gîza inspectorate to provide Hishâm al-Laythî, general director of the archaeologists and inspectors in every inch in Archaeological Documentation Centre said that the plateau and Saqqâra necropolis, at opening during the celebration a number of renowned times, in order to escort Egyptian and foreign Egyptian archaeologists and Egyptologists are visitors and explain the site archaeologically to be honoured for the important role they and historically to them free of charge. have played in protecting and preserving Egypt’s heritage. ‘Afîfî told Ahram Online that the ministry gave this order in an attempt to raise visitors Among them, he announced, are Fâyza awareness and keenness to protect and Haykal, Zaynab al-Kurdî and ‘Abd al-‘Azîz Sâdiq, preserve Egypt’s ancient heritage and as well as the former director of the centre. A civilisation. (Nevine El-Aref, “al-‘Inânî inspects film relating the story of the centre and its the Gîza Plateau project”, Ahram Online, March work over the past 60 years is to be screened. 26, 2016. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd al- (Nevine El-Aref, “Gala ceremony to celebrate Mu‘tî, « Plan pour retrouver la splendeur du 60th anniversary of Archaeological plateau de Gîza », al-Ahrâm, 27 mars). Documentation Centre”, Ahram Online, March 27, 2016. Voir également Amânî Salâma, « Le - - ministère de l’Archéologie honorera demain Zaynab al-Kurdî pour sa contribution majeure Dimanche 27 mars 2016 au champ archéologique », al-Wafd, 7 mai ; « Grande célébration aujourd’hui pour fêter les 60 ans du Centre de documentation et d’études de l’Égypte ancienne », al-Tahrîr, 28 mars ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Célébration des 60 ans du Centre de documentation et d’études de l’Égypte ancienne », al-Ahrâm, 28 mars ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie célèbre les 60 ans du Centre de documentation », al-Shurûq, 28 mars). - -

After two years of closing, Cairo’s Museum of Islamic Art will officially be inaugurated in April, Minster of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî announced Sunday during a tour of the

The poster of the celebration (Courtesy of the Ministry of museum to inspect restoration and Antiquities) rehabilitation works. al-‘Inânî pointed out that To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Egypt’s the “restoration and the opening of the Archaeological Documentation Centre, the museum embodies the collaboration efforts antiquities ministry is organising a gala exerted on the local and international level to ceremony Monday morning at its premises in stand against any kind of terrorism that aims

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to erase Egypt’s distinguished identity and preparation works that have been put on halt civilisation.” for the lack of budget and find solutions to any problems the projects are facing, as well Ilhâm Salâh al-Dîn, head of the ministry’s as removing obstacles standing in the way of Museums Department who escorted the minister the completion of preparations. during his visit, told Ahram Online that 95 per cent of the restoration works have been During his tour at the GEM, al-‘Inânî completed. The façade, building and halls have inspected the different phases of preparation been restored and new state-of-the-art security and met with the GEM general supervisor Târiq and lighting systems were installed. All the Tawfîq and members of the engineering pedestals carrying large artefacts and display committee of the Engineering Authority of the cases were also replaced. Armed Forces. al-‘Inânî announced that he would very soon provide solutions to all Salâh al-Dîn said that the collection is being technical problems in order to ensure the arranged in its original position with the museum opens in the scheduled time. exception of the souvenir hall, previously located at the centre of the museum, “which “Rationalisation of expenditure without will now be relocated to another place at the affecting the technical and scientific end of the visitors’ path outside the museum.” qualifications of the GEM is the recent motto of A hall displaying Islamic coins and weapons the ministry in order to complete the museum was built along with another hall for Islamic which is one of Egypt’s mega project and one manuscripts. One hall exhibits the daily life of of the country’s weapon to face all recent people down the Islamic ages through challenge,” al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online. He instruments and children’s toys. “After the added that he highly appreciates the important addition of these objects, the museum’s role and professionalism the museum’s collection increased to 5,000 artefacts from restorers have displayed in preserving and 1,874 items,” Salâh al-Dîn said, adding that protecting the artefacts being restored in the among the items are 2,000 coins. museum’s restoration laboratories.

At the NMEC, al-‘Inânî inspected The museum was damaged by a car bomb preparations for the temporary exhibition hall explosion in January 2014 targeting the to open within six months. The hall is adjacent Cairo Security Directorate on Port designated for the display of a collection of Said Street in Bâb al-Khalq neighbourhood. The artefacts to be exhibited permanently at the explosion blew a six-metre crater into Port Said museum in order to attract more patrons Street and ripped into the façade of the two- before its official opening, as well as provide storey museum building, whose second floor is money to aid with museum works. shared with the National Library and Archives. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s Museum of Islamic Art al-‘Inânî also met with cultural responsible at regains its allure after two-year restoration”, UNESCO Cairo office, Ciara BERDISKI in order to Ahram Online, March 27, 2016. Voir également put a programme to train curators to develop Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie their technical and scientific skills. (Nevine El- inspecte le musée d’Art islamique en vue d’une Aref, “Egypt’s antiquities minister inspects major prochaine inauguration », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 27 Cairo museums”, Ahram Online, March 29, mars). 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Plan du ministère de l’Archéologie pour l’inauguration - - du GEM et du NMEC », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 27 mars ; « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inspecte Mardi 29 mars 2016 aujourd’hui les projets du GEM et du NMEC », al-Tahrîr, 29 mars). Three days after taking the post of Minister - - of Antiquities, Khâlid al-‘Inânî paid a visit today to the two “museums of the century”; the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Mercredi 30 mars 2016 Gîza Plateau and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC). The aim of the visits was to push forward all construction and Selon des sources bien informées au sein

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du ministère de l’Archéologie, la commission the globe during an international conference to d’inventaire des magasins de Fustât a be held at the planned Grand Egyptian Museum répertorié plus de 10 000 pièces (GEM) overlooking the Gîza Plateau. archéologiques sur les 15 000 pièces He described the upcoming discussion as entreposées. La commission rédige an “excellent opportunity” to reach the best régulièrement des rapports faisant état de solution as how to deal with the results taken l’avancement des travaux. Jusqu’ici, aucune from the radar surveys and how to explore a pièce ne manque à l’appel. newly discovered chamber if studies prove its existence beyond doubt. Rappelons que cette commission a été formée à la demande du secrétaire général du “The project has to be efficiently studied CSA, Dr Mustafa Amîn, après l’arrestation de and evaluated and anything that would be deux inspecteurs en chef qui substituaient des worthy of [studying] antiquities, we will go pièces antiques par des fausses pièces dans le ahead with. But anything that could harm musée national de la Civilisation égyptienne antiquities, with frivolity, would be stopped (NMEC). La commission d’inventaire regroupe immediately,” al-‘Inânî told the Weekly. “I am des restaurateurs et des archéologues à not talking about just Tutankhamun’s tomb re- l’extérieur du musée. (Ahmad Mansûr, exploration project as such; that goes for any « Achèvement de l’inventaire de 10 000 pièces other projects.” archéologiques entreposées dans les magasins “Due to my proficiency and eagerness about de Fustât », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 30 mars 2016). scientific credibility, we will listen to all points of view and the project will be studied and the - - final results will be announced during the conference in May,” al-‘Inânî said. Jeudi 31 mars 2016 “I guarantee that no one can touch the paintings in Tutankhamun’s tomb, and the Although the sun beat down in the middle suggestion to use a tiny optic camera to probe of the Valley of the Kings and the heat was by boring a one-inch hole from the treasury overwhelming, dozens of Egyptian and foreign room of Tutankhamun’s tomb, which has no journalists and photographers gathered at the paintings in it, to explore what lies behind the footsteps of King Tutankhamun's tomb, anxious north and west walls is, until now, just a to hear the results of a new American-Egyptian suggestion,” al-‘Inânî asserted. radar survey. “If the surveys and studies prove 100 per But they left disappointed. cent that there is something behind the north wall, the scientific discussion in May would “The scans have given several data and provide the best solution. Although the indications but we cannot announce the results exploratory mission received the approval of right now because it requires more study to the ministry’s permanent committee, I don’t achieve accurate and concrete results,” Minister want to get ahead of the events,” al-‘Inânî said. of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told reporters. al- ‘Inânî said seven days at most were still Eric BERKENPES, the American geophysicist needed for all the data to be analysed and who carried out the radar survey, said the studied by a US-Egypt geophysics team. scientific team conducted 40 radar scan images to collect data, which were sent for “We have indications but I want to highlight analysis. that we are not looking for a hidden chamber. We are testing a scientific hypothesis,” al-‘Inânî Former Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al- said. “We are keen on science and exploring Damâtî told the Weekly that the recent radar the truth.” A new vertical radar survey is to be scans do not contradict previous work carried conducted at the end of April in order to be out by Japanese experts because it shows 100 per cent sure of the results of both anomalies and differences in the thicknesses of previous radar scans. the walls. But, al-Damâtî added, it has to be analysed. “This one requires only a seven-day al-‘Inânî told Al-Ahram Weekly that on 6 analyses which is quicker than that of the May all the results of the three radar surveys Japanese which took 30 days.” are to be discussed by scholars from across

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Professor of rock mechanics at the Faculty satisfied with the new radar survey. He of Engineering in Cairo University Yâsir al- described it as “efficient and more accurate Shâyyib, who is on the scientific team of King than that of the Japanese because it is not an Tutankhamun’s tomb re-exploration mission, unknown hand-made device like the Japanese told the Weekly that the two scientific teams but a professional device devised by a well- from the US and Egypt are now analysing the known international company named data “because we want to look at it with a Geophysical Search Survey Inc. which therefore different perspective. Once we get the reports would give a most efficient and accurate back, we will take all the results for discussion result.” at the conference. There is one anomaly behind the west wall but it is still a preliminary The radar has two antennas with 400 result which cannot be verified until the megahertz and 900 megahertz, which give completion of the analyses,” al-Shâyyib said. deeper depth and higher resolution data. “The recent survey,” explains Muhammad, scans four He said the radar scan carried out segments on every wall of the burial chamber Thursday night was conducted on the four at a distance of 20cm “which could enable us walls of Tutankhamun’s burial chamber, not to create 3D images and sizes of what could only the north and west walls, in order to lie behind these walls”. (Nevine El-Aref, “Seven measure the thickness of every wall of the more days”, Al-Ahram Weekly, March 31, 2016. chamber. Voir également Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Les “No fault is permissible in such a search,” experts archéologiques : La tombe de Néfertiti al-Shâyyib said. “Therefore, the team used two ne se trouve pas derrière celle de kinds of radars in the survey and measured Toutankhamon », al-Shurûq, 19 mars ; the thickness of every wall of the burial Muhammad Zahrân, « L’humanité a un rendez- chamber at three different levels. The first vous avec la découverte archéologique du radar is 900-megahertz wave frequency while siècle », al-Tahrîr, 22 mars ; Lîna al-Shirîf, the second 400 megahertz, like the radar used « L’inconnu attend les archéologues derrière la in November last year by Japanese expert tombe du jeune roi », al-Shurûq, 22 mars ; Hirokatsu WATANABE.” Zâhî Hawwâs, « Les fantasmes de REEVES ! », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 30 mars ; Nevine El-Aref, al-Shâyyib said that the third radar to be “Tutankhamun re-exploration project needs used in April would scan the burial chamber further study: minister”, Ahram Online, March vertically from outside the tomb. It will be 31). installed on the main rock of the Valley of the Kings. “The radar can scan walls 40 metres deep, which could give us a clearer picture of what lies behind them,” al-Shâyyib said, adding that if the scan proves efficient it will be used to scan every inch in the Valley of the Kings - and explore more tombs to reveal the valley’s secrets. - - Professor at the National Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics ‘Abbâs Muhammad, - a member of the scientific team, is more than

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Vendredi 1er avril 2016 “I believe and I still believe” that the King Tut’s tomb is “simply the outer elements of a larger tomb that is of Nefertiti,” he said, Egypt’s archaeologists announced Friday repeating his assertion about the ancient queen they completed more extensive scanning of the whose 3,300-year-old bust on display in Berlin two recently discovered hidden chambers is one of the most famous symbols of ancient behind King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley Egypt and classical beauty. of the Kings as part of a quest that some hope could ultimately lead to finding Queen The discovery of the hidden chambers has Nefertiti’s remains. ignited massive interest among the archaeological community and beyond. It could Antiquities Minister Khâlid al-‘Inânî told also renew excitement in Egypt’s antiquities and reporters gathered at the famed site on the help reinvigorate the country’s flagging tourism western bank of the Nile River, opposite the industry. southern city of Luxor, that experts worked for 11 hours overnight to obtain 40 scans of five Tourism has been hit hard in Egypt in different levels of the area behind recent years by political violence, an insurgency Tutankhamun’s burial chamber. More scans will in the northern Sinai Peninsula, and persistent follow at the end of April, he said, and invited attacks since the 2013 overthrow of divisive archaeologists from all over the world to come Islamist president Muhammad Mursî. (Associated to Cairo in early May to examine the findings. Press, “Egyptians get more scans of secret The scans are part of a quest for the remains rooms behind Tut’s tomb”, Ahram Online, April of Queen Nefertiti and could answer the 1, 2016. Voir également « La belle Néfertiti question whether her mummy lies behind the révèle de nouveaux secrets des glorieux false walls in the Luxor complex. pharaons », al-Bashâyyir, 3 avril ; Rana Gohar, British Egyptologist Nicholas REEVES said he « Tombe de Toutankhamon : Le mystère still believes Tut’s tomb is “simply the outer bientôt élucidé », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 6 avril). elements of a larger tomb” belonging to Nefertiti. The discovery made last month that - - the hidden rooms behind King Tut’s tomb could contain metal or organic material could shine Le président du secteur des musées, Ilhâm new light on one of ancient Egypt’s most Salâh al-Dîn, a loué la décision prise par le turbulent times, and REEVES has theorized that ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al-‘Inânî, Nefertiti might be inside. d’autoriser l’accès gratuit à tous les musées et Others have speculated that the new les sites archéologiques devant les élèves des chambers could contain the tomb of a member écoles primaires gouvernementales ainsi que les of Tutankhamun’s family, not necessarily orphelinats. Cette décision contribuera à Nefertiti, who was one of the wives of rehausser la conscience historique et le Tutankhamun’s father, the Pharaoh Akhenaten, sentiment d’appartenance nationale des jeunes but is not believed to be Tut’s mother. qui constituent l’avenir de la nation. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Accès gratuit aux musées pour les REEVES told reporters Friday at the Valley of élèves et les orphelins », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1er the Kings that the overnight scanning provided avril 2016). “the most detailed data” so far on the secret chambers. He has speculated that Tutankhamun, who died at age 19, may have been rushed into an outer chamber of what - - was originally Nefertiti’s tomb.

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Samedi 2 avril 2016 Jeudi 7 avril 2016

The recent appointment of Egyptologist Khâlid al-‘Inânî as Egypt’s new minister of antiquities was met with surprise by some archaeologists and curators, especially among employees of the ministry. But his integrity and qualification are widely accepted as impeccable.

He completed his doctorate in Egyptology in 2001 at Montpellier III University in France, writing on ancient Egyptian royal names. He began his academic career at the Faculty of Le directeur général de la planification et Tourism and Hotel Management at Hilwân du suivi des restaurations, Dr ‘Abd al-Hamîd al- University, where he rose through the ranks. Kafâfî, a annoncé l’achèvement des travaux de restauration du palais Mânistirlî, qui sera While at Hilwân, al-‘Inânî was director of the bientôt inauguré. La restauration minutieuse a Open Learning Centre, head of the Tourism englobé l’intégralité du palais, de ses Guidance Department, vice-dean for Education décorations ainsi que la résolution du problème and Student Affairs and a professor of d’humidité. Commencés en 2014, les travaux de Egyptology. He is also an associate scientific restauration se sont déroulés en quatre phases, expert and member of the board of avec des temps d’arrêt dus au manque de administration at the French Institute of financement. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Fin des travaux Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO) and a de restauration du palais Mânistirlî », al-Yawm visiting professor at Montpellier III. He has al-Sâbi‘, 2 avril 2016). lectured in France and Switzerland.

In October 2014, he was appointed director- - - general of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) at Fustât in Cairo, where he Mercredi 6 avril 2016 spruced up the museum’s construction. Within the next six months a temporary exhibition hall is to be inaugurated displaying a collection of Le temple de Montou, situé à al-Tûd dans the NMEC’s permanent collection of treasured le gouvernorat de Louqsor, est victime de la artefacts. négligence. L’un des inspecteurs de ce temple, A year later, he was appointed supervisor- ayant requis l’anonymat, souligne qu’une note a general of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr été transmise au ministre de l’Archéologie lors Square in parallel with directing the NMEC. de sa dernière visite au gouvernorat, dans l’espoir de résoudre les nombreux problèmes In October 2015, the French government qui assaillent ce temple. Parmi ceux-ci figurent awarded al-‘Inânî the Chevalier (knight) of the l’érosion des pierres et des fondations due aux Order of Arts and Literature for his eaux souterraines, l’effondrement du mur achievements in archaeological studies and his d’enceinte érigé en briques crues, l’invasion des efforts to preserve Egypt’s heritage and create mauvaises herbes, ainsi que l’absence de a strong bridge of cooperation between Egypt toilettes publiques indispensables aux visiteurs, and France in the field of archaeology. notamment aux personnes âgées. (Ahmad Mar‘î, Some consider al-‘Inânî to be too young for « Le temple de Montou à Louqsor submergé the post of minister and see him as an par les eaux souterraines », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 6 outsider, but archaeologists feel that his track avril 2016). record will allow him to manage Egypt’s antiquities portfolio more efficiently, as well as

develop plans to attract more tourists to Egypt. - - They also say that his relative youth will make him more reactive and swift in his work. In this they may be right. Last week, al-‘Inânî

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embarked on inspection tours of different the burial place of queen Nefertiti is hidden archaeological sites, such as the Museum of inside the tomb of her son-in-law Tutankhamun. Islamic Art and the Grand Egyptian Museum al-‘Inânî spoke about the radar survey on (GEM), the Gîza Plateau and Khufu’s second Tutankhamun’s burial chamber and his vision solar boat. and action plan to properly preserve Egypt’s al-‘Inânî also travelled south where he antiquities for the future and upgrade the skills visited the Karnak and Luxor Temples in Luxor, of ministry staff, sprucing up efforts to resume the Dayr al-Madîna necropolis on Luxor’s west those archaeological projects now on hold. bank, al-Tud, Qift, Armant, Isnâ, Idfû, Kom al-‘Inânî believes in continuing what his Ombo, Aswân and Elephantine Island. Still on predecessors have started, as the post does his agenda are several sites, among them al- not suggest one should start from scratch, he Qantara East, Ismâ’ilîyya, Rosetta, Fuwwa, says, or erase previous efforts. Rather, the aim Damietta and the Abû Mînâ Monastery. must be to build on what has been done thus “I started my term as minister of antiquities far. by visiting as many archaeological sites as I Concerning the radar survey of can in Egypt in order to inspect them with my Tutankhamun’s burial chamber, al-‘Inânî own eyes because field visits are much better announced that “the scans have given data than reading reports in the office,” al-‘Inânî told and indications, but we cannot announce the the Weekly in his interview this week. results right now because it requires more However suited to the job, al-‘Inânî will have study to achieve accurate and concrete no easy task in his new office, since budgetary results.” He noted that some seven days were problems are likely to prevent work from being still needed for all the data to be analysed by completed, be it the construction of new a US-Egypt geophysics team. museums or the development of existing ones. “We have indications, but I want to highlight Since 2011 when the ministry was formed, that we are not looking for a hidden chamber. several archaeological projects have been put We are testing a scientific hypothesis,” al-‘Inânî on hold, including the construction of the GEM told the Weekly, adding, “We are keen on and the NMEC, as well as the development of science and exploring the truth.” the Gîza Plateau itself. The Museum of Islamic In August when REEVES suggested that there Art and the National Mallawî Museums were was something concealed behind the west and subjected to destruction in 2014. north walls of Tutankhamun’s burial chamber, Another pressing issue has been the the ministry had two choices. Either it could breakdown of security since the 25 January ignore his claims and close the subject, or it Revolution, allowing encroachment on and in could carry out a radar survey of the tomb. some cases the destruction of sites and The ministry, al-‘Inânî said, had selected the monuments, as well as incidents of looting and second choice and authorised two radar smuggling. surveys.

Although work was executed during the two- “I did not participate in the previous radar year tenure of former minister of antiquities survey, as I was not a member of the scientific Mamdûh al-Damâtî, more work and projects are committee that carried out the survey, but still waiting. al-‘Inânî seems remarkably upbeat today as minister of antiquities I am attending for a man bearing such a large burden, and he the survey in order to follow up on the confidently vows to improve both the ministry’s situation, to review the project, and to study its infrastructure and personnel. different parts in detail,” al-‘Inânî told the Weekly. Although he has a very busy schedule, Al- Ahram Weekly was able to interview al-‘Inânî on He said that a third radar scan was to be the steps of Tutankhamun’s Tomb in the Valley held at the end of April to scan Tutankhamun’s of the Kings after the completion of the radar- burial chamber vertically from the Valley of the scanning of the boy king’s burial chamber to Kings bedrock. An international scientific test the theory launched last August by British discussion is to be held on 6 May during a Egyptologist Nicholas REEVES who claims that conference held at the GEM that scholars from all over the globe will attend.

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The discussion will aim to find the best Regretfully, due to the lack of budgetary solution to how to deal with the results of the means the ministry has not been able to send three radar surveys and how to explore a archaeologists abroad for training recently, but newly discovered chamber if studies prove its al-‘Inânî has called on all foreign archaeological existence beyond doubt. al-‘Inânî pointed out missions working in Egypt to train junior that the results of the project couldn’t be Egyptian archaeologists and curators in announced after the radar survey he had different archaeological sessions. attended that day. “I have to listen first, review “Preserving Egypt’s heritage is the goal of the whole project in detail, and study all its the ministry of antiquities, as well as of the parts in order to find the result,” al-‘Inânî said. foreign archaeological missions, and training He said that when taking up Egypt’s Egyptian archaeologists and curators to be up antiquities portfolio last week, he knew that a to international standards is a mean of visit to Luxor was planned on Thursday with a preserving the antiquities,” al-‘Inânî argued. “We radar survey by an American expert in are not coercing foreign missions to do so, but collaboration with an Egyptian team. Due to his we are sending out an appeal to them within belief in the work of associations in the the framework of our cooperation in the country, he had been keen to continue the archaeological field,” al-‘Inânî said. He added project as long as it was worthy of past work that to regulate the training process, the in antiquities and archaeology, he explained. ministry would insert some such article in foreign mission application forms. “The project has to be efficiently evaluated, and anything worthy of the great tradition of “I have not met any of the foreign missions antiquities in this country we will go ahead yet, but I will ask them very soon,” he told the with. But anything that could do harm for Weekly, adding that he would also ask them to reasons of frivolity will be stopped provide guidebooks in English, French and immediately,” al-‘Inânî asserted. “I am not Arabic for every site they were working on. He talking about the Tutankhamun Tomb re- would also be reviewing the Supreme Council exploration project as such. That goes for other of Antiquities Regulations for Foreign projects as well. Due to my eagerness for Archaeological Missions, created in 2002, in scientific credibility, the project will be studied order to put them into effect again after years and the results announced when they are of being put on hold, he said. ready,” al-‘Inânî said. “My dream is to establish concrete “No one can touch the paintings in cooperation between the Ministry of Antiquities Tutankhamun’s Tomb, and the suggestion to and the foreign missions in order to work use a tiny camera to probe a one-inch hole together to preserve Egypt’s archaeological from the treasury room of Tutankhamun’s heritage,” al-‘Inânî said. Tomb, which has no paintings in it, to explore Developing archaeological sites to be more what lies behind the north and west walls, is tourist-friendly is another goal of al-‘Inânî, who just a suggestion. If the surveys prove 100 per wants to start such developments by installing cent that there is something to find behind the signboards at every site and museum in Egypt north wall, the scientific discussion in May will according to a timeline starting with the most provide the best solution to how to do it.” frequently visited sites. “I have already started “Although the exploratory mission has the such developments at the Egyptian Museum in approval of the ministry’s permanent committee, Tahrîr Square, and within 15 days signboards I don’t want to get ahead of events,” al-‘Inânî will be erected in English, Arabic and French said. there for tourists,” al-‘Inânî asserted. Working with foreign missions: Helping junior He explained that the boards would not Egyptian archaeologists and curators to only include details of a site or a museum, develop their skills is another goal that al-‘Inânî along with the opening and closing hours and vows he will work hard to achieve through the ticket prices, but would also include information establishment of workshops on research telling visitors how to preserve the site or methodology in Egyptology as well as sending museum by not touching artefacts, not archaeologists for training abroad. disfiguring the monuments by writing on them or breaking parts of them, and keeping the

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places clean and not throwing papers or empty “The restoration and opening of the bottles on the floor. Museum of Islamic Art embodies the collaboration efforts exerted on the local and “Raising archaeological awareness among international levels to stand against any kind of people, especially children, is one of my top terrorism that aims to erase Egypt’s identity priorities,” al-‘Inânî asserted, describing this as and civilisation,” al-‘Inânî said, adding that re- “a must” in order to nourish children’s loyalty opening the Museum was a very important towards their country, Egypt. Such awareness message that Egypt was delivering against could be achieved, he explained, through terrorism. “If terrorism tries to destroy the opening all archaeological sites and museums country, we will build it up again,” he said. in Egypt free of charge to Egyptian school pupils. A curator or an inspector, he went on, More sites to open: The Idfû Temple is to could guide them around the museums’ halls be opened in mid-April after the completion of and sections of archaeological sites in order to the USAID project to reduce the level of the explain how the ancient Egyptians built Egypt’s subterranean water inside the temple. The civilisation. Elephantine Island Museum in Aswân is to be re-inaugurated next year after five years of “I have talked to the minister of education restoration, and the opening ceremony will about such a project, and he was very mark the museum’s centenary. enthusiastic and promised to send an official circular out to all schools in order to Next week, the Baybars Mosque will open in encourage excursions to museums and sites,” al-Qalyûbiyya, as well as four mosques in al-‘Inânî told the Weekly. Fuwwa. A soft opening of the NMEC is to be held this year, which include the opening of a On Prime Minister Shirîf Ismâ‘îl’s directions, hall for temporary exhibitions where artefacts al-‘Inânî is also working in collaboration with from the museum’s permanent collection will be the ministries of tourism, civil aviation and shown and changed every three months. The investment in order to think outside the box on official opening of the NMEC is scheduled for providing the means to improve the the end of 2017. infrastructure at Egypt’s archaeological sites and tourist destinations to encourage tourism A soft opening of the GEM is to be held in and attract investment to the country. mid-2018, with the complete opening scheduled for 2022. The ministry, al-‘Inânî said, had not The infrastructure, said al-‘Inânî, meant decreased the budget of the GEM, but was security measures, monitoring cameras, lighting trying hard to decrease the cost by, for systems, signboards, guidebooks, and raising example, buying local materials instead of archaeological awareness among the country’s imported ones if they still met requirements. population. He went on by saying that he was “The planned design of the GEM will not be to meet the minister of civil aviation soon, but changed as has been rumoured,” he said. they had already agreed to develop a documentary for screening on EgyptAir flights. The government was helping in the A private company, al-‘Inânî said, had offered construction of the GEM, al-‘Inânî said, and to do it free of charge. Horus, the EgyptAir measures were in place in order to borrow magazine, is also to be developed in order to $482 million to complete the GEM’s promote tourism to Egypt. construction. al-‘Inânî has not announced the source of this loan, but he said he would be The ministry of tourism was helping, al-‘Inânî announcing it soon. said, in upgrading the services provided at archaeological sites such as through the Gîza “Plugging the hole in the ministry’s finances Plateau Development Project. According to a is our top priority, because when funds are government statement, al-‘Inânî has also available projects that were put on hold can be promised to officially open several sites and resumed,” al-‘Inânî told the Weekly, adding that museums in April and May. The first is the re- Ismâ‘îl had asked him to look for opening of the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo unconventional ways of financing. “I think that two years after it was destroyed by a powerful this could be achieved through the planned car bomb that exploded outside the adjacent investment and management of services at Security Directorate. archaeological sites,” al-‘Inânî suggested.

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He said that a private-sector company had implement them in order to protect and been contracted to help manage the services preserve Egypt’s heritage.” (Nevine El-Aref, provided at archaeological sites and museums “Dreams for Egypt’s heritage”, Al-Ahram Weekly, across Egypt, including shops, cafeterias and April 7 2016). restaurants. It also aims to establish a new production unit to make and sell replicas of - - ancient items. The company will not manage the archaeological sites or museums, as has been rumoured, he said, but would only manage the touristic aspects of the sites in order to upgrade the level of services provided, which in turn would increase the ministry’s income.

The company would be affiliated to the ministry, and the establishment of such a company was not something new. The Sound and Light Company at the Gîza Plateau was another example of a similar idea. Last week, a third set of radar scans was “I will not change any of the ministry’s carried out on Tutankhamun’s burial chamber officials right now, because if I do so it would in order to create more complete data to be be only for the sake of change and this in my reviewed by scholars concerning the theory of opinion would be wrong,” al-‘Inânî told the British Egyptologist Nicholas REEVES claiming Weekly, adding that he would work with all the that the north and west walls may hide the ministry’s officials though he would also be on tomb of Queen Nefertiti. the look-out for inefficiency. Work began at 5pm after the Valley of the “I will not change any policy at the ministry Kings had closed to tourists and continued unless it is not coping well with the work,” al- until 3am the next day. A team sponsored by ‘Inânî said. He added that he had appointed the National Geographic Society carried out the Mahrûs Sa‘îd, director of the Nubia Antiquities radar scans in collaboration with two Egyptian Fund (NAF), to supervise the NMEC. Sa‘îd was geophysicists and a rock mechanics expert. involved in the project as the NAF was the financer of the NMEC construction work and he It made 40 individual scans of the four was also an engineer on the project, al-‘Inânî walls of the burial chamber, including the walls said. in question at five different heights, switching between two radar antennae with frequencies He said he had also appointed curator of 400 and 900 megahertz, respectively. Sumayya ‘Abd al-Salâm to take care of the Tahrîr Museum until the appointment of a “One was for depth perception, and one permanent director. ‘Abd al-Salâm, al-‘Inânî said, was for feature perception,” engineer at was very suitable because she had worked in National Geographic Eric BERKENPAS told Al- the museum throughout her professional life Ahram Weekly, accompanied by mechanical and knew every inch of it. engineer Alan TURCHIK. He added that the radar used was a state-of-the-art ground-penetrating “I would never flatter any foreigner, radar (GPR) system. whatever his nationality, or any Egyptian to the detriment of Egypt’s antiquities,” al-‘Inânî added, BERKENPAS said it was not common to use saying that on the contrary he would use his ground-penetrating radar to look through walls, good friendships with the French and other and that most often it was used to see what foreigners to do more for Egypt’s heritage. was buried underground. “We arranged the radar horizontally to scan the walls, which is “My dream is to improve every unusual for this type of radar,” he added. He archaeological site in Egypt,” al-‘Inânî told the said that before travelling to Egypt the Weekly, something that could be achieved equipment had been tested by scanning stone through better site-management policies. “I have columns at the National Arboretum in other ideas in mind, and I will work hard to Washington.

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“It is my first time working in the Valley of Toutankhamon : icône de l’archéologie the Kings and it is a thrilling, exciting and égyptienne que nous devons préserver », al- challenging experience,” BERKENPAS said. He said Ahrâm, 12 avril). that all members of the team had been concerned with the safety of the wall paintings - - and had had to be very cautious not to touch the walls. The radar equipment was three cm away from the walls. Vendredi 8 avril 2016

TURCHIK had worked several years ago in In a gala ceremony held on Thursday night one of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, at Sharjah Heritage Institute, the rule of where sonar-scanning and profiling had been Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad al- carried out. “It is the first time that GPR has Qâsimî, honoured the Historic Cairo been used on an archaeological survey in Rehabilitation Project with the award for the Egypt,” TURCHIK said. Best Practices for Conservation of Cultural “It is too soon to draw any kind of Heritage in the Arab World, alongside nine conclusion from the data obtained,” BERKENPAS other winners. Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, Egypt’s told the Weekly, adding that what he could say assistant antiquities minister for Islamic and was that the data collected was of good Coptic antiquities, told Ahram Online that Egypt quality and experts in Egypt and the United was one of 40 participants at the exhibition States were now analysing them. “The easy this year. part is to collect the data, and the hard part Egypt, represented by the Historical Cairo is the analysis,” BERKENPAS said, explaining that project, along with the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, he was a data-collector and preferred to leave Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and the analysis to the experts. Tunisia, won the award for Best Practices for Professor at the National Institute of Conservation of Cultural Heritage in the Arab Astronomy and Geophysics ‘Abbâs Muhammad, World. a member of the scientific team, was more He added that the event was part of than satisfied with the new radar survey. He activities of Sharjah-based ICCROM-ATHAR described it as “efficient and more accurate (Architectural and Archaeological Tangible than that of the Japanese because it is not an Heritage in the Arab Region), a regional unknown device like the Japanese one, but a conservation centre founded by ICCROM professional device devised by a well-known (International Centre for the Study of the international company, which should therefore Preservation and Restoration of Cultural give accurate results.” Property) and the Government of Sharjah in the “The survey scans four segments of each UAE in 2012. wall of the burial chamber to a distance of 20 cm, which should enable us to create 3D ATHAR focuses on architectural and presentations of what could lie behind the archaeological tangible heritage in the region walls. It is a non-destructive and non-invasive including heritage collections, rich and varied method of analysis,” Muhammad said. historic places, sites and monuments. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt among the Arab winners of the Yâsir al-Shâyyib, a professor of rock ICCROM-ATHAR award in Sharjah”, Ahram mechanics at the Faculty of Engineering at Online, April 8, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Cairo University who participated in the Mansûr, « Le projet du Caire historique scanning, noted that some irregularities could récompensé », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 avril). be seen in the radar results at first glance. “We know there are some anomalies,” he told - - the Weekly. “But it’s not clear-cut one hundred per cent that there is something there.” (Nevine El-Aref, “Radar in the ”, Samedi 9 avril 2016 Al-Ahram Weekly, April 7, 2016. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “Tutankhamun radar survey La faculté d’Archéologie de l’université du needs week of study: Minister”, Ahram Online, Caire a inauguré aujourd’hui un buste de April 2 ; ‘Alî Radwân, « Tombe de

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l’égyptologue russe Wladimir GOLENISCHEFF, à Salâma added that the offering stele is l’occasion du 160e anniversaire de sa carved in sandstone and decorated with scenes naissance. of offerings to ancient Egyptian deities. Early studies show that the stele is dated to the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom, but its owner is still unidentified. “Unearthing the Haqa Ib statue beside Khnum temple shows that Haqa Ib was a very important and sacred ruler in Elephantine,” head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department Mahmûd ‘Afîfî told Ahram Online.

Sculpté par Usâma al-Sarawî, ce buste incarne GOLENISCHEFF, l’un des pionniers de l’égyptologie qui a dédié sa vie aux fouilles et à la découverte de l’Égypte ancienne. (Ibtisâm Abû Dahab, « Inauguration à la faculté d’Archéologie du Caire d’un buste de l’égyptologue russe Wladimir GOLENISCHEFF », al- Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 avril 2016). - -

Dimanche 10 avril 2016 The unidentified statue (Courtesy of the Swiss Institute)

‘Afîfî added that Haqa Ib’s importance extended into the Middle Kingdom as King Intef III of the Middle Kingdom ordered the construction of a shrine to commemorate the prince, which was unearthed 80 years ago. (Nevine El-Aref, “Ancient statues discovered on Elephantine Island in Aswân”, Ahram Online, April 10, 2016. Voir également « Nouvelle découverte archéologique à Éléphantine », al- Bashâyyir, 10 avril ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Découverte à Éléphantine de deux statues de l’Ancien Empire », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 avril ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Mise au jour de deux statues et d’une stèle à Éléphantine », al- Ahrâm, 11 avril ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, The newly discovered stelae (Courtesy of the Swiss Institute) « Découverte à Éléphantine de la chapelle de A Swiss excavation mission led by Swiss la barque sacrée d’Hatchepsout », al-Shurûq, archaeologist Cornelius PILGRIM unearthed two 14 avril). headless statues and an offering stele during excavation works within the vicinity of Khnum - - temple on the Nile island of Elephantine in Aswân. Nasr Salâma, director of Aswân Le secrétaire général du CSA, Dr Mustafa antiquities, said that early studies on the Amîn, a pris la décision n° 1751 portant statues reveal that one of the figures, carved nomination du Dr Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz au in black granite, belongs to the Old Kingdom poste de directeur général des antiquités Elephantine ruler prince Haqa Ib, though the égyptiennes de Haute-Égypte, à dater du 13 second one is not yet identified as it does not avril 2016. Dr ‘Abd al-‘Azîz succède ainsi à bear any names or hieroglyphic text. Sultân ‘Îd, parti à la retraite.

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Par ailleurs, Amîn Ramadân a été nommé également Ahmad Mansûr, « Après son succès directeur général de la zone archéologique en France, le British Museum accueille d’al-Qurna à dater du 13 avril 2016. (Ahmad l’exposition sur les antiquités submergées », al- Mansûr, « Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz nommé Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 avril). directeur général des antiquités de Haute- Égypte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 avril 2016). - -

- - Le président du département des projets, Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ, a annoncé l’achèvement de la restauration de quatre mosquées situées dans Mardi 12 avril 2016 la ville de Fûwwa dans le gouvernorat de Kafr al-Shaykh. Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al-‘Inânî, inaugurera ces quatre monuments la semaine prochaine. Les mosquées sont celle de Sîdî Mûsa dont la restauration a coûté 2,5 millions L.E., mosquée al-Fuqâ‘î (2,07 millions L.E.), mosquée Abû Sha‘ra (3,03 millions L.E.) et mosquée al-Sâdâ al-Kûrâniyya (3,5 millions L.E.).

Les travaux de restauration ont englobé la consolidation architecturale, l’isolation, le dallage, la restauration minutieuse des minbars,

God Hapy colossus (Courtesy of the British Museum) le renouvellement des réseaux électrique et acoustique. Une entreprise du BTP a effectué The British Museum has welcomed three ces travaux sous la supervision du ministère de giant statues depicting the Egyptian god Hapy, l’Archéologie. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Achèvement de King Ptolemy II and his sister Queen Arsinoe, la restauration de 4 mosquées dans le as part of an international exhibition tour. Ilhâm gouvernorat de Kafr al-Shaykh », al-Yawm al- Salâh, head of the Museums Department at the Sâbi‘, 12 avril 2016. Voir également Hiba ‘Âdil, Ministry of Antiquities, told Ahram Online that « Les ministres de l’Archéologie et de la statue of Hapy is a 5.4-metre tall colossus Culture inaugurent 4 mosquées historiques carved in pink granite and was recovered from restaurées à Kafr al-Shaykh », al-Ahrâm al- a seabed in 2001 by a French Egyptian mission ‘Arabî, 3 mai). led by Frank GODDIO.

The colossus was found at the entrance of - - Amun-Gereb temple in the port of the sunken city of Thonies-Heracleion. The statues depicting King Ptolemy II and his sister weigh almost 20 tonnes and are well-preserved.

The exhibition, Salâh said, will be officially inaugurated on 19 May and will last until 27 November. It will also include a collection of 300 artefacts recovered from the sunken cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus, which sat at the mouth of the Nile where the Greek and

Egyptian empires met. A building in Hilwân, which was reported by th “The British Museum is the second stop of locals to be a palace belonging to 19 century this touring exhibition that will visit several ruler Tawfîq Pasha, has been identified by cities in Europe and Japan,” Salâh said, adding antiquities officials as the Hilwân Theatre. After that the first stop was the Arab World Institute inspecting the building in Nubâr Street in in Paris. (Nevine El-Aref, “Colossal ancient Hilwân in southern Cairo, an archaeological Egyptian statues arrive safely in British committee appointed by the antiquities ministry Museum”, Ahram Online, April 12, 2016. Voir said that the structure was in fact the theatre,

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which had not been listed on Egypt’s official A visitor centre, bookstore, souvenir shop heritage list, a ministry press release said. and cafeteria will also be built. Two buildings displaying a panorama of Egypt’s military Ibrâhîm Nayrûz, director of the history from the ancient Egyptian period to the documentation administration in the ministry, modern era, similar to the October War told Ahram Online that the theatre was built in Panorama in Nasr City in Cairo, are also 1892 and registered on Cairo governorate’s list planned for the area. as a historic edifice with distinguished architecture. The theatre, he continued, follows After a year’s restoration work on several the National Organization for Urban Harmony ancient Egyptian and Graeco-Roman military and not the ministry of antiquities because it is fortresses in the area, work on building the not listed on Egypt’s Heritage List. panorama relating Egypt’s military history has begun in cooperation with the Ministry of Nayrûz added that the inspection tour Defence. revealed that the theatre’s widows and entrance areas are blocked with mud brick. The Earlier this week, during an inspection tour wooden facade of the stage remains in place, to Qantara East and West to inspect the latest and the ceiling is decorated with masks and work, Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî harp shapes, Nayrûz said. A few chairs sit in inaugurated a hall at the Qantara East Centre front of the stage. The building is unfortunately for Scientific Studies and Archaeological in very poor condition, he added. Research. The hall will serve as the centre of the panorama project. A detailed report is to be sent to the Muhammad ‘Abd al-Maqsûd, coordinator of ministry of antiquities. The ministry will then archaeological sites at the New Suez Canal, discuss the future of the building with the told Al-Ahram Weekly that archaeologists and National Organization for Urban Harmony. historians are expected meet on a daily basis (Nevine El-Aref, “19th century Cairo building at the site to prepare documents, photographs turns out to be Hilwân theatre, not royal and scientific materials for the panorama, until palace”, Ahram Online, April 12, 2016). construction of the building is completed in 12 - - months’ time. The panorama is to be built in the empty space area between the Old and New Suez Jeudi 14 avril 2016 Canals. al-‘Inânî suggested that the building could be similar to the Musée des civilisations When President ‘Abd al-Fattâh al-Sîsî gave de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (MuCEM) in the go-ahead for the digging of a New Suez Marseille in France as both buildings overlook Canal last year, archaeologists applauded as the sea. their long-awaited project to develop and open The MuCEM is a 15,000-square-metre cube to the public the Horus Road, a vital built of steel and surrounded by a latticework commercial and military link between Egypt and shell of reinforced concrete. al-‘Inânî described Asia in antiquity, was also planned to see the it as a distinguished building, adding that a light. similar building by the New Suez Canal would Development work at archaeological sites on give an opportunity to vessels crossing the the Horus Road in the vicinity of the Old and canal to admire the new panorama at night, in New Suez Canal, especially those at Qantara turn encouraging tourism. East, to make them more tourist-friendly, began A design has not yet been selected, but in parallel with the digging of the new suggestions are welcome, he said. The waterway. panorama building, ‘Abd al-Maqsûd told the A site-management component is to be Weekly, will not only include a display of included in the development project. This will Egypt’s military history, but will also have a include a tourist route for visitors to enjoy the research centre and a digital library of different architectural styles of the surrounding documentary films, manuscripts, books and ruins, information panels, and a high-tech photographs relating to Egypt’s military history. security and lighting system.

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The new museum will display artefacts ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said that the Habwa fortress unearthed in the fortresses located along the was a very important army station during the Horus Road, including weapons, pots, chariots reigns of the New Kingdom pharaohs , and the statues of kings who led military and Ramses II. It bore witness to the campaigns to defend the country. Replicas of battles the ancient Egyptian kings led to expel the military fortresses of Tharo and Tell Dafna the out of the country, as well as their will also be on display because they are the role in defending the country’s eastern gates. biggest ever found on the Horus Road, he said. Visitors will be able to continue their route towards the Tell Dafna site on the west bank ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said that the Tell Dafna of the canal to admire the fortresses built fortress, built by the 26th-Dynasty king Psamtiak there by kings of the 26th Dynasty. I, and the Tharo (west and east) fortress found in 2003, are some 500 metres long and 250 Egypt’s military history continues into metres wide and feature walls that were 13 Graeco-Roman times at Pelusium and in the metres thick with 12-metre entrances. The Tell Abû Sayfî area on the east bank of the Tharo East fortress was once surrounded by a canal. These areas include a military fortress, a giant water-filled moat. Roman theatre and a complete settlement for soldiers with galleries. There is also an Islamic “This is the largest fortress yet found,” ‘Abd period fortress at the site. al-Maqsûd told the Weekly. He said that the structure included 24 massive defence towers, During the ancient Egyptian period, Qantara 20 metres by four metres in size. Along with East, at the beginning of the Horus Road, was Tharo West, it was part of the eastern the scene of several battles, among them those defences of the ancient Egyptian military town led by the pharaohs , in his war of of Tharo and Egypt’s gateway to the Delta. liberation against the Hyksos; Seti I, in his military campaigns against rebels in Sinai and It was also the point where the ancient Canaan; and Ramses II, in his war against the Egyptian army carried out military campaigns to Hittites. secure the country’s borders. The graves of soldiers and horses have been found at the In modern times, Qantara East saw battles site “attesting to the reality of such battles,” between the allies and the Ottomans during ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said. World War I. It also served as the base of Australian operations in Sinai from 1916 until Photographs of other fortresses are to be final demobilisation in 1920. It was the location exhibited in the new panorama to show the for a World War I-era warehouse and hospital development of the fortresses throughout that were also used during World War II. The Egypt’s history. Digital 3D photographs of town was captured by Israel during the 1967 military scenes engraved on ancient Egyptian War, but won back after the 6 October War of temples are also to be on show. 1973. ‘Abd al-Maqsûd explained that reliefs of Seti In peacetime, the city was an important I engraved on the north wall of the Hypostyle trading post and one of Egypt’s busiest ports Hall at the Karnak Temple will be the main during the Graeco-Roman period, second only inscription on show. The reliefs, he continued, to Alexandria. Ships from the eastern narrate Seti I’s campaign to smash rebel forces Mediterranean and caravans from Syria and during the first year of his rule. Ramses II’s Palestine came to trade goods such as wine, Kadish war relief, engraved on the Karnak oil and honey, which were transported to Egypt Temple, will also be on show. and the Red Sea by Nile barge and by road. After visiting the panorama and museum, visitors will be able to embark on a tour “The panorama project will add to people’s around the remains of the fortresses spread admiration for Egypt’s Armed Forces,” ‘Abd al- over six sites in Qantara East and West. The Maqsûd told the Weekly, adding that it will also three sites in Qantara East are Tell Abû Sayfî, help support the belief that Egypt’s military is Pelusium and Habwa. Those to the West are the oldest in the world. (Nevine El-Aref, “Military Tell Dafna, Tell al-Maskhûta, Tell al-Seyeidî and panorama opening soon”, Al-Ahram Weekly, ‘Ayn Sukhna. April 14, 2016. Voir également ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn Zâhir, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie commence le réaménagement du site de Tell Dafna », Ruz

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al-Yûsuf, 9 février ; Nevine El-Aref, “New project such an extent that she made a fundamental to showcase Egypt’s ancient military history”, contribution to the promotion of academic and Ahram Online, April 6). scientific exchange between the two countries.

In addition to the academic sphere, - - Ghânim’s dedication on the cultural and political levels decisively contributed to the exceptional relationship between Egypt and Germany. It is thanks to her abilities as an intermediary and to her diplomatic skills that the fragments of the box of the gilded coffin of King Akhenaten (the coffin without the lid), an outstanding and historically significant ancient Egyptian object, was returned to Egypt.

The coffin, discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, had been lost for a long period and then resurfaced in the 1980s in Munich. In 2002, the box of the coffin was This article is a celebration of the life of an officially presented to the Egyptian Museum in extraordinary woman, a woman who was a Cairo after almost two decades of political and dynamo of energy, a passionate ambassador diplomatic negotiations. The return of the coffin for her country, a lover of Germany, a box, which was accompanied by great public dedicated career woman, a loyal friend and a interest both in Germany and in Egypt, signified loving wife and mother. This article is about the end of a long affair that threatened to Amânî Ghânim. damage the reputation of the German Federal Ghânim was born on 2 February 1948 in Republic in Egypt and beyond. Cairo, where she attended the German School Ghânim was deeply involved in the of the Borromeans in the district of Bâb al-Lûq organisation and implementation of the Cairo between 1954 and 1966. She studied German Institute’s centenary celebrations in 2007, which literature at Cairo University between 1967 and were a major success for all involved. Owing to 1970. In the year after her graduation, she was her deep love for her home country, Egypt, and employed by the German Archaeological to her exceptionally close bond and loyalty to Institute (DAI) as an interpreter and the German Archaeological Institute, Ghânim administrative clerk. was deeply committed to intensifying the In only a very short time after her initial relationship between the German Federal employment, Ghânim took on increasing Republic and Egypt, achieving this with great responsibilities at the Institute that went beyond success. In recognition of her achievements, her regular duties. Her role as an intermediary she was awarded the Order of Merit of the between the Institute and the Egyptian Federal Republic of Germany at the Institute’s authorities should be emphasised. With her premises on 9 March 2015. unparalleled dedication and reliability, her Ghânim felt particularly close to German profound expertise, her charming and respectful culture and always saw herself as a mediator tenacity and her extraordinarily acute instincts, between worlds. She was a patriotic Egyptian Ghânim guided and significantly determined the filled with the deepest love for her country and bilateral relationships of the Institute for a full of empathy for its people. In the framework period of over 40 years. of her duties she was also devoted to the The institute’s excellent relations with the promotion of Egyptian colleagues, whom she Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, vital to the supported in word and deed, giving helpful Institute’s work, as well as with academic counsel on the topic of study visits to Germany institutions throughout the country and the and various administrative questions as well as broader Egyptian authorities are all due to personal matters. She also advised German Ghânim’s unfailing commitment. Over the newcomers to the institute as well as decades, she also intensively liaised between established staff members on questions the Egyptian authorities and the ventures of concerning Egypt’s culture and society. German universities taking place in Egypt to

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Even after Ghânim had retired from her Amânî Mursî Ghânim unexpectedly passed duties in 2013, she remained close to the DAI away on 26 March, 2016, in hospital in Cairo, in Cairo. Her colleagues as well as guests of yet she will always be in the hearts of all the Institute will always remember Amânî those who loved her. In this age, when cultural Ghânim as a competent and helpful individual, differences too often form barriers between but also as a particularly clever and warm- people, Ghânim’s memory will remain an hearted woman who unwaveringly searched for example of how to build bridges. (Daniel POLZ, diplomatic solutions even in the most difficult Dietrich RAUE and Yasmîn al-Shâzlî, “Obituary: of circumstances. Remembering Amânî Ghânim (1948-2016)”, Al- Ahram Weekly, April 14, 2016). In 1995, while she was still working at the DAI, Ghânim cofounded Trade Fairs International with media personality Usâma - - Kamâl. The company, which specialises in organising both domestic and international Samedi 16 avril 2016 events, continues to be a success until this day. Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- Besides juggling two jobs, Ghânim was also ‘Inânî, est en train de réévaluer le projet du a loving wife, an amazing mother to her two Musée de la Mosaïque, situé dans la région de daughters, and a wonderful grandmother to her Bâb Sharq en Alexandrie. « Nous avons besoin five grandchildren. de 60 millions L.E. pour développer » ce projet One would not expect such a woman to gelé depuis six ans, dit-il. have time to spare for anything or anyone else, yet Ghânim continued to give freely of En marge de sa première visite officielle en her time and energy. The core of her Alexandrie, al-‘Inânî a déclaré qu’il est en train philosophy in life was that for every problem de définir les priorités d’intervention, à la there is a solution, if one only dealt with it in recherche de nouvelles sources de financement a responsible and well-thought-out, yet pour tous les projets à l’arrêt. « Nous sommes empathetic and sensitive, manner. When asked un ministère indépendant. Nos recettes for a favour she would always say, “if it can proviennent de la vente des tickets d’entrée be done, I will be the one to do it.” des sites et des musées. Or, l’absence de touristes a considérablement affecté nos She had a profound knowledge of human recettes », confie-t-il. (Marwa Mursî, « al-‘Inânî : nature and a deep empathy and respect 60 millions L.E. sont nécessaires pour le towards the people she dealt with, regardless développement du Musée de la Mosaïque en of their origins or standings. With this positive Alexandrie », al-Watan, 16 avril 2016). attitude, she was able to overcome many seemingly unsolvable differences, to build bridges and open doors, and to handle and - - negotiate the most delicate of matters, while always maintaining her modesty, dignity, Lundi 18 avril 2016 politeness, warmth of heart and affection towards the people around her. During excavation work carried out by a Ghânim walked with ministers and German-Egyptian mission led by Felix ARNOLD on professors, but she never lost the common Elephantine Island in Aswân, blocks from a way touch. She constantly gave to the poor, and station for the god Khnum’s festival barque she was always there to advise and help from Queen ’s reign was found. people of lesser means. It is no coincidence Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities that the walls of her office at the DAI were Department Mahmûd ‘Afîfî said the new embellished with portrait photographs of discovery was important because it would give Egyptian people, both men and women, of all scholars some insight into the religious rituals ages and from cities and rural areas. When practiced on the island during Hatshepsut’s explaining her love for Egypt, she often pointed reign. It could also shed more light on the to these pictures. mysterious queen herself during the early

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period of her reign and her engagement in the In the reign of King Tuthmosis III, all Aswân region. mentions of her name were erased and all representations of her female figure were “This is one of very few buildings replaced by images of a male king, her discovered from the early period of Queen deceased husband Tuthmosis II. Hatshepsut,” ‘Afîfî told Ahram Online, adding that the only other one was discovered in ‘Afîfî told Ahram Online that the building Karnak. could be reconstructed to its original appearance based on the blocks found so far. The building would probably have had a chamber lined on all four sides with pillars on which Khnum’s barque rested.

The pillars would bear representations of Khnum and other gods, including -peref, which means “He who is in his house,” - menit or “Lady of the mooring post,” and Min- Amun of Nubia. (Nevine El-Aref, “Decorative blocks from sacred barque’s way station found in Aswân”, Ahram Online, April 18, 2016. Voir également Nasma Réda, « Éléphantine ou l’île au trésor », al-Ahram Hebdo du 20 avril).

Erased name Elephantine (courtesy of the German Institute) - - ARNOLD pointed out that the barque’s way station building was later dismantled in antiquity and some of its blocks were found by Mardi 19 avril 2016 Swiss excavators in previous archaeological seasons. This season, he continued, the German excavators discovered about 30 blocks in the foundation of the god Khnum’s temple built by King Nectanebo II.

A block featuring Hatshepsut as a woman (courtesy of the German Institute) President HOLLANDE calling the world from the Coptic Museum (Courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities) “Although a large amount of blocks from the barque’s way-station building were found On the final day of his visit to Egypt, along several archaeological seasons, the French President François HOLLANDE was guided blocks found this season have clarified the by Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al- meanings of the other blocks,” ARNOLD said. He ‘Inânî on a tour around the Salâh al-Dîn Citadel explains that the newly discovered blocks are and the Coptic Museum in Old Cairo. President carved of stone and decorated with engravings HOLLANDE insisted on visiting these two sites depicting Queen Hatshepsut as a woman, which because they highlight Egypt’s long history of highlights that it should have been carved religious tolerance. during the early years of her reign. Hatshepsut From the Coptic Museum, HOLLANDE called was represented as a king later in her ruling on the entire world to visit Egypt, and pointed tenure to several cooperation deals signed between

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both countries in a number of domains, ScanPyramids Project is welcoming a new team including the archaeological field. of researchers from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) The director-general of the Grand Egyptian and the Institute of Research into the Museum Târiq Tawfîq also escorted German Fundamental Laws of the Universe (Irfu). vice-chancellor and economy minister Sigmar Communication Officer, Malak al-Khâdim, GABRIEL on his tour at the Egyptian Museum in announced that since the launching of the Tahrîr and the Gîza Plateau. GABRIEL was project, the CEA team has shown interest due reportedly impressed with the distinguished to its know-how in . The ancient Egyptian artefacts on display at the team has been developing over many years museum. micro-pattern gas detectors called Micromegas.

He also met with German restorer Christian The ScanPyramids Project aims at scanning ECKMANN and heard about his work in restoring over the course of one year a number of the iconic mask of Tutankhamun and the , including the Khufu and restoration works being carried out on Khafre pyramids in Gîza as well as the Bent Tutankhamun’s golden sheets. (Nevine El-Aref, Pyramid and Red Pyramid. The project “French president visits historical sites and combines several non-invasive and non- museums in Egypt”, Ahram Online, April 19, damaging scanning techniques to search for 2016). the presence of any hidden internal structures and cavities in ancient monuments, which may - - lead to a better understanding of their structure and their construction Photographers Mustafa Mamdûh and processes/techniques. ‘Abdallah Hanafî took to Alexandria’s decades- old streets with their cameras in a quest to The Micromegas detectors are used to display how time has taken its toll on the city’s reconstruct particle tracks for many scientific historic landmarks over the last two decades. endeavours in high-energy physics. According to The photos document the replacement of al-Khâdim, the detectors have been installed in beautifully crafted buildings with modern, dreary the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator towers between 1996 and 2016. Facility in the US.

Mamdûh and Hanafî collected old photos of Using these unique detectors, the CEA team areas of Alexandria and researched their dates, is building specialised muon telescopes for the then took photographs of the same place as it ScanPyramids mission, currently under is now, holding up the photographs of what construction and testing in the CEA laboratories used to be there in front of what is there at Saclay in France. today. The essential aim of the project was to This new generation of muon telescopes, al- document the heritage sites in Alexandria; Khâdim explains, will supplement the other some of which did not survive the architectural muon techniques conceived in Japan. The purge that came with the modernization of the Japanese devices are used to scan inside the city, Mamdûh told al-Masrî al-Yawm. pyramids while the CEA telescopes will scan “This is one of a series of projects we from the outside. carried out to monitor the stark difference al-Khâdim continues that the CEA is a between 1996 and 2016 in nine areas of the public research organisation working in four city,” he said, adding that the changes in the main areas; defence and security, nuclear and city during the last 20 years have been for the renewable energies, technological research for worse in many places, while others still cling industry and fundamental research. The CEA on to their architectural beauty. (“Photographers takes part in implementing cooperation projects capture loss of Alexandria’s historic architecture with a wide range of academic and industrial over last 20 years”, Egypt Independent, April partners. With its 16,000 researchers and 19, 2016). employees, it is a major player in European research and is currently expanding its - - international presence.

After having submitted a request to the The ScanPyramids Project was launched in Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, the October 2015 under the authority of the

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Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and is led by écrire sur « notre bérézina sans pareille ». En the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University effet, Abû al-Wafâ affirme que le musée along with the Heritage, Innovation and égyptologique de Turin détient la plus ancienne Preservation Institute in Paris (HIP). The mission carte géologique égyptienne du monde. Celle-ci involves the use of infrared thermography, date du règne de Séthi Ier (1318 av. J.-C.). Elle muon tomography and 3D reconstruction fournit un plan des pistes montagneuses et des techniques. voies d’accès aux différentes carrières du désert Oriental. Elle révèle également que la Several international scientific institutions région de Wâdî al-Hammâmât, située sur le are taking part in the project: Nagoya chemin reliant Qift dans le gouvernorat de University in Japan; the High Energy Qinâ à al-Qusayr dans le gouvernorat de la Accelerator Research Organisation in Tsukuba, mer Rouge, renferme 25 mines d’or. En outre, Japan for muon tomography; and Laval cette carte recense l’emplacement de 130 University in Quebec, Canada for infrared mines d’or, dont celle d’al-Sukkarî victime de thermography. (Nevine El-Aref, “CEA joins pillages. ScanPyramids Project”, Ahram Online, April 19, Une question se pose : qui a autorisé la 2016). sortie de cette carte d’Égypte ? Supposons - - qu’elle ait été volée à un moment donné et dans n’importe quel contexte, pouvons-nous exiger sa restitution, ainsi que celle de toutes Mercredi 20 avril 2016 nos antiquités volées, conformément à l’article 49 de la Constitution de 2014 ? En effet, cet article stipule « l’engagement de l’État dans la J’aurais aimé que le président ‘Abd al-Fattâh protection, la préservation, la restauration, la al-Sîsî intervienne personnellement dans la maintenance des antiquités, ainsi que la nomination des dirigeants du ministère de restitution de celles qui ont été volées… La l’Archéologie, qui gèrent le patrimoine égyptien. règlementation et la supervision des travaux de Car les dégâts que nous observons de temps à fouilles archéologiques… L’interdiction d’offrir ou autre dans ce domaine confirment que certains d’échanger n’importe quelle pièce... La se jouent de notre civilisation au profit de criminalisation de toute atteinte ou trafic l’ennemi, que ce soit par le biais des missions archéologique considérés comme un crime archéologiques étrangères dont le nombre imprescriptible ». avoisine les trois cents missions spécialisées dans les fouilles, la découverte et la Nous interrogeons le ministère de restauration… ou bien à travers certains l’Archéologie au sujet des récentes révélations archéologues égyptiens irresponsables. D’où la médiatiques sur le fait que quelques nécessité de prendre au sérieux les égyptologues allemands ont gravé une « étoile revendications de nos experts dévoués qui de David » sur un l’un des blocs du temple mettent en garde contre le danger insidieux d’Osiris Nesmeti, situé sur l’île Éléphantine dans que représentent ces missions. Voilà pourquoi le gouvernorat d’Aswân. Selon les experts nous en appelons à ce que les travaux de archéologues que j’ai interrogés sur la réalité fouille et de restauration soient exclusivement de cette « affaire », les accusations planent réservés aux Égyptiens, afin de nous prémunir sur l’un des membres de cette mission, contre la traîtrise des missions étrangères. probablement de confession juive. C’est lui qui Celles-ci œuvrent impunément pour « la a dessiné ou gravé les deux étoiles de David politisation, le sionisme et à la judaïsation » de sur la façade du temple antique, d’une façon nos antiquités, hier comme aujourd’hui. provocante qui a heurté les sentiments des Égyptiens et dans le but de défigurer leur J’aborde ce sujet par souci de cette cause. civilisation. Les experts affirment que des Je connais les dessous et les arcanes de la responsables du ministère de l’Archéologie ont mafia du trafic archéologique, grâce à retiré et dissimulé ce bloc de calcaire, afin de d’ardents patriotes intègres qui travaillent au soustraire l’information à l’opinion publique ! sein du ministère de l’Archéologie et ailleurs. Les déclarations récentes du directeur des Les faits mentionnés ci-dessus m’incitent à antiquités de la mer Rouge, Muhammad Abû al- (re)solliciter le président de la République pour Wafâ, ont soulevé mon ire et m’ont incité à poursuivre ce genre de crimes, en prenant des

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mesures dissuasives pouvant aller jusqu’à Pour répondre aux « fadaises » de ce l’expulsion d’Égypte de quiconque qui falsifie responsable, disons que, premièrement, les notre histoire et qui fait exprès de judaïser nos membres de ces missions étrangères font antiquités au profit de l’ennemi scélérat. Il faut exprès de publier les résultats de leurs également traduire en justice les responsables recherches sur nos antiquités en toutes les égyptiens chargés de surveiller les activités de langues, à l’exception de la langue arabe ! ces missions. Pour mettre fin à ces allégations Comme si le monde entier avait le droit de mensongères, il faut équiper tous les chantiers savoir ce qu’ils font sur notre territoire. Quant de fouille répandus sur le territoire de à nous, nous sommes les derniers à le savoir ! vidéosurveillance, et les placer sous la Deuxièmement, nous ne manquons pas de supervision d’une autorité régalienne, qui jeunes archéologues compétents, dotés d’une regroupe des experts en archéologie et en vision pour résoudre tous les problèmes histoire. archéologiques. Mais, pour une raison obscure, Soulignons que « l’étoile de David à six ils sont ostracisés. branches » n’a jamais été mentionnée dans la Troisièmement, nous soutenons depuis Torah. Ce symbole existait comme motif longtemps que la crise réelle des antiquités géométrique dans les civilisations islamique et réside dans la mauvaise gestion de nos brahmanique. Toutefois, le lobby franc- responsables. Si ces dirigeants maçonnique est parvenu à duper le monde en « incompétents » suivaient les conseils éclairés falsifiant les vérités historiques et en des esprits novateurs, le ministère de prétendant que cette étoile est un symbole juif. l’Archéologie aurait obtenu de très grands Pour que les choses soient plus claires, des revenus financiers. À titre d’exemple, pourquoi experts et des professeurs d’archéologie dignes ne pas coordonner avec les universités, les de foi affirment que les missions écoles, les instituts, les organismes archéologiques étrangères opérant en Égypte gouvernementaux et privés pour organiser des ciblent leurs sites d’intervention pour des visées visites des sites archéologiques dans tous les connues qui servent leurs préjugés, leurs gouvernorats du pays ? Qu’est-ce qui empêche propres intérêts et leur agenda particulier. Je de louer les demeures historiques fermées et me demande comment notre vénérable négligées à des autorités nationales honnêtes, ministère de l’Archéologie fait-il mine d’ignorer comme les banques, capables de les gérer ? le savoir et l’expérience de plus de 12000 Auquel cas, nous pourrions nous assurer des archéologues égyptiens spécialisés, les revenus fixes, à l’abri des aléas du tourisme. transformant en « chômeurs » en quête Avec cet argent, nous pourrions faire appel au désespérée de moyens de subsistance. savoir des archéologues égyptiens en matière Parallèlement, le ministère de l’Archéologie a de fouille et de restauration archéologiques, au réussi à octroyer aux missions étrangères la lieu de demeurer la cible de la perfidie des part du lion des sites archéologiques étrangers qui se jouent de notre histoire et de importants, sous l’ombrelle de la loi inique notre civilisation. Pas vrai ? (Mahmûd ‘Âbidîn, régissant le travail de ces missions. « Nos antiquités en proie à la politisation, au sionisme et à la judaïsation », al-Dustûr, 20 L’expérience démontre que les préjudices avril 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le causés par ces missions dépassent largement ministre de l’Archéologie forme une commission les avantages que nous pourrions en tirer. Il pour examiner l’affaire de l’étoile », al-Yawm al- est regrettable qu’un dirigeant de l’un des Sâbi‘, 25 mars ; Muhammad Safâ’ al-Dîn, départements des antiquités égyptiennes « Falsification de l’Histoire : un Allemand grave prétende que les missions étrangères deux étoiles de David sur le temple d’Osiris enrichissent notre histoire et notre patrimoine, Nesmeti à Aswân », al-Badîl, 25 mars ; Mustafa sous prétexte qu’elles possèdent des moyens Nadâ, « Récit détaillé de la découverte d’une scientifiques et financiers. « Ils [les étrangers] étoile de David sur un monument pharaonique sont extrêmement attentifs à notre patrimoine à Aswân », al-Shurûq, 27 mars ; Dalia Farouq, grâce à leur expérience dans le domaine des « Une gravure controversée à Éléphantine », fouilles depuis plus de 30 ans ; alors que nous Al-Ahram Hebdo du 6 avril). manquons des crédits nécessaires pour entreprendre des fouilles », renchérit le dirigeant ! - -

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fondé en 1774, en musée, en hommage au célèbre et grand écrivain Nagîb Mahfûz, suscite un débat entre archéologues. Un débat qui a surgi ces derniers jours avec la signature de l’accord entre le ministère des Antiquités et le Fonds du développement culturel du ministère de la Culture. Pour réaliser ce projet, les employés de l’administration du ministère des Antiquités, qui occupaient le rez-de-chaussée du monument, déménageront au deuxième

étage pour libérer 36 salles qui seront Une réplique, presque grandeur nature du consacrées à Nagîb Mahfûz. Sphinx, érigée en 2014 à Hebei en Chine à 300 kilomètres au nord-est de Pékin, sera Le projet prévoit d’exposer les affaires bientôt détruite. Tout de suite après personnelles du grand écrivain, de créer trois l’inauguration de cette réplique en 2014, le grandes bibliothèques, ainsi qu’une salle de ministre égyptien des Antiquités de l’époque, cinéma. Le premier étage sera transformé en Muhammad Ibrâhîm, avait porté plainte auprès salles d’expositions et en salles de conférences. de l’Unesco au sujet de cette réplique, jugée « Ce genre de projet a pour but de trouver laide et portant atteinte au monument d’origine. le moyen adéquat de réutiliser des sites Il avait alors demandé à l’Unesco d’appliquer antiques pour des projets culturels qui l’accord de 1972 concernant la protection du permettent de les garder vivants et de les patrimoine culturel et naturel des pays. La conserver », indique Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, sixième clause de cet accord prévoit que les vice-ministre des Antiquités et chef du projet pays membres ne doivent pas nuire, du Caire historique. Il assure qu’il n’y a pas directement ou indirectement, au patrimoine lieu de s’inquiéter d’une telle transformation en culturel ou naturel de tout autre pays membre. donnant l’exemple de différents édifices tels « Nous avons un profond respect pour que la Bayt al-Suhaymî devenue un centre l’héritage culturel mondial et nous présentons culturel, et le sabîl Muhammad ‘Alî utilisé nos excuses au cas où il y aurait eu un comme musée. « Le plus important est de malentendu », a déclaré un responsable choisir le thème culturel adéquat au site », chinois du projet. Selon lui, cette réplique explique-t-il, affirmant que ce joyau devrait uniquement servir de décor provisoire architectural mamelouk fait partie de la au tournage de films et de séries télévisées. campagne lancée en 2015 pour la sauvegarde de cent monuments historiques du Caire Une société chinoise avait fabriqué une islamique. réplique de taille presque réelle (10 cm de moins) du Sphinx de Gîza sur un terrain vague Si les uns acceptent cette réutilisation, de la ville de Shijiazhuang. Cette copie, qui d’autres par contre redoutent ses mesure donc 60 mètres de long et 20 mètres conséquences. Selon eux, cela détériorera les e de haut, comprenait par ailleurs trois entrées, murs du bâtiment remontant au XVIII siècle. une sur le devant et deux sur les côtés. « De tels projets exigent de nouveaux réseaux Beaucoup de touristes chinois grimpaient sur le électriques et des équipements lourds », Sphinx pour se faire prendre en photo. (Nasma explique l’archéologue Bassâm al-Shammâ‘. Le Réda, « La réplique chinoise du Sphinx sera comité des ingénieurs a été chargé de faire un détruite », al-Ahram Hebdo du 20 avril 2016. rapport sur le projet. Ce rapport souligne le fait Voir également « Après une plaine égyptienne, que le rez-de-chaussée n’est pas convenable la Chine détruit une réplique du Sphinx », al- pour un musée à cause de la fragilité du sol, Badîl, 5 avril ; Ibtisâm Abû Dahab, « L’Égypte la terre peut s’affaisser et par la suite toucher remporte la bataille contre la réplique du tout l’édifice. « Les ingénieurs ont également Sphinx », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 6 avril). conseillé la poursuite des fouilles dans la Takiyat, ce qui est impossible après sa - - transformation en musée », indique Muhammad ‘Abd al-Latîf, ex-directeur du département des L’idée de transformer le site islamique monuments islamiques. mamelouk de Takiyat Muhammad Abû al-Dahab,

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Si le côté technique est un vrai obstacle de travaux de restauration qui ont commencé pour la transformation de l’édifice en musée, par le sauvetage de son minaret et des d’autres refusent l’idée d’associer un lieu de inscriptions islamiques qui décorent ses murs. l’époque ottomane à un auteur contemporain. « La réparation du système de drainage était C’est le cas d’al-Shammâ‘ qui ne voit aucune notre plus grand obstacle. Il était indispensable relation entre la Takiyat et Nagîb Mahfûz, prix de s’atteler à cette tâche au plus vite. Une fois Nobel de littérature en 1988. al-Sa‘îd Hilmî, terminée, on a commencé à renforcer les murs, directeur du secteur des Monuments islamiques les colonnes ainsi que les voûtes et les et coptes au ministère des Antiquités, estime planches en bois qui constituent les au contraire que « Mahfûz a passé une grande plafonds », explique Wa‘d ‘Abd al-‘Âl, chef du partie de sa vie dans ce quartier puisqu’il est département des projets au ministère des né en 1911 à al-Gamâliyya, et on retrouve Antiquités. d’ailleurs l’ambiance du quartier d’al-Azhar et Il ajoute : « On a dû supprimer les d’al-Husayn dans la plupart de ses romans ». anciennes tentatives de restauration qui étaient Outre cette raison, certains craignent que le parfois faites par les fidèles de la mosquée et ministère des Antiquités ne soit privé du revenu les ouvriers de la région ». Les minutieux exceptionnel obtenu grâce aux billets vendus travaux de restauration qui ont été effectués pour la visite du complexe d’Abû al-Dahab. ont ainsi permis de sauver les éléments « L’idée de la réutilisation de la Takiyat n’est décoratifs et les textes historiques présents pas récente. Dès 2006, lors de l’inauguration depuis la fondation de cette Grande Mosquée. du complexe de Muhammad Abû al-Dahab, « On a réussi à ce que les éléments décoratifs l’ancien ministre de la Culture Fârûq Husnî, ainsi que les balcons et la porte d’entrée avait déclaré vouloir transformer la Takiyat en reprennent leur beauté d’antan », souligne al- un musée dédié à Nagîb Mahfûz. Un tel musée Sa‘îd Hilmî, directeur du secteur des attirera de nombreux visiteurs étrangers monuments islamiques. Le coût de ces travaux passionnés de la littérature de Mahfûz dont la a atteint 4 millions de L.E. renommée, il ne faut pas l’oublier, dépasse Ce monument est pour les citoyens non largement nos frontières », explique Hilmî. seulement un édifice religieux, mais un endroit Pour ou contre, une chose est sûre : la historique témoin d’une partie importante de Takiyat restera accessible aux visiteurs du l’histoire de l’Égypte aussi. al-Zâhir Baybars al- complexe religieux d’Abû al-Dahab. (Nasma Bunduqdârî fut un grand combattant contre les Réda, « Entre Abû al-Dahab et Mahfûz », al- Mongols et les Croisés. Ce cavalier a régné sur Ahram Hebdo du 20 avril 2016). l’Égypte entre 658 et 676 de l’hégire (1260- 1277). Pour autant, ses campagnes militaires ne - - l’ont en rien détourné de son intérêt pour l’architecture. Il laissa de nombreux édifices, religieux et civils, dont cette grande mosquée fondée en 672 de l’année de l’hégire. Baybars fut le premier grand sultan de l’époque mamelouke à assurer à l’Égypte un essor politique et militaire.

Les histoires glorieuses qui entourent sa personne restent jusqu’à nos jours le thème de contes pour enfants. Outre ces histoires mythiques, beaucoup de citoyens de la région croient en l’existence d’un tunnel creusé à l’époque sous la mosquée pour des raisons Après six ans de fermeture, la mosquée al- militaires. « Nos ancêtres nous ont raconté que Zâhir Baybars (1223-1277), dans le gouvernorat ces tunnels ont des longueurs inimaginables et de Qalyûbiyya situé à 15 km au nord-est du que l’un d’eux relie cette mosquée à celle d’al- Caire, a été inaugurée. Remontant à l’époque Azhar au Caire », dit une femme dans la des Mamelouks (1250-1517), cette mosquée cinquantaine. « Pas une trace de ces rumeurs aussi dénommée la Grande Mosquée est un populaires. Ce n’est qu’un lieu historique, qui a exemple remarquable de l’architecture de cette pu heureusement être restauré », assure Hilmî. époque. Cette mosquée bénéficie depuis 2010

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(Nasma Réda, « La mosquée Baybars revit », They began to learn the techniques of al-Ahram Hebdo du 20 avril 2016. Voir excavation and became experts in this field. également Haytham Battâh, « Khâlid al-‘Inânî PETRIE had many friends from this large village. promet de développer les sites archéologiques When he was excavating at Abydos and the à al-Qanâtir al-Khayriyya », al-Tahrîr, 8 avril ; workmen found the head of an ivory statuette Amânî Salâma, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie of Khufu, the builder of the Great Pyramid at inaugure la mosquée Baybars à al- Gîza, he examined the head and thought that Qalyûbiyya », al-Wafd, 8 avril). the four centimetres missing from the statuette was still under the sand.

- - He asked his Qiftî rayyis (overseer) to go to Baliana in the governorate of Suhâg and bring Jeudi 21 avril 2016 sieves that could be used to sift all the sand in the area. The Qiftî workmen then found the rest of the statuette, the only known sculpture Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- of the builder of the Great Pyramid. ‘Inânî, a reçu aujourd’hui le directeur de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale (Ifao), Many great foreign archaeologists have Laurent BAVAY. Cet entretien, qui a eu lieu au befriended their rayyis, including Manfred BIETAK, siège du ministère de l’Archéologie à Zamâlik, Rainer STADELMANN, David O’CONNOR, and others. est motivé par la volonté d’examiner les I have also heard many stories from Miroslav modalités de renforcement de la recherche VERNER and Daniel POLZ. But the most scientifique entre le ministère de l’Archéologie interesting story is connected with Howard et l’Ifao. CARTER, the discoverer of the tomb of Tutankhamun, whose rayyis was also from Qift. al-‘Inânî a annoncé l’organisation de deux stages à l’attention des conservateurs des When CARTER brought his canary with him, musées égyptiens. Cette formation portera sur his rayyis told him that the bird “will bring you l’apprentissage des logiciels de traitement luck, yâ ganâb al-mudîr,” which means “Mr numérique de l’image (Adobe Photoshop) et du Director”. Another story concerns Husayn, a dessin archéologique (Adobe Illustrator). nine-year-old boy from Qift, who brought water in jars by donkey for the workmen. The jars al-‘Inânî a ajouté que cette initiative est le had a pointed base, and while he was digging prélude d’une série de coopération fructueuse a hole to put the jar in the ground, he found entre les deux parties à travers l’organisation the first step to the top of Tutankhamun’s de cycles de recherche et de workshops visant tomb. He ran to CARTER to tell him, and CARTER à améliorer le niveau et à enrichir l’expérience rewarded him by putting a necklace around his du personnel du ministère de l’Archéologie. neck and taking a photograph of him, making (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie it the most famous photograph in all of reçoit le directeur de l’Ifao afin de soutenir la Egyptology. recherche scientifique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 21 avril 2016). I myself learned excavation techniques from the Qiftîs. More than one hundred of them - - worked with me during 10 years of excavation at the site of Kom Abû Billû. We had a great We always put the spotlight on rayyis whose name was rayyis Doctor. He did archaeologists when they make a discovery. But not know how to read or write, but his father, behind any discovery are great people who who had worked with many famous doctors of helped in the excavation, restoration and archaeology, gave him this name. administration of a dig. Rayyis Doctor was a tall, polite man, and he There is a small town near Luxor called Qift gave me a brush to clean a statue and taught where local people have long assisted foreign me excavation methods when I was just 20 archaeologists in their discoveries. They began years old. There was also hagg Muhammad. He working in the early years with foreign had a face like an ancient Egyptian, and I adventurers such as BELZONI, CAVIGLIA, LEPSIUS, believe he was the most intelligent person I and others. But Sir Flinders PETRIE, known as have ever met in my life. There was also rayyis the “father of Egyptian archaeology,” was the Hâmid and his son ‘Abd al-Wahâb. one who trained the workmen from Qift.

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The Qiftîs also brought us the expertise to Hâtim, who has a doctorate from Prague and move huge statues and the lids of sarcophagi had come to work at Saqqâra, and his other in the way the ancient Egyptians did. I son Kazin, who wants to study in the States. remember when I was inspector of antiquities But this week he passed away, and with him at Ashmûnayn in Middle Egypt, and we wanted the last representative of the dynasty of great to move a statue of the god Thoth, the Qiftî workers has left us. (Zâhî Hawwâs, “Great ancient Egyptian god of wisdom. The statue men in antiquities”, Al-Ahram Weekly, April 21, was in the shape of a baboon and weighed 2016). about 20 tons. Rayyis ‘Alî al-Kasâb, who lived in Luxor, was able to move the statue with the - - help of only a few men.

Some of the Qiftîs later moved to Luxor, Vendredi 22 avril 2016 and others lived in Hilwân and Saqqâra. One large family that had experts in moving heavy stones was the al-Kraytî family in Saqqâra. The father, ‘Abdu al-Kraytî, was the best at this work, but he also had two superb sons, Ahmad and Talâl. The father and Ahmad later died, and this week Talâl al-Kraytî, the last member of a family that had raised huge stones like in the time of the pharaohs, also passed away. I had the privilege to see them in action many times, though I did not know the father well.

When Miroslav VERNER discovered the tomb of Iuf-aa, director of the palace at Abûsîr The Golden Pharaohs and Pyramids: The dating to 500 BCE, he found that the tomb Treasures from the Egyptian Museum, Cairo is was intact. Inside, there was a huge a special touring exhibition visiting several cities sarcophagus, the lid of which weighed some 30 in Japan. It started in October last year in tons. When Fârûq Husnî, the minister of culture Tokyo, and then went to Matsuyama, and the at the time, heard about the discovery he third leg of the exhibition is Sendai. wanted to attend the opening. Ilhâm Salâh, head of the museums sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, told Ahram Online VERNER and I decided that we couldn’t open the sarcophagus in front of the press and that that the tour will last for 25 months and we would have to open it first. Rayyis Talâl includes 120 artifacts from the Old Kingdom and his brother Ahmad managed to open the era and the pyramid-builders period. lid and interior of the coffin as if by miracle. The objects were carefully selected from the The most interesting thing were the songs they Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr and include the sang during the process. Golden Mask of King , one of the When I discovered the pyramid of the three great golden masks of ancient Egypt, as mother of King Teti, the first king of the 6th well as a statue of King Khafre statue and a Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, Ahmad also came group of statues of servants, workers, beer- to open the ten-ton lid of the sarcophagus in and bread-makers. A collection of scarabs and the burial chamber. amulets are also on display, as are ancient Egyptian board games. Later, a famous scene was recorded inside the tomb of the ancient governor of Bahariyya “This is the first ancient Egyptian exhibition showing Ahmad and Talâl inside the tomb with to tour several cities in Japan after a three- me. Talâl is explaining to me how to proceed. year hiatus. The last touring exhibition sent to The two of them did a fantastic job, and their Japan was in 2012, entitled 'Tutankhamun: The work was shown on a live show on the Golden Age of the Pharaohs',” Salâh pointed American network Fox-TV. out.

The last time Talâl came to see me was The exhibition is on show at the Sendai City about two months ago. He came with his son Museum, which features historical and cultural artifacts as well as arts and crafts from the

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Sendai area, which range in age from the Stone Age to modern times. (Nevine El-Aref, Mardi 26 avril 2016 “The art of the pyramid-builders on display in Sendai, Japan”, Ahram Online, April 22, 2016. Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Inauguration and the head of a Bonn University delegation, à Sendai de l’exposition sur l’époque des Lodwing MORIN, inaugurated a six-month-long bâtisseurs des pyramides », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, exhibition at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo 22 avril). entitled ‘Sinai: The Origin of the Alphabet’ on Egypt’s early alphabetic inscriptions. The - - exhibition, organised in collaboration with Bonn University, relates the history and development of the alphabet in southern Sinai. Dimanche 24 avril 2016 Sabâh ‘Abd al-Râziq, undersecretary of the Egyptian Museum for archaeological affairs, told Le président du Parquet administratif, Ahram Online that the exhibition displays early magistrat Sâmih Kamâl, a ordonné une inscriptions that show the development of comparution immédiate d’un inspecteur alphabetic writing in south-western Sinai during archéologique et de deux vigiles responsables the early second millennium BC, as well as a de la sécurité de la zone archéologique de Mît collection of 40 statues of deities and stelae in Rahîna. Ces trois individus sont accusés de vol direct connection with Sinai. d’une statue antique découverte en 2011 par During the inauguration ceremony, al-‘Inânî une mission américaine. Substituée par une told reporters that he was keen to open such réplique, la statue originale a été sortie an exhibition during Sinai Liberation Day, which illégalement d’Égypte et vendue à un trafiquant coincides with the 100th anniversary of Sir Alain belge. Il s’agit d’une statue double en calcaire GARDINER’s brilliant deciphering of the Sinai représentant un dignitaire du Moyen Empire scripts, which at first glance look like mere assis à côté de son épouse. (Hind al-Sa‘îd, hieroglyphs. al-‘Inânî said that the scripts were « Comparution immédiate d’un inspecteur of global importance and continue to have a archéologique et de trois vigiles pour vol d’une direct impact on our modern languages; from statue antique », al-Ahrâm, 24 avril 2016). Arabic to Latin and English scripts.

- - MORIN described the exhibition as a great challenge, saying that it was meant to open in September, but al-‘Inânî, the supervisor-general Lundi 25 avril 2016 of the museum at the time, insisted on opening it during Egypt’s celebration of Sinai Liberation Day, which reflects the tremendous efforts La présidente du département des musées, exerted by the team working on the project. Ilhâm Salâh al-Dîn, a déclaré que le musée archéologique d’al-‘Arîsh ne fait actuellement Among the attendees were former minister l’objet d’aucuns travaux de maintenance ou de of antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî, former restauration. D’ailleurs, il n’est pas question à Fayyûm governor Hâzim ‘Atiyya, as well as top l’heure actuelle d’entreprendre quoi que ce soit officials from the Ministry of Antiquities. (Nevine dans les musées et les sites archéologiques du El-Aref, “'Sinai: The Origin of the Alphabet' Sinaï à cause de l’instabilité qui y règne. La exhibit on display at Egyptian Museum”, Ahram décision de restaurer le musée d’al-‘Arîsh Online, April 26, 2016. Voir également Ahmad prendre du temps et nécessitera une vision Mansûr, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inaugure globale de la situation du musée et du au Musée Égyptien l’exposition Sinaï : berceau développement dans le Sinaï. Depuis l’attentat de l’alphabet », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 21 avril ; de 2014 qui avait ravagé ce musée, ses Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Sinaï : berceau de collections archéologiques ont été entreposées l’alphabet, nouvelle exposition au Musée dans un lieu sûr. (Ahmad Gûda, « Le musée Égyptien », al-Ahrâm, 27 avril). d’al-‘Arîsh est hors service, deux an après l’attentat », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 25 avril 2016). - - - -

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de l’Université de Varsovie, et Rafal CZERNER. Mercredi 27 avril 2016 Sur ces sites, les archéologues travaillent à la restauration des maisons, du forum et d’un Le 1er Symposium d’égyptologie du Caire, quartier de l’ancienne ville romaine de Mârînâ. organisé par le groupe de Visegrád à Outre leur importance archéologique, ces l’ambassade tchèque au Caire, s’est tenu le 12 travaux sont également, d’après Artur OBLUSKI, avril. Consacré aux travaux archéologiques une bonne occasion pour les jeunes effectués en Égypte par les pays du groupe archéologues égyptiens de s’initier au travail de (Hongrie, Pologne, République tchèque et terrain. Slovaquie), ce symposium est le premier de son Les archéologues, eux, de l’équipe dirigée genre. Le groupe de Visegrád a été fondé en par le professeur Marek CHLODNICKI de 1335, pour établir une coopération étroite dans l’Université de Poznan, ont été surpris de les domaines politiques et économiques entre découvrir sur le site prédynastique de Tell al- les royaumes de bohême, la Pologne et la Farkha, datant de 3600 av. J.-C. dans le Hongrie. Aujourd’hui, cette coopération s’est gouvernorat de Daqahliyya au delta, plusieurs étendue au domaine archéologique et le zones consacrées à la fabrication de la bière. groupe parraine plusieurs projets La communauté locale de Tell al-Farkha se archéologiques en Égypte. serait adonnée à cette activité pendant une C’est ce que explique Mme Veronika période. Du moins, c’est ce que révèlent les Kuchynova Smigolova, ambassadrice de la nombreux bassins de calcaire destinés à République tchèque en Égypte et présidente du recueillir le précieux liquide et qui ont été groupe de Visegrád. « Vu l’importance de découverts à plusieurs endroits. « Les bassins l’égyptologie pour les pays du groupe, sa étaient entourés de bois, afin de faire chauffer présidence a organisé ce symposium qui était le liquide pour obtenir la bière », explique une bonne occasion pour que chaque pays CHLODNICKI. Sur le même site, les archéologues présente un exposé expliquant l’un de ses ont découvert différents types de couteaux projets en Égypte », explique l’ambassadrice. La dont un en silex habilement façonné et enrichi Pologne est un exemple actif de ce que fait le d’un manche. Ces éléments, quant à eux, groupe de Visegrád. Le pays possède 17 reflètent une évolution importante des missions qui opèrent dans les quatre coins de techniques de taille à cette période. l’Égypte. En Moyenne-Égypte, dans le gouvernorat du Kom al-Dikka à Alexandrie, Mârînâ al- Fayyûm, la mission polonaise de l’University of ‘Alamayn à Matrûh, Tell al-Farkha dans le Delta, Delaware travaille en vue de redonner vie à le temple de Hatchepsout à Thèbes, le port de l’ancien monastère de Naqlûn datant du IVe Bérénice à la mer Rouge, ou encore le siècle. Ce lieu, habité jusqu’aux débuts du XXe monastère de Naqlûn au Fayyûm, en sont des siècle, fournissait aux voyageurs chrétiens la exemples. L’ensemble de la mission travaille nourriture et l’eau. « Pendant les années 1980, depuis plus de 80 ans dans les fouilles, le lors de nos premières saisons de fouilles, le nettoyage, la restauration et la préservation monastère était presque déserté et peu connu. des sites, afin qu’ils deviennent accessibles au Mais avec les saisons qui se sont succédé et public. « Nous travaillons la signalétique des les restaurations effectuées, les jeunes ermites sites, pour que les touristes puissent se repérer ont commencé à fréquenter à nouveau le et comprendre ce qu’ils sont en train de monastère », raconte Artur OBLUSKI. Parmi les voir », explique Artur OBLUSKI, directeur du découvertes les plus remarquables faites sur ce Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology in lieu, se trouve un ensemble de devises datant Cairo (PCMA). C’est le cas à Kom al-Dikka, à des époques islamique, omeyyade, abbasside, Alexandrie, l’une des plus anciennes régions où et surtout fatimide. opère la mission polonaise qui a révélé En Haute-Égypte cette fois, le site sacré l’extraordinaire auditorium appartenant à dédié à Hatchepsout rassemble un nombre l’antique université d’Alexandrie. conséquent d’archéologues de l’Université de Un peu plus loin, à quelque 94 km à l’ouest Krakow. La mission qui opère depuis plus de d’Alexandrie, se trouve Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn où 30 ans a déjà dévoilé plusieurs secrets. Comme opèrent deux missions égypto-polonaises, la découverte de la figure de Néférourê, fille dirigées respectivement par Krzysztof JAKUBIAK de Hatchepsout, sur l’une des parois du

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deuxième étage du temple. « Peut-être que la coopérer avec le syndicat des Guides reine voulait donner le trône à sa fille », touristiques pour leur organiser des formations. commente Zbigniew SZAFRANSKI, chef de la « Les guides touristiques doivent connaître les mission. Les archéologues ont également résultats de nos découvertes pour les expliquer nettoyé et restauré les deuxième et troisième le mieux possible aux touristes », reprend le étages. Récemment, ils ont inauguré la salle de directeur. la divinité du soleil Rê. Enfin, le directeur espère ouvrir un nouveau La mission polonaise a également étendu chantier portant sur l’époque islamique, l’unique ses recherches jusqu’aux bords de la mer période historique qui n’est pas traitée par les Rouge, à Qusayr plus précisément, où se archéologues du PCMA. (Doaa Elhami, « 80 ans trouve le port ptolémaïque de Bérénice, épouse d’archéologie », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 27 avril de Ptolémée I. Sur ce site, l’équipe d’Ivona ZYCH 2016). de l’University of Delaware a fait la remarquable découverte du « temple de - - Lotus » orné de scènes d’offrandes aux motifs floraux. « Ce type d’offrande était apprécié à Entretien avec Mme Veronika Kuchynova Hadramaout au Yémen, dans l’île des Arabes », Smigolova, ambassadrice tchèque en Égypte reprend le professeur OBLUSKI. La mission a et présidente du groupe de Visegrád. aussi dégagé au temple de Sérapis une stèle Al-Ahram Hebdo : Pouvez-vous nous parler gravée au nom d’Amenemhat IV (1797-1787 av. du groupe Visegrád qui organise le 1er J.-C.) de la XIIe dynastie du Moyen Empire. Symposium d’égyptologie du Caire ? D’après lui, cette stèle pourrait provenir d’un autre endroit. « Mais qui peut bien connaître Veronika Kuchynova Smigolova : Le groupe son lieu d’origine ? », ajoute-t-il. de Visegrád est une alliance de quatre pays d’Europe centrale : la Hongrie, la Pologne, la Aujourd’hui, les missions polonaises sont République tchèque, et la Slovaquie. Le groupe présentes aux quatre coins de l’Égypte et a été fondé en 1991 dans la ville hongroise de couvrent presque toutes les époques Visegrád. Le choix de cette ville était historiques. Le directeur du PCMA espère établir symbolique, c’est là-bas que se sont rencontrés un chantier islamique après avoir terminé la les rois de Bohême, de Pologne et de Hongrie mission de la mosquée de Qurqumâs, de en 1335 pour établir une coopération étroite l’époque mamelouke. dans les domaines politique et économique Le professeur Artur OBLUSKI a été nommé entre leurs royaumes. directeur du PCMA. Il est en train de — Quel est son objectif et quelles sont ses développer plusieurs nouvelles activités, activités ? notamment un projet de coopération avec le ministère des Antiquités. Ce projet est nommé — Les pays membres du groupe de KAMMEL (Kazimierz Michalowski Memorial Visegrád sont tombés sous l’influence russe Lectures). Il s’agit d’une série d’expositions qui après la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Après la seront présentées par les archéologues réussite des révolutions anticommunistes des polonais renommés qui ont travaillé au Moyen- années 1980 ils sont de nouveau devenus des Orient. Quatre expositions seront programmées entités indépendantes. Le but du groupe, dès chaque année. « On espère les organiser dans son établissement, était la coordination du la salle d’Ahmad Kamâl pacha au ministère des processus de réintégration de ses membres Antiquités à Zamâlik, afin de faciliter la venue dans les structures européennes après du public », explique le professeur OBLUSKI. Le quarante ans de non-liberté. Aujourd’hui, le premier invité sera le professeur GAWLIKOWSKI, groupe de Visegrád représente l’un des « like- l’un des anciens directeurs du centre qui minded » groupes au sein de l’UE. Il travaille travaille depuis longtemps sur le site de pour imposer ses intérêts, comme le font le Palmyre en Syrie. Benelux ou les pays scandinaves.

Le centre organise aussi des chantiers de La présidence du groupe de Visegrád tourne formation pour les jeunes archéologues pour chaque année. Depuis juillet 2015, c’est la les entraîner aux fouilles, à l’enregistrement, à République tchèque qui préside le groupe, en la restauration, au nettoyage et à la juin 2016, ce sera le tour de la Pologne. Le conservation des pièces. Le directeur veut pays qui préside le groupe propose pour sa

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présidence un programme dans les domaines nous menons. Concernant la qualité, l’Institut politique, sécuritaire et culturel. Il s’agit avant tchèque d’égyptologie de l’Université Charles à tout de coopération entre les pays membres, Prague fait par exemple l’objet d’un vif intérêt leurs ambassades dans les pays tiers de la part des citoyens américains qui y coopèrent, surtout en ce qui concerne la poursuivent leurs études doctorales en diplomatie publique. égyptologie.

— Le groupe de Visegrád s’intéresse-t-il — Qu’en est-il de la coopération entre le seulement à l’égyptologie ou également aux groupe de Visegrád et le ministère des époques gréco-romaine, islamique, moderne et Antiquités en Égypte, surtout dans les contemporaine ? domaines de la formation, des fouilles et de la restauration ? — Des universités de très bonne qualité dont les départements et instituts se — Je ne connais pas en détail les projets consacrent non seulement aux questions de des expéditions scientifiques et des spécialistes l’Égypte ancienne, mais aussi aux autres des autres pays du groupe de Visegrád. Mais époques, y compris l’âge moderne, se trouvent me servant de l’exemple tchèque, je peux dans tous les pays du groupe de Visegrád. confirmer que l’Institut tchèque d’égyptologie de l’Université Charles de Prague organise des — Comment le groupe de Visegrád séminaires et des conférences pour les participe-t-il à l’amélioration et au inspecteurs du patrimoine égyptien. Il a même développement de l’égyptologie en Égypte et publié leur contenu en arabe. ailleurs ? En outre, l’Institut tchèque d’égyptologie — Les égyptologues des quatre pays du prépare pour 2019, en coopération avec l’État groupe de Visegrád sont présents en Égypte égyptien, une exposition pour célébrer son 60e soit en tant que membres d’une expédition anniversaire. Une centaine d’objets découverts scientifique nationale, soit en tant que lors des travaux archéologiques, notamment à membres d’une équipe internationale. Les Abûsîr, seront exposés. (Doaa Elhami, égyptologues des pays du groupe ont, dans les « Veronika Kuchynova Smigolova : Les dernières décennies, fait de nombreuses égyptologues des pays de Visegrád ont fait de découvertes significatives qui ont attiré nombreuses découvertes significatives », Al- l’attention du monde vers l’Égypte Ahram Hebdo du 27 avril 2016). — Quelle est la différence entre les écoles d’archéologie des pays du groupe et les écoles d’archéologie des pays de l’Europe occidentale ?

— Aujourd’hui, il n’y a pas de grandes - différences entre les instituts de l’Europe de l’Ouest et de l’Europe centrale en ce qui concerne la qualité de l’enseignement. Vu la - - taille de nos pays, à l’exception de la Pologne qui a une forte population, la différence réside - dans le nombre d’étudiants et de missions que

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Mardi 3 mai 2016 Le Centro Cultural La Moneda a inauguré une exposition intitulée Antiguo Egipto. Vida en el Nilo. Cette exposition, qui se poursuit In an attempt to transfer all the objects jusqu’au 14 août 2016, regroupe 350 pièces planed to be exhibited at the Grand Egyptian archéologiques égyptiennes empruntées à Museum (GEM) to be subjected to restoration plusieurs musées allemands, notamment le before being permanently on display, a Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. L’exposition aborde collection of 1199 artefacts from Mâriyâ and la vie quotidienne, la religion, la culture, l’art et Mustafa Kâmil archaeological galleries was les traditions depuis l’invention de l’écriture selected and transported. jusqu’à la fin de l’époque romaine en Égypte. Târiq Tawfîq Supervisor General of the GEM Soulignons que c’est la première exposition announced adding that most of the objects are égyptienne jamais organisée à Santiago de from the New Kingdom and the Graeco-Roman Chili. (Ibtisâm Abû Dahab, « L’Égypte era. Among them are artefacts from the sunken pharaonique s’expose pour la première fois au city of Heracleion unearthed by a French Chili », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 mai 2016). Egyptian mission during the 1990s.

‘Îsa Zaydân Director General of Restoration - - Department at the GEM told Ahram Online that among the objects transferred are a royal Mercredi 4 mai 2016 colossus and a collection of sphinxes carved in red granite and a collection of arrows. The La présidente du secteur des musées, Ilhâm objects arrived safely at the GEM and are now Salâh al-Dîn, a déclaré que le ministre de subjected to restoration. (Nevine El-Aref, l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al-‘Inânî, a donné des “Another batch of artefacts transferred to the instructions en vue d’accélérer les travaux dans GEM”, Ahram Online, May 3, 2016. Voir le musée de Tell Basta, situé dans le également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le GEM gouvernorat d’al-Sharqiyya. Par conséquent, les réceptionne les pièces archéologiques en travaux de maintenance des 43 vitrines provenance d’Alexandrie », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 d’exposition ont démarré. Une commission mai). d’archéologues a été formée, afin de sélection - - les pièces à exposer parmi près d’un millier de pièces antiques. Un comité scientifique se chargera de la rédaction d’un nouveau catalogue du musée ainsi que des cartels. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie insiste pour une inauguration rapide du musée de Tell Basta », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 4 mai 2016). - -

Jeudi 5 mai 2016

A three-day conference will host on Friday a large number of local and international Egyptologists and scholars from all over the globe to discuss King Tutankhamun and his treasured funerary collection, Egypt’s Minister of

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Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online on mai 2016. Voir également Shaymâ’ ‘Uthmân, Thursday. « Polémique à Alexandrie autour des fêtes de mariage célébrées dans la citadelle Qâytbây », al-Badîl, 17 mai ; ‘Amr Anwar, « La célébration des mariages à Qâytbây risque de radier les monuments égyptiens sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial », al-Tahrîr, 22 mai). - -

Târiq Tawfîq, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) general supervisor, said that the GEM’s visitors’ centre will host the conference for the first two days, while the third day will be held at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustât on 8 May.

Tawfîq said that a number of scientific lectures will be delivered about King The excavation site (Courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities) Tutankhamun’s costumes and jewellery, and a review and discussion will take place on the An Egyptian-German archaeological mission latest results of the recent radar scan survey discovered new evidence suggesting the th carried out on his tomb in Luxor. (Nevine El- existence of a temple to 30 dynasty King Aref, “Three-day Tutankhamun conference to Nectanebo I (380-363 BC) in the Matariyya start in Egypt Friday”, Ahram Online, May 5, district in east Cairo, the head of the 2016. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “No more excavation mission announced on Thursday. surveys on Tutankhamun’s tomb until project Mission head Ayman ‘Ashmâwî explained to discussed 8 May”, Ahram Online, May 1 ; Ahram Online that the team, which started Ahmad Mansûr, « REEVES expose ses recherches excavation work in January, discovered a sur Néfertiti à l’intérieur de la tombe de number of limestone and sandstone blocks as Toutankhamon », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 mai ; well as columns and painted reliefs inscribed Ranâ Gawhar, « Recommandations de with scenes depicting King Nectanebo I. poursuivre la recherche à l’intérieur de la tombe de Toutankhamon », al-Ahrâm, 9 mai). A lower wall of black basalt was also found along with an eastern temple gate constructed - - with brown silicified sandstone and decorated with inscriptions and ritual scenes. A collection Le président du département des antiquités of bronze statues depicting the cat goddess islamiques et coptes, Sa‘îd Hilmî, a annoncé Bastet was also unearthed, as well as colossi que le conseil d’administration du CSA a and massive stone blocks indicating the décidé l’ouverture en nocturne de la citadelle existence of a yet-undiscovered temple to King Qâytbây en Alexandrie. Des contacts en ce Ramses II. sens sont entrepris actuellement avec la Police Basalt slabs were also unearthed showing du Tourisme et des Antiquités. À l’approche the geographical procession of the 6th nome of des vacances d’été et de l’affluence des Upper Egypt. Fragments of colossal statuary estivants sur les côtes d’Alexandrie, cette and large blocks with wall reliefs were also décision vise à renflouer les caisses du discovered. ministère de l’Archéologie. Cette initiative tend également à démontrer que l’Égypte est un Dietrich RAUE, of the Egyptian Museum at pays stable, en mesure de protéger son the University of Leipzig in Germany, said in a patrimoine. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de statement that the mission focused its l’Archéologie ouvre en nocturne la citadelle excavation work on the second area in the Qâytbây en Alexandrie », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 5 south-eastern Heliopolis temple, where a

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workshop from the 4th century BC and a également un message rassurant au monde superseding Ptolemaic stratum were discovered. entier sur la sécurité et la stabilité en Égypte. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie

ouvre en nocturne le Musée Égyptien afin de promouvoir le tourisme », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 5 mai 2016). - -

Vendredi 6 mai 2016

L’ancien Doyen de la faculté d’Archéologie, Dr Ra’fat al-Nabarâwî, a déclaré que l’ouverture en nocturne du Musée Égyptien et de certains sites archéologiques est une initiative positive, digne d’être encouragée. Non seulement elle contribue à augmenter les revenus du ministère de l’Archéologie, mais elle permet également aux touristes et aux Égyptiens qui travaillent dans la journée de pouvoir fréquenter ces sites Hieroglyphic text engraved on a block (Courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities) la nuit. Il s’agit donc d’une initiative louable qui aura des répercussions favorables sur la “This fits the growing evidence of the promotion du tourisme. (Ahmad Mansûr, « al- th enormous activities of 30 dynasty kings in the Nabarâwî : Les nocturnes permettent aux area surrounding the Sun Temple of Heliopolis,” Égyptiens de visiter le Musée Égyptien après RAUE said, adding that a new temple site for leurs horaires de travail », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 6 Ramses II was discovered between the Sûq al- mai 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, Khamîs temple site of Ramses II and Nectanebo « L’ouverture en nocturne des musées temple. (Nevine El-Aref, “Ruins unearthed contribue à promouvoir le tourisme durant le th suggest existence of 30 Dynasty King ramadan », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 juin). Nectanebo I temple in Cairo”, Ahram Online, May 5, 2016. Voir également Deutsche Presse- - - Agentur, « Preuves sur l’existence d’un temple archéologique à Matariyya », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 5 mai ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Nouvelle Dimanche 8 mai 2016 découverte archéologique privilégie l’existence er d’un temple de Nectanébo I à Matariyya », al- Le Nederlands-Vlaams Instituut in Cairo Shurûq, 5 mai ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Nouvelles (NVIC) organise une formation en égyptologie preuves sur la présence d’un temple de du 16 mai au 4 juin. Les six conférences de ce er Nectanébo I à ‘Ayn Shams », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, stage abordent l’histoire de l’Égypte ancienne, 5 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Nouvelle découverte à l’évolution de l’art et de l’architecture, l’origine er Héliopolis qui remonte à Nectanébo I », al- de l’écriture, la vie quotidienne et les rites Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 5 mai). funéraires. À cela s’ajoutent des discussions sur les récentes découvertes, ainsi qu’une visite du Musée Égyptien et de la zone archéologique de - - Saqqâra. (Ibtisâm Abû Dahab, « Le NVIC organise des conférences sur l’histoire de Le président du département des antiquités l’Égypte ancienne », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 mai islamiques et coptes, Sa‘îd Hilmî, a annoncé 2016). que le conseil d’administration du CSA a approuvé l’ouverture en nocturne, deux fois par semaine, du Musée Égyptien de Tahrîr. Cette décision contribuera à augmenter les recettes - - du ministère de l’Archéologie, en proie à une crise budgétaire aiguë. Cette décision envoie

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aux missions étrangères d’entraîner les Lundi 9 mai 2016 inspecteurs égyptiens », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 1er avril ; ‘Awad Silîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie charge les missions étrangères d’entraîner les inspecteurs égyptiens aux travaux de fouille », al-Tahrîr, 2 avril). - -

Mercredi 11 mai 2016

Lors de sa réunion du 4 mai 2016, le comité permanent, présidé par le secrétaire général du CSA, Dr Mustafa Amîn, a approuvé l’inscription du pont Qasr al-Nîl et de ses quatre lions monumentaux sur la liste du patrimoine islamique et copte. Situé au Sud-Est de la presqu’île de Zamâlik, ce pont en arc a été édifié par le khédive Ismâ‘îl entre 1869 et 1871. Il a été ouvert au trafic automobile en février 1882. Réaménagé sous le règne du roi er Fu’âd I , cet ouvrage a été ré-inauguré le 6 Stèle sur laquelle sont gravées des inscriptions cananéennes. juin 1933. Quant aux quatre lions massifs en (Photo : Nasma Réda) bronze, ils ont été sculptés par Alfred Dans la salle 44 du Musée égyptien du JACQUEMART, fabriqués en France puis transportés en Alexandrie, avant d’être dressés Caire, le ministre des Antiquités a inauguré la à leur emplacement actuel (Ahmad Mansûr, semaine dernière l’exposition temporaire « Le pont Qasr al-Nîl et ses 4 lions classés intitulée « Sinaï : L’origine de l’alphabet ». monument historique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 mai Cette exposition, qui dure jusqu’au 25 juin 2016). prochain, expose 40 pièces, des stèles et des statues retraçant l’origine et le développement - - de l’alphabet depuis sa naissance sous la XIIe dynastie jusqu’à l’époque du Nouvel Empire. « Cette exposition nous donne l’occasion de Mardi 10 mai 2016 fêter les 100 ans de la découverte de l’origine de l’alphabet dans le monde entier », explique Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- Ludwig MORENZ, professeur d’égyptologie à ‘Inânî, lance un appel aux 220 missions l’Université de Bonn et directeur de la mission archéologiques étrangères travaillant en Égypte, archéologique allemande opérant sur le site de afin d’entraîner les jeunes archéologues Sirâbît al-Khâdim, dans le Sinaï depuis 2011. égyptiens aux travaux de fouille, de gestion des C’est dans les mines de turquoise et dans le chantiers archéologiques et de documentation temple de la déesse Hathor que se trouvent des découvertes. Par ailleurs, les missions les premières formes d’écriture dites étrangères peuvent contribuer grandement à « protosinaïtiques » qui diffèrent des réaménager les sites historiques et rehausser la hiéroglyphes. conscience archéologique des lycéens À travers les pièces exposées, le visiteur égyptiens. (Yâsir Abû al-Nîl, « Le ministre de peut avoir un aperçu général du développement l’Archéologie incite les missions étrangères à de certains lettres et mots. MORENZ donne publier les résultats de leurs recherches », al- l’exemple de la lettre B qui, au départ, était Ahrâm, 10 mai 2016. Voir également ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn représentée par un simple schéma d’une Zâhir, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie demande

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maison et se prononçait « bet » qui veut dire al-Maqsûd, directeur du département des maison en arabe. Près de 35 graffitis avaient antiquités du Sinaï. été découverts sur les parois des anciennes Une grande tête de taureau accueille les mines de cuivre et de turquoise et ont été visiteurs, ce qui n’est pas sans intriguer ces déchiffrés en 1916 par Alan GARDINER. derniers. Pourquoi plusieurs têtes de taureau et Actuellement, l’égyptologue allemand Ludwig de vache sont-elles présentes dans une MORENZ poursuit ses recherches sur ces exposition d’écriture ? « Elles représentent un inscriptions « protosinaïtiques » qui désignent dessin important des signes hiéroglyphes et qui les plus anciens alphabets découverts jusqu’à s’est développé en protosinaïtique pour devenir nos jours. l’actuelle lettre A », souligne MORENZ. La Bien que les recherches archéologiques sur découverte en 1916 de l’alphabet sinaïtique à ce site sinaïtique aient débuté depuis le XVIIIe l’intérieur et dans les alentours des mines de siècle avec les fouilles de l’Allemand Carsten turquoise représente une véritable révolution NIEBUHR, c’est Flinders PETRIE qui a découvert en dans l’histoire de l’écriture. C’est un alphabet 1905 douze inscriptions remontant au Nouvel qui regroupe la plupart des consonnes. Empire (XVe dynastie av. J.-C.). L’égyptologue L’écriture des textes se basait au départ sur britannique Alan GARDINER fut le premier à le son des mots prononcés. Cette écriture déchiffrer, en 1916, le premier mot (Ba’alat, qui « phonique » vient compléter les hiéroglyphes. signifie maîtresse) se basant sur l’alphabet Les trois quarts des lettres protosinaïtiques sinaïtique, un alphabet qui puise ses sources sont extraits des hiéroglyphes, et certaines dans les hiéroglyphes. « Ces recherches sont d’entre elles de la hiératique (copte). « Les basées sur l’étude de la statue du sphinx textes égyptiens de Sirâbît al-Khâdim nous trouvée à Sirâbît al-Khâdim et exposée informent que les bédouins, qui sont le peuple actuellement au musée. Sur cette statue se originaire de la région, ainsi que les trouvent deux textes, l’un en hiéroglyphes alors commerçants cananéens étaient ouvriers dans que l’autre représente sa traduction en ces mines, ainsi, l’alphabet a été transféré à protosinaïtique », souligne MORENZ. travers leurs voyages vers le Proche-Orient et Parmi les pièces exposées dans la salle 44, les inscriptions se sont petit à petit déformées figure « l’arbre de l’alphabet », qui est l’une selon le langage de chaque peuple », explique des plus importantes pièces de l’exposition et MORENZ. qui donne une idée simplifiée du « L’alphabet phénicien a beaucoup changé développement de l’écriture à travers les les écritures, puisque c’est avec les Phéniciens siècles. « Elle montre que l’invention de que les voyelles ont été ajoutées aux l’écriture alphabétique protosinaïtique est à consonnes et que les graffitis et les dessins l’origine de tous les alphabets connus de nos ont disparu de l’écriture », reprend-il. Pour aller jours, que ce soit de l’arabe ou du latin », plus loin, MORENZ explique que le ajoute-t-il. développement de l’écriture araméenne a À travers l’exposition, le visiteur peut donné naissance à travers les siècles à comprendre comment plusieurs écritures ont l’actuelle langue arabe vers le VIe siècle de été influencées par l’alphabet sinaïtique. Les notre ère et que les Grecs se sont, eux aussi, stèles exposées confirment que l’alphabet des inspirés des Phéniciens vers le Xe siècle av. J.- Cananéens (1525-1475 av. J.-C.), utilisé en C. pour créer le latin qui s’est développé Palestine, au Liban et dans l’actuelle Arabie jusqu’à nos jours. (Nasma Réda, « Aux origines saoudite, de même que l’alphabet des de l’écriture », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 11 mai Araméens né au IXe siècle av. J.-C. (870-820 2016. Voir également « Les archéologues av. J.-C.) dans le Proche et le Moyen-Orient et égyptiens lancent un S.O.S. pour sauver celui des Nabatéens né au Ier siècle av. J.-C. et Hathor », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 10 mai). utilisé au sud de la Jordanie et au nord de l’Arabie saoudite, ont tous été influencés par - - l’alphabet sinaïtique. « Bien qu’au premier coup The head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities d’œil les alphabets de ces pays semblent Department, Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, told Ahram Online identiques, ils diffèrent en quelques détails tels that the well which caught on fire at al- que leurs formes », explique Muhammad ‘Abd Hawâwîsh hill in Akhmîm town is not an archaeological site, and lies two kilometers

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away from the ministry archaeological gallery. débuts du christianisme et de la vie The well, ‘Afîfî said, does not hold any monastique sur ce site. monuments or artifacts, adding that its walls Il s’est ainsi avéré que ce complexe are plain with no engravings or paintings. dépendait de la cathédrale de Faras, capitale Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir, the director of the de la Nubie, au cours du VIe siècle. « On avait Suhâg Archaeological Inspectorate, said that retrouvé une petite église en brique crue de 7 the ministry of antiquities had appointed an X 2,5 mètres de dimensions », explique archaeological committee to inspect the well l’archéologue Artur OBLUSKI, membre de la and its neighbouring tomb number M24 which Foundation for Polish Science. Selon lui, la belongs to Hemmeen, Akhmîm Old Kingdom structure architecturale de l’église à cette ruler. époque suivait le style typiquement égyptien. Au fond d’une salle rectangulaire, où se The committee asserted that the well and dressent deux rangs de colonnes latérales, se the tomb are safe and sound, as the fire was trouvait l’autel. Les murs et les chapiteaux immediately extinguished without any losses. comprenaient des traces d’ornements floraux. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s Suhâg archaeological gallery was not subjected to blaze: Ministry”, Le programme utilisé par l’institut a aidé les Ahram Online, May 11, 2016. Voir également archéologues à déchiffrer les manuscrits Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie retrouvés sur le site en 1965. Les caractères nie le déclenchement d’un incendie dans un coptes et nubiens qui sont rédigés sur les entrepôt muséologique à Suhâg », al-Yawm al- parchemins en cuir et sur les papyri sont Sâbi‘, 11 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le président du devenus lisibles. « Ils sont rédigés dans le style département des antiquités égyptiennes : Les d’écriture chénoutite, connu dans les entrepôts muséologiques de Suhâg sont sains monastères blanc et rouge de Suhâg dont le et saufs », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 11 mai). chef était l’ermite Chénouda », reprend OBLUSKI. Ce qui montre l’influence de l’architecture - - égyptienne du nord sur cette église nubienne du sud d’Égypte. En étudiant les manuscrits, les chercheurs ont pu comprendre que l’église a subi des travaux d’extension du côté sud, probablement à cause de la diffusion du christianisme à l’époque. Et à partir de là, vers le VIIe siècle, les traces de l’art nubien ont commencé à apparaître, explique OBLUSKI.

Le baptême dans une église égyptienne typique avait lieu, en général, dans la cour de l’église, alors que dans une église égyptienne nubienne, il se tenait dans la salle. Au fur et à Le minbar en calcaire orné de croix gravées mesure, l’architecture particulière du sud Qasr al-Wizz est un complexe religieux situé égyptien, la Nubie, a pris le dessus. Des en Nubie au sud de l’Égypte, qui date du VIe modifications architecturales ont eu lieu. Deux siècle et qui comprenait un monastère et une entrées latérales, au nord et au sud, avaient église. Il avait été inondé lors de la remplacé celle du centre, alors que la partie construction du Haut barrage d’Aswân. Il est ouest a été répartie en trois. Dans la partie depuis englouti sous le lac Nâsir. En 1965, le sud-ouest, il y avait des escaliers qui menaient site a été pour la première fois fouillé, juste vers la tombe d’un moine. D’après OBLUSKI, les avant son inondation, par l’archéologue George traditions égyptiennes voulaient que les lieux de culte soient séparés des tombes. En SCANLON de l’Oriental Institute of Chicago qui y avait travaillé pendant trois semaines. Ce même revanche, la tradition nubienne ne fait pas de institut, en coopération avec la Foundation for telle séparation, d’où la présence de cette Polish Science, a repris aujourd’hui les tombe, ajoute-t-il. recherches, faisant appel à une nouvelle Parmi les trouvailles les plus précieuses, il y technologie pour traiter plus de 200 fragments a une inscription sur les murs extérieurs de qui avaient été dégagés du site. Ces études l’église, où est mentionné le nom du prêtre ont révélé des informations précieuses sur les Dioscoras, l’un des plus importants patriarches

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d’Alexandrie. « On ne sait pas jusqu’à présent dans le domaine archéologique, qui se à qui appartient cette église, peut-être qu’elle consolident jour après jour », a souligné Ilhâm était liée à Dioscoras », renchérit l’expert. Cette Salâh, chef du secteur des musées qui a inscription est un indice supplémentaire que assisté à l’inauguration de l’exposition du côté l’église nubienne dépendait du Patriarcat égyptien. Le Japon opère depuis des années alexandrin. en Égypte des travaux de restauration de la barque solaire du roi Chéops et collabore Les recherches ont confirmé le fait qu’au Xe intensément au projet du Grand Musée égyptien siècle, les moines avaient rattaché cette église (GEM). à une autre qui se trouvait à l’est. À partir de cette date, ce complexe, qui s’est énormément C’est l’archéologue Sakuju YOSHIMURA de la agrandi, est devenu un site de pèlerinage qui Waseda University, organisateur de cette attire tous les chrétiens d’Afrique. Quant au exposition, qui est en charge d’expliquer les monastère, il était plus développé que ceux du pièces exposées aux visiteurs, telles que la reste de l’Égypte. Ceci dit, « la vie monastique statue de Khephren, celle du scribe et la et ses normes sont nées en Égypte et ont été reproduction de la barque solaire de Khephren. diffusées dans le monde entier. Raison pour (« Japon : « L’Ère des bâtisseurs des laquelle les monastères des autres pays n’ont Pyramides arrive à Sendai », Al-Ahram Hebdo pas connu les premières étapes de cette vie du 11 mai 2016). austère », reprend OBLUSKI.

En effet, le monastère comprend deux rangs - - de cellules rectangulaires qui renfermaient des Le directeur général de la zone bancs semi-circulaires. Ce qui est plus archéologique de Gîza, Dr al-Husayn ‘Abd al- impressionnant est la technologie qui a été Basîr, a qualifié de « positive » l’approbation utilisée par les archéologues. « Cette du CSA d’ouvrir en nocturne le plateau de Gîza technologie nous a permis de connaître pour la célébration des fêtes privées. Cette l’endroit où a été trouvé le manuscrit et son initiative vise à développer les ressources état d’origine lors de sa découverte sur le financières du ministère. Pour 60 000 L.E. par site », explique OBLUSKI. Parmi les découvertes célébration, la zone archéologique est mise à les plus importantes dans la biographie des disposition des particuliers, sous la supervision saints, figure celle d’une certaine Hélaria qui à la fois du ministère et de la Police du s’était rendue au monastère consacré aux Tourisme et des Antiquités. Cette mesure hommes seulement. Pour y demeurer, elle concerne le parvis du Sphinx d’une capacité de s’était déguisée en tenue d’homme, jusqu’à sa près de 5 000 personnes ; le panorama situé mort. « D’après les documents, son identité a au Sud des pyramides pouvant accueillir été révélée pendant ses funérailles », souligne 29 000 personnes ; ainsi qu’à l’Ouest de la l’expert étonné. Bien que Qasr al-Wizz ait été pyramide de Chéops d’une capacité d’accueil submergé, il continue à livrer ses secrets. de 10 000 personnes. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le (Doaa Elhami, « Qasr al-Wizz : Les secrets d’un directeur du plateau de Gîza : Les nocturnes site englouti », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 11 mai visent à rehausser les revenus du ministère », 2016). al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 11 mai 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le CSA achève la - - restauration du Centre des visiteurs sur le plateau de Gîza », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 22 juin). La troisième phase, au Japon, de l’exposition intitulée L’Ère des bâtisseurs des Pyramides a commencé fin avril et durera - - jusqu’au mois de juin à Sendai. Cette exposition, qui a commencé le 15 octobre Jeudi 12 mai 2016 2015 à Tokyo, fait le tour de 8 villes japonaises pendant 25 mois. Elle comprend 120 Scientific debate is heating up over the pièces antiques remontant à une époque recently launched theory by British importante de l’histoire de l’Égypte pharaonique, archaeologist Nicholas REEVES that Queen allant du XXVIIIe au XXIIe siècles av. J.-C. Nefertiti’s resting place is concealed behind the « Cette exposition traduit les fortes north wall of her son-in-law’s burial chamber. relations entre l’Égypte et le Japon, surtout The claim was challenged during Sunday’s

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session of the second International REEVES theorised that Tutankhamun’s tomb is Tutankhamun Conference, held at the National in fact Nefertiti’s, and that when the boy king Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC), which died unexpectedly at a young age, he was overlooks ‘Ayn al-Sîra Lake in Fustât. rushed into her tomb’s outer chamber in REEVES also claimed that Tutankhamun’s Luxor’s Valley of Kings in southern Egypt. tomb was originally carved within the Valley of He also thinks that the scene on the the Kings for Nefertiti but that the boy king northern wall indicates that the tomb had been took a part of it for himself. REEVES went prepared for the burial of Queen Nefertiti. He further, saying that the iconic Tutankhamun explains that in the scene of Ay opening the gold mask, now on display at the Egyptian mouth of the mummy of Tutankhamun, the Museum in Tahrîr Square, was originally made distinctive line at the corner of the mummy’s for the beautiful queen but used for the boy mouth can be easily noted — a characteristic king after his death. of Nefertiti — as can the distinctive chin of the Between supporters and opponents of the figure now labelled as Ay, a characteristic claims, scholars, Egyptologists and feature not of Ay, but of Tutankhamun. archaeologists at the conference clashed. “The inscriptions identify the scene’s players Former minister of antiquities Mamdûh al- as Ay officiating at the funeral of Tutankhamun. Damâtî, who says he has made proving the Originally, however, I believe this scene theories his tenured project, reviewed all represented Tutankhamun officiating at the previous results of radar scans and studies burial of Nefertiti,” REEVES concluded. carried out on the tomb last year, describing REEVES also said he thought that the iconic them as “positive”. al-Damâtî believes that two gold mask of King Tutankhamun had been secret chambers are probably hidden inside created not for the boy king but for the use of Tutankhamun’s tomb. A Japanese radar scan a female predecessor named Ankhkheperure carried out in November 2015 identified two Neferneferuaten (Queen Nefertiti) who was King void spaces behind the west and north walls of Akhenaten’s co-regent. the tomb’s burial chamber. “The evidence in favour of this conclusion He said the radar revealed red and yellow was, and still is compelling,” REEVES said, adding spots for the first time, which indicate the that he was unable to muster inscriptional existence of metallic materials. al-Damâtî said support for his theory. Detailed scrutiny, both that the radar scan carried out in March by an of the mask itself and of photographs, American team had to be repeated because it furnished not the slightest hint that the multi- gave distorted results after the scan was columned hieroglyphic inscription with interfered with by sound. cartouche might pre-date Tutankhamun’s reign. “I suggest that more radar scans on the “Happily, this reluctant presumption of the tomb are made from the top of the cliff and mask’s textual integrity may now be that the infrared thermal examination be abandoned,” REEVES said. “A fresh examination repeated in order to have more accurate of the re-positioned and newly re-lit mask in results and to be 100 percent sure that the Cairo at the end of September 2015 yielded chambers exists,” al-Damâtî said. for the first time, beneath the hieroglyphs of REEVES defended his theory by stating that Tutankhamun’s praenomen, lightly chased preliminary results of several scans suggest traces of an earlier, erased royal name.” that two void spaces exist behind the north But other scholars disagreed over how the and west walls of the tomb’s burial chamber search inside Tutankhamun’s chamber was and show signs of metal matter. “I was looking handled and the theory itself. for the evidence that would tell me that my initial reading was wrong,” he said. “But I didn’t “Handling the project wasn’t done find any evidence to suggest that. I just found scientifically at all,” said former antiquities more and more indicators that there is minister Zâhî Hawwâs who has brushed aside something extra going on in Tutankhamun’s the whole theory as well as the project, tomb.” asserting that nothing lies beyond the burial chamber in the boy king’s tomb. He also raised doubts over whether radar scans can be used

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to make archaeological discoveries. “In my tomb”, Al-Ahram Weekly, May 12, 2016. Voir entire career, I have never come across any également Nevine El-Aref, “Experts clash over discovery in Egypt made by radar scans,” he theory that Tutankhamun’s tomb holds Nefertiti said. remains”, Ahram Online, May 8 ; Rana Gohar, « Toutankhamon alimente la polémique », Al- Hawwâs suggests that in order to test the Ahram Hebdo du 18 mai). accuracy of the radar, scans should be carried out on tombs that are already known to contain hidden chambers, such as the tomb of - - King Ramses II, which has 10 sealed chambers.

Director of the Egyptian Museum and Papyri in Berlin Friederike SEYFRIED, who does not believe that Tutankhamun’s burial chamber conceals any hidden chambers, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the results of the radar survey do not prove the existence of a hidden tomb. She describes REEVES’ claim that the tomb of Nefertiti lies behind the northern wall of the burial chamber as mere hypothesis. Senusert III relief (courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities) SEYFRIED believes that the sudden death of the boy king led the tomb’s builders to finish A collection of 13 stone engravings arrived the tomb quickly and close it up, which is why at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation a cavity was found in the radar scan. in Fustât (NMEC), Gîza on Wednesday evening from al-Shîsha hill in Aswân. Antiquities Minister She also rejected REEVES’ assertion that the Khâlid al-‘Inânî announced that the engravings scene depicted on the north wall inside the have been very well preserved and would be tomb’s burial chamber shows Tutankhamun subject to restoration and archaeological performing the “opening of the mouth” ritual documentation leading up to the museum’s for Nefertiti’s mummy, saying she doubts that official opening. the wall painting was done for a female king, whoever she is. An inscription, she went on, The museum’s Supervisor-General Mahrûs shows that it is in fact King Ay who is Sa‘îd said that the engravings have been dated performing the ritual for Tutankhamun’s to pre-dynastic times except for one that is mummy. dated to the Middle Kingdom era. The latter engraving, Sa‘îd explained, depicts King “I believe that the ancient Egyptian artist Senusert III standing and beating his arming would never make a depiction of the pharaoh who are bending before him. without a direct inscription beside the scene,” SEYFRIED told the Weekly. A permanent exhibition hall is set to be inaugurated soon in the museum and will She said she found nothing during her close display an exhibition entitled “Handicrafts and examination of the 3-D laser-scan images taken Productions in ancient Egypt.” The exhibition by the Spanish Factum Arte Organisation to will display 429 artefacts relating to industrial create a replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb, now development in ancient Egypt from pre-historic erected in the area adjacent to the rest-house times through to the New Kingdom era. (Nevine of its discoverer on Luxor’s west bank, which El-Aref, “A collection of artefacts arrives at REEVES based his theory on. Egyptian civilization museum”, Ahram Online, “No traces of doorways were noticed on the May 12, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, scenes depicted on the western and northern « Transfert de 13 blocs d’Aswân vers le NMEC walls, as REEVES claimed, and the northern wall pour restauration avant d’y être exposés », al- plaster was not painted with yellow to hide the Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 mai ; Sanâ’ Fârûq, former scene,” SEYFRIED pointed out. “If a former « Transfert de 13 gravures rupestres d’Aswân white colour of the painting had been plastered vers le NMEC », Watanî, 10 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, over in yellow to hide a doorway, as REEVES « Transfert de 13 blocs gravés de la montagne claims, you would see the traces of a former Shîsha à Aswân vers le NMEC », al-Ahrâm al- inscription.” (Nevine El-Aref, “Mystery of the ‘Arabî, 10 mai).

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- - fait peau neuve », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 25 mai). - - Vendredi 13 mai 2016

In a gala ceremony at Idfû Temple on Dimanche 15 mai 2016 Friday, the antiquities ministry celebrated the completion of a three-year project to remove Le ministère de l’Archéologie, représenté par groundwater from the site. Minister of le Musée national de la Civilisation égyptienne, Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online a conclu un accord de coopération avec le that the project was “very important” because musée du Louvre. Cet accord, qui porte sur it has constructed a drainage system to lower l’échange des expertises, a eu lieu en présence the groundwater level that threatened the walls du ministre de l’Archéologie, Khâlid al-‘Inânî, et of the temple in Aswân. de l’ambassadeur de France au Caire. L’accord a été signé par le directeur du musée d’Art The Idfû Temple Groundwater Lowering islamique, Dr Ahmad al-Shûkî (représentant la Project was carried out in collaboration with partie égyptienne), et le président-directeur du the American Research Centre in Egypt and the Louvre, Jean-Luc MARTINEZ (représentant la housing ministry, with a fund of EGP25.5 million partie française). provided by USAID and the National Authority for Water and Wastewater. En marge de la signature de ce protocole, Khâlid al-‘Inânî a souligné que la signature de Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, head of the ministry’s Ancient cet accord de coopération confirme l’étroitesse Egyptian Department, said that the project des liens archéologiques qui unissent l’Égypte started in August 2013 and was in two phases; et la France. Elle reflète également l’excellence the first one was completed in June 2014 while des relations politiques entre les deux pays the second was finished last September. qu’a confirmée le Président français, lors de sa The head of the projects department at the récente visite au Caire. ministry, Wa’d Allâh Abû al-‘Ilâ, said that eight Enfin, al-‘Inânî a relevé que la signature de wells were constructed at depths of eight cet accord traduit la volonté de son ministère metres, to pump groundwater out of the de promouvoir la coopération avec toutes les temple. instances internationales, en vue du Nasr Salâma, the head of antiquities for développement des musées égyptiens et de Aswân governorate, told Ahram Online that l’amélioration des niveaux professionnel et during the work, archaeologists unearthed a scientifique du personnel. (Ahmad Gûda, « al- collection of pots and pans that are dated to ‘Inânî : L’accord de coopération avec le Louvre the Old Kingdom era and the Late Period, as vise à développer les musées », al-Yawm al- well as a collection of coffins and human Sâbi‘, 15 mai 2016. Voir également Sanâ’ Fârûq, remains. « Le ministre de l’Archéologie assiste à la signature d’un protocole entre le musée d’Art The gala ceremony was attended by the islamique et le Louvre », Watanî, 15 mai ; US’s ambassador to Egypt, R. Stephen BEECROFT; « Signature d’un protocole entre le musée d’Art the director of USAID, Sherry CARLIN; the islamique et le Louvre », al-Wafd, 15 mai ; governor of Aswân, Magdî Higâzî, and top Hiba ‘Âdil, « Protocole de coopération entre le officials from the antiquities ministry. ministère de l’Archéologie et le musée du The temple, built in the Ptolemaic period to Louvre », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 15 mai). worship Horus, is one of the best preserved in Egypt. (Nevine El-Aref, “Antiquities ministry - - celebrates completion of groundwater project at Dans un communiqué de presse, le Aswân’s Idfû Temple”, Ahram Online, May 13, Département archéologique d’Alexandrie a 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Photos précisé que « l’organisation de la première fête du temple d’Idfû avant et après la baisse du de mariage dans la citadelle Qâytbây n’a pas niveau des eaux souterraines », al-Yawm al- nui au monument. En plus, elle a drainé Sâbi‘, 12 mai ; Sanâ’ Fârûq, « Baisse du niveau 15 000 L.E. de bénéfice au profit du ministère des eaux souterraines autour du temple de l’Archéologie ». L’approbation de cette d’Idfû », Watanî, 13 mai ; Nasma Réda, « Idfû

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initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de la nécessité carried out and the role they play in protecting d’exploiter toute source de revenu, sous la the country’s heritage. Antiquities Minister supervision archéologique complète, en Khâlid al-‘Inânî inaugurated the day with a présence du directeur de la citadelle et des speech describing conservators as the inspecteurs archéologiques et sous la “unknown soldiers” of antiquities and the protection de la Police du Tourisme et des “protectors of civilisation.” Antiquités. The minister called on those attending to La citadelle Qâytbây dispose d’une document their work before and after superficie nécessaire pour l’organisation de ce conservation so that it would be possible to type de célébration. « Autrefois, la citadelle see their achievements as well as to use as a accueillait des congrès et des performances reference point in case of any accidental musicales. C’est bien la première fois qu’elle damaged. accueille une célébration privée de mariage », al-‘Inânî honoured 15 skilful conservators for ajoute le communiqué. (Ahmad Mansûr, their distinguished contribution to Egyptian « Célébration d’une cérémonie de mariage à history. Among the honoraries were Fâtima Qâytbây », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 mai 2016. Voir Hilmî, head of the conservation department in également Nivîn Kamîl, « Les responsables the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University archéologiques d’Alexandrie s’expliquent sur la and Shawqî Nakhla, former head of the célébration d’un mariage dans la citadelle restoration department at the antiquities Qâytbây », Watanî, 14 mai ; ‘Amr Anwar, ministry. « Malgré une vague de protestation populaire, la citadelle Qâytbây accueille une deuxième Fathî al-Ahmadî, the head of the media fête de mariage vendredi prochain », al-Tahrîr, committee for the event, said selecting the 15 18 mai). people was a difficult task due to the large number of conservators with great skills and - - achievements, both practical and academic. Meanwhile, Mu‘taz al-Husaynî, information officer at the NMEC, announced the launch of a Lundi 16 mai 2016 Youtube channel called “Egyptian Conservators,” as well as a quarterly journal by the same Le président-directeur du Louvre, Jean-Luc name. MARTINEZ, a effectué hier une visite au Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM). Le superviseur général Chairs Dezzi BARDESCHI, the cultural du projet du GEM, Dr Târiq Tawfîq, a révélé les programme coordinator at the UNESCO Egypt objectifs de cette visite : examiner les office told Ahram Online that using state-of- perspectives de collaboration, mettre l’expertise the-art technology in conservation and du Louvre au service du GEM après son providing developed techniques in restoring inauguration, étudier les moyens de antiquities is very important for conservators in sécurisation, élaborer des ateliers commun. their direct relation with the authentic objects. Enfin, MARTINEZ a loué les laboratoires de (Nevine El-Aref, “Celebrating conservators’ day”, restauration installés, ainsi que les opérations Ahram Online, May 17, 2016. Voir également en cours dans le GEM. (Muhammad ‘Abd al- Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie Mu‘tî, « Le directeur du Louvre loue les lance une revue et une chaîne spécialisée en laboratoires de restauration installés au GEM », restauration sur Youtube », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, al-Ahrâm, 16 mai 2016). 15 mai ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « À l’occasion de la Fête du restaurateur égyptien, le - - ministère de l’Archéologie lance une chaîne sur Youtube », al-Shurûq, 15 mai ; Sanâ’ Fârûq, « Les réalisations du restaurateur égyptien Mardi 17 mai 2016 dépassent celles du restaurateur étranger », Watanî, 15 mai ; ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn Zâhir, « al-‘Inânî Egyptian Conservators gathered on 16 May célèbre aujourd’hui au NMEC la Journée du at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization restaurateur égyptien », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 15 mai ; (NMEC) in celebration of their achievements, « Les pionniers de la restauration honorés lors which highlighted the works that they have de leur première fête », al-Ahrâm, 16 mai ;

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Ahmad ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie nouvelles compositions iconographiques ont été participera demain à la célébration de la Fête introduits. Ces éléments décoratifs ont du restaurateur égyptien », al-Wafd, 14 mai ; remplacé les anciens textes funéraires », Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie poursuit-il. Les papyrus découverts dans ce célèbre la Fête du restaurateur au NMEC », al- cimetière illustrent la vie quotidienne des Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 15 mai). anciens et montrent aussi comment les chanteuses jouaient un rôle important dans les - - rites spectaculaires. Chaque personne enterrée a au moins deux papyrus. « Presque la moitié de ces papyrus ont été vendus par le Mercredi 18 mai 2016 gouvernement égyptien en 1893 pour financer la construction du Musée égyptien de Bûlâq. L’année 2016 marque les 125 ans de On les trouve aujourd’hui partout dans le l’importante découverte de la fin du XIXe siècle monde », explique Andrzej NIWINSKI, professeur du grand cimetière des prêtres d’Amon. Pour spécialisé dans les papyrus à l’Université de fêter cette occasion, le ministère des Antiquités Varsovie. a organisé cette semaine au Caire une « Les trouvailles sont nombreuses et l’étude conférence intitulée La découverte oubliée de de ces objets fragiles se poursuit, mais il est la tombe des prêtres et divines adoratrices difficile de savoir à qui appartiennent ces d’Amon. Objectif : mettre la lumière sur cette pièces », souligne, pour sa part, Sumayya ‘Abd importante et grande découverte. Des al-Khâliq, conservatrice au Musée national de la archéologues et des scientifiques d’Égypte et Civilisation égyptienne (NMEC) où plusieurs de plusieurs pays (Pologne, États-Unis, France) pièces de Bâb al-Gâsûs sont exposées. En effet, y étaient conviés. jusqu’à présent, l’identité de certains prêtres « Je peux dire que cette tombe représente enterrés dans la tombe n’est pas connue. la découverte du siècle. Je n’exagère pas en En marge de la conférence une exposition, disant que ce cimetière est plus important que a été organisée, et parmi les pièces celui de Toutankhamon », souligne Alain intéressantes surgissent les correspondances de DAUTANT, de l’Université de Bordeaux. Bien que l’égyptologue français Georges DARESSY qui la tombe regroupe 254 sarcophages joliment supervisait les travaux de fouille. « Des caisses décorés, 153 momies et presque 3 000 pièces de momies étaient déposées dans toutes les d’antiquité, elle est peu connue du grand parties de ces catacombes. Près de l’entrée, public. L’histoire de sa découverte remonte à tout était dans le plus grand désordre », dit-il 1891, quand des archéologues français ont dans ses correspondances, vu l’immensité des commencé leur travail sur le chantier de Bâb coffrets qui contenaient des ouchebtis, des al-Gâsûs, presque en face du temple papyrus, des canopes et des vases. DARESSY d’Hatchepsout à al-Dayr al-Baharî, à Louqsor. avait prié le chef de l’antiquité, M. GRÉBAUT, En fouillant le site, une porte située à huit d’interdire l’entrée du cimetière sauf aux mètres de profondeur et un long corridor allant ouvriers. vers le bas qui mène à une seconde porte de 11 m de profondeur ont été découverts. Parmi les défis auxquels étaient confrontés les archéologues en ce temps, il y avait le C’est une tombe collective intacte des transport des pièces de leur emplacement prêtres, ainsi que de leurs familles et des jusqu’au musée de Bûlâq. L’exposition montre à divines adoratrices d’Amon, remontant à la XXIe travers les photos les pièces exposées dans dynastie av. J.-C. Leurs corps ont été mis à des musées étrangers, notamment en France. l’abri des pillages et des troubles de l’époque. « Plusieurs pièces ont été aussi vendues. Des « Merci de nous laisser jouir de la seconde collectionneurs de France, fascinés par la vie. Cette phrase apparaît sur plusieurs civilisation égyptienne, conservent des pièces sarcophages », explique al-Tayyib ‘Abbâs, du chantier », dit DAUTANT. Les musées professeur à l’Université de Minyâ, qui étudie égyptiens ont pris aussi une partie de ce lot les inscriptions externes des sarcophages. de découvertes. Au Musée des Textiles Les prêtres du Nouvel Empire décoraient égyptiens au Caire sont exposés des gants en leurs sarcophages. « De minutieux détails avec lin, des foulards brodés, de même que le une parfaite homogénéité de couleurs et de célèbre bandage osirien découverts aussi au

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cimetière des prêtres d’Amon. (Nasma Réda, avaient été utilisés plus tard par les « Les prêtres d’Amon fêtent leurs 125 ans », Ptolémées », affirme-t-il. Al-Ahram Hebdo du 18 mai 2016. Voir En plus des vestiges remontant à l’époque également Mayy al-Shâmî, « Le ministère de tardive, d’autres ont été trouvés datant de la l’Archéologie célèbre le 125e anniversaire de la période des Ramessides du Nouvel Empire, soit découverte de la tombe des prêtres d’Amon », de la XIXe et de la XXe dynasties. Selon RAUE, al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 5 mai ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, le fait de trouver d’énormes blocs remontant à « Inauguration du congrès scientifique à l’époque des Ramessides indique la présence l’occasion du 125e anniversaire de la d’un temple appartenant à Ramsès II dans découverte de la tombe des prêtres et divines cette région et qui n’a pas été encore adoratrices d’Amon », al-Shurûq, 5 mai ; Amânî découvert. Bien que le site antique soit entouré Salâma, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie célèbre de la vie moderne du Caire, RAUE prévoit une le 125e anniversaire de la découverte de la importante découverte au cours des prochaines tombe des prêtres et divines adoratrices saisons. (Nasma Réda, « Héliopolis se livre à d’Amon », al-Wafd, 5 mai). nouveau », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 18 mai 2016). - - - - La mission archéologique égypto-allemande, opérant sur le site de Matariyya à Héliopolis au nord-est du Caire et dirigée par Dietrich Jeudi 19 mai 2016 RAUE, a mis au jour des vestiges du temple du pharaon Nectanébo Ier, datant de la XXXe Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, the dynastie, soit de la fin de l’époque tardive. Il capital of Egypt during the ancient New s’agit de plusieurs blocs sur lesquels sont Kingdom and the glorious city of Amun, is gravés des scènes funéraires, des colonnes en thriving today. Four New Kingdom tombs were grès et en calcaire, ainsi que du reste des inaugurated on Friday on the west bank of the murs en basalte qui font preuve de la présence Nile after restoration. It coincided with the d’un temple portant le nom du dernier pharaon 103rd meeting of the executive council of the égyptien. UN World Tourism Organisation, held in Malaga in Spain last week, where Luxor was designated « Cette découverte vient montrer la as the 2016 Capital of International Tourism. présence de projets royaux dans la région à proximité du temple de Oun », souligne The city was selected by the 50 countries Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, directeur du département de of the council to host the organisation’s 104th l’Égypte ancienne au ministère des Antiquités, meeting, planned to take place at the end of ajoutant que les inscriptions découvertes October. Luxor will also host the Fifth Summit montrent que la ville était en ce temps le siège on City Tourism from 1-3 November, which de la divinité Hathor, déesse de la musique, de observers expect will be attended by even more l’amour et de la danse. « On a pu découvrir le participants than those who attended the reste des murs en basalte portant le nom royal Malaga meeting. du pharaon et quelques scènes rituelles et The 103rd session saw the participation of funéraires, et aussi la porte Est de ce more than 50 countries and representatives temple », affirme Ayman ‘Ashmâwî, directeur from over 500 travel agencies and tourism égyptien de la mission, rappelant l’importante organisations from 130 countries. Under the grande découverte de la saison dernière de title of “Tourism and Security: Towards a fouilles, concernant la partie intérieure de la Framework for Safe, Secure and Seamless chapelle royale du souverain Nectanébo Ier. Travel,” Minister of Tourism Yahya Râshid led La mission allemande a de même découvert the session and said that Egypt is ready to à Héliopolis plusieurs statues en bronze de la provide all security measures to guarantee the déesse Bastet, déesse protectrice du roi et safety of tourists. Egypt’s efforts to stand divinité de la joie et de la chaleur du soleil. against international terrorism are a model to « Lors de cette saison de fouille sur le site, au countries around the globe, he said. sud-est du temple d’Héliopolis, la mission a pu A source at the ministry said that the aussi mettre au jour des ateliers industriels designation of Luxor as the Capital of remontant toujours à la même époque et qui International Tourism is “a triumph for Egypt’s

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tourism and a positive change in the image Restoration of the paintings was also promoted in some of the international media of completed. A new lighting system was installed. a negative impact on Egypt’s tourism industry”. As for the three tombs from the reign of He said that Egypt is now reaping the fruits of Ramses II located at Dayr al-Madîna, these the wise policies being implemented by the belong to the members of one family: Imn ministries of tourism and foreign affairs, which Nakht, the father; Nebenmaat, the eldest son; are working jointly on the tourism portfolio. and Khaaemteri, the youngest son. The Luxor Governor Muhammad Badr was restoration work was carried out in particularly happy at the designation and said collaboration with the French Institute for that he will exert every effort to make Luxor a Oriental Studies (IFAO). city with efficient tourism services. ‘Afîfî said the tombs shared the same Also this week, Badr, with Minister of entrance, corridor and antechamber, which Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî, inaugurated four New leads to three burial chambers with a mud- Kingdom tombs on Luxor’s west bank. The first brick chapel in each. The tomb of the father is located in the Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qurna area follows the multi-coloured design prevailing in and belongs to Djehuty, the royal butler of most of the Dayr al-Madîna tombs, while the Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. The tombs of the sons follow a single-coloured other three belong to members of one family design. who shared were servants in the Palace of The entrance was cleaned, the iron door at Truth during the reign of Ramses II of the 19th the entrance repainted, and a new wooden Dynasty. floor installed to protect the tomb’s original al-‘Inânî told Al-Ahram Weekly that the floor and facilitate movement for visitors. A opening of the tombs came within the guide panel was erected in front of the tomb’s framework of ministry efforts to protect Egypt’s entrance and a new lighting system has been ancient Egyptian shrines and to provide new installed. tourist attractions. He said the Djehuty tomb Meanwhile in Aswân, the city saw the restoration project was carried out in completion of the Idfû Temple groundwater collaboration with the American Research project this week, carried out in collaboration Centre in Egypt (ARCE) and funded by the US with ARCE and a fund of LE25.5 million Agency for International Development (USAID). provided by USAID. “It is a very important US Ambassador R Stephen BEECROFT and USAID project because it has constructed a drainage director Sherry CARLIN attended the system to lower the groundwater level that inauguration. threatened the walls of the Idfû Temple,” al- The tomb is very distinguished as its ‘Inânî said. paintings depict both Ramses II and his He said that the project had started in successor, Thutmosis III, as Djehuty served as a August 2013 in two phases. The first phase royal herald during the reign of Thutmosis. was completed in June 2014, while the second Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, from the ministry, explained ended last September. Wa’d Allâh Abû al-‘Ila, that the tomb is T-shaped, which was typical of head of the projects sector at the ministry, the 18th Dynasty, and that it had been heavily said that a power control unit was set up to damaged by smoke and heat that had caused monitor the work minute by minute. Eight wells the oxidisation of its wall paintings. Time had were dug to a depth of eight metres to collect taken its toll on the tomb, the structure had the groundwater and pump it out of the become unstable and parts of the wall temple. paintings had begun to flake off. The pillared hall, ‘Afîfî continued, was full of debris that had Nasr Salâma, head of Aswân Antiquities, filled and covered the burial shaft of the tomb, told Ahram Online that during the work, carried which was generally in a very bad condition. out at the earthen dump located in front of the temple, archaeologists had discovered a Conservation work started in 2012, and collection of pots and pans dating to the Old concentrated on documentation. Concrete Kingdom and the Late Period, as well as a restoration started in 2013 when all the debris collection of coffins and human remains. covering the entrance was removed and the (Nevine El-Aref, “Honours for Luxor”, Al-Ahram walls, ceiling and columns consolidated.

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Weekly, May 19, 2016. Voir également Ahmad death, as has been proven by the Egyptian Mansûr, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inaugure Mummy Project, the tomb of Ay might have aujourd’hui 4 tombes datant du Nouvel been given to Tutankhamun because his own Empire », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 mai ; « Khâlid tomb was unfinished. al-‘Inânî inaugure 4 tombes archéologiques sur One piece of evidence that could support la rive ouest de Louqsor », al-Wafd, 13 mai ; this theory is the similarity between the scene Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie on the western wall of Tutankhamun’s tomb inaugure 4 tombes antiques sur la rive ouest depicting the first hour of the Night of the Imy- de Louqsor », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 13 mai ; duat and the scene in Ay’s tomb in the Valley Nasma Réda, « Les tombes de Dayr al-Madîna of the Monkeys. accessibles au public », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 25 mai). REEVES has also suggested that the scene of Tutankhamun’s successor Ay wearing the blue - - crown and the costume of a Sem priest as he performs the Opening of the Mouth ritual on I have been working as an archaeologist for Tutankhamun’s mummy originally showed the the past 45 years, and this is the first time ceremony being carried out on Nefertiti with that I have come across a theory that has Tutankhamun as the Sem priest. I personally become a fact without any actual evidence. It have no idea how this scene can be amazes me to see how the media has jumped interpreted in this way again; there is on this theory and turned a small idea, based absolutely no evidence for this. on very little, into a fact. We all know that the name of Nefertiti is a magic word, but it We know that Tutankhamun was raised in should not be used to seek fame. Amarna based on the inscription from the Ashmûnayn Block referring to him as the Let us examine the hypothesis of British “king’s son of his body, his beloved Egyptologist Nicholas REEVES, who claims that Tutankhamun.” This block also seems to refer there is evidence for chambers behind the walls to Ankhesenpaaten as the daughter of the king. of the existing tomb of Tutankhamun that may This title confirms that Tutankhamun was a house the burial chamber of Queen Nefertiti direct descendent and quite probably the son Using shadowy lines that he imagines he of Akhenaten, but there is no evidence that he can see in the high-resolution photographs of was the son of the king’s wife Nefertiti. the burial chamber taken by the consulting It is also possible that Tutankhamun was company Factum Arte, he has constructed a married to Ankhesenpaaten before he ascended theory that Tutankhamun took over several the throne. I believe that it is very strange that chambers within a larger tomb, that there is an there is not a single scene of Tutankhamun in unknown annex behind the west wall and a Amarna, although some scholars believe that corridor behind the north wall, and that these the child held by a woman in a scene in the belong to the tomb of Nefertiti. Alpha Room in Akhenaten’s tomb could be I want to say first that the British Tutankhamun. Nefertiti appears at Amarna with Egyptologist Howard CARTER worked in the tomb her daughters, but never with Tutankhamun. of Tutankhamun for about 10 years, and it is Based on the work of the Egyptian Mummy common practice by archaeologists to Project we discovered that in investigate tomb walls in the hope of finding tomb KV35, who was the daughter of hidden chambers behind them. CARTER took out Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, is the gypsum from the niches in the walls that Tutankhamun’s mother. Nefertiti was not the contained five magic bricks, and he would daughter of Amenhotep III and Tiye, so she certainly have examined the northern and cannot be Tutankhamun’s mother, as the fact western walls carefully at that time. that she never appears with him at Amarna Second, I find it very unlikely that would suggest. We should note that it is also Tutankhamun’s tomb was placed inside very unlikely that the priests of Amun would Nefertiti’s tomb for a number of reasons. It is have allowed Nefertiti to be buried in the more likely that the tomb of Tutankhamun was Valley of the Kings. originally a small tomb intended for Ay. REEVES has also suggested that the holes in However, because of Tutankhamun’s sudden the ears of Tutankhamun’s gold mask indicate

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that it was made for Nefertiti, because during specialists. that period piercing was only common among Thus, I believe that the Japanese radar did women. But in fact ear-piercing was very not confirm any major discovery. I do not think common among both sexes, as shown by the that we have yet used any credible method to fact that the mummies of Yuya and Thutmosis investigate this latest theory or to prove or IV both had pierced ears. Earrings found in the disprove REEVES’s theory. On the contrary, we tomb of Tutankhamun hint that he wore them have exposed the tomb to extensive as a child as well as a young man. photography and camera flashes. Using this Another theory suggested by REEVES is that theory to publicise and promote tourism is not because the access of Tutankhamun’s tomb is a good thing. directed towards the west, it was originally Now I would like you to pay attention to an made for a queen, because in his opinion incident that took place a few years ago, in tombs belonging to queens are oriented 2008. The following information will towards the west. Although tomb KV32 is demonstrate that sometimes radar can create directed towards the west and belongs to a speculation of its own. REEVES and the same queen from the 18th Dynasty, in contrast tomb Japanese radar expert who is working with him KV42, which belongs to Hatshepsut, is accessed now in the Valley of the Kings announced at from the south. In addition, the tombs of that time that their investigation had located a Amenhotep III and Yuya and are oriented tomb in front of that of Tutankhamun. REEVES to the east. There really does not seem to be put this on his personal website and called it any consistency here, and this point cannot be KV63, and also identified another “tomb”, which used to support the theory. he called KV64. Let us take a look at the research results When we began working in the Valley of the that have been assembled over the last few Kings, we decided to excavate the area in front months. I consider the statement by Minister of of the tomb of Tutankhamun. We excavated Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî saying that this thoroughly, and what REEVES and his radar matter needs more research to be very expert had assumed to be a tomb turned out important, since none of the reports has to be a crack in the solid rock. Later, when the confirmed the presence of anything behind the late Otto SCHADEN found the actual KV63, wall of the tomb. REEVES announced that he had made the So how can we compare this statement, discovery earlier. which is correct, with previous accounts that Even though SCHADEN insisted that REEVES assumed a 70 per cent chance of finding had had nothing to do with the discovery of Nefertiti’s tomb behind the northern wall in KV63, the announcement was so pervasive that Tutankhamun’s tomb, and other more recent recently some antiquities authorities have been reports that have stated that there is a 90 per convinced that the discovery originally belonged cent chance of a magnificent discovery? to REEVES. These authorities did not consider The latest press conference about the radar any of SCHADEN’s publications, or the results from REEVES’s Japanese partners verifications that were given to him by the announced that the radar scans had found Permanent Committee in Egypt. The real KV64 organic material and metal behind the north was later discovered in another location in the wall. This announcement cannot be considered valley, not where the Japanese radar had accurate, because radar cannot distinguish suggested. organic material from other materials. This fact Back in Tutankhamun’s tomb, the American should raise questions concerning the accuracy radar that was used after the Japanese radar of this result. neither confirmed nor refuted the results of the ‘Abbâs Muhammad, who is a radar scientist Japanese system. The survey planned to be and was present during the Japanese done from above the tomb would have been investigation, stated that the expert who useless. The radar was operated by US expert designed the equipment is the only one who Glen DASH, who made a survey in the area in can interpret the data. But as we know, 2008-2009 and did not find anything, although scientific protocol requires that all data should he surveyed about 10,000 km of the valley. be able to be read and interpreted by all

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DASH, who in 1996 established the Glen what to do next, either to end discussion on Dash Foundation for Archaeological Research, the subject or continue with research. is an electrical engineer who applies remote- Unfortunately, the antiquities authorities that sensing technologies to archaeological permitted the investigation evidently did not problems. Regarding the present theory, he has consider my opinion, and on the same day emphasised that the best target for radar they entered KV5 instead of Ramses II’s tomb. examination is not the proposed new annex or After one hour the radar was moved to chamber of the tomb, but the possible sealed KV62, and an hour after that a press doorways leading into them, which would conference was held announcing a 70 per cent produce distinctive images. possibility of finding a chamber behind the I would like to say more about his opinions, north wall of Tutankhamun’s tomb. since he has published an academic article Many people have raised questions explaining the theory and evidence proposed by regarding how we should proceed if the experts the recent radar survey. One image produced agree that there is a chamber behind the north by the Japanese team suggests that there is wall of the tomb. The antiquities authorities an annex behind the west wall of the tomb, but were granted permission secretly from the if there has been any sort of masonry there Permanent Committee to drill from the treasury the radar signal should have been scattered. area of the tomb, but they were told to keep In other words, if REEVES’s proposed annex this confidential. The authorities said that and corridor existed, they should have been because Zâhî Hawwâs had drilled in the readily detectable. Moreover, the best targets Pyramids, they could do the same thing. for the survey are not REEVES’s proposed hidden However, there is a big difference between spaces, but the walls and doorways leading to the Great Pyramid, where Ma’mûn, son of the them. The masonry of blocked doors and caliph Hârûn al-Rashîd, moved thousands of partition walls scatters a radar signal, leaving a blocks in the Middle Ages, and the tomb of distinctive signature. However, this has not Tutankhamun, which has painted scenes that been shown to be the case, and no doorways any drilling could damage. Furthermore, I think or partition walls means that there is no that before taking permission from the hidden tomb. Permanent Committee, it would have been We should also consider the opinion of better first to identify the thickness of the wall French Egyptologist Christian LEBLANC, as he has in the treasury room and determine how the worked extensively in the drilling could affect the limestone scenes. and has advised “not to pursue hallucinations”. Finally, the Japanese believe that the radar LEBLANC, excavating in the Valley of the Queens scans have revealed a void area near the during his early career, found a shaft and existing tomb. However, the radar data have inside it a sealed door, but when he opened not been made available for independent this there was nothing behind it. This should be review and processing. The second radar scan a lesson to us all, so that we do not unduly that was conducted last March did not confirm speculate before we carry out more extensive that there was a void area behind the walls. archaeological work. The data of the second radar scan were made Some people asked me for my opinion available to the international community. before the present radar investigation was Because we have two contradictory results, I carried out. I told them that we should test the propose further investigation be conducted as Japanese radar by taking it to the tomb of follows: first, to use a third radar system Ramses II, where we know there are still sealed specially designed for archaeology and this chambers, and only if the radar locates the particular site; and second, that a committee of hidden chambers here should we permit its use both foreign and Egyptian experts in Egyptology inside Tutankhamun’s tomb. We would then and remote sensing should review the new need to use a second radar system to have a data and the future of the research project. second opinion.

After that, we should appoint a committee Otherwise, the best thing to do would be of experts on the 18th Dynasty and other radar just to end discussion of the matter. (Zâhî specialists, and only they should have a say on Hawwâs, “Is Nefertiti buried in the tomb of

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Tutankhamun?”, Al-Ahram Weekly, May 19, ‘Alî ouvre ses portes après 10 ans de 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Hawwâs fermeture », al-Ahrâm al-‘arabî, 20 mai). met en garde REEVES : Pas touche à la tombe de Toutankhamon sans preuves complètes », - - al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 mai ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Hawwâs réitère son refus des résultats de la couverture radar menée par les Japonais », al- Samedi 21 mai 2016 Shurûq, 8 mai ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Poursuite des relevés radar dans la tombe de Toutankhamon », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Polémique parmi les archéologues à propos des chambres secrètes de la tombe de Toutankhamon », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 8 mai). - -

Vendredi 20 mai 2016 When Sultan al-Ashraf Sayf al-Dîn Qâytbây built his citadel on the Mediterranean Sea coast during the 15th century with the aim of it becoming one of Egypt’s defensive strongholds, it is likely that he never imagined that one day his fortress would be turned into a wedding hall.

Despite the historical and cultural value of the citadel, the Ministry of Antiques has opened it be used for wedding ceremonies as a means of making a profit and refreshing domestic tourism. As a result, Alexandria’s cultural The mosque of Manyal Palace will be advocates launched a campaign called “the opened for worship on Friday for the first time Citadel isn’t a wedding hall”, which went viral since 2005 when it was closed for restoration. on social media within a few hours. The palace, built by Prince Muhammad ‘Alî Although a large number of people started Tawfîq in the early twentieth century, is located to share the hashtag on their profiles asking on the island of Manyal in Cairo. the Ministry of Antiques to stop what they The Friday prayers at the mosque will be called “a cultural crisis that needs urgent broadcast on television, which Antiquities interference”, the citadel hosted another Minister Khâlid al-’Inânî hopes will “draw the wedding last Friday. masses to the palace’s historical importance “Our campaign aims to raise people’s and archaeological value.” The architectural awareness about the priceless historical value design of the mosque combines two different of the citadel and provide alternative solutions styles, the Andalusian and the Ottoman, and is to the problem,” said Ahmad ‘Ismat, the richly decorate. The restoration was completed founder of the campaign. in 2015. (Nevine El-Aref, “Mosque at Cairo’s Manyal Palace reopens after decade-long “We understand that Egyptian institutions restoration”, Ahram Online, May 20, 2016. Voir are trying to make maximum use of the également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de available resources by engaging in different l’Archéologie remet en service la mosquée du activities, but underestimating the citadel this palais Manyal », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 20 mai ; ‘Alâ’ way is totally unacceptable. Outside the walls al-Dîn Zâhir, « Le directeur du musée du palais of the citadel, there’s a big space and a Manyal : Le plan de modernisation est number of clubs that are more suitable for lancé… », Ruz al-Yûsuf, 12 juin ; Hiba ‘Âdil, holding parties and wedding ceremonies,” he « La mosquée historique du palais Muhammad added.

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In his opinion, the citadel is public property and officials do not have the right to exploit it Dimanche 22 mai 2016 without holding a community dialogue with representatives of different parties and civil society organizations as well as specialized archaeologists. However, renting the citadel for EGP 15,000 will make it affordable for those who cannot afford the wedding halls in hotels and clubs.

“Instead of holding wedding parties, we agree to host big local and international cultural and artistic festivals and ceremonies in the citadel as a way to help refresh tourism. Egypt’s Ambassador to Israel Hazim Khayrat poses in front of This happens in a number of Arab countries ancient sarcophagi covers, which Israel handed back to Egypt, in which host big festivals in archaeological Jerusalem May 22, 2016 (Reuters) places, such as Jarash or Carthage, to Israel on Sunday returned to Egypt two introduce their history to the whole world,” he stolen sarcophagi lids, saying the repatriation said. of the millennia-old artefacts was a sign of The area is also open for international warmer relations between the two countries. filmmakers to use, for those looking for a Israel Antiquities Authority investigators found backdrop to their movies and documentaries the two artefacts, one dating back between being filmed in Egypt. 3,400 and 3,600 years and the second about 3,000 years-old, in an antiquity dealer’s shop in “Morocco, for example, opens its deserts East Jerusalem about five years ago. and historical locations for shooting. Unfortunately, international filmmakers resort to The Israeli foreign ministry said the wooden Morocco to shoot movies about the pharaohs sarcophagi covers were stolen in Egypt and and the ancient Egyptian history because it’s smuggled to East Jerusalem via a Gulf state. difficult to film in Egypt,” he said. Israeli authorities seized the artefacts but their return was put on hold after Egypt’s Islamist ‘Ismat asserts that their campaign does not government in 2012 recalled the Egyptian intend to achieve any personal interest or ambassador during the Israeli offensive on the blame any officials and they will not accept Gaza strip. being manipulated by any political party who wants to make use of the campaign. They also After a three-year hiatus, Egypt sent a new refuse to denounce newly married couples or ambassador to Israel in January. The envoy any guests by using their photos or names or formally took possession of the sarcophagi at sharing them on social media. a ceremony on Sunday at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem. “The return of the Egyptian “For many years, Qâytbây citadel has been (artefacts) is symbolic, more than anything, of suffering from many problems related to the the changing relations (between) Israel and accumulation of the rain and sewage water Egypt,” Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General inside it and the effects of rising sea levels on Dore GOLD told Reuters. its walls. Instead of holding weddings, it’s better to pay more attention to the threats on this Egyptian ambassador Hâzim Khayrat said important place and how to overcome them,” the two countries, which signed a peace treaty he concluded. (Rana Khaled, “Qâytbây citadel in 1979, were still working on the return of hosts another wedding despite public other artefacts but he did not specify what discontent”, Daily News Egypt, May 21, 2016). they were or how many other items were in Israeli possession. (Reuters, “Israel returns to Egypt two stolen artefacts”, Ahram Online, May 22, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Restitution par Tel Aviv de 2 couvercles de - - sarcophages », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 mai ; « Israël restitue à l’Égypte deux pièces archéologiques volées depuis la révolution »,

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al-Bashâyyir, 22 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Deux archaeological seasons a number of intact couvercles de sarcophages arrivent en Égypte burial sites from different periods, including the en provenance d’Israël », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 17 tombs of government official Haqa-Ib and juin). Sabny.

The mission has also made a discovery of - - an unidentified skeleton believed to be of the oldest breast cancer patient ever found. (Nevine Mardi 24 mai 2016 El-Aref, “Mummy of ‘very important’ female figure discovered in Aswân”, Ahram Online, May 24, 2016. Voir également Deutsche Welle, « Découverte d’une momie égyptienne d’une femme vieille de 4 000 ans », al-Watan, 24 mai ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie annonce la découverte de deux sarcophages contenant une momie du Moyen Empire », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 24 mai ; Sanâ’ Fârûq, « Mise au jour de 2 sarcophages du Moyen Empire contenant une momie », Watanî, 24 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Mise au jour de 2 sarcophages du Moyen Empire », al-Ahrâm al- The sarcophagus of Sattjeni ‘Arabî, 24 mai ; Nasma Réda, « Nouvelle Spanish excavators from Universidad de découverte à Aswân », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 8 Jaén discovered the 12th dynasty mummy of an juin). Egyptian noblewoman named Sattjeni during excavation work at the Qubbat al-Hawâ - - necropolis west of Aswân. Mahmûd ‘Afîfî, head of the Ancient Egyptian Jeudi 26 mai 2016 Department at the Ministry of Antiquities, said that Sattjeni was the mother of two renowned Elephantine governors, Heqaib III and Amaeny- Seneb, under the reign of King Amenemhat III around 1800-1775 BCE. ‘Afîfî said the mummy was found wrapped in linen inside two wooden sarcophagi carved in cedar exported from Lebanon.

Remains were found on the mummy of Sattjeni’s cartonage funerary mask. The inner coffin was in such good condition that experts could possibly determine the year the cedar tree – used to make the coffin – was cut down. Despite the heavy rain that hit the British Nasr Salâma, director of the ministry’s capital this week, Britons with umbrellas were Aswân and Nubian Antiquities Department, said queuing outside the classical portico of the that Sattjeni was a key figure in Elephantine, as British Museum to enter this summer’s she was the daughter of the nomarch Sarenput blockbuster exhibition, “Sunken Cities: Egypt’s II as well as the mother of the two governors. Lost Worlds,” which opened last week following According to Salâma, Sattjeni was also the its successful premiere in Paris. unique holder of dynastic rights in the government of Elephantine after the death of For the next six months, Britons will be able all the male members of her family. to take a virtual dive to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea and explore the lost The Spanish mission – led by Alejandro treasures of ancient Egypt. JIMÉNEZ-SERRANO – that made the discovery has been working in west Aswân since 2008. The The remarkable finds on show in the mission has discovered over several exhibition point to the importance of the three

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lost cities from which they come, which in collaboration between Egypt and Britain in the antiquity were centres of business, science, fields of archaeology and museology, which culture and religion. Here, influences from started as early as the 1880s when the Mesopotamia, ancient Greece and Rome Egyptologist Flinders PETRIE discovered a mingled with the age-old culture of the collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in pharaohs, from which emerged a new way of Naukratis in the Delta and at other life that left an enduring mark on the religious archaeological sites. and cultural landscape of Egypt. al-‘Inânî said that the ministry was keen on The exhibition displays artefacts from the strengthening all kinds of cooperation with legendary lost cities of Thonis-Heracleion and international scientific and archaeological Canopus and from the submerged part of the institutions in protecting and promoting Egypt’s ancient port of Alexandria. The two cities heritage. He invited Egyptian antiquities lovers disappeared when they were submerged by an to come to Egypt to enjoy and admire more earthquake or other natural disaster, which monuments and archaeological sites. caused the seabed to subside in antiquity. “It’s hugely exciting to be announcing the The aura of the Mediterranean is British Museum’s first large-scale exhibition of everywhere apparent in the spacious galleries underwater discoveries and to be welcoming of the British Museum in the exhibition. Waves these important loans to London,” said Sir echo on the audio system, and the sparkling Richard LAMBERT, chair of the British Museum. black floors seem to reflect the seabed, with “As well as looking for partners to invest in the audio technology and visual effects being used economy, Egypt is always searching for to give something of the ambiance from which partners to help in exploring its heritage and the antiquities were retrieved and the stages of the treasures which are still hidden under its their underwater excavation. lands and waters,” said Nâsir Kâmil, Egypt’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. Enormous colossi are shown against dark green walls or on dark blue or warm red He continued by saying that the exhibition bases, while smaller artefacts are displayed showed that despite what we know of its inside fine glass showcases lying on black tremendous history and culture, Egypt has a lot granite bases. Giant plasma screens showing more to offer the world. “We thank our films documenting the progress of the marine partners in the UK, such as BP, for working archaeologists as they uncovered the mysteries with us in utilising our resources to develop of Egypt’s sunken cities are placed in each our economy and through such an exhibition gallery of the exhibition. A prologue and an unravel our history as well,” Kâmil said, inviting epilogue provide information about the the people of Britain to visit the exhibition to underwater missions of the Institut Européen get a glimpse of what Egypt has to offer and d’Archéologie Sous-Marine (IEASM) and the then to come to Egypt itself to relive that natural disasters that led to the submergence experience. of the area more than 1,500 years ago. BP Chief Executive Bob DUDLEY said the Visitors to the exhibition are taken on an company was proud to support a fascinating imaginary voyage through time and space back exhibition that showcases the power of science to the Ptolemaic, Byzantine, Coptic and early and the pioneering spirit to discover what lies Islamic eras of Egypt, when the cities were beneath the waters. “By sharing these main commercial centres of the country. To underwater treasures, the British Museum is enhance the atmosphere, a gigantic statue of opening a whole new frontier for visitors to the Nile god Hapy has been erected at the explore, and we are pleased to be a part of entrance of the exhibition galleries, greeting that,” DUDLEY commented. visitors much as it did when it stood in IEASM President Franck GODDIO said he was antiquity at the front gate of the temple of the delighted that the exhibition with its discoveries god Amun-Gereb as an impressive sight for from his underwater archaeological expeditions visitors to Thonis-Heracleion. off the coast of Egypt was on display at the During the official inauguration of the British Museum, a fact that had enabled him exhibition, Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî and his team to share with the public the highlighted the strong friendship and results of years of work at the sunken cities

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and their fascination for ancient worlds and from Canopus representing the eldest daughter civilisations. of Ptolemy I, founder of the , Arsinoe II. This Graeco-Macedonian queen “Placing our discoveries alongside selected became a goddess beloved to both the masterpieces from the collections of Egyptian Egyptians and the Greeks after her death and museums, complemented by important objects she is depicted in this statue as the from the British Museum, the exhibition embodiment of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek presents unique insights into a fascinating goddess of beauty. period in history during which Egyptians and Greeks encountered each other on the shores Neal SPENCER, keeper of the Ancient Egypt & of the Mediterranean,” GODDIO commented. Sudan Section at the British Museum, said the Museum had made its own contributions to the exhibition with objects from various sites across the Delta, most notably from Naukratis, a sister town to Thonis-Heracleion and the first Greek settlement in Egypt.

Aurélia MASSON-BERGHOFF, an exhibition curator at the British Museum, told the Weekly that sometimes people assumed that when two cultures mixed the essence of each is diluted and as a result weakened, but the exhibition demonstrated the opposite. She described the

exhibition as being a rare opportunity to reveal CONTENT OF THE EXHIBITION: Ilhâm Salâh, the beauty and strength of Late Pharaonic art head of the ministry’s Museum Sector, said that and culture, alongside the latest research on London was the exhibition’s second leg after its the momentous intermingling between the premiere in Paris at the Institut du Monde Egyptian and Greek communities in Egypt at Arabe. In January 2017 the exhibition is to be the time. opened at the Riteburg Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, she said, adding that it had put on “We are illustrating this vibrant cosmopolitan show a collection of 293 underwater artefacts world through Egyptian, Greek and ‘hybrid’ carefully selected from the Bibliotheca artworks rarely ever displayed side by side. It Alexandrina Museum and the Graeco-Roman shows ancient Egypt not as an isolated Museum and the Maritime Museum in civilisation, but as the outward looking, Alexandria, as well as the Egyptian Museum in influential and inclusive society that it was,” Cairo. she said.

Salâh said that a bronze statuette of a The exhibition, mounted in collaboration with pharaoh discovered in the temple of Amun- the Ministry of Antiquities with the support of Gereb in Thonis Heracleion was an undoubted BP and organised by the Hilti Foundation and masterpiece. It depicts a pharaoh in a striding, IEASM, is divided into five sections. BERGHOFF confident pose wearing the blue crown and said that the first section displayed the royal headdress of ancient Egypt. His belt disappearance and rediscovery of the ancient buckle is roughly inscribed with the pharaoh’s cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus, giving name. “It is difficult to read, but it suggests visitors background information about the that the statuette was probably an already location and appearance of these cities. It also ancient object when it was placed in the shows how GODDIO and his team had temple of Amun-Gereb as a symbol of dynastic rediscovered these cities and how they looked continuity,” Salâh told Al-Ahram Weekly. on the day of their discovery.

Amun-Gereb was revered as the god who The second section discusses the early granted the pharaohs the sacred right to rule, encounter between ancient Egypt and Greece, she said, adding that masterpieces from several showing a variety of traders and mercenaries Egyptian museums, such as the Apis bull from moving between Egypt and Greece between the the Serapeum in Alexandria, were shown mid seventh and fourth centuries BCE. It shows alongside the magnificent recent finds from the that ancient Egyptians, Greeks and foreigners sea. One such piece was a stunning sculpture were living side-by-side and worshipping

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different gods in the country at the time. The in hieroglyphics and Greek, a black granite third section is dedicated to the Ptolemaic sphinx representing Ptolemy XII, father of period after conquered Cleopatra, a head of Serapis and the famous Egypt and until the suicide of Cleopatra in 31 “Naos of the Decades,” a black granite shrine BCE. It shows a variety of examples of how the covered with figures and hieroglyphic texts originally Greek kings ruled the country and relating to the ancient calendar. Part of this adopted traditions from the ancient Egyptians object, found in 1776 and since at the Louvre in order to legitimate their rule. in Paris, has been loaned for the exhibition.

They tried to integrate themselves into the Pots and pans, knives, forks, bottles, vases, community of ancient Egypt and deliberately plates and incense burners are also exhibited introduced Greek versions of Egyptian gods like alongside gold rings, earrings, necklaces and Serapis, the Greek equivalent of the Egyptian bracelets. According to a source at the British god Osiris-Apis. They also recognised the Museum, although the entrance costs £16, all potential of royal propaganda and promoted the tickets have been sold for the next three the worship of the queen. Ptolemy II married months of the exhibition. (Nevine El-Aref, his sister Arsinoe in a sacred union sanctioned “Sunken cities come to London”, Al-Ahram by Egyptian and Greek mythology and made Weekly, May 26, 2016. Voir également Ahmad her a goddess celebrated by all. Mansûr, « L’exposition sur les antiquités submergées rapporte 360 000 euros », al- The fourth section, BERGHOFF said, relates Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « al-‘Inânî the Osiris mystery because he was the most inaugure à Londres l’exposition sur les popular god during the late Ptolemaic period. antiquités submergées », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 16 Osiris was believed by the ancient Greeks to mai ; Sanâ’ Fârûq, « Le British Museum be one of their own gods identified with the accueille une exposition sur les antiquités youthful god Dionysus. It shows that the submergées », Watanî, 17 mai ; Nevine El-Aref, ancient Egyptians and Greeks celebrated “The Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds together the myth of Osiris at Canopus, it exhibition inaugurated in London”, Ahram being known from the ancient Greek historian Online, May 18 ; Ahmad ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre STRABO that people from Alexandria came to de l’Archéologie inaugure à Londres l’exposition Canopus to celebrate the mystery of Osiris. sur les antiquités submergées », al-Wafd, 18 EGYPTIAN INTERCONNECTEDNESS: The fifth mai ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Inauguration and last section of the exhibition, BERGHOFF à Londres de l’exposition des antiquités explained, shows what happened to the rich submergées », al-Ahrâm, 19 mai ; Nasma Réda, interconnectedness of this cosmopolitan « Les trésors d’Alexandrie exposés à Ptolemaic society during the Roman period. It Londres », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 25 mai). starts with Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt, and her lover Mark Antony and ends - - with the emperor Hadrian and Antinous who Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî is drowned in Egypt during the celebration of the inaugurating Thursday evening the opening of mysteries of Osiris in 130 CE. the pyramid of ancient Egyptian King Unas at BERGHOFF said that the designer had used the Saqqâra necropolis after 20 years of its three colours for the interior design of the closing. exhibition, including blue and green to reflect The pyramid of King Unas is the last the colour of the sea and the Nile as both pyramid of the 5th Dynasty. Despite its small Thonis Heracleion and Canopus were located size, it is considered as one of the most at a conjunction point between the important Egyptian pyramids, as it is the first Mediterranean and the Nile. The red colour, pyramid to record the "Pyramids Texts," which she said, had been used to identify pieces that had not emerged from the sea. hold important religious significance on the resurrection of deceased kin. Among the objects on show are three giant pink granite colossi of the Nile god Hapy, a The inauguration ceremony will include a statue of a Ptolemaic king, and an unidentified candlelight vigil for the victims of the EgyptAir Egyptian queen dressed as Isis. There is a flight that crashed in the Mediterranean last customs stela from Heracleion with inscriptions week. The vigil will be attended by al-‘Inânî as well as archaeologists and top officials from

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the ministry, along with journalists and directors Among the most important are a limestone of foreign archaeological institutes in Egypt. relief depicting a supervisor of royal war chariots named Hasnefermerptah and his wife, French Egyptologist Gaston MASPERO was the as well as a collection of late period sphinxes, first to enter the pyramid in 1881, which was the sarcophagus of a priest of Sobek and closed in 1996 as the high rate of humidity limestone statues from the Middle Kingdom. negatively affected the pyramid’s burial chamber. After comprehensive studies, state-of- A number of Graeco-Roman limestone heads the-art equipment was erected to monitor and area also among the batch, as well as pieces decrease the level of humidity and heat inside of mummy masks made from cartonage. The the pyramid and a new cool lighting system objects were packed in order to be transported was installed. to the new museum early next week, where they will be subjected to restoration and added The opening ceremony will be attended by to the permanent displays. (Nevine El-Aref, a number of foreign and Egyptian mission “Artefacts on the move from Sân al-Hagar directors, delegations of foreign archaeological museum to new Gîza museum”, Ahram Online, institutes in Egypt and top officials from the May 27, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, Ministry of Antiquities al-‘Inânî pointed out that « Transfert de pièces archéologiques de Tell this opening highlights the fruitful bilateral Basta vers le GEM », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 mai). cooperation between the ministry and foreign and Egyptian missions working in Egypt. - - The minister explained that the opening comes as part of the ministry’s plan to open Le président du département des projets, more archaeological sites and new tourist Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ, a annoncé que le projet de attractions in order to restore Egypt’s tourism réaménagement du plateau de Gîza se déroule industry. (Nevine El-Aref, “One of Egypt’s oldest sur les chapeaux de roues. La restauration du pyramids King Unas reopens after 20-year Centre de visiteurs et du siège de l’inspectorat closure”, Ahram Online, May 26, 2016. Voir est en phase d’achèvement. Rappelons que ce projet vise à mieux sécuriser la zone également Ibtisâm Abû Dahab, « Le ministre de archéologique, à développer le tourisme et à l’Archéologie inaugure la pyramide d’Ounas et augmenter le nombre de visiteurs. 3 tombes à Saqqâra », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 26 mai ; Ahmad Mansûr, « Après 20 ans de Pour ce faire, un plan a été élaboré en vue fermeture, la pyramide d’Ounas accueille à d’améliorer les axes routiers reliant le plateau nouveau ses visiteurs », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 26 de Gîza au GEM et au village de Nazlat al- mai ; Mervat ‘Ayyâd, « La pyramide d’Ounas Sammân qui compte 60 572 habitants, selon accueille ses visiteurs après 20 ans de les dernières statistiques. Le plan englobe fermeture », Watanî, 26 mai ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « La également la création au Sud du panorama pyramide d’Ounas accueille ses visiteurs après n° 1 d’un terrain d’atterrissage pouvant 20 ans de fermeture », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 26 accueillir quatre hélicoptères, en plus de la mai). piste d’atterrissage qui existe déjà à l’Ouest de la pyramide de Chéphren. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le - - Centre de visiteurs et le siège de l’inspectorat en phase d’achèvement », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 27 mai 2016. Voir également Zâhî Hawwâs, Vendredi 27 mai 2016 « Réaménagement du plateau de Gîza », al- Masrî al-Yawm, 30 mai). Curators from the Grand Egyptian Museum on Friday restored and packaged artefacts at Sân al-Hagar museum in the Tell Basta archaeological site in the Delta in order to transport them to the as-yet-unopened museum - in Cairo.

‘Îsa Zaydân, head of the restoration - - department at the new museum, told Ahram Online that the artefacts include objects from - different eras of ancient Egyptian history.

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al-Yûsuf, 2 juin). Mercredi 1er juin 2016 - - Following a decree issued by Prime Minister Sharîf Ismâ‘îl, the National Committee for the La Sainte Famille en Égypte : c’est le titre Repatriation of Stolen and Smuggled Antiquities de l’exposition tenue au musée Copte pour (NCRSSA) sat for its first meeting since 2010. commémorer l’entrée de la Sainte Famille en Égypte. Inaugurée par le ministre de la Culture Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told ce mercredi, l’exposition qui dure un mois Ahram Online that during the meeting several comprend quelques pièces qui retracent issues were discussed in order to draw a clear l’itinéraire de la Sainte Famille. Elles remontent policy and complete a strategy to repatriate, in à différentes époques. Parmi ces pièces se the near future, all artefacts that have been trouve une icône datant du XVIIIe siècle et stolen and illegally smuggled out of the représentant la Vierge Marie à dos d’un cheval country and to guarantee the protection of blanc, devancé par saint Joseph avec Jésus Egypt’s cultural and antiquities heritage. sur son épaule et tenant une bride dans sa In the next meeting, al-‘Inânî explained, main droite. decisions would be taken for two repatriation « C’est une scène rare. En général, l’enfant cases but was required not to mention specific est toujours emmené par sa mère, mais cette details until concrete action has been taken. icône le montre protégé par Joseph », explique The NCRSSA is headed by al-‘Inânî with Hânî Zarîf, directeur du centre d’information au members from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, musée Copte et l’un des organisateurs de Justice, International Cooperation, General l’exposition. Autre particularité de cette icône Prosecutor as well as representatives from est que la scène est surmontée d’une concerned security and supervision authorities. inscription en arabe annonçant le retour de la Vierge en Égypte. D’après Zarîf, cette scène Former antiquities minister Zâhî Hawwâs incarne le retour de la Sainte Famille dans la attended the meeting because he was the first capitale égyptienne après un long séjour à to establish the NCRSA in 2008 so that it Muharraq en Moyenne-Égypte. Joseph y est could undergo the legal and diplomatic représenté comme une vieille personne dont le procedures, as well as provide all the means to visage est plein de rides. Jésus tourne la tête return back to Egypt its stolen and illegally vers sa mère, symbolisant ainsi l’évolution de la smuggled antiquities. perception de l’enfant. La physionomie de la Vierge est plus mûre dans cette icône que The last meeting of the NCRSSA was in late dans d’autres déjà connues. Les têtes des trois 2010 just before the 2011 January Revolution. personnages sont auréolées d’un jaune doré (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s National Committee for symbolisant l’éternité. En bas de l’icône, on the Repatriation of Stolen Antiquities resumes peut lire : « Seigneur, souvenez-vous du activities”, Ahram Online, June 1, 2016. Voir royaume céleste de celui qui travaille dur ». également Ahmad Mansûr, « Première réunion D’après Zarîf, cette phrase est fréquemment du comité national pour la restitution des rencontrée sur les icônes à la place de la antiquités volées après 6 ans d’interruption », signature des artistes. Elle reflète l’abnégation er al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1 juin ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le du peintre et son espoir d’obtenir, avec cette comité national pour la restitution des œuvre, la satisfaction de Dieu. antiquités volées se réunit pour la première fois après 6 ans d’interruption », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, Outre cette icône, il y a un tissu carré en e 1er juin ; ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn Zâhir, « Le comité national laine de 30 cm de dimension qui date du VII pour la restitution des antiquités volées se siècle, sur lequel il y a une représentation de réunit pour la première fois depuis 2010 », Ruz la Sainte Famille. « C’est la première fois que

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le sujet du trajet de la Sainte Famille est The dome houses the corpses of the évoqué sur une étoffe », commente l’expert Abbassid caliphs, who ruled Egypt during the Zarîf. L’étoffe montre la Vierge à dos de cheval seventh and eighth centuries on the Islamic tenant l’Enfant Jésus. Derrière elle se trouvent calendar. deux personnes. « Il s’agit peut-être de Joseph et Salomé, qui aidait la Vierge. Ils la It also holds the corpses of the sons of al- protégeaient pendant le parcours en Égypte », Zâhir Baybars al-Bunduqdârî. The dome is explique l’expert. La scène se trouve dans un ornately decorated with verses from the Quran petit carré décoré de différents motifs. Selon as well as foliage and geometrical decoration Zarîf, cette étoffe, peu connue des experts, motifs. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt retrieves stolen mérite d’être étudiée. « L’exposition est une Abbasid era decorative plaques from London”, bonne occasion de mettre en avant les trésors Ahram Online, June 1, 2016. Voir également inconnus du musée Copte, comme cette « Le ministère de l’Archéologie récupère des étoffe », conclut-il. (Doaa Elhami, « Le musée éléments décoratifs abbasides volés en 2012 », Copte commémore la Sainte Famille », Al- Ruz al-Yûsuf, 1er juin ; MENA, “Egypt retrieves Ahram Hebdo du 1er juin 2016). Abbasid artifacts from London auction house”, Egypt Independent, July 4). - - - -

Pour la première fois de son histoire, la cour de la citadelle de Qâytbây a été le théâtre d’un mariage privé et d’une cérémonie de graduation. Un employé du ministère des Antiquités voulant organiser son mariage dans la cour de la citadelle a présenté une demande au directeur de la citadelle. Sa demande a été acceptée en échange de la somme de 25 000 L.E. Quelques jours plus

The set of wooden engraving tard, une graduation des étudiants de l’Académie arabe des Sciences, de la A set of eight engraved wooden plaques Technologie et des Transports maritimes a eu that were stolen from the Dome of the Abbasid lieu également à la citadelle. Caliphs in Cairo’s Sayyida Nafîsa district were handed over to the Egyptian embassy in Ces cérémonies ont suscité une controverse, London after being missing for four years. non seulement parmi les archéologues, mais aussi parmi les amateurs du patrimoine Sha‘bân ‘Abd al-Gawwâd, the supervisor of alexandrin. Les responsables du ministère des the Antiquities Repatriation Department at the Antiquités affirment que ces cérémonies « n’ont antiquities ministry, told Ahram Online that the aucun impact sur la citadelle, permettent de plaques were stolen in 2012 during the lack of générer des revenus et aident à la promotion security that followed the January 2011 touristique des sites historiques ». « Organiser revolution. des cérémonies de mariage ou des fêtes The plaques were put up for sale in privées dans des sites archéologiques est légal. Bonhams auction hall and the antiquities Ces cérémonies sont régies par des conditions ministry monitored the transaction and strictes telles que l’interdiction des boissons managed to stop the sale after proving Egypt’s alcoolisées ou des chichas. L’utilisation claim over the artefacts. The plaques are set d’appareils qui peuvent nuire aux édifices to arrive in Egypt within three weeks. antiques est également interdite. Et le nombre d’invités doit être scrupuleusement respecté. En The Dome of the Abbasid Caliphs is built on outre, des responsables du ministère assistent a square platform with three entrances à ces cérémonies, afin d’assurer la protection neighbouring the mausoleum of Sayyida Nafîsa. des sites et garantir le respect des contrats The facade is adorned with recesses and keel signés entre la direction, responsable de ces arches. The interior on the southeast side monuments, et les particuliers », explique holds a mihrâb, or niche pointing towards Usâma al-Sayyid, directeur de la citadelle, Mecca, crowned with a keel arch. soulignant que le ministère entend populariser

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l’expérience dans tous les sites archéologiques « La promotion du tourisme et des sites ouverts au public. archéologiques ne se fait pas avec des cérémonies de mariage, mais plutôt avec des En fait, la citadelle de Qâytbây n’est pas le événements culturels de qualité ou des seul site ayant accueilli de telles cérémonies. concerts à la hauteur de celui de la célèbre Un mariage a eu lieu à la Citadelle de Saladin chanteuse Magda al-Rûmî, qui a eu lieu au Caire, il y a quelques jours, en présence de dernièrement au pied des pyramides », conclut 100 touristes chinois. Ce mariage a permis à Darwîsh. (Samar Zarée, « Monuments l’Organisme de promotion touristique historiques ou salles de fête », Al-Ahram d’encourager le tourisme chinois. Le ministre Hebdo du 1er juin 2016). des Antiquités, Khâlid al-‘Inânî, a pour sa part déclaré qu’il était pour la tenue de ce type de cérémonie sur les sites archéologiques. « Je - - demande à ceux qui refusent cette idée de Après six ans de négociation et de proposer des alternatives pour diminuer procédures juridiques, le ministère des l’énorme déficit budgétaire dont souffre le Antiquités a réussi à récupérer 44 pièces ministère depuis cinq ans », a-t-il déclaré. antiques de France. « Ces pièces remontent à Les cérémonies de mariage dans les sites différentes époques antiques », déclare Khâlid archéologiques ne sont pourtant pas une chose al-‘Inânî, ministre égyptien des Antiquités, nouvelle. Ce type de cérémonie est organisé précisant que les autorités françaises ont livré depuis longtemps dans le jardin du palais du à l’ambassade d’Égypte à Paris ces pièces baron Empain à Héliopolis ainsi qu’au palais antiques sorties illicitement d’Égypte. Il s’agit de Muhammad ‘Alî à Manyal. quelques statuettes en calcaire d’une femme remontant à l’époque romaine, de croix, de Le parti du Rassemblement (al-Tagammu‘) à boucles d’oreilles et d’ustensiles en bois de Alexandrie a critiqué la tenue de ces l’époque copte ainsi que d’autres pièces. cérémonies sur les sites historiques. « Les raisons invoquées par les responsables sont Sha‘bân ‘Abd al-Gawwâd, superviseur général du département des antiquités récupérées, a inacceptables. On abîme un monument pour la souligné que ces pièces avaient été saisies à modique somme de 25 000 L.E. Cette somme l’aéroport de Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle en mars et ne suffit même pas à payer le coût d’un novembre 2010. « Vers la fin 2014, la France a déjeuner d’une délégation étrangère en visite décidé de restituer 239 pièces antiques sorties au ministère », souligne Sa‘îd Ahmad Salâma, frauduleusement d’Égypte et d’en garder secrétaire du parti. Il ajoute que si le ministère d’autres pour les analyser et s’assurer qu’elles des Antiquités persiste à tenir ces cérémonies, sont authentiques ou pas », ajoute-t-il. Selon le parti sera dans l’obligation d’intenter un lui, ces pièces proviennent de plusieurs fouilles procès contre lui. illicites dans différentes régions, principalement Dans le même contexte, un certain nombre de la nécropole de Saqqâra. d’Alexandrins ont créé une page Facebook L’Égypte souffre depuis longtemps du trafic intitulée : « La citadelle n’est pas une salle de illicite des biens culturels. « Le président noces » (al-Qal‘a mish sâlit afrâh) afin de François HOLLANDE a demandé au directeur du condamner cette utilisation du patrimoine et de musée du Louvre, Jean-Luc MARTINEZ, de se rappeler que le monument n’est pas une charger de trouver des solutions pour limiter propriété privée, mais appartient à tous les ce trafic », souligne Yannick LINTZ, directrice du Égyptiens et qu’il faut le protéger pour les département de l’art de l’islam au Louvre, lors futures générations. de sa dernière visite au Caire. MARTINEZ a alors Pour sa part, Ibrâhîm Darwîsh, ex-directeur fait, en décembre dernier, 50 propositions. « Il du secteur des monuments, condamne y a plusieurs aspects aux propositions, qui sont également cette idée en affirmant que ce qui notamment législatives. Chaque État qui souffre s’est passé à la citadelle Qâytbây représente applique ses lois nationales pour protéger son une offense au patrimoine. « Même si patrimoine. Mais dans le cas des pays en l’événement n’a pas affecté le bâtiment, il a guerre comme la Syrie ou l’Iraq, il faut une porté atteinte à l’histoire ainsi qu’à la valeur lutte régionale et mondiale. On doit aider symbolique de ces forteresses, que ce soit la l’Égypte à retrouver tout son patrimoine volé », citadelle Qâytbây ou celle de Saladin », dit-il. explique-t-il.

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« Ces objets volés appartiennent à l’Égypte There will be a new visitor route with signs, et font partie de son patrimoine selon la loi maps and billboards bearing information about 117 de l’année 1983 et 2010. Les récupérer the site. A parking area, entrance gate and est une question urgente », conclut ‘Abd al- ticket and information office will also be Gawwâd, précisant la réussite de récupérer 546 provided. A lighting system is to be installed to pièces en 2015 de différents pays tels que la make the site accessible at night. The site’s Suisse, les États-Unis et l’Allemagne. (Nasma director will establish an excavation school for Réda, « L’Égypte récupère des pièces antiques children during the summer months in a bid to de France », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 1er juin 2016. increase the awareness of younger generations Voir également Hiba ‘Âdil, « La France restitue about the country’s heritage. 44 pièces archéologiques à l’Égypte », al-Ahrâm Ilhâm Salâh, head of the Museums al-‘Arabî, 16 mai). Department at the ministry, told Al-Ahram Weekly that an enclosed area on the site will - - be converted into a museum displaying artefacts that were recovered from the site in Jeudi 2 juin 2016 recent years. “Lighting the monuments at night is the only thing now needed before the site can be opened to visitors,” said Muhammad ‘Abd al- Maqsûd. He is the coordinator of the archaeological site development project at the Suez Canal and was also responsible for the previous marina project.

He said the site should be kept as it is as much as possible as part of the development of a new tourist attraction on the north coast. Holidaymakers presently spend their days enjoying the sun, sea and sand, but in the Roman baths at Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn site evenings they have little to do aside from Holidaymakers on Egypt’s north coast taking a promenade along the corniche or always enjoy the sun, sand and sea during the sitting in café. summer vacation. But this year, writes Nevine When the Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn site opens, El-Aref, they may have other entertainments to ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said, all this will change, and it go to in the evening apart from cafés and the will become a new cultural and entertainment Luna Parks. They may also be able to explore centre. “Lighting the monuments and paving a the archaeological site of Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn, visiting path, as well as establishing an open-air known 2,000 years ago as the Graeco-Roman cafeteria and bookshop, are the measures city of Leucaspis. needed to develop the site, and these can be During an inspection tour of the done in a short space of time,” he said. archaeological site on Saturday Minister of Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn is l96 km west of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî gave the go-ahead Alexandra and six km east of al-‘Alamayn, not for the resumption of the restoration and far from the World War II memorial. The development work that was suspended in the ancient town stretches over an area one km aftermath of the 2011 Revolution. He also long and 0.5 km wide, making it the largest promised to solve the problems that have archaeological site on Egypt’s north coast. stood in the way of opening the archaeological site. Although there were historical records of the ancient site of Leucaspis, as well as The area will now be made more tourist- rudimentary plans of its layout, these had been friendly, al-‘Inânî said, with debris removed, forgotten by the 1990s when construction work landscaping work done, and the existing began on the giant marina holiday resort that monuments integrated into a more accessible today stands near the site. Early construction and recognisable historical site for visitors. work soon revealed marble columns and other debris, and archaeologists stepped in to

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preserve the ruins. ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said that some of the third The Polish Archaeological Institute in Cairo type of tombs consisted of a loculus covered and the American Research Centre in Egypt by a structure similar to a huge sarcophagus have since unearthed the ruins of more than and were similar in type to tombs found in 50 structures in the town and adjoining Turkey and Cyrenaica, while others contained necropolis. The ancient town was a natural two loculi and were surmounted by a pillar harbour, adjacent to which was a commercial decorated with two capitals in the “Nabatean” quarter. Further south was the town centre, style. which included baths, markets and a basilica. The fourth type of tombs found at the site The earliest archaeological finds, which date is hypogea, or underground tombs, consisting from the mid-second century BCE, have been of superstructures with monumental entrances located in the town’s necropolis. It is thought that lead to vaulted staircases with burial that the town was occupied until the seventh chambers cut into the bedrock. Large vertical century CE, and archaeologists believe that shafts provide the burial chambers with air and Leucaspis was an especially important port light, and these contain rock-cut benches, loculi during the Greek and Roman eras in Egypt. and stone altars. These tombs have been dated from the late second century BCE to the The Greek name Leucaspis means “white late first century CE. shell” or “shield”. According to ‘Abd al-Maqsûd, the town was given this name because of the The Polish excavations also recovered softness and white colour of the nearby sand. lamps, glass vessels and pottery from Cyprus, Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, the Aegean, Asia Minor and Italy. Several was worshipped there, and statues found of her sculptures were also found. Among the most at the site show her emerging from a white remarkable discoveries were a lead coffin and shell. The Romans later called the town mummies in one of the side chambers of a Locabsis. tomb. “These are similar to the well-known examples from the Fayyûm, as the mummies The Polish Archaeological Institute began found at the site have portraits painted on systematic excavations of the western part of wooden panels like the Fayyûm mummies,” ‘Abd the site in 1986 under the direction of Wiktor al-Maqsûd said. A DASZEWSKI, conducting a survey and documenting all the monuments. In 1988, a joint Polish-Egyptian mission began restoration work at the site. Three The ancient site is located between the monuments in the necropolis that had been slopes of an ancient beach and a lagoon, toppled by an earthquake were restored, while separated from the open sea by a narrow strip several others were reinforced and repaired. of sand and the modern Alexandria-Marsa Matrûh highway. At the northern area of the In the area of the town, a series of site, near the sea, several buildings were partly buildings, both private and public, was cleared by the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation excavated. Several large houses in a good in the 1980s. The upper part of the site was state of preservation were found in the central once used as a cemetery. part of the site. The houses consisted of rooms grouped around one or two peristyle Fieldwork by the original Polish team courtyards. Each house was originally equipped concentrated on the cemetery, where a series with underground cisterns and a well-developed of important discoveries was made. Some well- system of aqueducts. preserved tombs were uncovered, of which there are four main types: rock-hewn tombs In the central part of the site, a circular- covered with limestone slabs; tombs cut into shaped bath was discovered, as well as the bedrock but with step pyramid-shaped structures located near the lagoon that seem superstructures; and tombs like cubic structures to have served as storehouses. Lamps, coins, built on the rock surface with two or four statues and pots were also unearthed. loculi, or burial niches, and often surmounted According to ‘Abd al-Maqsûd, the finds by funerary monuments such as a column or indicated that most of the excavated structures sarcophagus. can be dated to the first and third centuries CE. The ancient town must have been a very

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prosperous community, he said, with a wide focussed on the necropolis and the part of the range of imported pottery found at the site, site dating from Hellenistic and Roman times. particularly amphorae, suggesting flourishing The most interesting discoveries were made trade relations with the Mediterranean region. within the area of the ancient baths.

The settlement was probably destroyed by During the work the team uncovered an an earthquake in the late third century CE, but ancient latrine that experts say was carefully was partially inhabited again in the fifth and and elegantly built. Remains of polychrome sixth centuries. A small basilica church plaster were found, together with a collection uncovered in the eastern sector is considered of small bronze rings with inscriptions. to be the best evidence of this later Conservation of wall paintings that had been occupation. kept in storage for several years, including fragments showing the figures of Helios, From 2000 to 2005, the Polish Harpocrates and Sarapis, was also carried out. archaeological mission continued research in this area, and in 2006 and 2007 Egyptian In 2014, the development work resumed, but archaeologists continued the exploration of the slowly. al-‘Inânî’s recent visit is now sure to ruins, partly clearing the main rooms of the speed things up. (Nevine El-Aref, “Holidays at houses located there. This work was done in al-‘Alamayn”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June 2, 2016. collaboration with a site-presentation project Voir également Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le ministre de carried out by a joint mission from the l’Archéologie inspecte la zone archéologique de American Research Centre in Cairo and Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn et les monastères de Wâdî Egyptian archaeologists in 2006-2008. al-Natrûn », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 29 mai). The Polish-Egyptian mission then embarked on the preservation and conservation of the - - ruins that had deteriorated following their uncovering. The work was continued in 2009, Le directeur général de la zone when a portico courtyard in the western part of archéologique de Saqqâra, ‘Alâ’ al-Shahhât, a the baths area was cleared, preserving the annoncé que les travaux de réaménagement du walls and raising a few columns. The site progressent d’une façon régulière. Le conservation of the remains of the heating portail d’accès a été achevé, ainsi que installation also proceeded. l’éclairage des entrées et des sorties, en vue de l’inauguration au mois d’août 2016. 19 Research and preservation work also panneaux de signalisation sont en cours de continued in another room of a house in the fabrication en France. Des bureaux pour les area that was paved with large slabs made of gardiens et les archéologues sont en cours dark marble. “The base of the marble labrum d’aménagement. Ce projet, qui vise à [basin] was preserved in the western part and augmenter le nombre de visiteurs et à faciliter the labrum itself was lying next to it,” ‘Abd al- l’orientation sur le site, est un don du Maqsûd said, adding that a further room to the gouvernement français de 1,7 millions livres east of the complex was also partly restored. égyptiennes. (Ahmad Mansûr, « al-Shahhât : Le In 2009, the comprehensive restoration and projet de réaménagement du site progresse development of the site was launched, and in d’une façon régulière », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 2 juin 2010 a large section of it was equipped with a 2016). high-tech lighting system that allowed visitors to explore the site at night. In 2011, a Polish - - conservation team led by Stanislaw MEDEKSZA concentrated on the central part of the town, Last Thursday evening, as the sun was as well as the necropolis and residential areas. about to set over the horizon at the Saqqâra necropolis outside Cairo, Minister of Antiquities However, in the aftermath of the 25 January Khâlid al-‘Inânî stood ready to reopen the site’s Revolution, the restoration and development Unas Pyramid and three ancient Egyptian work stopped. MEDEKSZA said the team then tombs from the Old and New Kingdoms focussed on research and documentation since following their restoration. work at the site had become impossible, and the site itself was closed to visitors. With him were top officials, foreign and Archaeological work resumed in 2013 and Egyptian archaeological experts and Egyptian

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and international journalists. The group stood east and the burial chamber in the west, where for a few minutes at the foot of the Unas the oldest Pyramid Texts were found. Pyramid, candles in hand, to pay homage to Also reopened this week were the tombs of those who died in the EgyptAir flight that Ankh-Mahor and Nefer-Seshem-Ptah, both of crashed in the Mediterranean two weeks ago. which date to the Sixth Dynasty of the Old al-‘Inânî then guided those present to the Kingdom and are located at the north-eastern pyramid and the tombs of the Old Kingdom side of Teti’s Pyramid at Saqqâra. They were officials Ankh-Mahor and Nefer-Seshem-Ptah discovered by the French Egyptologist Victor and the New Kingdom tomb of Nemty-Mess. LORET in 1898, but only opened to the public in “The reopening of these sites highlights the the late 1970s. fruitful bilateral cooperation between the In the mid-1980s both tombs were closed in Ministry of Antiquities and foreign and Egyptian order to carry out excavation work in their missions working in Egypt,” al-‘Inânî told Al- vicinity. Both were then used as storage space Ahram Weekly. He added that there will be for recovered artefacts until the Supreme future cooperation within the framework of Council of Antiquities started the international scientific regulations for the comprehensive restoration of both tombs. benefit of all parties. He said that the reopenings are part of the ministry’s plans to Salt problems were treated, colours open more archaeological sites and tourist strengthened and fixed, and walls consolidated. attractions as part of efforts to help restore New wooden floors were erected over the Egypt’s tourism industry. original floors of the tombs to protect them and a lighting system installed. The paths The pyramid of the Fifth-Dynasty pharaoh leading to the tombs were also paved to Unas was the last to be built during the improve access for visitors. dynasty. Despite its small size, it is considered one of the most important because it was the Ankh-Mahor was a priest of the god Ka first to have recorded the ancient Egyptian during the reign of the pharaoh Teti during the “Pyramid Texts” on its tomb walls, these being Sixth Dynasty. His tomb is often called “the of great religious importance, as they were Physician’s Tomb” because of the circumcision believed to ensure the resurrection of the scenes engraved on its doorway. deceased king. It is a vast tomb with a number of French Egyptologist Gaston MASPERO first chambers, corridors and decorated doorways. entered the pyramid in 1881, and it was closed The walls are covered in scenes showing the in 1996 as high humidity levels had negatively art of the Old Kingdom, the most distinguished affected its burial chamber. The then Supreme being the circumcision scene. Medical scenes Council of Antiquities decided to close the depicting knee and leg surgery are also pyramid for conservation work. After present, as well as scenes showing agricultural comprehensive studies, state-of-the-art activities, offerings and hunting. equipment was installed to monitor and lower The tomb of Nefer-Seshem-Ptah is relatively the humidity level inside. A new lighting system small and has its beautiful scenes representing was also installed. everyday life. The tomb’s false door is unique The Unas Pyramid is located in a funerary and has never been seen in another tomb. complex that combines a valley temple and a The third tomb reopened this week was that causeway that ends with a mortuary temple. of Nemty-Umes, which was discovered in 1996 The causeway is decorated with religious and by a French expedition led by Egyptologist daily life scenes. The entrance to the pyramid Alain ZIVIE in the cliffs below the Bubasteion is on the northern side and leads to a corridor area in the Saqqâra necropolis. Conservation connected to a passage that descends from work continued until 2003. the entrance, with a straight passage leading to an antechamber. The tomb dates back to the reign of the pharaoh Ramses II of the 19th Dynasty of the The corridor ends with three portcullises New Kingdom. Its owner was vizier of the that were meant to block access to the treasury as well as the first peace envoy antechamber, leading from the entrance between the Egyptian Empire and the Hittites, passage in the north, to the magazines in the explaining why the tomb is sometimes called

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the “Ambassador’s Tomb”. help unlock ancient secrets buried deep beneath the stone. This is the first time the tomb has been opened to the public since its restoration, The scanner, which uses subatomic particles which included the consolidation of its mural known as to examine the 4,500 year-old inscriptions, fixing of colours, and erection of a burial structure, was first set up at the site last shelter over the front courtyard to protect the year and will complete its data collection this tomb. A lighting system has also been installed. month.

The tomb consists of a limestone front “It’s running right now, and if it manages to courtyard with two pillars decorated with detect one of the three chambers we already inscriptions depicting the tomb’s owner in know exist inside, then we will continue the different worshipping positions. Its western wall scans,” Hawwâs said. He has been appointed has coloured scenes in the Ramesside style, by the Antiquities Ministry to head the team and a number of bearing the name that will review the scan results. of Ramses II have also been found. Late last year, thermal scanning identified a major anomaly in the pyramid — three The courtyard leads to a rock-hewn adjacent stones at its base, which registered chamber, where there is a statue carved in higher temperatures than others. limestone depicting the goddess Hathor. Under the head of the statue there is an image of Hawwâs has in the past downplayed the Ramses II. (Nevine El-Aref, “Saqqâra pyramid usefulness of scans on ancient sites, saying reopens”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June 2, 2016. Voir that they have never found anything important. également Nasma Réda, « Ounas révèle ses He has clashed publicly with British Egyptologist secrets », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 8 juin). Nicolas REEVES, whose theory that secret burial chambers could be hidden behind the walls of - - King Tutankhamun’s tomb was both prompted and reinforced by scanning. Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- For more than a decade Hawwâs was a ‘Inânî, a procédé à trois nouvelles celebrity starring in TV documentaries, nominations : eventually ruling the Antiquities Ministry like a pharaoh. He was dismissed from the post after 1) Dr al-Husayn ‘Abd al-Basîr est nommé au Egypt’s 2011 uprising that toppled long-time poste de superviseur du département de la autocrat Husnî Mubârak and faced corruption publication scientifique. charges, of which he was later cleared.

2) Ashraf Muhyyî al-Dîn est nommé directeur But back in the field following his new général de la zone archéologique de Gîza. appointment, Hawwâs seemed more reluctant to criticize scanning technologies. He said they 3) Enfin, Dr Wâ’il Fathî est nommé could be useful if directed by the right hands inspecteur en chef des antiquités de Gîza. — such as his own. (Ahmad Mansûr, « al-Husayn ‘Abd al-Basîr est “You need Egyptologists to oversee all this, nommé superviseur du département de la otherwise mistakes can be made,” he said. “I publication scientifique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 2 hope these scans will help us obtain accurate juin 2016. Voir également Sanâ’ Fârûq, information,” he said, adding that he believed « L’archéologue Ashraf Muhyyî al-Dîn est another burial chamber remains undiscovered nommé directeur général du plateau de Gîza », inside. Watanî, 4 juin). Debate over possible new discoveries in - - Egyptology echo far outside the country, most recently over a contested theory that King What mysteries might still be hidden under Tutankhamun’s tomb contains additional Egypt’s pyramids? A team accompanied by antechambers. Egypt’s former antiquities minister and famed archaeologist Zâhî Hawwâs are testing a new Last month, researchers led by Daniela scanner on the Great Pyramid of Gîza on COMELLI of the Polytechnic University of Milan Thursday, hoping that modern technology could published a paper on a rare iron dagger found

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inside the boy king’s sarcophagus. Using a new Next month, a detailed report based on the form of portable x-ray fluorescence ScanPyramids Project will be submitted to the spectrometry, the team said that the dagger, antiquities minister. dating to the Bronze Age, was most likely made using iron from a meteorite. (Associated Hawwâs told Ahram Online “All previous Press, “Team testing new scanner on Egypt’s results of this project is completely wrong and Great Pyramid”, Ahram Online, June 2, 2016. we hope that this new technique would be Voir également Salâh Laban, « Zâhî Hawwâs : accurate.” The committee appointed by the J’espère découvrir des mystères dans la minister of antiquities which I led, Hawwâs went pyramide de Chéops », al-Tahrîr, 4 juin ; Salâh on, would review all the readings and results Laban, « ‘Abd al-Halîm Nûr al-Dîn : Hawwâs et submitted in order to tell the world the le ministre de l’Archéologie portent préjudice accurate results. “Personally I don’t believe in aux pyramides... », al-Tahrîr, 5 juin). the results of these new techniques used but I hope to be wrong and they show me - - something accurate because all scientific research that have been done along the last Antiquities Minister Khâlid al-‘Inânî toured 21 years are results in the air,” Hawwâs told Gîza Plateau on Thursday to inspect the latest Ahram Online. (Associated Press, “Gîza Plateau work being carried out on the development development project to be completed soon and project there and to solve any problems that a new phase of ScanPyramids Project begins”, could hinder its completion. Ahram Online, June 2, 2016. Voir également The Gîza Plateau development project aims Hiba ‘Âdil, « al-‘Inânî inspecte le ScanPyramids in part to improve security measures in order Project », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 2 juin). to make the site more tourist friendly. - - Ashraf Muhyyî, Director-General of Gîza Plateau, told Ahram Online that the project started in 2009 but stopped after the 2011 Samedi 4 juin 2016 uprising. Late last year, the project resumed and it is now near completion, Muhyyî explained.

Muhyyî added that several works have been achieved as part of the project, including the completion of the administration building has been constructed, the construction of a visitors’ centre, and the instalment of a state-of-the-art security system with monitoring cameras and TV circuits. A new lighting system to illuminate the Gîza Pyramids and the plateau at night will also be installed soon The blade of a dagger found in At the end of his tour, al-‘Inânî stopped at Tutankhamun’s mummy wrapping has been the the ScanPyramids Project along with former subject of debate since it was discovered in antiquities minister Zâhî Hawwâs who is leading 1925. But recent studies carried out by an the project’s scientific committee. Italian-Egyptian mission at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square have revealed that it was Hamâda Anwar, who heads the project, told carved from iron from a meteorite. Ahram Online that four telescopes were installed in front of the northern and eastern “We show that the composition of the side of King Khufu’s pyramid to collect the blade, accurately determined through portable cosmic rays (Meoun) found in the air in order x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, strongly to explore the inner architecture of the pyramid supports its meteoritic origin,” Egyptologist ‘Abd and determine if it houses any hidden corridors al-Râziq al-Naggâr, one of the research team, or cavities. told Ahram Online.

al-Naggâr went on saying that in agreement with the results of metallographic analysis of

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ancient iron artifacts from Gerzeh, the Italian- archaeologists, curators and the media Egyptian study confirms that ancient Egyptians gathered to celebrate the winners of the attributed great value to meteoric iron for the Egyptian National Committee of the production of precious objects. International Council of Museums’ (ICOM Egypt) 2016 Best Practice Award at the National al-Naggâr asserted that the high Archives’ conference hall in Cairo. manufacturing quality of Tutankhamun’s dagger blade, in comparison with other simple-shaped ‘Isa Zaydân, Restoration Department Head at meteoritic iron artifacts, suggests significant the Egyptian Museum and Khufu boat mastery in ironworking in Tutankhamun’s time. restoration supervisor told Ahram Online that this year the Museum of Islamic Art, Mahmûd al-Halwagî, former director of the Department of Restoration and Khufu Egyptian Museum, who took part in the study, restoration team won the conservation award, said he was unable to confirm whether ancient while the Fossils and Climate Change Museum Egyptians knew that the iron came from a (Wâdî al-Hîtân Museum) and the Zoological meteor. “We don’t want to go to other angles, Museum won the Exhibition award. to symbolic or religious issues. These were rocks that were available and were used by The Museum of Fine Arts in Alexandria, the humans,” al-Halwagî pointed out, adding that it Blind School at the Egyptian Museum and the is not unlikely that the daggers had symbolic Rashîd National Museum won the community or religious uses. outreach award. (Nevine El-Aref, “Khufu boat, According to an article published in MIA, Wâdî al-Hîtân museum win ICOM Best Meteoritic and Planetary Science, among Practice Award”, Ahram Online, June 5, 2016). several iron objects discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb were 16 miniature iron - - blades, a miniature headrest, and a bracelet Târiq Tawfîq, the supervisor-general of the with the Udjat eye of iron. But the dagger is Grand Egyptian Museum, told Ahram Online the one that has attracted most interest from that a collection of 526 artefacts carefully archaeologists and historians. selected from storehouses in Atfîh, Gîza are set to arrive Monday at Gîza’s Grand Egyptian Observed by CARTER, the scholars wrote in Museum (GEM) for display. their article, the iron objects from Tutankhamun’s tomb highlight innovative Tawfîq explains that among the most features of the use and trade of iron in the important objects — which are from various Late Bronze Age. Diplomatic documents from historical periods — are four canopic jars the Egyptian royal archives from the 14th decorated with lids depicting the four sons of century BCE (the ) mention royal the god Horus and a well preserved collection gifts made of iron in the period immediately of gilded cartonage from the Graeco-Roman before Tutankhamun’s reign. In particular, it is era. Bronze statuettes of the god Osiris and 22 reported that Tushratta, King of , sent clay pots with small bases are also included. precious iron objects to Amenhotep III. (Nevine Amulets and distinguished alabaster jars are El-Aref, “New scientific study reveals meteorite also among the selected items. metal used in Tutankhamun’s dagger”, Ahram ‘Isa Zaydân, director of the Restoration Online, June 4, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Department at the GEM, said that preliminary Gûda, « ‘Abd al-Halîm Nûr al-Dîn : La lame de restoration works were carried out before the fer du poignard de Toutankhamon ne provient packing and transportation of the artefacts. The pas d’une météorite. L’Occident raffole de artefacts were handed over after being sensationnel », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 juin). examined by an archaeological committee. - - Upon their arrival at the GEM, comprehensive restoration will be carried out on all artefacts before exhibition. Dimanche 5 juin 2016 Muhammad Badr, director of the GEM storehouses, asserted that all the objects were Minister of Environment Khâlid Fahmî and reviewed, photographed and registered in the National Archive Head Sharîf Shâhîn along with GEM archives before transportation. (Nevine El-

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Aref, “526 artefacts to arrive at Grand Egyptian le plan du palais. Malgré ses études militaires, Museum on Monday”, Ahram Online, June 5, il était un excellent ingénieur et dessina un 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le GEM bâtiment harmonieux mariant à merveille accueille 526 pièces archéologiques en architecture andalouse, maghrébine et provenance des magasins d’Atfîh », al-Yawm al- ottomane », assure Badawî. Sâbi‘, 5 juin ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Le Les alentours de la mosquée appartiennent GEM accueille 526 pièces archéologiques en à l’architecture maghrébine. La porte d’entrée provenance des magasins d’Atfîh », al-Ahrâm, 6 en bois est minutieusement sculptée et ornée juin). de ciselures en cuivre comme celle de la tour appelée « la tour de la montre » qui joue le - - rôle de minaret. On retrouve également le style maghrébin dans l’espace du sabîl, mitoyen de Mercredi 8 juin 2016 la mosquée et qui permet aux fidèles de faire les ablutions d’avant-prière. Juste à l’entrée de la mosquée, une stèle en mosaïque indique la date de construction : l’an 1352 de l’hégire. Elle rend aussi hommage aux différents maîtres-d’œuvre du palais : céramistes, tapissiers ou entrepreneurs.

Une fois à l’intérieur de la mosquée, le visiteur se retrouve face à une multitude de couleurs, de formes et de matières. Les effets d’ombres et de lumières et les multiples ouvertures des plafonds produisent un jeu de faisceaux lumineux qui confèrent au lieu une Juste à côté de l’entrée du palais de atmosphère spirituelle singulière. Le visiteur, Muhammad ‘Alî, situé sur l’île de Rawda dans le soumis à un respect naturel des lieux, se quartier de Manyal, se trouve la mosquée du retrouve plongé dans la contemplation des palais. Construite au début du XXe siècle par le hauts plafonds dont le bleu et le marron des prince Muhammad ‘Alî Tawfîq, l’oncle du roi bois sculptés dominent. Fârûq et régent du trône, cette mosquée vient Le style andalou se trouve également dans d’ouvrir ses portes aux fidèles après dix ans de les tapis antiques et sur les murs. L’art fermeture. « Le prince Muhammad ‘Alî priait ottoman transparaît également dans la cinq fois par jour. Seulement au vu du cortège calligraphie des versets du Coran qui ornent le qui devait l’accompagner à chacun de ses haut des murs. Le minbar de la mosquée est déplacements, ses allers retours à la mosquée un véritable chef-d’œuvre fait d’arabesques et étaient peu pratiques, et il a décidé de décoré de superbes sculptures. Les fenêtres construire sa propre mosquée où les princes, sont toutes sculptées de la même façon, afin les ministres et les membres de la famille d’assurer une bonne aération à la mosquée. royale étaient invités à venir prier avec lui. Les Quant au plafond, il est finement décoré. Divisé manuscrits du prince, trouvés dans le palais, en deux parties, la première est formée assurent que le roi Fârûq est venu plusieurs d’éléments en bois sculpté, d’où tombent des fois prier avec le prince Muhammad ‘Alî dans ornements en forme de stalactites. Chaque cette mosquée. Un grand hall à côté de la élément se termine par un vitrail coloré qui mosquée était dédié à l’accueil de cette donne une ambiance lumineuse unique à la élite », explique Walâ’ al-Dîn Badawî, directeur mosquée. général du palais, ajoutant que le prince La seconde partie du plafond reprend le permettait également aux employés et aux symbole politique de l’Empire ottoman : un ouvriers du palais de prier à ses côtés. soleil entouré de rayons en lignes droites. Ce Bien qu’elle ne soit pas très grande, cette symbole représentait le rayonnement de mosquée rectangulaire est d’une richesse l’Empire, à savoir que chacune de ses lignes architecturale et artistique hors du commun. symbolisait un des pays de l’Empire. « Le « C’est le prince Muhammad ‘Alî lui-même qui prince a beaucoup voyagé pour rapporter des a dessiné le plan de la mosquée tout comme matériaux de choix de l’étranger. Il a importé la

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céramique de la ville d’Iznik en Turquie, les nocturne du musée des Textiles égyptiens tapis d’Iran et des espèces rares de plantes durant le mois de ramadan », Watanî, 8 juin ; des jardins royaux d’Europe », indique le Ahmad Mansûr, « Hausse de la fréquentation directeur du palais. en nocturne du musée des Textiles égyptiens », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 juin). L’ouverture de cette mosquée au grand public vient répondre au désir du prince Muhammad ‘Alî de transformer son palais en - - musée après sa mort, afin, avait-il dit, « d’honorer les arts islamiques ». (Dalia Jeudi 9 juin 2016 Farouq, « Le palais Muhammad ‘Alî : Un joyau de l’art islamique », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 8 juin 2016). - -

Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- ‘Inânî, a entériné aujourd’hui plusieurs décisions prises par le conseil d’administration du CSA au cours de sa dernière réunion. Ces décisions visent à booster le flux touristique et à combler le déficit budgétaire du ministère, qui ne cesse de se creuser depuis la révolution du 25 janvier 2011. Parmi ces décisions les plus importantes, citons : During restoration work carried out in the pit of the Pharaoh Khufu’s second solar boat — Ouverture des tombes de Néfertari et de on the Gîza Plateau, restorers have stumbled er Séthi 1 situées sur la rive Ouest de Louqsor. upon what are believed to be the floors of the Tarif d’entrée : 1 000 livres égyptiennes par shrine of the captain’s boat, supervisors said visiteur. this week.

— Baisse des loyers des bazars, des “This is a great step forward in the cafétérias et des boutiques de souvenirs conservation of Khufu’s second boat,” said ‘Isa implantés dans tous les musées et les sites Zaydân, supervisor of the restoration work, archéologiques. Dans l’incapacité de payer les adding that 700 timbers had been removed loyers, la majorité des locataires a mis la clef from the boat pit located beside the Great sous la porte. Pyramid of Khufu at Gîza.

— Ouverture en nocturne du musée des Beams from the captain’s shrine are the Textiles égyptiens durant le mois de ramadan, latest items to be removed and others are still afin de profiter de l’affluence drainée par la inside the pit. The beams were in poor rue al-Mu‘izz. condition and the team had carried out — Réduction de 75 % sur les ventes des preliminary restoration work in situ before publications du ministère de l’Archéologie transporting them to the Grand Egyptian éditées avant 2011. Cette mesure est destinée Museum where they would be comprehensively à mieux diffuser les ouvrages et à rehausser la restored before being exhibited, Zaydân said. conscience archéologique des lecteurs. Khufu’s boats had two shrines, he said, one — Augmentation des tarifs de photographie for the pharaoh located at the end of the et de tournage documentaire et boats and the other for the captain at the cinématographique dans les musées et sites front. The team had confirmed that the timbers historiques. belonged to the boat captain’s shrine after comparing them with those from the first solar — Location des parcs et jardins des palais boat, now on display at Khufu’s Solar Boat historiques pour la célébration d’événements Museum on the Gîza Plateau, he said. privés. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Nouvelles décisions du ministère de l’Archéologie pour promouvoir It had solicited the help of experts in boat le tourisme », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 juin 2016. construction in order to determine the purpose Voir également Mervat ‘Ayyâd, « Ouverture en of every piece of the boat. The shrine was also

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documented and photographed with a 3D laser void space over the boat was photographed scanner, Zaydân said. and air measurements made, after which the pit was resealed. Restorers had removed the beams from the pit piece by piece and covered them in situ In 2009, a Japanese team from Waseda with a special chemical solution in order to University headed by Sakuji YOSHIMURA offered protect them from the atmosphere outside the to remove the boat from the pit, restore and pit. In the laboratory, they had first reduced reassemble it, and put it on show to the public. the humidity of the beams until it had reached The team cleaned the pit of insects and 55 per cent and then subjected them to inserted a camera through a hole in the treatment and consolidation. chamber’s limestone ceiling in order to examine the boat’s condition and determine appropriate 3D documentation of every piece of the methods to restore it. boat was also carried out in order to document all the pieces, eventually helping in A large hanger was constructed over the the reconstruction of the boat. Work is area surrounding the second boat pit, with a continuing in order to remove all the beams smaller hanger inside to cover the top of the from the pit, restore the boat and reconstruct boat itself. The hangers were designed to it to be put on display beside its sister. protect the wooden remains during analysis and treatment. A temporary magazine and The boat was discovered along with the first laboratory were established inside the hanger one inside two pits neighbouring each other in to use during the restoration process. 1954 when Egyptian archaeologists Kamâl al- Mallâkh and Zakî Nûr were carrying out routine State-of-the-art equipment such as a device cleaning on the southern side of the Great to adjust the temperature and humidity vital to Pyramid. the preservation of the wooden boat’s remains was installed. Laser scanning also documented The first pit was found under a roof of 41 the area and the wall between the Great limestone slabs, each weighing almost 20 tons, Pyramid and the boat pit. A solar electricity with the three westernmost slabs being much system was installed at the site to save energy smaller than the others and leading them to be during chemical treatments. interpreted as keystones. “In 2011, the Japanese-Egyptian team lifted On removing one of the slabs, al-Mallâkh aside the first stone block, weighing 16 tons, to and Nûr saw a cedar boat, completely start uncovering Khufu’s second boat and begin dismantled but arranged in the semblance of concrete restoration work,” YOSHIMURA told Al- its finished form, inside the pit. Also inside Ahram Weekly at the time. were layers of mats, ropes, instruments made of flint, and some small pieces of white plaster, Zaydân said the beams, timbers, ropes and along with 12 oars, 58 poles, three cylindrical oars of the boat were buried in sand on 13 columns and five doors. levels that housed approximately 1,200 pieces The boat was removed piece by piece under of the boat. 700 pieces had now been removed the supervision of restorer Ahmad Yûsuf, who from the pit, he said. (Nevine El-Aref, “Boat spent more than 20 years restoring and timbers discovered”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June 9, reassembling the boat. The task resembled the 2016. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “Captain’s fitting together of a giant jigsaw puzzle, and shrine of King Khufu’s second solar boat the completed boat is now on display at discovered”, Ahram Online, June 6 ; Ahmad Khufu’s Solar Boat Museum on the Gîza Mansûr, « Lancement des travaux d’assemblage Plateau. de la deuxième barque de Chéops », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 6 juin ; Sanâ’ Fârûq, « Restauration de In the neighbouring pit, the second boat la cabine du capitaine de la deuxième barque remained sealed up until 1987 when it was de Chéops », Watanî, 6 juin ; Hiba ‘Âdil, examined by the American National Geographic « Lancement des travaux d’assemblage de la Society in association with the then Egyptian cabine du capitaine de la deuxième barque de Office for Historical Monuments. Chéops », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 6 juin). A hole was bored into the limestone beams covering the boat, into which a micro-camera - - and measuring equipment were inserted. The

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Egyptian antiquities officials have decided to that has been off limits to tourists since 2012 re-open the tombs of Queen Nefertari in the due to its poor preservation. al-‘Inânî, who was Valley of the Queens and King Seti I in the touring the site north of Cairo in al-Qalyûbiyya Valley of the Kings, both of which have been Governorate, said that restorers, archaeologists closed for several years. The tombs in Luxor and engineers are currently carrying out will re-open in a month’s time, and tickets will comprehensive studies on the architectural cost EGP 1,000 (approx. $113). The number of condition of the palace. visitors is to be limited to around 100 to 150 The palace’s distinguished garden will also people a day. be rehabilitated in order for it to be used for “This decision was taken in an attempt to archaeological conferences and cultural events. attract more tourists to the valleys and Luxor after the decline of tourism that hit Egypt following the January [2011] revolution,” Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online. Both tombs had been closed for restoration, required by the increase in humidity caused by visitors.

al-‘Inânî also said that, at a Wednesday meeting of the Supreme Council of Antiquities which he chairs, it was decided that the ministry would be provided with more funds, as it is suffering financially due to the lack of tourism. Regretfully, several parts of the palace were severely damaged after a car bomb hit a It was also decided that the rents of neighbouring security building in August 2015. cafeterias and bookshops at museums and The Fountain (Fasqiyya) and Gabalâyâ buildings archaeological sites would be reduced. “This of the palace were badly affected by the decision would enable all shops and cafeterias explosion. Moreover, a modern lamp in the owners to reopen them after five years of main hall of the fountain building fell down and closing,” al-‘Inânî said, adding that in the broke completely. Decorations on the doors aftermath of the revolution the owners of these were damaged and dislodged. All 12 stained shops were not able to pay the rent and they glass windows in the building’s dining room had to close their enterprises. were broken.

The chairman board also approved a 75 per Significant cracks have spread all over the cent reduction on all books published by the building’s walls and floors, the most critical of ministry, in order to increase archaeological which are those found at the northwest corner awareness among Egyptians. of the building and northern section. The Waterwheel (al-Sâqiya) Tower is safe and has During the month of Ramadan, the Textile been well conserved. Museum in al-Mu‘izz Street in medieval Cairo is to be open at night. (Nevine El-Aref, “Tombs of The Muhammad ‘Alî Palace, once known as Nefertari and Seti I in Egypt’s Luxor to reopen the Egyptian Versailles, was comprehensively to visitors”, Ahram Online, June 9, 2016. Voir restored in 2000 in order to save its exquisite th également Dalia Farouq, « Néfertari et Séthi 1er early 19 -century buildings, which feature a accueillent leurs visiteurs », Al-Ahram Hebdo du blend of rococo and baroque styles. 29 juin). The palace site has groves of shrubs, a - - labyrinth, a hippodrome and a great expanse of water surrounded by galleries flanked by four pavilions. There is also a mosque and wide Dimanche 12 juin 2016 tree-lined avenues. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s Antiquities Minister gives go-ahead for Egypt’s Antiquities Minister Khâlid al-‘Inânî Muhammad ‘Alî palace restoration”, Ahram gave the go ahead for the restoration of the Online, June 12, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Muhammad ‘Alî palace in Shubrâ al-Khayma Mansûr, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inspecte

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le palais Muhammad ‘Alî et insiste sur l’urgence l’Amphithéâtre romain, les deux ateliers suivants de le restaurer », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 juin ; auront lieu à Anfûshî et puis à Kom al-Shuqâfa. Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie Le département espère accueillir un grand inspecte le palais Muhammad ‘Alî à Shubrâ al- nombre d’enfants pour développer leur Khayma », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 12 juin). conscience archéologique. (Doaa Elhami, « Ramadan au service de l’archéologie », Al- - - Ahram Hebdo du 15 juin 2016). - - Mercredi 15 juin 2016

Chaque jeudi, à partir de 11h du matin, un Jeudi 16 juin 2016 site archéologique d’Alexandrie accueille des enfants âgés de 5 à 12 ans pour fabriquer les traditionnelles lanternes du Ramadan. Jeudi dernier, l’Amphithéâtre romain a accueilli 11 enfants. Après leur avoir expliqué le site archéologique, les animatrices ont distribué aux enfants crayons de couleur, papiers colorés et cartons pour qu’ils façonnent eux-mêmes leur propre fânûs.

« Nous avons profité du mois du Ramadan pour développer la curiosité et la conscience archéologique des enfants », explique Dâlyâ ‘Izzat, directrice du département. Les très Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- populaires boissons égyptiennes comme le dûm ‘Inânî, a décidé de confier à Yâsmîn al-Shâzlî la et la caroube étaient déjà connus dans l’Égypte supervision de l’Administration des ancienne. On retrouve notamment des organisations internationales pour le patrimoine illustrations de dattes sur les parois de culturel et les affaires de la coopération certaines tombes. Ces plantes sont utilisées internationale. Depuis plus d’un an, Dr al-Shâzlî depuis des milliers d’années et les gâteaux du était conseillère du ministre pour les affaires Ramadan comme les qatâyyifs et la kunâfa des musées. En 2008, elle avait soutenu un trouvent également leurs origines dans la doctorat en égyptologie à la Johns Hopkins période pharaonique. University aux États-Unis.

Les jeunes filles, membres du département Par ailleurs, Dr Khâlid al-‘Inânî a également du développement culturel et de la conscience nommé Ahmad ‘Ubayd au poste de superviseur archéologique au ministère des Antiquités, du bureau technique du ministre de expliquent aux enfants les origines des l’Archéologie. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Nomination de traditions du mois du jeûne comme le fânûs, le Yâsmîn al-Shâzlî à la tête de l’Administration msaharâtî, qui réveille les gens pour le suhûr, des organisations internationales », al-Yawm al- le coup de canon avant l’iftâr et encore Sâbi‘, 16 juin 2016. Voir également ‘Alâ’ al- l’origine pharaonique de la chanson Wahawî yâ Minyâwî, « Nouvelles nominations au sein du wahawî. Les enfants ont découvert que leur bureau technique du ministre de mode de vie actuel pouvait être identique à l’Archéologie », Sada al-balad, 16 juin). celui de l’époque pharaonique. « Il ne nous manque plus qu’à parler et à s’habiller comme - - eux, et nous serons pareils », commente Yûsuf, 8 ans. Egypt’s ancient wealth bedazzled the world. Truly a land of plenty, her vast resources Vers la fin de la journée, chaque enfant during her glorious years as the kingdom of rentre chez lui avec deux fânûs : l’un qu’il a the pharaohs gave men a kind of permanent fabriqué lui-même et l’autre, offert par le record of the greatness of her people. The département du développement culturel et remnants of that civilisation can still be seen comportant des informations archéologiques today, showing a people that delighted in life simplifiées. Si le premier atelier a eu lieu à and wanted to take that joy into the unknown

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world. has about 200,000 people living in it. The houses have been built above the monuments, About 450 BCE, a restless Greek traveller and during work on the sewage system of this sailed from his home in Halicarnassus on the village a large settlement of about three Anatolian coastline to see a land he had heard kilometres square was discovered. Also found so much about throughout his boyhood. This were the bones of sheep, cattle and pigs inquisitive traveller, the ancient Greek historian showing the marks of butcher’s knives. HERODOTUS, stayed in Egypt until he had seen Thousands of domestic pottery shards, some the fascinating treasures that were a daily feast originating from Upper Egypt, give evidence of for his eyes. trade between Upper and . Pollen For a period of over a thousand years, the was found that is being analysed to shed light temples and tombs, even the pyramids of the on the climate of ancient Egypt. pharaohs, were completely covered with sand, In addition, the causeway and the valley offering them a kind of natural protection. temple of Khufu were discovered while putting HERODOTUS, who wrote about the monuments on in the village’s sewage system. All these the Gîza Plateau, never mentioned the Sphinx treasures are now being damaged by because it was completely covered with sand urbanisation. when he visited the area. In short, the problems that come from the This is important evidence showing that the building of village houses exacerbate pollution, ancient Egyptian monuments were covered with including pollution linked to smoke from sand in 500 BCE. Two hundred years ago, cooking. scholars and adventurers began uncovering the monuments from their protective sand, and The rising water table is a problem resulting since then various elements have contributed from the lack of proper sewage systems, or of to their deterioration. leaking systems, as can be seen in Islamic Cairo where water sometimes floods the One problem is people living in, around, or streets. This water is full of salt, and when it on the monuments. The problem of comes into contact with limestone monuments urbanisation can be seen in many places. The a chemical reaction occurs, damaging the Temple of Isnâ in Upper Egypt, for example, is limestone of the buildings. completely surrounded by the modern town of Isnâ. The temple is located on lower ground, Salt crystallisation is a problem that can be and the town has grown up around it. None of observed in monuments all over Upper and the houses has a sewage system, and as a Lower Egypt. Some believe that the rising of result sewage is leaking from the houses into the water table in Upper Egypt came after the the temple. Salt has also started to appear on building of the High Dam at Aswân, but it has the lower part of the structure. been proven that the High Dam does not cause the rising water table under the The same situation has occurred at the monuments in the Nile Valley. Idfû, Akhmîm and Ashmûnayn temples in Middle Egypt. Cracks have begun to appear in their The Sphinx is a good example of this walls, and these have caused a huge block to problem. The level of the water table under the fall from the top of the first pylon of the Sphinx has been about two metres for long Temple of Idfû. The same thing recently time. It was measured last year and found to happened to the Temple of Kom Ombo. Many be at seven metres under the Sphinx, inscriptions and Pharaonic scenes have been suggesting that the sewage system of the destroyed. village has increased the level of the water table. Similar problems have been occurring for some time in Qurna on the west bank of the Fluctuations in humidity and temperature Nile in Luxor. Many houses were also recently are another problem and can cause damage, built near the tombs of the nobles and around including biological degradation, salt the tombs of the IV and XI dynasties at al- crystallisation, rock swelling, flash floods, wind Târif. erosion and damage as a result of temperature variation. The variation in temperatures, The village of Nazlat al-Sammân is located especially in Upper Egypt, is severe and can be just at the foot of the Pyramids of Gîza and seen best in the area of Abû Simbil where

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during an eight-hour period the temperature Some areas have been cleaned using can change from 15 to 41 degrees C. There is acetone. In addition, salts covering the walls no doubt that these vast changes can affect and roof of this passage were cleaned by the stone surfaces of monuments. mechanical methods. Weak parts were Wind is another powerful factor, recognised consolidated to protect the walls by using by the ancient Egyptians. The pharaoh special mortar derived from sand and araldite. Tuthmose IV built three protective walls on the Other deteriorating parts of the walls were north side of the Sphinx to protect it from restored by applying a suitable mortar wind, for example. composed of three parts sand, two parts lime But human actions have also had important powder, and one part kaolin. All the blocks impacts. The building of industrial centres near were registered in the grand gallery and the monuments and the resulting pollution are recorded by drawing and photographing the major problems, with the factories in Hilwân condition of each block before restoration. affecting the monuments at Saqqâra and Gîza. Where possible, the loosened blocks were There are limestone quarries near the grouted and reattached. In the grand gallery, a monuments where dynamite is used, and the total of 239 blocks were examined and vibration has affected the body of the Sphinx. repaired on the left wall. A programme at the quarries has now reduced A television monitoring system has been this impact. introduced in order to control the circulation of Other sorts of human action, such as visitors inside the Great Pyramid. Five highly conflict, the absence of cultural awareness, sensitive television cameras have been placed voluntary destruction (for example the use of inside the grand gallery, the second burial the Pyramids as stone quarries), and neglect chamber and the third burial chamber. have had enormous negative impacts. Modern Working with the German Archaeological agriculture has also expanded and is Institute, the so-called airshafts inside Khufu’s surrounding the monuments. Land belonging to Pyramid have been cleaned to stop the the Ministry of Antiquities has been converted increase in humidity. Officials have installed for agriculture. There are many examples of electric lights and a security system with this in Upper and Lower Egypt. instruments measuring the temperature and PROBLEMS OF TOURISM: Today, there is no humidity inside the pyramid. Measurements system to integrate the income generated by have shown that the humidity had increased to tourism to fund the preservation of the a dangerous level of 85-95 per cent. monuments. After studying the humidity and air- Tourism is very important for the economy, circulation problems inside the pyramid, the but it is also very dangerous for the German Institute proposed cleaning the preservation of the monuments. It is a fact that airshafts to facilitate air circulation. The each tourist who enters a tomb or a pyramid pyramid was closed for five days last May. brings around 20 grams of water into the After cleaning, there was a remarkable monument. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is a improvement in air quality inside the pyramid. good example of this, where humidity has risen Two electrical ventilation units with airflow to 95 per cent inside it. A one-centimetre-thick of approximately 400 cubic metres were layer of salt has accumulated over the surfaces installed to ensure air exchange inside the of the so-called queen’s chamber and the pyramid. After careful study, two electrical fans grand gallery of the pyramid. were installed inside already existing openings In about 500 different places within the in the southern air channel and in the so- pyramid the stone has become weak and called Caviglia Tunnel behind the exit of the detached. Some restoration has been done. northern channel. After the installation, the air Black spots have been removed from the is completely exchanged every one and a half ascending passage that leads to the second hours, meaning that the interior temperature burial chamber, or the queen’s chamber, by a and humidity now match that on the outside. solution composed of alcohol and water. Over 3,000 tourists a day visit the tomb of Tutankhamun of the XVIII Dynasty and Seti I of

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the XIX Dynasty in the Valley of the Kings. urbanisation and other activities. There has been deterioration in the tomb of The conservation measures at the Gîza Seti I, with cracks forming in the tomb interior. Plateau are a good example of this. The The inscription in the second half of the tomb Egyptian Antiquities Organisation and UNESCO of Ramses III is now gone. The tomb of have designed a master plan for the plateau. Mentomhat is in very bad condition. The Centre of Engineering Archaeology at Cairo The sound and light systems at the temples University is responsible for the design of the of Karnak and Philae are not properly designed project, which includes a ring road around the for the safety of the temples, and they are plateau to route the traffic. Cars and buses will now being improved. Mechanical shocks, such not be allowed to enter the plateau. as occur from tourist buses and cars near the An educational centre will be built for antiquities, are also dangerous as excessive tourists to enable them to learn about the vibration and air pollution are generated. monuments and their history, and this will Inadequate and improper restoration is one include places for the horse and camel drivers of the greatest dangers threatening Egyptian that are stationed around the pyramids. A monuments. The Sphinx is a good example. similar plan should be drawn up for the Large stones were put on this in 1982 and temples of Idfû, Isnâ, Luxor and Karnak. 1987 and cement was used to hold them in Villages built around and above the place. In order to do so, the ancient stones monuments should be removed to other that were added to the Sphinx in the Pharaonic locations, including Nazlat al-Sammân, and Roman periods were removed. The results Ashmûnayn, Akhmîm and Qurna. A can be seen by the damage done to the comprehensive conservation and preservation statue’s claws, and salt has started to appear plan that provides for an appropriate balance on the new stone. between tourism and preservation is badly Poorly designed restoration work is needed at Luxor. widespread and can be seen at the temples of For example, under such a plan only limited Idfû, Isnâ, Luxor, Karnak and Madînat Hâbû in visitor access would be allowed to some Upper Egypt. No appropriate system of tombs, such as that of Tutankhamun, and the conservation is used, and cement is still being walls of all tombs would be equipped with a used in restoration. The restoration of the protective barrier of fibreglass. The project at Temple of Hatshepsut at al-Dayr al-Baharî was the Great Pyramid at Gîza is a good case based on imagination and not on knowledge. study that demonstrates the effectiveness of Other factors affecting Egyptian monuments such planning. include natural disasters such as earthquakes A management plan should be designed for and floods, biodegradation, the action of the tombs. For example, certain tombs should gravity and the growth of habitation. Many be open to tourism while others should be monuments are now in critical condition due to closed for restoration during the year. The such problems. painted tombs at Saqqâra, Banî Hasan and the There is a list, which I call an endangered west bank at Luxor should be protected by list, which includes temples or monuments that fibreglass, and photography with flash and the need immediate attention. Examples of these touching of tombs should be banned. Certain are the temples of Idfû, Isnâ, al-Dayr al-Baharî, tombs such as those of Tutankhamun and Luxor, Madînat Hâbû and the Ramasseum, the Nefertari and Khufu’s Pyramid should be tombs in the Valley of the Kings, such as those opened to visitors only with prior reservation. of Ramses III, Seti I, Tutankhamun and the The establishment of sound restoration and nobles’ tombs, the Serapeum and the interior conservation plans for each site is sorely of the Step Pyramid at Saqqâra, and the tombs needed. The Sphinx conservation project serves of Kom al-Shuqâfa in Alexandria. as a further case study of the alliance of THE WAY AHEAD: Solutions for protecting technologies geared towards conservation and and conserving Egyptian monuments can be restoration. The project is well managed and summarised as follows. The first measure is the consists of three phases: the first is the establishment of a “safe zone” on each side of restoration of the southern side and is already a monument, controlling tourism, industry, finished; the second is the restoration of the

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northern side and the chest; and the third is global involvement in the design of a comprehensive conservation and restoration plan that will address each of the many elements causing deterioration and generate guidelines for access to researchers and tourism.

Since the Sphinx was first uncovered it has been under siege from elements such as the rising water table, vibrations emanating from aircraft and vehicle traffic, especially buses, in the immediate vicinity, and people living around it, in particular the villagers of Nazlat al- Sammân and Kafr al-Gabal. Wastewater from nearby villages, which lack sewage containment systems, constitutes a further threat.

In addition, the modern construction of the Ces travaux de restauration ont englobé un sound and light installations and the cutting of nettoyage mécanique ainsi que la préservation tunnels for cables, climatic factors, such as contre les facteurs d’érosion naturelle rain and fluctuations in humidity and (humidité, vent, lumière directe du soleil, etc.). temperature, modern technology, such as Une deuxième phase de restauration sera factories near the monument and the resulting bientôt lancée. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Achèvement pollution, the practice of utilising stop-gap and de la première phase de restauration de la harmful methods of conservation and/or stèle du Songe », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 juin restoration, particularly using cement and 2016). gypsum on the Sphinx’s lion body, and the limestone quarry near the Gîza Plateau, which - - uses dynamite to pulverise lime for use in factories, have all played their part. Dimanche 19 juin 2016 All the above-mentioned factors in the deterioration of the Sphinx have also caused Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al- damage to other monuments in Egypt, meaning ‘Inânî flew to Saudi Arabia to sign a that the management and conservation plan for memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with Prince the Sphinx and the Gîza Plateau can be a Sultan Bin Salmân ‘Abd al-‘Azîz al-Sa‘ûd, model for the protection and restoration of chairman of the Saudi Commission of Tourism other Egyptian monuments. and National Heritage (SCTNH). The MOC aims to strengthen measures of joint cooperation These monuments need an urgent plan to between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the fields of preserve this unique civilisation. Expertise from archaeology, museums and architectural all over the world should co-operate in the heritage. protection, study, preservation and restoration of these ancient sites. (Zâhî Hawwâs, “Threats al-‘Inânî said the MOC “confirms the to Egypt’s heritage”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June 16, eagerness of the Ministry of Antiquities to 2016). cooperate with all countries involved in the field of archaeological work.”

- - Yasmîn al-Shâzlî, supervisor of the department of international organisations at the Le président de l’administration centrale ministry and responsible for the international pour la restauration et la maintenance, Dr cooperation portfolio, said the MOC will Gharîb Sunbul, a annoncé l’achèvement de la significantly upgrade professional and scientific première phase de restauration de la stèle du standards for employees in both the ministry Songe érigée par Thoutmosis IV entre les and the SCTNH. pattes du Sphinx de Gîza.

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“This will come through exchanging Egypt- Târiq Tawfîq, supervisor-general of the GEM, Saudi experiences in the fields of scientific told Ahram Online that Tutankhamun’s research, surveys, archaeological excavation collection will be transported after the carrying and the development of the cultural and out of preliminary restoration of some artefacts educational role of museums,” she added. in the collection at the Tahrîr Museum. Another Lectures, seminars and workshops on phase of restoration work will take place at the antiquities, museums and architectural heritage state-of-the-art GEM laboratories. (Nevine El- are to be organised in both countries. Aref, “Tutankhamun collection to be moved to Grand Egyptian Museum by end of 2016”, al-Shâzlî pointed out that regulations to Ahram Online, June 19, 2016. Voir également combat illicit trade in antiquities are included in Ahmad Mansûr, « Le transfert de la collection the MOC to ensure protection of cultural de Toutankhamon vers le GEM n’est pas dans properties. l’intérêt du tourisme », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 19 juin). Prince Sultan Bin Salmân ‘Abd al-‘Azîz al- Sa‘ûd expressed his pleasure to cooperate with Egypt in the field of archaeology, underlining - - that this cooperation agreement is one of a number between the two countries. (Nevine El- Lundi 20 juin 2016 Aref, “Egypt to sign archaeological cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia”, Ahram Online, A Harvard professor who caused a huge June 19, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, splash when she unveiled a small fragment of « Signature d’un protocole de coopération papyrus that she said referred to Jesus being entre le ministère de l’Archéologie et married now says it’s likely a forgery. l’Organisme général du patrimoine saoudien », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 juin ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, Harvard Divinity School professor Karen KING « Signature d’un protocole de coopération presented the piece of papyrus in Rome in entre le ministère de l’Archéologie et 2012. The fragment, written in Coptic, includes l’Organisme général du patrimoine saoudien », the phrase, “Jesus said to them, My wife.” al-Shurûq, 19 juin ; ‘Alâ’ al-Minyâwî, « Le Right from the beginning, it sparked ministre de l’Archéologie et l’émir Sultân controversy and debate among scholars. signent un protocole de coopération entre Doubts about its authenticity were raised l’Égypte et l’Arabie saoudite », Sada al-balad, almost immediately. 20 juin). KING said it is more likely than not that the - - fragment is a modern forgery. She cited an investigative article published last week on the After almost 84 years, the treasured website of The Atlantic magazine that raised collection of the golden king Tutankhamun will questions about the owner of papyrus, Florida be moved from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr businessman Walter FRITZ. The Atlantic also was to its new permanent exhibition hall at the the first to report her concession that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the papyrus is likely a fake. Gîza Plateau. “If you ask me today which direction am I Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî said leaning more toward — ancient text or a that by the end of this year, Tutankhamun’s modern forgery — based on this new evidence, collection will be transported in a gala festival I’m leaning toward modern forgery,” KING told similar to that of the transportation of King The Associated Press. Ramses II’s statue from Ramses Square in downtown Cairo to the GEM. A documentary on The Atlantic found inconsistencies in FRITZ’s the transportation processes of this story about how he came to acquire the distinguished collection will be screened at the papyrus and in a document he gave to KING GEM during its official inauguration. purporting to authenticate it.

The first transportation of the collection was “This evidence does make a difference in from Luxor’s west bank to Tahrîr Museum in judging whether it was a forgery or not, and it 1923. pushes the evidence toward it being a forgery,” KING said.

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A valid telephone number could not be found for FRITZ. In an email sent to the AP on Monday, FRITZ included a letter he sent to The Atlantic in which he denied forging, altering or manipulating the papyrus or its inscription.

Mark GOODACRE, a professor of religious studies at Duke University, said doubts about the fragment were raised within hours of KING showing the text at a conference in Rome.

“When you show something like that to Târiq Tawfîq, superviseur général du projet du GEM. people who spend their entire lives starting at these things, a lot of them could straightaway Al-Ahram Hebdo : Quelle est la raison pour tell there was something fishy about it,” laquelle les pièces de la collection du roi GOODACRE said. He said he credits KING with Toutankhamon suscitent autant d’intérêt par having “a lot of guts” to acknowledge that she rapport aux autres pièces qui seront, elles was likely duped. aussi, transférées au GEM ?

KING said she has always maintained that Târiq Tawfîq : La collection de the fragment wasn’t evidence about whether Toutankhamon renferme beaucoup de pièces Jesus was married. “It’s at most a part of the fragiles avec un taux élevé de traces early Christian story about should Christians organiques en cuir ou en fibres végétales. marry, and so on and so forth,” she said. Donc, elles nécessitent pour leur transfert et leur restauration des soins particuliers, surtout She said she is “not happy” about being que dans la plupart des cas, elles sont dans lied to, but felt “oddly relieved” after reading un état délabré. Leur transfert est un grand the Atlantic article. “I think having the truth is défi pour nous. On organise une conférence always kind of centring,” she said. internationale annuelle sur Toutankhamon, ce

David HEMPTON, dean of Harvard Divinity qui nous donne l’occasion d’avoir des échanges School, said in a statement that its mission is avec des experts internationaux et d’élargir nos to “pursue truth through scholarship, connaissances par rapport aux méthodes high- investigation and vigorous debate.” tech de traitement des pièces archéologiques. Ce genre de conférence ouvre également la The school is “grateful to the many voie à un dialogue qui s’avère être urgent sur scholars, scientists, technicians and journalists les modalités de transfert et de restauration. who have devoted their expertise to — Quelles sont les recommandations des understanding the background and meaning of experts concernant le transfert des pièces ? the papyrus fragment,” HEMPTON said. (Associated Press, “‘Jesus’s wife’ papyrus is — Au cours de la dernière conférence sur likely a fake, Harvard professor now says”, le GEM et la collection du jeune pharaon, des Ahram Online, June 20, 2016). spécialistes nous ont conseillé de ne pas exposer les tissus du pharaon de manière permanente, mais plutôt par intervalles irréguliers, parce que ces tissus portent des - - traces de teinture qui sont très fragiles, et il faut les protéger, surtout, des rayons de lumière. Ils ont également recommandé Mercredi 22 juin 2016 d’exposer ces tissus horizontalement ou bien avec un angle de 30°, loin des vitrines réservées aux monuments. Ceci pour tenter de Târiq Tawfîq, superviseur général du projet préserver le tissu de tout endommagement. On du Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM), fait le point sur le transfert de la collection de nous a également conseillé sur la meilleure Toutankhamon à l’emplacement actuel du manière d’exposer les bijoux du roi et comment musée et les obstacles auxquels celui-ci est les mettre en valeur, afin de pouvoir montrer confronté. au public leur importance non seulement

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artistique, mais religieuse, sociale et politique royales, de grandes pièces architecturales aussi. issues des temples, ainsi que des tombes royales. En outre, il y aura la plus grande — Est-ce qu’il y a des pièces qui ne partie de la collection du roi Toutankhamon, à quitteront pas le Musée Égyptien ? l’exception des pièces qui sont dans un état — On a décidé que les chapelles ne critique et dont le transfert et la restauration seraient pas transférées et ne seraient pas non nécessitent beaucoup de temps. Il y aura des plus restaurées à la hâte. Un comité égyptien a salles avec de grands écrans qui diffuseront été formé avec des spécialistes étrangers afin aux visiteurs les travaux de restauration des de commencer les opérations de pièces et la manière dont elles ont été documentation en prélude aux premières transférées à leur nouvel emplacement. Les restaurations et dans le but de proposer des pièces monumentales du pharaon doré qui ont plans de transfert des chapelles dorées. été découvertes à l’intérieur de sa tombe seront exposées pour la première fois au GEM, — Quel est le nombre de pièces et ce, contrairement au Musée de Tahrîr qui appartenant à Toutankhamon qui ont été déjà exposait le tiers des monuments découverts transférées au GEM, et quelles sont les pièces dans la tombe. les plus importantes ? — Quel est le nombre exact des pièces — Un total de 4 500 pièces, dont 2 500 de transférées au musée jusqu’à ce jour ? Toutankhamon ont été transférées. Celles qui ont été transférées étaient jusque-là stockées. — Le musée a reçu 32 000 pièces sur un Elles sont d’une grande valeur. Elles retracent total de 100 000. À savoir que 50 000 seront l’itinéraire quotidien du roi, les outils qu’il exposées dans les salles permanentes et utilisait dans les occasions officielles ou dans 50 000 autres seront consacrées aux sa vie privée. La plupart de ses pièces sont recherches et aux expositions non permanentes. fabriquées en bois ou en bois doré. Elles — Qu’en est-il du financement égyptien ? jettent la lumière sur les phases de la vie privée de Toutankhamon qui, jusque-là, était — Jusqu’à présent, le gouvernement négligée. égyptien continue à tenir ses engagements financiers, qui sont déduits de la somme — Qu’en est-il du reste des pièces de consacrée initialement au projet. Toutankhamon exposées au Musée égyptien place Tahrîr ? Seront-elles également — Qu’en est-il du deuxième prêt japonais ? transférées ? — Nous attendons que le gouvernement — Un plan est actuellement en cours japonais prenne des mesures concernant le d’élaboration pour transférer graduellement ces prêt et ce, suite à une série de négociations pièces jusqu’à l’inauguration du GEM. Et ce, menées avec succès. La dernière réunion en pour que les pièces en or et dorées du jeune date a eu lieu le 10 mai entre la ministre de roi demeurent toujours vivantes dans la la Coopération internationale, Sahar Nasr, mémoire collective de ses admirateurs. Khâlid al-‘Inânî, ministre des Antiquités, et Takehiro KAGAWA, ambassadeur du Japon au — La date de l’inauguration du GEM a-t-elle Caire, afin de discuter de l’évolution du projet été fixée ? et de la somme de 482 millions de dollars — Selon le calendrier, une inauguration sollicitée par le gouvernement égyptien. partielle aura lieu en mai 2018. Il faut savoir L’ambassadeur japonais a pour sa part exprimé que plus de 80 % des travaux de construction la disposition de son pays à accorder ce prêt. ont été achevées, et actuellement, nous — Quels sont les obstacles auxquels est travaillons sur les plafonds. confronté le projet ? — Pouvez-vous nous dire davantage sur — Le financement est l’obstacle majeur cette inauguration partielle ? auquel nous faisons face. Le deuxième obstacle — L’entrée majestueuse où siégera la statue est le besoin de ressources humaines du roi Ramsès II, qui a été transférée en 2006 qualifiées : archéologues, restaurateurs ou de la place Ramsès, sera inaugurée. Elle sera même administrateurs. Pour surmonter cet là pour accueillir les visiteurs. Il y aura obstacle, nous organisons des stages pour également plus de 100 statues colossales former des cadres capables d’assumer leur rôle

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dans la gestion de cet énorme édifice. (Rana exposée au Musée Égyptien », al-Ahrâm al- Gohar, « Târiq Tawfîq : Le transfert des pièces ‘Arabî, 20 juin ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Le de la collection de Toutankhamon représente peuple égyptien choisit la "Piece of the Month" un grand défi », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 22 juin afin qu’elle soit exposée au Musée Égyptien », 2016. Voir également Hiba ‘Âdil, « Transfert de al-Ahrâm, 21 juin). 2 500 pièces archéologiques de l’entrepôt muséologique d’al-Mansûra vers le GEM », al- - - Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 13 juin ; ‘Alâ’ al-Minyâwî, « Transfert de 2 500 pièces d’al-Mansûra vers Le secrétaire général du Conseil Suprême le GEM », Sada al-balad, 13 juin). des Antiquités, Dr Mustafa Amîn, a décidé la nomination de Rândâ Muhammad ‘Abd al-Ra’ûf - - au poste de directrice générale des musées régionaux. Elle succède au Dr Mahmûd al- The Ministry of Antiquities is set to begin a Halwagî, parti à la retraite. (Ahmad Mansûr, new tradition in an attempt to raise Egyptians’ « Rândâ ‘Abd al-Ra’ûf nommée directrice archaeological awareness as well as provide générale des musées régionaux », al-Yawm al- them an opportunity to participate in the Sâbi‘, 22 juin 2016). ministry’s decision-making process. Ilhâm Salâh, head of the ministry’s Museums Sector, told - - Ahram Online that the selection of the Egyptian Museum’s Piece of the month would not be chosen by the museum’s board but instead by the community and antiquities lovers throughout the world through voting on a dozen of artifacts posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page.

The first collection featured in the voting process was posted Wednesday on the ministry’s Facebook page. Voting on what will eventually be selected as the July Piece of the Month will be conducted through comments on the post.

Salâh asserted that in the future the museum’s Piece of the Month, which is Une équipe du musée d’Art islamique, displayed for the entirety of the month in the présidée par Dr Ahmad al-Shûkî, a rencontré la museum’s foyer, would be selected by a directrice du département de l’art de l’islam au popular vote. Louvre, Yannick LINTZ. Cet entretien vise à préparer une exposition temporaire commune The monthly selection seeks to distinguish sur l’histoire du musée d’Art islamique. an object that is of profound historical or L’exposition se tiendra six mois au Caire, puis artistic value that may otherwise go unnoticed six mois à Paris. Une belle surprise a eu lieu in the museum’s vast gallery. (Nevine El-Aref, lors de cette rencontre : la présence de Clio “Egypt Museum’s July Piece of the Month to be KARAGEORGHIS, l’une des descendantes de Gaston selected by Facebook vote”, Ahram Online, WIET, qui durant 25 ans a dirigé du musée June 22, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, d’Art islamique du Caire. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le « Pour la première fois : le ministère de CSA prépare une exposition de six mois avec l’Archéologie invite les Égyptiens à choisir la le Louvre », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 22 juin 2016. "Piece of the Month" afin qu’elle soit exposée Voir également ‘Alâ’ al-Minyâwî, « Une équipe au Musée Égyptien », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 20 du musée d’Art islamique se rend en France juin ; Ahmad ‘Abd al-Halîm, « Le Musée pour préparer une exposition commune avec le Égyptien invite ses visiteurs à sélectionner la Louvre », Sada al-balad, 22 juin). "Piece of the Month" afin qu’elle y soit exposée », al-Shurûq, 20 juin ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le - - ministère de l’Archéologie invite les Égyptiens à choisir la "Piece of the Month" afin qu’elle soit

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After the necessary diplomatic procedures Jeudi 23 juin 2016 were completed, the lids arrived safely back in Egypt and are now on display in the foyer of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square for restoration and permanent display. The lids, which date back to the ancient Egyptian era, are made of carved wood, painted with coloured cartonage and decorated with hieroglyphic symbols. (Nevine El-Aref, “Sarcophagi lids returned”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June 23, 2016. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “Two sarcophagi’s lids recovered by Egypt from Israel”, Ahram Online, June 16 ; Ahmad Gûda, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Tel Aviv restitue des antiquités égyptiennes pour la This is the second time that Egypt has première fois depuis 20 ans », al-Yawm al- successfully recovered ancient Egyptian Sâbi‘, 21 juin ; Hiba ‘Âdil, « Le Musée Égyptien artefacts from Israel since the peace treaty was reçoit deux couvercles de sarcophages restitués signed between the two countries in 1979. The par Israël », al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 21 juin ; “Two first was in the 1990s, when Egypt received a artifacts repatriated from Israel find safe home large collection of objects that had been in Egyptian Museum”, Egypt Independent, June excavated in Sinai by an Israeli archaeological 22). mission during the country’s occupation of the Peninsula. - - This time the situation is different, as Egypt has recovered two ancient Egyptian sarcophagi Lundi 27 juin 2016 lids that were stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country. Sha‘bân ‘Abd al-Gawwâd, supervisor of the Antiquities Recovery Department at the Ministry of Culture, told Al- Ahram Weekly that the lids were stolen during illegal excavations, probably due to the lack of security in the aftermath of the 25 January Revolution, and were seen on show at an auction hall in Jerusalem in 2012.

Le président du département des antiquités islamiques et coptes, Sa‘îd Hilmî, a annoncé que le ministère de l’Archéologie réfléchit actuellement sur la meilleure réaffectation possible du palais Sakâkînî et la possibilité d’y célébrer des évènements culturels et artistiques au profit de la société civile. Une chose est sûre : le refus du ministère de le transformer en musée. Fondé en 1897 par Habîb Pacha al-

Sakâkînî, le palais Sakâkînî est situé à al-Zâhir, The Israeli Antiquities Authority and the un quartier densément peuplé du centre-ville Jerusalem branch of Interpol noticed the lids du Caire. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le ministère de and the incident was reported to the Egyptian l’Archéologie rejette l’idée de transformer le police, who passed the information on to the palais Sakâkînî en musée », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, Antiquities Ministry. Investigations revealed that 27 juin 2016). the lids were smuggled out of the country to Jerusalem via Dubai by an Israeli antiquities - - trader, ‘Abd al-Gawwâd said.

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Prime Minister Sharîf Ismâ‘îl has declared de la nappe phréatique et la consolidation des that entry to all museums and archaeological murs. sites nationwide will be free of charge on June Ces découvertes ne sont toutefois que le 30 for Egyptians and non-Egyptians during fruit du hasard. Lors du nettoyage des murs de working hours. The Antiquities Ministry l’autel de l’église, les restaurateurs ont constaté announced in May that free museum entry will que la croix suspendue dans la partie Est était be seen increasingly often as the ministry à l’origine faite de marbre et avait été couverte encourages Egyptians to visit museums and d’une épaisse couche de ciment, donnant explore their heritage. l’impression qu’elle était faite de calcaire. En traitant le mur, les traces des peintures The decision was published in the official picturales ont commencé à apparaître. « Dès gazette on Monday, in addition to an lors, nous avons traité le mur avec announcement that Thursday will be an official précaution », indique Nisma Ahmad, holiday. Thursday marks the third anniversary l’inspectrice archéologique qui a accompagné of the June 30 revolution, which toppled les étapes de nettoyage. « On a trouvé deux Islamist President Muhammad Mursî. (“Free couches de peintures picturales. Bien que la entry to museums, archaeological sites on June scène soit incomplète, on a pu détecter des 30”, Egypt Independent, June 27, 2016). visages auréolés, aux traits peu distinctifs. Sous - - les traces d’une autre scène plus ancienne, il y avait aussi des traits de visages humains », souligne l’inspectrice, expliquant qu’aux premiers Mercredi 29 juin 2016 temps de l’âge chrétien, seuls les murs de l’autel étaient ornés de scènes picturales. Selon elle, l’ancienne peinture a été façonnée par les premiers chrétiens, soit au IVe siècle. Elle a ensuite été dissimulée pendant les périodes de turbulences politiques ou religieuses par une nouvelle couche, probablement vers le XIe siècle, avant d’être recouverte par l’actuel mur. « Nos références officielles, qui sont les archives du comité de conservation des antiquités datant de 1951, n’indiquent rien de cette peinture », ajoute Ahmad.

Aujourd’hui, le visiteur peut, suite à cette Le complexe religieux du Vieux-Caire ne découverte, contempler l’autel de l’église orné cesse de livrer ses secrets. L’église Saint-Serge de ces scènes picturales sur le mur Est, tandis et sa crypte viennent d’offrir plusieurs objets, que le mur Ouest est décoré de la croix de trouvés lors des travaux de restauration et de marbre nettoyée. nettoyage, qui ont pris fin il y a quelques En plus de ces deux trouvailles, les semaines. Dans l’église Saint-Serge deux restaurateurs ont mis au jour une cuve peintures picturales et une jarre en calcaire ont baptismale en calcaire dans le nord-ouest de ainsi été trouvées, alors que dans la crypte de l’église. « En procédant à la restauration de l’église une ancienne niche et une jarre en l’ancien baptême nous avons trouvé une pierre ont été révélées. planche en marbre avec des pierres plus « Ces travaux ont été financés par l’église récentes qui cachaient la jarre en calcaire », Saint-Serge et entamés sous la supervision du explique l’inspecteur ‘Amr Hasan, qui ministère égyptien des Antiquités », fait savoir accompagnait les travaux de restauration. La e e Muhammad Zayn, directeur général des jarre qui remonte au IV ou V siècle est antiquités coptes et islamiques au Vieux-Caire. décorée d’une croix. « Pour l’exposer, nous lui Pour lui, il s’agit du premier projet de avons annexé une assise de calcaire décorée restauration global, et presque 20 mois de de motifs géométriques », ajoute Hasan. travail ont été nécessaires. Les précédents Si l’église a offert de nouvelles informations travaux avaient été partiels, entre le pompage par ces découvertes, la crypte sur laquelle est construite l’église Saint-Serge a donné elle

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aussi une importante découverte. Il s’agit d’une cadres au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie », ancienne niche située derrière l’actuelle. « De al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî, 29 juin ; ‘Alâ’ al-Minyâwî, tout temps, on se demandait pourquoi les « Le ministre de l’Archéologie procède à des dimensions de la pierre du mur qui surmonte changements à la tête de quelques la niche étaient différentes. Aujourd’hui, la départements », Sada al-balad, 29 juin). réponse gagne en clarté », reprend-il.

Au-dessus de l’ancienne niche, les - - restaurateurs ont aussi identifié des traces de Le superviseur général du Grand Musée cendre, ce qui explique que la niche, voire la Égyptien (GEM), Dr Târiq al-‘Awadî, a annoncé crypte, a été victime d’un incendie lorsque la l’intention de l’Agence japonaise de coopération cité de Fustât a été brûlée vers la fin de internationale (JICA) de prolonger son soutien l’époque omeyyade et durant l’époque fatimide. durant trois ans. Ce soutien englobe les Les restaurateurs ont trouvé une autre jarre restaurations préliminaires, l’emballage, le dans un très mauvais état. Privée de tout transfert et l’exposition des pièces ornement, elle est plus ancienne que la archéologiques. Une attention toute particulière première. Après restauration elle est sera accordée au transport des pièces fragiles, actuellement exposée dans l’aile Est de la comme les chars, les textiles de Toutankhamon crypte. Celle-ci permet ainsi de relater l’histoire ainsi que la collection de Snéfrou. Par ailleurs, de manière moins fragmentée. (Doaa Elhami, la JICA accordera au GEM un don « Saint-Serge retrace l’histoire chrétienne », Al- supplémentaire qui se traduira par l’achat Ahram Hebdo du 29 juin 2016). d’équipements modernes nécessaires aux analyses et à la documentation. (Ahmad - - Mansûr, « La JICA maintiendra son soutien au GEM », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 29 juin 2016). Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Khâlid al- ‘Inânî, a procédé à huit nouvelles nominations au sein des cadres de l’administration et de la - - gestion des sites archéologiques. Il s’agit de :

 Dr Muhammad Ismâ‘îl est nommé Jeudi 30 juin 2016 superviseur du Comité permanent et des missions archéologiques étrangères. In 1907, British archaeologist Edward AYRTON excavated Tomb KV55, considered one of the  Hânî Abû al-‘Azm est nommé directeur de most mysterious tombs ever discovered. He l’Administration centrale des antiquités de found it in the Valley of the Kings, on the west Haute-Égypte. bank of the Nile at Luxor. The tomb bears no  Dr Doris Hannâ est nommée directrice name and contained a selection of artefacts générale de l’Ancient Egyptian Art Revival that belonged to several kings and queens, a Center. single sarcophagus and a mummy.

 Sabrî Muhyî al-Dîn Farag est nommé The identification of the sarcophagus and directeur général des antiquités de Saqqâra. the mummy has been complicated by the fact that the artefacts appear to belong to different  Muhammad Muhammad Yûsuf est nommé individuals. directeur de la zone archéologique de Saqqâra. Because of the positioning of the mummy’s  Hamdî Amîn Sayyid est nommé arms, it has been speculated that the mummy inspecteur en chef de Saqqâra-Nord et Centre. could belong to the pharaoh Akhenaten’s  Muhammad Husayn Hindâwî est nommé mother Queen Tiye, his wife Nefertiti, his inspecteur en chef de Saqqâra-Sud. secondary wife Kiya, or his stepsister .

 Marwa ‘Abd al-Râziq est nommée In 2010, after X-ray examination was carried responsable du bureau d’enregistrement, de out on the mummy, it was accepted that the documentation et de la gestion des collections coffin and the mummy could belong to a male, au Musée Égyptien. (Ahmad Mansûr, « Le possibly Akhenaten, although some believe it ministre de l’Archéologie procède à cinq could belong to his brother Smenkhare. changements », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 29 juin 2016. Voir également Hiba ‘Âdil, « Mouvement des

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Some believe that the tomb was created in ‘Âdil, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie tente de a hurry and that the individual buried there résoudre l’énigme du sarcophage le plus had been previously laid to rest elsewhere. polémique au Musée Égyptien », al-Ahrâm al- Other Egyptologists believe it was meant simply ‘Arabî, 14 juin ; Nevine El-Aref, “Study aims to as a kind of storeroom. uncover mystery of Luxor’s tomb KV55”, Ahram Online, June 14 ; ‘Alâ’ al-Minyâwî, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie tente de résoudre l’énigme du sarcophage le plus polémique au Musée Égyptien », Sada al-balad, 14 juin). - -

Egypt is to submit proposals for three major archaeological sites in Egypt to be considered for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a list of the world’s main sites and monuments The box with the golden sheets managed by the UN’s educational, cultural and scientific organisation, writes Nevine El-Aref. With so many different possibilities for the identity of the tomb’s owner, the sarcophagus Ahmed ‘Ubayd is the director of the Ministry and the mummy, researchers were presented of Antiquities office that led the team to with a puzzling challenge. Now it seems that prepare the nominations. He told Al-Ahram the mystery may have been solved: a wooden Weekly that the ministry has selected three box found in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo major archaeological sites in different locations: may hold the key to identifying the original Pharaoh Island in Tâbâ, the Old City of owner of KV55. Alexandria and the Ptolemaic Temples in Upper Egypt. The box was found in the storage area of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square, ‘Ubayd said the nominations were prepared according to Ilhâm Salâh, head of the Museums by a team from the Ministry of Antiquities in Department at the Ministry of Antiquities. It collaboration with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, contains 500 gold sheets, fragments of a skull the and a number of and a handwritten note in French. NGOs, as well as archaeologists at the selected sites. The nominations include full details of The note dates to when KV55 was first the selected sites, maps and photographs. found and states that the 500 gold sheets were discovered with a sarcophagus, though it “Putting these archaeological sites on does not mention which one. Recent studies on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is a very the sheets reveal that they belong to the important step, based on the ministry’s sarcophagus found in KV55. keenness to register the largest number of Egypt’s archaeological sites possible on the list Further scientific study will be carried out in order to secure maximum protection on the sheets by Egyptian archaeologists, matching their importance and uniqueness,” restorers and researchers from the Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told the Museum with a grant of $28,500 from the Weekly. He said the sites were earlier placed American Research Centre in Cairo (ARCE). The on UNESCO’s Tentative List and that now was hope is that they will be able to discover which the time for them to be put on the Permanent king the sarcophagus belongs to. List.

This would make it possible to identify the Pharaoh Island in Tâbâ: This is a small mummy and the owner of the tomb. The skull island located south of Tâbâ, just 250 metres fragments found in the box are also to be inland from the Egyptian Red Sea coast. It is subjected to further analysis. (Nevine El-Aref, surrounded by coral reefs and dominated by “Tomb mystery solved?”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June the Salâh al-Dîn Fortress, originally built by the 30, 2016. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Un Crusaders in 1115 CE. comité du CSA pour élucider le mystère d’un It was seized and expanded by Salâh al-Dîn sarcophage trouvé dans les magasins du Musée al-Ayyûbî in 1170 to protect the country Égyptien », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 juin ; Hiba against Crusader invasions from Palestine, as it

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was feared that the Crusaders might attempt to There were public baths, cisterns, houses, head for the holy cities of Mecca and Medina shops and streets. The recovered baths are in what is now Saudi Arabia. The fortress was huge and were probably constructed by the also used as a customs point to control trade Roman emperor who offered them to the city coming from Asia. as a gift. The well-preserved bath area is constructed of red brick. In 2012, the fortress and the wall surrounding it were restored. Missing and There is a complex of private Roman villas damaged stone blocks were replaced with new on a lower level to the east. These date from ones matching the originals. A new lighting the first century CE and belonged to high- system was also installed. ranking officials or wealthy people who could afford to build such structures. ‘Ubayd said Pharaoh Island has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 1989 because of Kom al-Shuqâfa is the largest and most its distinguished architecture and the fact that important Graeco-Roman catacomb-type the fortress was an important witness to the necropolis in Egypt. Its name refers to the region’s history. mounds of shards found in the area. These included the shards of terracotta jars, Old City of Alexandria: This site includes containers and plates that visitors left after important archaeological sites in Alexandria, visiting the necropolis. These containers including Kom al-Shuqâfa, Kom al-Dikka, contained food and wine that were consumed Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre, the by visitors during their visits. Old Alexandria Lighthouse, sunken archaeological sites in both the Eastern The catacombs of Kom al-Shuqâfa date Harbour and Abûqîr, and the Islamic Cistern of back to the second century CE and have a Ibn al-Nabîh. mixture of ancient Egyptian, Hellenistic and Graeco-Roman decorative elements, a common The sites, ‘Ubayd said, have been on feature of Alexandria at the time. UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2003 because of their exceptional international importance. They Pompey’s Pillar is a 25-metre red granite are important testimony to Graeco-Roman column constructed to honour the Roman civilisation, considered one of the most emperor Diocletian at the end of the fourth important ancient civilisations in the world. century CE.

Kom al-Dikka is a large archaeological site, The Alexandria Lighthouse was one of the covering some 40,000 square metres, located Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was in downtown Alexandria, in front of the train once one of the tallest man-made structures in station. It consists of an amphitheatre, a the world. It was built during the Ptolemaic Roman settlement including limestone villas with period but damaged in earthquakes between mosaic flooring, baths with cisterns, and a bust 956 and 1323 CE. Its stone blocks were used of Alexander the Great. Since 1960, a Polish- to build other monuments, including the Citadel Egyptian team has been excavating and of Qâytbây. In 1994, French archaeologists restoring the site. discovered further remains on the seabed of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour. The Roman amphitheatre on the site has marble seating for 700 to 800 people and The Ibn al-Nabîh Cistern is located in the includes brick and stone galleries and a al-Shallâlât area of Alexandria and was used to forecourt with two areas of mosaic flooring. store water. During Ptolemaic times the amphitheatre was a Ptolemaic Temples in Upper Egypt: These park in the form of a hilly pleasure garden with include the temples of Isnâ, Dandara, Kom a limestone summit carved in the shape of a Ombo and Idfû and have been on UNESCO’s pinecone. Roman villas and baths later Tentative List since 2003. encroached on the area. Isnâ Temple is in the town of Isnâ, 50 km The amphitheatre has been twice restored, south of Luxor. The temple was primarily once in the late 1960s and then again in the dedicated to the Nile god Khnum and later to 1980s. It is the only monument of its kind in a number of other deities, including Neith, the Egypt. The residential quarter of ancient goddess of magic; Satet, the goddess of the Alexandria was located to the north of the site. Nile; and Menhet, the lion goddess.

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The 18th Dynasty pharaoh Tuthmosis III laid The inner hypostyle hall, known as the “Hall the foundations of the temple but it was of Appearances,” is decorated with scenes that completed in the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, show the pharaoh in ceremonies related to the from 40 to 250 CE. The names of those who temple’s construction. built it are inscribed on the temple walls. The Kom Ombo Temple is in Aswân and The ruins of the temple include a pillared was built during the reign of the Ptolemaic hall with 24 pillars beautifully decorated with pharaoh Ptolemy VI and was dedicated to the lotus and palm capitals. The walls are covered worship of two deities. The southern half was with four rows of reliefs showing Ptolemaic and dedicated to Sobek, god of fertility and Roman rulers dressed in Pharaonic costumes procreator of Hathor and Khonsu, and the and making sacrifices to the temple god. northern half was dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Dandara Temple is in Qinâ and covers an area of 40,000 square metres. It is considered Later additions were made right up to the one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Roman era, most notably by Ptolemy XIII who Egypt. It is a massive pile of awe-inspiring built the inner and outer hypostyle halls. Over ancient Egyptian and Graeco-Roman millennia, much of the temple was destroyed architecture. by Nile floods, and by earthquakes and builders who used its stones to construct other It was known in ancient times as the temples and sanctuaries. “Castle of the Sistrum” or “Per Hathor”: literally, “The House of Hathor,” the goddess of love, The Crocodile Museum is located near the joy and beauty. According to early inscriptions, temple on the east bank of the Nile. The a structure was erected to Hathor at Dandara museum displays a collection of 22 crocodile during the reign of the Old Kingdom pharaoh mummies of different shapes and sizes that Khufu (2547-2524 BCE). have been placed on sand inside glass showcases to show how crocodiles lived on the Inscriptions in a later temple at Dandara banks of the Nile. The mummies were carefully also mention that Pepi I of the Sixth Dynasty selected from among 40 that were discovered (2343-2297 BCE) constructed a temple on the in Aswân. site. Later additions and modifications to the Temple of Hathor were undertaken by several A number of crocodile coffins, wooden New Kingdom rulers (1549-1069 BCE), including sarcophagi, foetuses and crocodile eggs are Tuthmosis III, Tuthmosis IV and Amenhotep III, also exhibited, along with stelae and statues of as well as Ramses II and III. Sobek with a human body and a crocodile head. Replicas of Sobek’s original tombs and The temple seen today was built on the niches are also on show. Sobek mummification ruins of the older one during the late processes are also illustrated, as are a Ptolemaic period. Ptolemy XII Auletes (the funerary ceremony and burial in the necropolis. father of Cleopatra VII), whose name is found in the crypt, is associated with the building of Idfû Temple is on the west bank of the Nile the temple. in the town of Idfû and is also considered one of the country’s best-preserved sites. The During the Late Period and Graeco-Roman temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus period several hypostyle halls, columns, kiosks and was built during the reign of Ptolemy III and birth houses were added to the area by and completed during the reign of Ptolemy XII. Nectanebo I, Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy X, and The inscriptions on its walls provide important Ptolemy XI, as well as by the Roman emperors information on language, myth and religion Augustus, Tiberius and Nero. during the Graeco-Roman era. Among the most important scenes on the The temple’s inscribed texts provide details temple walls are those on the ceiling of the on its construction and the mythical hypostyle hall, which still retains much of its interpretation of this and other temples in the original colouring. This is decorated with a “Island of Creation”. There are also scenes and chart of the heavens, including zodiac signs inscriptions relating the story of the age-old and a depiction of Nut, the goddess who conflict between the gods Horus and Seth in swallowed the sun disc in the evening and ancient Egyptian religion. gave birth to it again at dawn.

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The remains of a pylon found to the east The second piece that won the voting is the of the temple reveal that the construction work ancient Egyptian wig, while the third is the progressed during the New Kingdom under the faience of the ancient Egyptian hippopotamus. reigns of Ramses I and II and Seti I. Minister of Antiquities Khâlid al-‘Inânî told Ahram Online that he is happy with the voting The temple was abandoned after the Roman because it shows the effective coming together Empire became Christian and paganism was of antiquities lovers and the Egyptian outlawed in 391 CE. It lay buried up to its community in choosing the artefact they hope lintels in sand until the 1860s when French to see on display as the July piece of the archaeologist Auguste MARIETTE excavated it. month. (Nevine El-Aref, “New nominations to the UNESCO List”, Al-Ahram Weekly, June 30, Ilhâm Salâh, the head of the ministry’s 2016). Museums Department, views the childbirth stelae as a perfect choice because it is a - - distinguished object on both the archaeological and artistic levels.

Salâh asserts that the ministry’s use of social media, as was done with the Facebook poll, is an effective channel of communication between the ministry and the community in Egypt and antiquity lovers worldwide, and can help in raising cultural and archaeological awareness among the public. (Nevine El-Aref, “Childbirth stelae picked as Egyptian Museum’s July piece of the month in online vote”, Ahram The childbirth stelae Online, June 30, 2016. Voir également Hiba Tomorrow the foyer of the Egyptian Museum ‘Âdil, « La stèle de l’accouchement élue "Piece in Tahrîr will be graced with the newly-picked of the Month" au Musée Égyptien », al-Ahrâm July piece of the month; a Ptolemaic childbirth al-‘Arabî, 29 juin ; MENA, « La stèle de stelae that won a Facebook poll put up by the l’accouchement remporte tous les suffrages antiquities ministry. The stelae is carved in pour être exposée au Musée Égyptien », Sada limestone and depicts the childbirth process, al-balad, 29 juin). showing a Ptolemaic woman giving birth with the help of two ancient Egyptian deities sitting beside her.

The poll was set up by the ministry two weeks ago to enable the community to choose - among 10 items, with the object to receive the most comments to be picked as the July piece - - of the month. -

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VII - WHO’S WHO ?

Voici la liste alphabétique des principaux responsables égyptiens régulièrement cités dans le BIA :

Ministère de l’Archéologie

‘Abd al-Hamîd al-Kafâfî Directeur général de la planification et du suivi des restaurations

‘Abd al-Nâsir Ahmad Directeur de la restauration du temple de Karnak

‘Abd al-Rahîm Rayhân Directeur général des recherches, des études archéologiques et de la publication scientifique dans le Sinaï

‘Alâ’ al-Shahhât Président de l’Administration centrale des antiquités du Caire et de Gîza

‘Alî Ahmad Directeur général du département des antiquités restituées

‘Alî Dâhî Directeur général du département des acquisitions archéologiques

‘Imâd Hammâd Président du département de la restauration des antiquités de Rosette

‘Izzat Salîb Directeur général de la restauration des antiquités et des musées du Grand Caire

Ahmad ‘Abd al-‘Âl Directeur général des antiquités du Fayyûm

Ahmad ‘Ubayd Superviseur du bureau technique du ministre de l’Archéologie

Ahmad Mûsa Directeur de l’Amphithéâtre romain d’Alexandrie

Ahmad Sâlih Directeur des antiquités d’Aswân

al-Husayn ‘Abd al-Basîr Superviseur du département de la publication scientifique

Amîn Ramadân Directeur général de la zone archéologique d’al-Qurna

Ashraf Muhyî al-Dîn Directeur général de la zone archéologique de Gîza

Doris Hannâ Directrice générale de l’Ancient Egyptian Art Revival Center

Gamâl ‘Abd al-Halîm Farahât Directeur général des antiquités de l’Ouest du Caire et d’al- Qalyûbiyya

Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir Directeur général des antiquités de Suhâg

Gamâl al-Hawwârî Directeur de la zone archéologique du sultan Hasan et d’al-Rifâ‘î

Gamâl Mustafa Directeur général de la zone archéologique de la citadelle de Salâh al-Dîn au Caire

Gharîb Sunbul Président de l’administration centrale pour la restauration et la maintenance

Hamdî Amîn Sayyid Inspecteur en chef de Saqqâra-Nord et Centre

Hânî Abû al-‘Azm Directeur de l’Administration centrale de Haute-Égypte

Hishâm al-Laythî Directeur général du Centre de documentation et d’études de l’Égypte ancienne

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Kamâl al-Tûkhî Restaurateur d’icônes antiques

Khâlid Muhammad Abû al-‘Ilâ Directeur des antiquités de Matariyya

Mahmûd ‘Afîfî Président du secteur des antiquités égyptiennes

Mahmûd Sha‘bân Directeur des antiquités islamiques et coptes au sud de Gîza

Mahrûs Sa‘îd Directeur du Nubia Antiquities Fund (NAF)

Mamdûh ‘Uda Directeur du département central de la gestion des crises et des risques

Marwa ‘Abd al-Râziq Responsable du bureau d’enregistrement, de documentation et de la gestion des collections au Musée Égyptien

Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz Directeur général des antiquités égyptiennes de Haute-Égypte

Muhammad ‘Abd al-Hamîd Directeur de la zone archéologique de Minyâ

Muhammad ‘Abd al-Magîd Directeur général du département d’archéologie sous-marine en Alexandrie

Muhammad ‘Abd al-Maqsûd Coordinateur général du projet de développement des sites archéologiques situés dans l’axe du canal de Suez

Muhammad Abû al-Wafâ Directeur des antiquités de la mer Rouge

Muhammad Husayn Hindâwî Inspecteur en chef de Saqqâra-Sud

Muhammad Ismâ‘îl Superviseur du Comité permanent et des missions archéologiques étrangères

Muhammad Mitwallî Directeur général des antiquités islamiques, coptes et juives d’Alexandrie et de la côte Nord

Muhammad Mustafa Directeur du département des antiquités sous-marines d’Alexandrie

Muhammad Yûsuf Directeur des antiquités de Dahshûr et d’al-Lisht

Mukhtâr al-Kasabânî Conseiller du ministre de l’Archéologie

Mushîra Mûsa Conseillère médiatique du ministre de l’Archéologie

Mustafa Amîn Secrétaire général du Conseil Suprême des Antiquités

Mustafa Muhammad Nûr al- Directeur des antiquités de Sirâbît al-Khâdim Dîn

Mustafa Rushdî Directeur des antiquités de l’Ouest du Delta

Mustafa Wazîrî Directeur général des antiquités de Louqsor

Nasr Salâma Directeur général des antiquités d’Aswân et de Nubie

Nivîn al-‘Ârif Consultante médiatique du ministre de l’Archéologie

Rashâ Kamâl Directrice générale du développement culturel

Ridâ Ramadân Directeur général des antiquités de Damiette

Sa‘îd Hilmî ‘Izzat Président du secteur des antiquités islamiques et coptes

Sabrî Muhyî al-Dîn Farag Directeur général de Saqqâra

Salâma Zahrân Inspecteur en chef des antiquités d’al-Bahnasâ

Sha‘bân ‘Abd al-Gawwâd Superviseur général du département des antiquités restituées

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Sophia ‘Abd al-Hâdî Directrice générale des antiquités d’al-Darb al-Ahmar et de Sayyida ‘Â’isha

Târiq Gharîb Directeur général des antiquités d’al-Azhar et d’al-Ghûrî

Usâma al-Sayyid Directeur de la citadelle Qâytbây en Alexandrie

Wa‘d Abû al-‘Ilâ Président du secteur des projets

Wâ’il Fathî Mursî Inspecteur en chef du plateau de Gîza

Wâ’il Zakariyyâ al-Balîhî Directeur général de la restauration des antiquités islamiques et coptes dans le Delta-Ouest et Centre

Walâ’ al-Dîn Badawî Directeur général du palais Manyal

Yâsir Fathî Wahba Directeur général de l’administration du cadastre et de la topographie dans le secteur des antiquités islamiques

Yâsmîn al-Shâzlî Directrice de l’administration des organisations internationales pour le patrimoine culturel et les affaires de la coopération internationale

Yûsuf Khalîfa Président de l’administration centrale des antiquités de Basse-Égypte, du Sinaï et de la côte Nord

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Musées

‘Âtif Nagîb Directeur général du musée Copte

‘Îsa Zaydân Directeur du département de restauration au Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM)

Ahmad ‘Alî Directeur général des équipements du Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM)

Ahmad al-Shûkî Superviseur général du musée d’Art islamique

Ahmad Humayda Directeur du musée Atonien

al-Sayyid al-Bannâ Directeur général du musée national de Suez

Ibrâhîm al-Sharîf Directeur général du musée de Suhâg

Ilhâm Salâh al-Dîn Présidente du secteur des musées

Karam ‘Abd al-Hamîd Directeur général du musée Gayer-Anderson Muhammad

Mahâ Muhammad Présidente de l’administration centrale des musées historiques

Mahrûs Sa‘îd Superviseur général du musée national de la Civilisation égyptienne (NMEC)

Mamdûh Hasan Muhammad Directeur général du musée des Textiles égyptiens

Muhammad Badr Directeur des magasins et des registres du Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM)

Nabîla Hasanayn Directrice générale du palais al-Gawhara

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Rândâ Muhammad ‘Abd al- Directrice générale des musées régionaux Ra’ûf

Sabâh Muslim Directrice générale des musées de Basse-Égypte

Sanâ’ ‘Alî Directrice des musées de Haute-Égypte

Sumayya Muhammad Directrice générale du Musée Égyptien

Târiq Tawfîq Superviseur général du projet du Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM)

Walâ’ al-Dîn Badawî Directeur général du musée du palais Manyal

- -

Universités

Ahmad al-Ansârî Chef du département d’archéologie égyptienne à l’université de Suhâg

Muhammad Hamza Doyen de la faculté d’Archéologie, université du Caire

Mukhtâr al-Kasabânî Professeur à la faculté d’archéologie, université du Caire

Ra’fat al-Nabarâwî Ex-Doyen de la faculté d’Archéologie, université du Caire

Yâsir Saqr Président de l’université de Hilwân

- -

Pouvoir exécutif

Ahmad ‘Abd al-Zâhir Directeur de la Police du Tourisme et des Antiquités

Ayman ‘Abd al-Mun‘im Gouverneur de Suhâg

Galâl al-Sa‘îd Gouverneur du Caire

Hilmî al-Nimnim Ministre de la Culture

Ibrâhîm Nasr Gouverneur de Kafr al-Shaykh

Kamâl al-Dâlî Gouverneur de Gîza

Khâlid Sa‘îd Gouverneur d’al-Sharqiyya

Magdî Higâzî Gouverneur d’Aswân

Muhammad ‘Abd al-Zâhir Gouverneur d’Alexandrie

Muhammad Badr Gouverneur de Louqsor

Muhammad Sultân Gouverneur d’al-Buhayra

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WHO’S WHO ?

Ridâ Farahât Gouverneur d’al-Qalyûbiyya

Shirîf Ismâ‘îl Premier ministre

Târiq Nasr Gouverneur de Minyâ

Wâ’il Makram Gouverneur du Fayyûm

Yahya Râshid Ministre du Tourisme

Yâsîn Tâhir Gouverneur d’Ismâ‘îliyya

- -

Divers

‘Abd al-Halîm Nûr al-Dîn Président de l’Union des archéologues égyptiens

‘Alî Radwân Président de l’Union des archéologues arabes

Ciara BERDISKI Responsable culturel du bureau de l’Unesco au Caire

Muhammad al-Kahlâwî Secrétaire général de l’Union des archéologues arabes

Muhammad Fârûq Directeur du National Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT)

Nagwa al-Shâzlî Présidente du conseil d’administration du Sound and Light Company

Nivîn al-Kîlânî Présidente du Fonds de développement culturel

Ra’fat al-Nabarâwî Ancien doyen de la faculté d’Archéologie

- - - -

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IX - INDEX

Haut barrage d’Aswân ...... 33, 34, 43, 55, 56, 87, A 121, 155 Agences de presse Bibliothèques ...... 19 Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) ...... 118 Bibliotheca Alexandrina ...... 51, 70, 137, 166 Deutsche Welle (DW) ...... 135 Bière ...... 111, 113 Middle East News Agency (MENA) ...... 11, 60, 86, Bijoux ...... 12, 18, 31, 117, 160 141, 169 Boucle d’oreille ...... 142 Reuters ...... 38, 134 Bracelet ...... 138, 149 The Associated Press (AP) ...... 91, 148, 159, 160 Bustes ...... 79, 97, 98, 158 al-Azhar ...... 109, 172 Buste de Néfertiti ...... 62 Amphithéâtre de Kom al-Dikka ...... 167 C Amulette ...... 23, 71, 111, 149 Anatomie humaine Campagne d’Égypte ...... 146 Barbe ...... 15, 16, 29 Canneaux Squelette . 21, 28, 32, 33, 35, 36, 47, 48, 49, 135 Canal de Suez ...... 20, 21, 100, 143, 171 Ankh ...... 72 Caravansérail ...... 59 Arbres Carrière ...... 158 Acacia ...... 52 Cartographie ...... 34, 64, 69, 77, 106, 143, 166 Sycomore ...... 22 Cartonnage ...... 135, 139, 149, 163 Armée ...... 54, 65, 101 Cartouche ...... 16, 76, 123, 147 Armes Catacombes ...... 127 Canon ...... 154 Catalogue ...... 23, 54, 55, 81, 116 Char ...... 47, 165 Centres de Culture Flèche ...... 28, 72, 73, 116 Centro Cultural La Moneda ...... 116 Fusil ...... 13, 14, 88, 101 Istituto Italiano di Cultura per la R.A.E. (iiccairo) Lance ...... 26, 28, 119, 126 ...... 40 Poignard ...... 147, 148, 149 Centres de recherches Artères historiques American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) .... 13, Rue al-Khalîfa ...... 25, 26, 29, 30, 44 26, 29, 125, 129, 144, 145, 166 Rue al-Mu‘izz l-Dîn Allâh al-Fâtimî ..... 25, 40, 151, Centre de documentation et d’études de 153 l’Égypte ancienne ...... 87, 170 Astrolabe ...... 14 National Center for Documentation of Cultural Autel ...... 12, 121, 164 and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT) ...... 19, 174 Autoroute ...... 144 Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology in Cairo (PCMA) ...... 113, 114 B Céramique ...... 11, 47, 151 Bâb-s Chaînes de télévision ...... 61, 133, 147, 148, 156 Bâb al-‘Azab ...... 60 Chambre funéraire ... 63, 68, 84, 85, 86, 90, 91, 93, Bâb al-Gâsûs ...... 127 96, 97, 111, 122, 123, 124, 129, 130, 139, 144, Bâb al-Nasr ...... 59 146, 147, 156 Bâb Zuwayla ...... 71 Chapelles ...... 18, 75, 76, 98, 128, 129 Bains ...... 59, 143, 144, 145, 167 Cimetière ...... 48, 71, 73, 75, 77, 127, 128, 144 Barques ... 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 33, 37, 38, 49, 51, 52, Citadelles ...... 11, 76, 101, 133, 134, 167 64, 75, 76, 87, 93, 98, 103, 104, 122, 149, 151, Citadelle de Qâytbây .... 117, 125, 126, 141, 142, 152 172 Barque de Chéops ...... 21, 51, 152 Citadelle de Saladin ...... 142 Barque solaire ...... 20, 52, 87, 93, 122, 151, 152 Citadelle du Caire ...... 11, 104 Barrages ...... 42, 43, 121 Citernes ...... 65, 81, 144, 167

BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 174

INDEX

Citerne Ibn al-Nabîh ...... 65, 81, 167 Neïth ...... 167 Collectionneur ...... 54 Nout ...... 168 Colonnes ...... 12, 26, 29, 61, 68, 96, 109, 117, 121, Osiris ... 18, 21, 22, 23, 82, 84, 86, 106, 107, 138, 128, 129, 143, 144, 145, 152, 167, 168 149 Colosses ...... 56, 66, 99, 116, 117, 136, 138 Ptah ...... 55 Comités Sekhmet ...... 71, 72, 84 Comité permanent des Antiquités du CSA ... 131, Sérapis ...... 114, 138 132 Seth ...... 168 Commerce ...... 74 Sobek ...... 70, 71, 139, 168 Compagnies du BTP Thot ...... 111 The Arab Contractors Osman Ahmed Osman & Thouéris ...... 23 Co...... 78 Web- Wawout ...... 32 Congrès ...... 40, 126, 128 Dôme ...... 16, 17, 26, 29, 30, 79, 141 Conseil Suprême des Antiquités 10, 12, 31, 41, 49, Donation ...... 26, 78 65, 77, 79, 89, 94, 98, 117, 118, 119, 122, 146, E 151, 153, 162, 166, 171 Conservation .. 19, 26, 33, 44, 51, 67, 97, 114, 126, Eau souterraine ... 29, 63, 80, 92, 95, 125, 155, 158 145, 146, 149, 151, 157, 158, 164 Églises ...... 12, 43, 121, 122, 145, 164 Coopération . 28, 32, 33, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 51, 59, Empereurs 73, 75, 110, 113, 114, 115, 121, 125, 154, 159, Tibère ...... 168 165, 172 Enchères ...... 16, 18, 46, 47, 80, 141, 163 Couleurs Entreprises blanc ...... 52, 121, 124, 140, 144, 152 Hilti Corporation ...... 137 bleu ...... 130, 136, 137, 138, 150 Épices ...... 59 jaune ...... 123, 124, 140 Époques noir 22, 23, 32, 42, 66, 72, 80, 98, 117, 136, 138 byzantine ...... 136 rose ...... 83, 92 chrétienne ...... 164 rouge ...... 121 copte ...... 26, 29, 30, 57, 58, 69, 80, 81, 97, 104, Croix ...... 121, 142, 164 119, 120, 136, 142, 159 Crypte ...... 164, 165 gréco-romaine 18, 19, 22, 23, 30, 69, 71, 83, 84, 100, 101, 115, 116, 137, 139, 143, 149, 167, D 168 Daftarkhâna ...... 11 grecque ..... 22, 39, 57, 77, 81, 99, 137, 138, 144, Danse ...... 128 155 Demeures bourgeoises hellénistique ...... 145, 167 Bayt al-Suhaymî ...... 108 islamique ...... 15, 32, 44, 58, 60, 73, 75, 88, 107, Bayt Ibrâhîm al-Sinnârî ...... 19, 54 108, 113, 114, 115, 119, 125, 151, 162, 172 Déserts ...... 19, 106 abbasside ...... 16, 17, 40, 113, 141 Désert Occidental ...... 35 ayyoubide ...... 14, 29, 40 Désert Oriental ...... 77, 106 fatimide ...... 29, 30, 40, 59, 113, 165 Disque solaire ...... 82 mamelouke .... 17, 32, 40, 55, 59, 71, 108, 109, Divinités 114 Amon ...... 21, 22, 40, 85, 127, 128, 130 omeyyade ...... 113, 165 Amon-Rê ...... 42, 55, 61 ottomane ...... 40, 55, 77, 109, 133, 150 Anubis ...... 32 Moyen-Âge ...... 63 Aphrodite ...... 137, 144 pharaonique Apis ...... 23, 137 Ancien Empire . 37, 38, 40, 64, 73, 75, 98, 111, Aton ...... 80, 85 121, 125, 129, 146, 168 Bastet ...... 117, 128 IIIe dynastie ...... 37, 68, 75, 76, 77 Hâpy ...... 34 IVe dynastie ...... 37, 75, 76 Harpocrate ...... 145 Ve dynastie ...... 74, 138, 146 Hathor ...... 32, 72, 119, 120, 128, 147, 168 VIe dynastie ...... 111, 146, 168 Horus ...... 66, 82, 95, 100, 101, 125, 149, 168 Basse époque ...... 31, 72, 73, 125, 129, 168 Isis ...... 35, 36, 82, 84, 138 XXVIe dynastie ...... 20, 23, 82, 101 Khensou ...... 168 XXXe dynastie ...... 117, 118, 128 Khnoum ...... 98, 103, 104, 167 dynasties Ie dynastie ...... 68 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 175

INDEX

Moyen Empire ...... 19, 53, 65, 66, 80, 98, 112, 117, 120, 128, 135, 136, 142, 143, 144, 146, 114, 124, 135, 139 159, 163 XIIe dynastie ...... 53, 65, 73, 114, 119, 135 G Nouvel Empire ...... 18, 19, 40, 66, 76, 98, 101, 116, 119, 120, 124, 127, 128, 129, 130, Gabal al-Silsila ...... 18, 19 145, 146, 168, 169 Graffiti ...... 73, 120 XIXe dynastie ...... 32, 129, 146 Groupe de Visegrád ...... 113, 114, 115 XVIIIe dynastie ..... 19, 98, 129, 131, 132, 168 Guerre ...... 63, 64, 71, 101, 139, 142 XXe dynastie ...... 128 H Première Période Intermédiaire ...... 52 Ramesside ...... 147 Hiéroglyphes ...... 22, 28, 31, 33, 56, 72, 73, 80, 98, Troisième Période Intermédiaire 119, 120, 123, 138, 163 XXIe dynastie ...... 127 Démotique ...... 22 prédynastique ...... 28, 46, 73, 124 Hittites ...... 101, 146 préhistoire ...... 32, 49, 73, 82, 124 Humidité . 29, 66, 81, 92, 139, 146, 152, 153, 155, ptolémaïque ...... 21, 22, 64, 81, 82, 86, 114, 118, 156, 158 125, 136, 137, 138, 166, 167, 168, 169 Hyksôs ...... 101 ramesside ...... 128 I romaine ...... 21, 23, 73, 101, 113, 116, 138, 142, 143, 144, 145, 157, 167, 168, 169 Icône ...... 12, 97, 140, 171 Équinoxe ...... 56, 57, 62 Îles ...... 98, 103, 133, 166 Ermites ...... 113, 121 Chypre ...... 144 Érosion ...... 18, 43, 67, 92, 155, 158 Éléphantine ...... 49, 76, 86, 93, 95, 98, 103, 104, Étoile de David ...... 86, 106, 107 106, 107, 135 Exposition archéologique ..... 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, Incendie ...... 120, 121, 165 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 31, 32, 34, 38, 40, 44, 50, Infiltration ...... 43 51, 56, 57, 62, 63, 66, 70, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 88, Inondation ...... 20, 121 92, 95, 97, 99, 111, 112, 115, 116, 119, 120, Insectes ...... 52, 152 122, 124, 127, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, Scarabée ...... 111 149, 159, 162, 165 Instituts ...... 38, 76 F Czech Institute of Egyptology in Cairo Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo (DAIK) Famille royale ...... 40, 102, 156 Bérénice ...... 113, 114 Heritage, Innovation and Preservation Institute Méritaton ...... 165 ...... 25, 106 Néférourê ...... 113 Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) ...... 62, 99, 137 Néfertari ...... 56, 151, 153, 157 Institut européen d’archéologie sous-marine Néfertiti ...... 16, 40, 62, 63, 79, 84, 85, 90, 91, 93, (IEASM) ...... 21, 136, 137 96, 117, 122, 123, 124, 130, 131, 132, 165 Institut français d’archéologie orientale (Ifao) 40, Tiy ...... 85, 130, 165 77, 83, 92, 110, 129 Fausse porte ...... 65, 76, 146 Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) ..... 37, 76 Fertilité ...... 82 Nederlands-Vlaams Instituut in Cairo (NVIC) 118 Figurine ...... 71 Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut Kairo Fleurs ...... 40 Lotus ...... 168 International Council of Museums (ICOM) .. 79, 149 Fœtus ...... 168 Internet ...... 34, 51, 131, 159 Fondations Irrigation ...... 34 Foundation for Polish Science ...... 121 Islam ...... 142, 162 Fundació Arqueològica Clos ...... 82 Ivoire ...... 32, 46, 47, 71, 73, 110 Fonds J Fonds du Développement culturel ...... 108 Fontaine ...... 34, 153 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 51, Forteresses ...... 21, 64, 100, 101 165 Fossile ...... 35, 36, 44 Jardins ... 14, 31, 33, 50, 57, 58, 142, 151, 153, 167 Fouilles .... 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 38, 48, 50, 52, Jarre ...... 14, 65, 76, 110, 149, 164, 165, 167 63, 64, 65, 66, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 83, 84, Jésus ...... 140, 141, 159, 160 98, 103, 106, 107, 108, 110, 113, 114, 115, Juif ...... 69, 80, 107 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 176

INDEX

K Mers Mer Méditerranée ... 20, 21, 23, 24, 67, 100, 101, Kom-s 113, 133, 135, 136, 137, 138, 145, 146 Kom Abû Billû ...... 110 Marsa Matrûh ...... 113, 144 Kom al-Dikka ...... 65, 113, 167 Mer Rouge 30, 63, 101, 106, 113, 114, 166, 171 Kom al-Shuqâfa ...... 65, 154, 157, 167 al-Qusayr ...... 63, 106, 114 L Tâbâ ...... 166 Métaux ...... 61, 85, 91, 123, 131, 149 Lacs ...... 43, 121 Argent ...... 74, 107 Lac Nâsir ...... 43, 56, 121 Bronze ...... 71, 73, 82, 117, 119, 128, 137, 145 Lampe ...... 14, 144, 153 Cuivre ...... 59, 120, 150 Le Caire fatimide ...... 27, 30, 59, 60, 71, 97, 108 Fer ...... 13, 14, 129, 147, 148, 149 Ligue arabe ...... 43 Or ..... 14, 15, 16, 28, 50, 55, 56, 57, 84, 105, 111, Loculi ...... 144 123, 130, 134, 138, 159, 161, 166 M Métérotite ...... 148, 149 Miel ...... 101 Madrasa-s ...... 60, 71 Mihrâb ...... 17, 141 Mairies Minaret ...... 75, 109, 150 Mairie du Caire ...... 44 Minbar ...... 32, 99, 121, 150 Maladies Mine d’or ...... 106 Cancer ...... 135 Ministères Scorbut ...... 28, 47, 48, 49 Ministère des Antiquités ... 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, Malédiction des pharaons ...... 68 25, 27, 30, 32, 33, 44, 46, 47, 51, 54, 57, 59, Mammifères ...... 49, 50, 73 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 68, 70, 73, 77, 79, 84, 87, Âne ...... 110 94, 99, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 111, Baboin ...... 111 112, 114, 115, 117, 118, 124, 127, 128, 135, ...... 35, 36 Baleine 137, 139, 141, 142, 146, 154, 156, 158, 162, Chameau ...... 61, 157 166 ...... 117 Chat Ministère du Tourisme ...... 10, 54, 59 ...... 61, 101, 140, 141, 157 Cheval Moine ...... 121, 122 ...... 34 Éléphant Momies .... 16, 39, 85, 91, 123, 124, 127, 130, 131, Gazelle ...... 47, 73 135, 139, 144, 148, 165, 166, 168 Hippopotame ...... 23, 35, 169 Momie de Toutankhamon ...... 123 Lion ...... 23, 34, 71, 84, 107, 119, 158, 167 Momification ...... 13, 33, 53, 168 Mouton ...... 155 Monastères ...... 12, 49, 113, 121, 122, 145 Taureau ...... 120 Monastère de Naqlûn ...... 113 Vache ...... 120 Monastère de Sainte-Catherine ...... 36 Manuscrit ...... 58, 121, 122, 150 Monnaie ...... 13, 14, 18, 54, 55, 88, 113, 114, 144 Marina ...... 143 Mosaïque ...... 150, 167 Masques ...... 15, 16, 28, 29, 67, 68, 100, 105, 111, Mosquées ...... 29, 30, 60, 71, 133, 153 123, 130, 135, 139 Mosquée al-Sayyida Ruqayya ...... 29, 30 ...... 37, 71, 75, 76, 77 Mastabas Mosquée al-Shurbagî ...... 81

Matériaux de construction Mosquée al-Tanbaghâ al-Mardânî ...... 71 ...... 20 Argile Mosquée al-Zâhir Baybars ...... 109 ...... 11, 16, 30, 89, 93, 94, 100, 140, 152 Béton Mosquée Ghânim al-Bahlawân ...... 32, 71 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 32, 37, 38, Bois Mosquée Sultan Hasan ...... 60 51, 52, 59, 67, 71, 73, 75, 82, 100, 109, 113, Mosquée Tirbâna ...... 81 129, 134, 135, 141, 142, 144, 146, 150, 152, Musées 161, 163, 166, 168 British Museum . 21, 23, 62, 81, 82, 99, 135, 136, Cèdre ...... 52, 135, 152 137, 138 Brique ...... 20, 65, 67, 92, 121 Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) ...... 81 Ciment ...... 26, 27, 42, 61, 157, 158, 164 Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM) . 25, 31, 46, 50, 52, ...... 29, 130, 158 Gypse 53, 61, 66, 69, 72, 88, 89, 93, 105, 116, 117, Plâtre ...... 52, 124, 145, 152 122, 126, 139, 149, 150, 151, 159, 160, 165, Sable ...... 18, 65 172, 173 Mausolées ...... 29, 71, 141 Musée archéologique d’al-‘Arîsh ...... 112 Musée archéologique de Mallawî ...... 10, 80, 93 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 177

INDEX

Musée archéologique de Rosette ...... 149 Fribourg ...... 46 Musée archéologique de Suhâg ...... 63 Hildesheim ...... 62, 63, 79 Musée Atonien ...... 53, 63, 79, 80, 172 Munich ...... 102 Musée Copte ...... 104, 140, 141, 172 Stuttgart ...... 46 Musée d’archéologie sous-marine 23, 24, 25, 63 Arabie saoudite ...... 55, 120, 158, 159, 167 Musée d’Art islamique 13, 15, 30, 63, 87, 88, 93, La Mecque ...... 30, 141, 167 95, 125, 149, 162, 172 Australie ...... 50 Musée de la Momification ...... 13 Autriche ...... 13, 32, 51 Musée de la Mosaïque ...... 103 Belgique ...... 31, 32, 80 Musée de Louqsor ...... 12 Bruxelles ...... 80 Musée de Tell Basta ...... 116 Bulgarie ...... 41 Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Canada ...... 47, 106 Méditerranée (MuCEM) ...... 100 Vancouver ...... 65 Musée des Crocodiles ...... 168 Chili ...... 116 Musée des Textiles égyptiens ..... 25, 40, 60, 127, Santiago ...... 116 151, 153, 172 Chine ...... 108 Musée du Louvre .... 62, 125, 126, 138, 142, 162 Hebei ...... 108 Musée Égyptien ..... 10, 19, 29, 31, 32, 33, 39, 54, Pékin ...... 108 82, 112, 118, 126, 160, 161, 162, 163, 165, Confédération suisse ...... 46, 63, 64, 83, 92, 137, 166, 169, 171, 172, 173 143 Musée gréco-romain ...... 23, 30, 137 Bâle ...... 52 Musée national d’Alexandrie ...... 13 Berne ...... 63, 74 Musée national de la Civilisation égyptienne Zurich ...... 137 (NMEC) 63, 69, 83, 88, 89, 92, 93, 95, 96, 117, Danemark ...... 18, 32 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 172 Égypte Musée national de Tokyo ...... 21 Abû Mînâ ...... 81, 93 Museo archeologico nazionale di Napoli ...... 84 Alexandrie .... 11, 13, 21, 23, 24, 25, 30, 41, 51, Museo Egizio di Torino ...... 83 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, 74, 80, 81, 101, 103, Museu Egipci de Barcelona ...... 82 105, 113, 116, 117, 119, 122, 125, 126, Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum d’Hildesheim 133, 136, 137, 138, 142, 149, 154, 157, ...... 79 166, 167, 170, 171, 172, 173 Staatliche Museen zu Berlin ...... 116 Abû Qîr ...... 21, 22, 65 The Metropolitan Museum of Art ...... 13, 62 al-Anfûshî ...... 81, 154 Muséologie ...... 10, 12, 83, 121, 162 al-Shatbî ...... 81 Musique ...... 14, 56, 57, 128 Héraklion ...... 22, 24, 99, 116, 137, 138 Instruments de musique Kom al-Dikka ...... 65, 113, 167 Harpe ...... 100 Kom al-Shuqâfa ...... 65, 154, 157, 167 Delta ...... 20, 22, 34, 58, 68, 71, 101, 113, 136, N 137, 139, 171 Naos ...... 138 al-Buhayra ...... 42, 57, 58, 173 Nappe phréatique ...... 164 Rosette ...... 22, 93, 149, 170 National Geographic Society ...... 52, 96, 152 Tell Kom al-Nawwâm ...... 42 Nécropoles .... 25, 37, 39, 53, 64, 66, 75, 76, 77, 79, Wâdî al-Natrûn ...... 145 87, 93, 135, 138, 142, 144, 145, 146, 167, 168 al-Daqahliyya ...... 71, 113 Nécropole de Saqqâra ...... 142 Tell al-Farkha ...... 113 Nécropole thébaine ...... 77 Tell al-Tablala ...... 71 Niche .. 17, 29, 30, 76, 85, 130, 141, 144, 164, 165, al-Ismâ‘îliyya ...... 20, 51, 52, 174 168 al-Munûfiyya Nil11, 19, 20, 22, 23, 28, 33, 34, 35, 43, 44, 49, 50, Qwisnâ ...... 68 58, 78, 79, 83, 91, 98, 99, 101, 128, 136, 138, al-Qalyûbiyya ...... 27, 95, 109, 110, 153, 170, 155, 165, 167, 168 174 Noms de lieux al-Sharqiyya ...... 116, 173 Afrique du Sud ...... 32 Tanis ...... 77, 139 Allemagne 13, 18, 27, 32, 46, 47, 56, 58, 62, 63, Tell Basta ...... 116, 139 102, 117, 143 Damiette ...... 30, 74, 93, 171 Berlin ...... 18, 46, 47, 91, 116, 124 Kafr al-Shaykh...... 99, 173 Bonn ...... 73, 112, 119 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 178

INDEX

Fûwwa ...... 93, 95, 99 Héliopolis ...... 31, 50, 77, 117, 118, 128, 142 Gîza .. 12, 25, 31, 39, 41, 44, 45, 46, 50, 52, 53, Hilwân ...... 83, 92, 99, 100, 111, 156, 173 54, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, 70, 72, 80, 86, 87, Matariyya ...... 20, 77, 117, 118, 128, 171 88, 89, 93, 95, 96, 105, 108, 110, 122, 124, Sûq al-Khamîs ...... 118 139, 147, 148, 149, 151, 152, 155, 156, Sayyida Zaynab ...... 19 157, 158, 159, 170, 171, 172, 173 Shubrâ ...... 27, 153, 154 Abûsîr ...... 38, 68, 75, 76, 77, 111, 115 Vieux-Caire ...... 11, 60, 104, 164 al-Lisht ...... 53, 65, 66, 171 Zamâlik ..... 70, 77, 82, 84, 87, 110, 114, 119 Atfîh ...... 12, 149, 150 Marsa Matrûh Dahshûr ...... 25, 53, 61, 65, 171 Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn ...... 113, 143, 145 Mît Rahîna ...... 112 Moyenne-Égypte ...... 113, 140 Nazlat al-Sammân ...... 139, 155, 157, 158 Fayyûm ...... 35, 77, 112, 113, 144, 170, 174 Saqqâra ..... 10, 19, 20, 27, 37, 38, 45, 46, 61, Maydûm ...... 68, 76 64, 68, 74, 76, 77, 87, 111, 118, 138, Naqlûn ...... 113 139, 142, 145, 146, 147, 156, 157, 165, Wâdî al-Hîtân ...... 35, 36, 149 171 Wâdî al-Rayyân ...... 36 Bubastéion ...... 146 Minyâ ...... 39, 53, 63, 79, 80, 127, 171, 174 Tabat al-Gaysh ...... 74 al-Bahnasâ ...... 171 Haute-Égypte ...... 39, 51, 55, 63, 79, 117, 155, Dayr al-Barshâ ...... 51, 52, 74 157, 166, 167 Mallawî ...... 10, 80, 93 Aswân 18, 19, 28, 33, 34, 43, 46, 47, 49, 55, Tûna al-Gabal ...... 39 56, 57, 73, 86, 87, 93, 95, 98, 103, 104, Suhâg ...... 32, 63, 110, 121, 170, 172, 173 106, 107, 121, 124, 125, 129, 135, 155, Abîdus ...... 68, 110 168, 170, 171, 173 Akhmîm ...... 120, 121, 155, 157 Abû Simbil ...... 43, 55, 56, 57, 155 Nouvelle Vallée Idfû ... 63, 93, 95, 125, 129, 155, 157, 167, al-Dâkhla ...... 63 168 Port-Saïd ...... 13, 88 Nag‘ al-Qarmîla ...... 28, 47 Sinaï 36, 64, 91, 101, 112, 119, 120, 163, 170, Philae ...... 43, 157 172 Qubbat al-Hawâ ...... 49, 73, 135 Nord-Sinaï ...... 91 Asyût ...... 32 Tell Abû Sayfî ...... 101 Dandara ...... 167, 168 Tell al-Maskhûta ...... 101 Kum Umbû ...... 28, 47, 49, 61, 93, 155, 167, Tell Dafna ...... 20, 21, 51, 52, 63, 101 168 Sud-Sinaï Louqsor ..... 12, 13, 19, 39, 40, 42, 43, 52, 53, Sirâbît al-Khâdim ...... 119, 120, 171 58, 61, 63, 66, 70, 72, 77, 84, 91, 92, 93, Suez ...... 20, 21, 100, 143, 171, 172 94, 110, 111, 117, 123, 124, 127, 128, Émirats arabes unis 129, 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 165, 166, Chardja ...... 97 167, 171, 173 Espagne ...... 18, 128 al-Dayr al-Baharî Barcelona ...... 82 Bâb al-Gâsûs ...... 127 États-Unis .. 18, 29, 32, 47, 50, 62, 68, 81, 90, 97, al-Qurna ...... 12, 99, 129, 155, 157, 170 105, 125, 127, 129, 131, 143, 154 al-Târif ...... 155 Chicago ...... 121 al-Tûd ...... 92 Indianapolis ...... 50 Dayr al-Madîna ...... 39, 93, 129, 130 New York ...... 13, 47 Isnâ ...... 48, 66, 93, 155, 157, 167 Texas ...... 37, 76 Karnak .. 42, 61, 70, 77, 93, 101, 104, 157, Washington ...... 96 170 Éthiopie ...... 43 Madînat Hâbû ...... 157 France ...... 18, 21, 32, 73, 74, 82, 83, 92, 99, 100, Thèbes ...... 43, 85, 113, 128 105, 119, 125, 127, 142, 143, 145, 162 Nubie ...... 18, 20, 49, 87, 96, 104, 121, 171 Marseille ...... 100 Qasr al-Wizz ...... 121, 122 Paris ..... 21, 62, 77, 78, 99, 106, 135, 137, 138, Qinâ ...... 106, 168 142, 162 Le Caire ...... 30, 59, 60 Grèce ...... 20, 24, 51, 136, 137 al-Darb al-Ahmar ...... 32, 75, 172 Hongrie ...... 113, 114 al-Gamâliyya ...... 59, 109 Budapest ...... 74 Fustât ...... 89, 92, 117, 123, 124, 165 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 179

INDEX

Visegrád ...... 113, 114, 115 al-‘Inânî (Khâlid) ..... 18, 39, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, Iran ...... 14, 151 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, 100, 103, 104, Iraq ...... 142 110, 112, 116, 117, 119, 124, 125, 126, 129, Israël ...... 63, 101, 134, 163 130, 131, 136, 138, 139, 140, 142, 143, 145, Jérusalem ...... 134, 163 146, 147, 148, 151, 153, 154, 158, 159, 161, Tel Aviv ...... 134, 163 165, 166, 169 Italie ...... 10, 21, 35, 36, 47, 56, 83, 84, 144 al-Damâtî (Mamdûh) ... 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, Naples ...... 84 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, Rome ...... 23, 24, 136, 159, 160 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 64, 65, Turin ...... 76, 83, 84, 106 68, 71, 73, 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 89, Japon 50, 51, 52, 62, 84, 99, 105, 106, 111, 112, 93, 112, 123 122, 161 al-Halwagî (Mahmûd) ...... 149, 162 Matsuyama ...... 111 al-Kahlâwî (Muhammad) ...... 174 Sendai ...... 111, 122 al-Kasabânî (Mukhtâr) ...... 171, 173 Tokyo ...... 21, 111, 122 al-Nabrâwî (Ra’fat) ...... 118, 173, 174 Jordanie ...... 74, 97, 120 al-Qadi (Galila) ...... 75 Liban ...... 51, 97, 120, 135 al-Sâdât (Anwar) ...... 34, 58 Libye ...... 97 al-Shammâ‘ (Bassâm) ...... 108, 109 Maroc ...... 51, 97, 134 al-Shûkî (Ahmad) ...... 14, 125, 162, 172 Ouganda ...... 34 al-Sîsî (‘Abd al-Fattâh) ...... 83, 100, 106 Palestine ...... 55, 97, 101, 120, 166 Amîn (Mustafa) . 10, 41, 49, 79, 89, 98, 119, 162, Gaza ...... 134 171 Panama ...... 42 Bárta (Miroslav) ...... 37, 38, 75, 76, 77 Pologne ...... 113, 114, 115, 127 BAVAY (Laurent) ...... 40, 110 Portugal ...... 41 BELZONI (Giovanni) ...... 110 Qatar ...... 11 BIETAK (Manfred) ...... 110 République Dominicaine ...... 41 BONAPARTE (Napoléon) ...... 55 République Tchèque ...... 38, 113, 114 CAMPBELL (Thomas) ...... 50 Prague ...... 37, 75, 111, 115 CARTER (Howard) ...... 15, 77, 84, 86, 110, 130 Royaume-Uni ...... 18, 32, 47, 50, 136 CHLODNICKI (Marek) ...... 113 Londres 16, 17, 21, 32, 62, 136, 137, 138, 141 DARESSY (Georges) ...... 127 Russie ...... 51 Darwîsh (Ibrâhîm) ...... 142 Sénégal ...... 28 DASZEWSKI (Victor-André) ...... 144 Slovaquie ...... 113, 114 ECKMANN (Christian) ...... 15, 29, 105 Soudan ...... 34, 43, 44, 55, 97, 137 Fakhrî (Ahmad) ...... 19, 20 Syrie ...... 27, 97, 101, 114, 142 FORSTNER-MÜLLER (Irene) ...... 40 Palmyre ...... 114 Gardiner (Alan Henderson) ...... 120 Tunisie ...... 97 GATTO (Maria Carmela) ...... 28, 47, 48, 49 Carthage ...... 134 GAWLIKOWSKI (Michael) ...... 114 Turquie ...... 144, 151 GODDIO (Franck) ...... 21, 22, 23, 99, 136, 137 Yémen ...... 114 GOLENISCHEFF (Wladimir) ...... 98 Hadramaout ...... 114 Habashî (Labîb) ...... 19, 20 Noms de personnes Hasan (Silîm) ...... 19, 20 ‘Abd al-‘Azîz (Muhammad) 26, 29, 30, 59, 97, 98, Hawwâs (Zâhî) .. 41, 45, 51, 68, 78, 90, 111, 123, 99, 108, 171 124, 132, 139, 140, 147, 148, 158 ‘Abd al-Fattâh (Ahmad) ...... 67, 81 Haykal (Fâyza) ...... 87 ‘Abd al-Gawwâd (Sha‘bân) . 46, 64, 80, 141, 142, HÉRODOTE ...... 155 163, 171 HOLLANDE (François) ...... 21, 104, 142 ‘Abd al-Maqsûd (Muhammad) ...... 20, 100, 120, Husnî (Fârûq) ...... 56, 60, 109, 111 143, 171 Ibrâhîm (Muhammad) ...... 46, 61, 108 ‘Abd al-Mun‘im (Ayman) ...... 173 JIMÉNEZ-SERRANO (Alejandro) ...... 135 ‘Afîfî (Mahmûd) ...... 18, 37, 45, 65, 72, 73, 79, 86, LACAU (Pierre) ...... 77 87, 98, 103, 120, 125, 128, 129, 135, 171 Lam‘î (Sâlih) ...... 60 ‘Awad (Muhammad) ...... 67 LEBLANC (Christian) ...... 132 al-‘Agîzî (‘Ulâ) ...... 19, 20 LEPSIUS (Karl Richard) ...... 110 al-‘Attâr (‘Abdallah) ...... 59 LINTZ (Yannick) ...... 142, 162 LORET (Victor) ...... 146 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 180

INDEX

Mahfûz (Nagîb) ...... 108, 109 Offrande ...... 65, 114 MANÉTHON de Sebennytos ...... 68 Oiseaux ...... 73, 110 MARIETTE (Auguste) ...... 169 Autruche ...... 73 MARTINEZ (Jean-Luc) ...... 125, 126, 142 Organisations internationales MASPERO (Gaston) ...... 77, 139, 146 United Nations Development Programme MICHALOWSKI (Kazimierz) ...... 114 (UNDP) ...... 35, 36 MORISHIMA (Kunihiro) ...... 25 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Mubârak (Husnî) ...... 147 Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) ...... 13, 20, 23, Mubârak (Suzanne) ...... 50 32, 35, 43, 44, 64, 65, 69, 81, 88, 108, 126, Nakhla (Shawqî) ...... 126 157, 166, 167, 169, 174 NILSSON (Maria) ...... 18, 19 United States Agency for International NIWINSKI (Andrzej) ...... 127 Development (USAID) ...... 95, 125, 129 Nûr al-Dîn (‘Abd al-Halîm) ...... 43, 148, 149, 174 Ossements ...... 28, 47, 48, 155 OBLUSKI (Artur) ...... 113, 114, 121, 122 Ouchebti ...... 71, 127 ARCAK ...... 53, 65, 74 P (Sarah) P PETRIE (William Matthew Flinders) . 110, 120, 136 Plutarque ...... 22 Pain ...... 21, 33, 48 POLZ (Daniel) ...... 103, 110 Palais 11, 24, 27, 30, 31, 37, 44, 57, 58, 67, 76, 92, Radwân (‘Alî) ...... 97, 174 99, 100, 111, 133, 142, 150, 151, 153, 163, RAUE (Dietrich) ...... 103, 117, 128 172, 173 Rayhân (‘Abd al-Rahîm) ...... 170 Palais ‘Âbidîn ...... 11 REEVES (Nicholas) .... 16, 84, 85, 86, 90, 91, 93, 96, Palais du baron Empain ...... 30, 31, 142 117, 122, 123, 124, 130, 131, 132, 133, 147 Palais Gianaclis ...... 57, 58 ROUGERIE (Jacques) ...... 23, 24 Palais Ismâ‘îl al-Mufattish ...... 11 Salâh al-Dîn (Ilhâm) ...... 10, 28, 88, 91, 112, 116, Palais Mânistirlî ...... 92 172 Palais Manyal ...... 133, 172, 173 Salâma (Nasr) ...... 18, 49, 98, 125, 129, 135, 171 Palais Muhammad ‘Alî .... 27, 133, 142, 150, 151, Sâlih (Ahmad) ...... 170 153, 154 Sâlih (Muhammad) ...... 40, 78 Palais Sakâkînî ...... 163 SCANLON (George) ...... 121 Papyrus . 23, 48, 72, 73, 77, 87, 121, 127, 159, 160 SCHADEN (Otto) ...... 131 Particuliers SEIDLMAYER (Stephan) ...... 40 Djéhouty ...... 129 Sirâg al-Dîn (Ismâ‘îl) ...... 70 Haqa Ib ...... 98 SOUROUZIAN (Hourig) ...... 53, 72 Imhotep ...... 68 SPENCER (Neal) ...... 137 Imn Nakht ...... 129 STADELMANN (Rainer) ...... 110 Khaaemteri ...... 129 SZAFRANSKI (Zbigniew) ...... 114 Makt-Re ...... 39 Tawfîq (Târiq) ...... 31, 66, 88, 105, 116, 117, 126, Nebenmaat ...... 129 149, 159, 160, 162, 173 Neb-ka ...... 68 VERNER (Miroslav) ...... 110, 111 Neferkhewe ...... 18 VON PILGRIM (Cornelius) ...... 98 Nefer-Seshem-Ptah ...... 146 WARD (John) ...... 18, 19 Sattjeni ...... 135 WATANABE (Hirokatsu) ...... 84, 85, 86, 90 Sen Nefer ...... 39 WIET (Gaston) ...... 162 Touya ...... 131 WILLEMS (Harco) ...... 74 Youya ...... 131 Yoshimura (Sakuji) ...... 52, 122, 152 Peinture ...... 12, 59, 85, 124, 164 ZIVIE (Alain) ...... 146 Pèlerinage ...... 14, 122 Nourrice ...... 48 Perle ...... 67 Perruque ...... 18, 65, 82 O Phare ...... 24, 167 Oasis Pierre de Rosette ...... 22 al-Dâkhla ...... 63 Pierres ...... 14, 18, 21, 23, 31, 45, 51, 68, 73, 75, 76, Bahariyya ...... 19, 111 77, 80, 96, 104, 111, 117, 124, 144, 147, 152, Sîwa ...... 19, 36 156, 157, 164, 165, 167, 168 Obélisques ...... 44 Calcaire ..... 12, 32, 106, 112, 113, 121, 128, 142, Oeufs ...... 168 164 Grès ...... 19, 128 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 181

INDEX

Turquoise ...... 119, 120 al-Tahrîr ..... 26, 42, 58, 60, 82, 83, 86, 87, 88, 90, Place Tahrîr .. 15, 22, 38, 70, 92, 94, 123, 148, 163, 110, 117, 119, 126, 148 166 al-Wafd . 28, 35, 45, 46, 64, 79, 80, 87, 110, 125, Plateau de Gîza .... 25, 31, 39, 45, 46, 52, 53, 54, 61, 127, 128, 130, 138 62, 63, 66, 72, 86, 87, 88, 89, 93, 95, 96, 105, al-Watan ...... 103, 135 122, 139, 147, 148, 151, 152, 155, 157, 158, al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘ .... 10, 15, 17, 18, 21, 26, 27, 28, 159, 172 30, 31, 38, 39, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 49, 51, 52, Pluie ...... 67, 134, 135, 158 53, 54, 58, 60, 64, 65, 66, 71, 73, 78, 79, 80, Poissons ...... 21, 34, 48 82, 83, 84, 86, 88, 89, 91, 92, 97, 98, 99, 107, Polémique ...... 18, 124, 159, 166 108, 110, 112, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, Polices ...... 24, 39, 44, 45, 54, 63, 64, 68, 69, 73, 74, 124, 125, 126, 128, 130, 133, 134, 135, 138, 163 139, 140, 145, 147, 149, 150, 151, 152, 154, Organisation INTERnationale de POLice 158, 159, 162, 163, 165, 166 criminelle (INTERPOL) ...... 32, 46, 74, 163 Daily News Egypt ...... 134 Police du Tourisme et des Antiquités 63, 66, 74, Egypt Independent ...... 81, 105, 141, 163, 164 117, 122, 126, 173 Ruz al-Yûsuf 31, 58, 80, 102, 119, 120, 126, 133, Pollution ...... 24, 155, 156, 157, 158 140, 141 Pompéi ...... 83, 84 Sada al-balad ...... 154, 159, 162, 165, 166, 169 Pont Qasr al-Nîl ...... 119 Time Magazine ...... 52 Porcelaine ...... 14 Watanî .... 19, 124, 125, 126, 135, 138, 139, 147, Ports 11, 22, 23, 24, 63, 65, 99, 113, 114, 136, 144 151, 152 Poterie ...... 65, 75, 83, 144, 145, 155 Prêtres ...... 22, 23, 25, 39, 121, 127, 128, 130, 139, Presse 146 Ahram Online .. 11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, Ankh-Mahor ...... 146 31, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 46, 47, 52, 53, 57, 58, Procession ...... 22, 23, 117 60, 64, 65, 66, 71, 72, 73, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, Projets 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 97, 98, 99, 100, 102, 104, Aswân Kom Ombo Archaeological Project 105, 106, 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, (AKAP) ...... 28, 47, 49 124, 125, 126, 129, 133, 134, 135, 138, 139, ScanPyramids Project ...... 25, 61, 105, 106, 148 140, 141, 148, 149, 150, 152, 153, 159, 160, Puits ...... 12 162, 163, 166, 169 Pylône ...... 40, 155, 169 al-‘Arabî al-Gadîd ...... 38, 42, 54 Pyramides ..... 10, 25, 37, 39, 44, 45, 53, 54, 61, 65, al-Ahrâm .... 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 30, 31, 36, 68, 75, 76, 105, 111, 112, 122, 138, 139, 142, 38, 39, 42, 45, 47, 51, 52, 54, 66, 73, 79, 80, 146, 147, 148, 155, 156, 157 82, 87, 97, 98, 99, 112, 117, 118, 119, 121, Pyramide d’Ounas ...... 27, 139, 145, 146 124, 125, 126, 130, 133, 135, 138, 139, 140, Pyramide de Chéops 39, 52, 110, 122, 132, 147, 143, 145, 148, 150, 152, 154, 162, 163, 165, 148, 151, 152, 156, 157 166, 169 Pyramide de Chéphren ...... 139 al-Ahrâm al-‘Arabî ..... 17, 99, 118, 121, 124, 125, Pyramide de Djoser ...... 10, 68, 157 127, 130, 133, 135, 138, 139, 140, 143, 145, Pyramide de Mykérinos ...... 45, 61 148, 152, 154, 162, 163, 165, 166, 169 Pyramide rhomboïdale ...... 105 Al-Ahram Hebdo ... 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 30, 33, 36, Pyramide rouge ...... 105 38, 39, 40, 44, 49, 54, 55, 60, 66, 67, 71, 72, 75, 78, 82, 84, 86, 91, 107, 114, 115, 120, Q 122, 124, 125, 128, 130, 135, 138, 141, 142, Qibla ...... 30 143, 147, 151, 153, 154, 160, 162, 165 Al-Ahram Weekly .. 13, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 35, 36, R 45, 49, 51, 56, 57, 61, 63, 68, 70, 75, 77, 79, Radar ..... 83, 84, 85, 86, 89, 90, 93, 94, 96, 97, 117, 85, 86, 89, 90, 93, 96, 97, 100, 101, 103, 111, 123, 124, 131, 132, 133 124, 129, 130, 133, 137, 138, 143, 145, 146, Radiations 147, 152, 158, 163, 166, 169 Rayons laser ...... 84, 152 al-Badîl ...... 72, 83, 107, 108, 117 Rayons X ...... 148, 165 al-Bashâyyir ...... 12, 25, 38, 73, 86, 91, 98, 135 Réaménagement 10, 12, 21, 53, 54, 101, 139, 145 al-Dustûr ...... 107 Réplique archéologique ...... 46, 50, 56, 74, 80, 84, al-Masrî al-Yawm ...... 80, 90, 105, 118, 139 101, 108, 112, 124, 168 al-Shurûq ..... 25, 45, 47, 58, 87, 90, 98, 107, 118, Reptiles 126, 128, 133, 159, 162 Crocodile ...... 21, 34, 70, 71, 168 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 182

INDEX

Réserves naturelles 156, 157, 168 Wâdî al-Rayyân ...... 36 Chéphren ...... 45, 105, 111, 122, 139 Restauration . 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 25, 26, Dioclétien ...... 167 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 39, 41, 42, 44, 51, 52, 53, Djoser ...... 10, 68 59, 60, 61, 63, 66, 71, 72, 73, 77, 78, 87, 88, 92, Houni ...... 76 95, 97, 99, 100, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 112, Mykérinos ...... 45, 61 113, 114, 115, 116, 122, 124, 126, 128, 129, Narmer ...... 49 133, 139, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 149, 151, Nectanébo 1er ...... 22, 104, 117, 118, 168 152, 153, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 163, Nectanébo II ...... 104 164, 165, 170, 172 Ounas ...... 20, 27, 138, 139, 145, 146, 147 Restitution ...... 47, 64, 74, 106, 140 Pépi 1er ...... 168 Résurrection ...... 82 Psammétique 1er ...... 20 Robots ...... 27, 28, 60 Ptolémée Évergète 1er ...... 22, 99, 114, 137, 138, Roches 168 Albâtre ...... 45, 71, 74, 81, 149 Ptolémée Évergète II ...... 22, 99, 138, 168 Basalte ...... 23, 117, 128 Ptolémée VI ...... 21, 168 Granit .. 11, 22, 43, 66, 76, 98, 99, 116, 136, 138, Ptolémée VIII Évergète II ...... 21 167 Ptolémée XI ...... 138, 168 Grès ...... 19, 128 Ptolémée XII ...... 138, 168 Marbre ...... 143, 145, 164, 167 Ramsès 1er ... 55, 56, 57, 101, 117, 118, 124, 128, Silex ...... 113 129, 132, 146, 147, 157, 159, 161, 168, 169 S Ramsès II ..... 55, 56, 57, 101, 117, 118, 124, 128, 129, 132, 146, 147, 157, 159, 161, 168 Sabîl-s ...... 60, 108, 150 Sésostris 1er ...... 53, 65 Sabîl Muhammad ‘Alî ...... 60, 108 Sésostris III ...... 124 Sainte Famille ...... 140 Séthi 1er ... 32, 101, 106, 151, 153, 156, 157, 169 Salle hypostyle ...... 101 Smenkhkarê ...... 165 Salles d’enchères Snéfrou ...... 165 Bonhams ...... 141 Souverains musulmans Sang ...... 111 ‘Alî (Muhammad) ...... 11, 14, 27, 55, 60, 63, 79, Sarcophage 11, 17, 18, 40, 66, 68, 71, 82, 85, 102, 80, 108, 133, 142, 150, 151, 153 111, 127, 134, 135, 139, 144, 148, 163, 165, al-Ayyûbî (al-Nâsir Salâh al-Dîn) ...... 27, 142 166, 168 al-Mu’ayyid Shaykh ...... 71 Sauvetage ...... 20, 40, 65, 109 al-Rashîd (Hârûn) ...... 132 Sceau ...... 65 Baybars al-Bunduqdârî (al-Zâhir) .. 17, 95, 109, Scribe ...... 122 110, 141 Sérapeum ...... 23, 137, 157 Fârûq Ier ...... 55, 150 Sistre ...... 168 Fu’âd 1er ...... 11 Son et lumière ...... 14, 56, 62, 96, 157, 158, 174 khédive Ismâ‘îl ...... 78, 119 Souveraines Qâytbây ... 59, 60, 71, 117, 125, 126, 133, 134, Cléopâtre ...... 23, 24, 138, 168 141, 142, 167, 172 Cléopâtre VII ...... 138, 168 Shagarat al-Durr ...... 26, 29, 30 Hatchepsout .. 98, 103, 104, 113, 127, 129, 131, Thoutmosis 1er ...... 104, 129, 131, 168 157 Thoutmosis II ...... 12, 13, 18, 129 Souverains Thoutmosis III ...... 12, 13, 18, 104, 129, 168 Ahmosis ...... 101 Thoutmosis IV ...... 131, 158, 168 Akhenaton ...... 79, 85, 91, 102, 123, 130, 165 Toutankhamon ...... 15, 16, 28, 29, 41, 50, 51, 61, Alexandre le Grand ...... 83, 138, 167 62, 63, 67, 68, 72, 73, 83, 84, 85, 86, 89, 90, Amenemhat II ...... 135 91, 93, 94, 96, 97, 104, 105, 110, 111, 116, Amenhotep 1er ...... 53, 66, 71, 72, 130, 131, 149, 117, 123, 124, 127, 130, 131, 132, 133, 147, 168 148, 149, 156, 157, 159, 160, 161, 162, 165 Amenhotep II 53, 66, 71, 72, 130, 131, 149, 168 Sphinx .. 21, 24, 45, 68, 70, 83, 108, 116, 120, 122, Amenhotep III ...... 53, 66, 71, 72, 130, 131, 149, 138, 139, 155, 156, 157, 158 168 Statue12, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, 34, 39, 40, 42, 46, 47, Ay ...... 123, 124, 130 55, 56, 57, 61, 66, 71, 72, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 98, Chéops 20, 21, 25, 37, 38, 39, 45, 51, 52, 75, 87, 99, 101, 110, 111, 112, 117, 119, 120, 122, 93, 105, 110, 122, 148, 149, 151, 152, 155, 128, 136, 137, 138, 139, 144, 147, 157, 159, BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 183

INDEX

161, 168 Tomographie ...... 105, 106 Statuette ...... 11, 18, 47, 71, 82, 110, 137, 142, 149 Torah ...... 107 Stèles 11, 12, 21, 22, 32, 39, 44, 98, 112, 114, 119, Tourisme 29, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 54, 120, 150, 158, 168, 169 56, 57, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 79, Stèle du Songe ...... 158 82, 83, 84, 86, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 100, 107, 118, Survey ...... 25, 34, 60, 83, 85, 86, 89, 90, 93, 94, 97, 128, 129, 131, 133, 134, 139, 141, 142, 143, 117, 124, 131, 132, 144 146, 148, 151, 153, 156, 157, 158, 159 Symposium ...... 113 Transfert ...... 42, 66, 116, 159, 160, 161, 162, 165 Synagogues ...... 41 Tremblement de terre .. 12, 18, 21, 22, 24, 69, 136, Eliyahu Hanavi ...... 41, 42 144, 145, 157, 167, 168 Trône ...... 72, 82, 84, 114, 130, 150 T U Table d’offrande ...... 39 Takiyat Muhammad Abû al-Dahab ...... 108 Unesco World Heritage List ...... 64, 117, 166 Tapisserie ...... 40 Universités Tell-s Alabama University ...... 53 Tell Abû Sayfî ...... 101 American University in Cairo (AUC) ...... 41 Tell al-‘Amârna ... 16, 62, 63, 79, 80, 85, 130, 149 Bologna University ...... 28, 47 Tell al-Farkha ...... 113 Duke University ...... 160 Tell al-Maskhûta ...... 101 Johns Hopkins University ...... 154 Tell al-Tablala ...... 71 Katholieke Universiteit Leuven ...... 32, 74 Tell Basta ...... 116, 139 Nagoya University ...... 25, 106 Tell Dafna ...... 20, 21, 51, 52, 63, 101 Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn Tell Habwa ...... 101 ...... 73, 112 Tell Kom al-Nawwâm ...... 42 Universidad de Jaén ...... 135 Temples Universität Leipzig ...... 117 Ramesseum ...... 40, 157 Université Charles de Prague ...... 37, 75 Temple d’Abû Simbil ...... 43, 62 Université d’Hilwân ...... 83, 92 Temple d’Idfû ...... 63, 95, 125, 129, 168 Université du Caire .... 19, 25, 43, 85, 90, 97, 102, Temple d’Isnâ ...... 167 106, 126, 157 Temple d’Osiris Nesmeti ...... 106, 107 Université Laval ...... 106 Temple de Dandara ...... 168 Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier III ...... 82, 92 Temple de Dayr al-Baharî ...... 157 University of Alberta ...... 28 Temple de Karnak ...... 42, 61, 70, 77, 101, 170 Uniwersytet Warszawski ...... 113, 127 Temple de Khnoum ...... 98 Waseda University ...... 52, 122, 152 Temple de Louqsor ...... 70, 93 Yale University ...... 28, 47, 82 Temple de Montou ...... 92 V Terracotta ...... 167 Textes des Pyramides ...... 146 Vallées Textile ...... 40, 67, 140, 160, 165 Vallée des Reines ...... 132, 153 Laine ...... 140 Vallée des Rois 61, 84, 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, 93, 96, Lin ...... 40, 127, 135 97, 123, 130, 131, 153, 157, 165 The Egypt Exploration Society (EES) ...... 77 Vandalisme ...... 61 Tombes .... 23, 27, 37, 48, 50, 68, 73, 76, 81, 85, 90, Vases ...... 127, 138 93, 94, 97, 124, 128, 129, 131, 135, 144, 145, Vase canope ...... 149 146, 147, 153, 155, 157, 165, 166, 168 Vierge Marie ...... 140, 141 AS54 ...... 75, 76 Villas KV35 ...... 130 Villa Aghion ...... 67 KV5 ...... 132 Villa Sepahi ...... 66, 67 KV55 ...... 165, 166 Vin ...... 101, 167 KV63 ...... 131 Vizirs ...... 39 Tombe de Montouemhat ...... 157 Nemty-Mess ...... 146 Tombe de Néfertiti ...... 90, 124, 130 Vol ...... 20, 45, 68, 69, 74, 93, 112 er Tombe de Séthi I (KV17) ...... 157 W Tombe de Toutankhamon (KV62) ...... 86, 91, 97, 110, 117, 130, 131, 132, 133, 156 Wakâla-s Wakâlat Qâytbây ...... 59, 60 BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 184

INDEX

Z Zone piétonne ...... 78

BIA LIII — Janvier/Juin 2016 185