Adly, E. - Grimal, N., \"Sekhemka à l\'encan\", BIA 50, 2e sem. 2014

BIA Bulletin d'Information Archéologique

L

Sekhemka

à lʼencan

Institut français d'archéologie orientale

Collège de France

Chaire "Civilisation de l'Égypte pharaonique : archéologie, philologie, histoire"

BIA Bulletin d'Information Archéologique

www.egyptologues.net

L Juillet -Décembre 2014

Le Caire - Paris 2014

Bulletin d’Information Archéologique REVUE SEMESTRIELLE

n° 49 janvier / juin 2014

Système de translittération des mots arabes

Directeur de la publication Nicolas GRIMAL [email protected]

Rédaction et coordination Emad ADLY [email protected]

consonnes IFAO Ambafrance Caire S/C Valise diplomatique 13, rue Louveau F-92438 Chatillon

voyelles

‫ء‬

‘

‫ﺯز‬

z

‫ﻕق‬

q

longues : ‫ ﺍا‬â, ‫ ﻱي‬î, ‫ ﻭو‬û

‫ﺏب‬

b

‫ﺱس‬

s

‫ﻙك‬

k

brèves : a, i, u

‫ﺕت‬

t

‫ﺵش‬

sh

‫ﻝل‬

l

diphtongues : aw, ay

‫ﺙث‬

th

‫ﺹص‬

s

‫ﻡم‬

m

‫ﺝج‬

G

‫ﺽض‬

Dh

‫ﻥن‬

n

Collège de France Chaire "Civilisation de l’Égypte pharaonique : archéologie, philologie, histoire"

‫ﺡح‬

H

‫ﻁط‬

t

‫ﻩهـ‬

h

‫ﺥخ‬

kh

‫ﻅظ‬

z

‫ﻭو‬

w/û tæ’ marbºta = a, at (état construit)

http://www.egyptologues.net

‫ﺩد‬

D

‫ﻉع‬

‘

‫ﻯى‬

y/î

‫ﺫذ‬

Z

‫ﻍغ‬

gh

‫ﺭر‬

r

‫ﻑف‬

f

http://www.ifao.egnet.net 37, rue al-Cheikh Ali Youssef B.P. Qasr al-Aïny 11562 Le Caire – R.A.E. Tél. : [20 2] 27 97 16 37 Fax : [20 2] 27 94 46 35

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© Institut français d’archéologie orientale. Le Caire. 2014 © Collège de France. Paris. 2014 ISSN 1110-2489

autres conventions

article: al- et l- (même devant les “solaires”)

SOMMAIRE

SYSTÈME  DE  TRANSLITTÉRATION……3  

ÉDITORIAL...............................................5     SOMMAIRE...............................................7    

I  –  JUILLET  2014     MERCREDI  2  JUILLET  2014  ...............  9   JEUDI  3  JUILLET  2014  .........................  9   LUNDI  7  JUILLET  2014  ......................  12   MERCREDI  9  JUILLET  2014  .............  13   JEUDI  10  JUILLET  2014  .....................  15   VENDREDI  11  JUILLET  2014  ...........  17   MERCREDI  16  JUILLET  2014  ...........  18   JEUDI  17  JUILLET  2014  .....................  19   DIMANCHE  20  JUILLET  2014  ..........  20   MERCREDI  23  JUILLET  2014  ...........  21   SAMEDI  26  JUILLET  2014  ................  22         II  –  AOÛT  2014     DIMANCHE  3  AOÛT  2014  .................  23   LUNDI  4  AOÛT  2014  ..........................  23   MERCREDI  6  AOÛT  2014  ..................  23   JEUDI  7  AOÛT  2014  ............................  24   SAMEDI  9  AOÛT  2014  .......................  26   LUNDI  11  AOÛT  2014  ........................  26   MERCREDI  13  AOÛT  2014  ...............  27   JEUDI  14  AOÛT  2014  .........................  29   VENDREDI  15  AOÛT  2014  ...............  30   MERCREDI  20  AOÛT  2014  ...............  31   JEUDI  21  AOÛT  2014  .........................  34   MERCREDI  27  AOÛT  2014  ...............  37   JEUDI  28  AOÛT  2014  .........................  38                 BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

III  –  SEPTEMBRE  2014     MERCREDI  3  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ....  43   JEUDI  4  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..............  43   VENDREDI  5  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .....  46   SAMEDI  6  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..........  46   MARDI  9  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ............  47   MERCREDI  10  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..  48   JEUDI  11  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ............  48   SAMEDI  13  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .......  52   MARDI  16  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .........  54   MERCREDI  17  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..  55   JEUDI  18  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ............  55   SAMEDI  20  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .......  58   MARDI  23  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .........  58   MERCREDI  24  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..  58   JEUDI  25  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ............  60   VENDREDI  26  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..  62   SAMEDI  27  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .......  63   LUNDI  29  SEPTEMBRE  2014  ..........  63   MARDI  30  SEPTEMBRE  2014  .........  65         IV  –  OCTOBRE  2014     MERCREDI  1ER  OCTOBRE  2014  ......  66   MARDI  7  OCTOBRE  2014  .................  70   VENDREDI  10  OCTOBRE  2014  .......  71   LUNDI  13  OCTOBRE  2014  ...............  72   MARDI  14  OCTOBRE  2014  ..............  72   MERCREDI  15  OCTOBRE  2014  .......  73   JEUDI  16  OCTOBRE  2014  .................  74   LUNDI  20  OCTOBRE  2014  ...............  81   MERCREDI  22  OCTOBRE  2014  .......  82   JEUDI  23  OCTOBRE  2014  .................  85   MERCREDI  29  OCTOBRE  2014  .......  88   JEUDI  30  OCTOBRE  2014  .................  89        

7

SOMMAIRE

                    V  –  NOVEMBRE  2014     MARDI  4  NOVEMBRE  2014  ..............  92   MERCREDI  5  NOVEMBRE  2014  ......  92   JEUDI  6  NOVEMBRE  2014  ................  93   MERCREDI  12  NOVEMBRE  2014  ...  96   MERCREDI  12  NOVEMBRE  2014  ...  96   JEUDI  13  NOVEMBRE  2014  ...........  101   SAMEDI  15  NOVEMBRE  2014  ......  108   LUNDI  17  NOVEMBRE  2014  .........  109   MERCREDI  19  NOVEMBRE  2014  110   JEUDI  20  NOVEMBRE  2014  ...........  111   SAMEDI  22  NOVEMBRE  2014  ......  112   DIMANCHE  23  NOVEMBRE  2014  113   LUNDI  24  NOVEMBRE  2014  .........  113   MERCREDI  26  NOVEMBRE  2014  113   JEUDI  27  NOVEMBRE  2014  ...........  115              

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

                    VI  –  DÉCEMBRE  2014     MARDI  2  DÉCEMBRE  2014  ...........  118   MERCREDI  3  DÉCEMBRE  2014  ...  118   JEUDI  4  DÉCEMBRE  2014  .............  119   DIMANCHE  7  DÉCEMBRE  2014  ..  123   LUNDI  8  DÉCEMBRE  2014  ............  124   MERCREDI  10  DÉCEMBRE  2014   125   VENDREDI  12  DÉCEMBRE  2014  .  125   DIMANCHE  14  DÉCEMBRE  2014  126   MERCREDI  17  DÉCEMBRE  2014   126   VENDREDI  19  DÉCEMBRE  2014  .  128   MARDI  23  DÉCEMBRE  2014  ........  129   MERCREDI  24  DÉCEMBRE  2014   130   JEUDI  25  DÉCEMBRE  2014  ...........  132   LUNDI  29  DÉCEMBRE  2014  .........  133  

   

VII  –  INDEX……………………………134    

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I – JUILLET 2014

Mercredi 2 juillet 2014

the ancient city through drawing closer KhentiAmenty. (Nevine El-Aref, “King Mentuhotep II’s chapel unearthed in Suhâg”, Ahram Online, July 2, 2014. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd alMu‘tî, « Découverte d’une chapelle du Moyen Empire à Suhâg », al-Ahrâm, 2 juillet ; Nasma Réda, « Mentouhotep se révèle à Abydos », AlAhram Hebdo du 9 juillet).

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At the ‘Arâbat Abydos area in Suhâg, where the large temple of King Seti I is located, an Egyptian excavation mission from the Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage (MAH) stumbled upon a limestone ancient Egyptian chapel from the 11th Dynasty. The excavation work came within the framework of a cleaning programme carried out by the MAH in that area, after officers of the tourism and antiquities police caught red handed inhabitants trying to illegally excavate the area in front their residences in search of treasured artefacts. ‘Alî al-Asfar, head of the ancient Egyptian Section at the MAH, told Ahram Online that the chapel is in a very well preserved condition and is located 150 metres north to the temple of King Seti I. Early studies on the hieroglyphic text engraved on the chapel’s walls suggest that it belongs to the 11th Dynasty king Mentuhotep II, in honour of the god Osiris after his unification with the local god of Suhâg, Khenti-Amenty. The chapel is now under restoration as some of its engraving was subjected to damage from subterranean water. “It is a very important discovery that will reveal more of the history of King Mentuhotep II,” Minister of Antiquities and Heritage Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online. He explained that monuments belonging to Mentuhotep II are rare in Abydos, despite that Mentuhotep II built several religious edifices in Abydos in an attempt to bolster his power in

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

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Une commission scientifique du ministère de l’Archéologie a confirmé que les 44 planches saisies la semaine dernière à l’aéroport du Caire proviennent d’un exemplaire de la Description de l’Égypte qui avait été volé du siège de l’Institut d’Égypte ravagé par un incendie au lendemain de la révolution de 2011. Le chef du département central des douanes, Muhammad al-Shahhât, a déclaré que les planches confisquées seront remises au ministère de l’Archéologie sur décision du Parquet. Les autorités du Cargo Village ont réalisé cette saisie dissimulée dans 7 colis de 771 Kg contenant des effets personnels avant leur chargement à bord d’un vol Lufthansa en direction du Koweït via Francfort. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, « Les planches saisies de la Description de l’Égypte ont été volées de l’Institut d’Égypte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 2 juillet 2014. Voir également Mahmûd ‘Uthmân, « La commission du CSA décide la remise des planches volées de la Description de l’Égypte au Musée Égyptien », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 2 juillet ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Saisie de planches arrachées de la Description de l’Égypte en route vers le Koweït », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 juillet).

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Jeudi 3 juillet 2014 For the first time since the 2011 Revolution archaeologists, curators and restorers have had a minister of their own. In

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Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib’s second cabinet, Mamdûh al-Damâtî takes the post; and his integrity and qualification are widely accepted as impeccable. An intellectual by nature, an Egyptologist by education and an academic by profession, al-Damâtî’s record as director of the Egyptian Museum and supervisor of International Archaeological Exhibitions Committee has been spotless. In 2011 alDamâtî became Egypt’s cultural attaché in Germany and head of the educational delegation bureau in Berlin. Since 2006, he has also served as chairman of the Archaeology Department of the Faculty of Arts at ‘Ayn Shams University as well as being Dean of the Faculty of Arts there. al-Damâtî received his BA and MA in ancient Egyptian antiquities from Cairo University, as well as a PhD in ancient Egyptian antiquities from Trier University in Germany. He has served on the board of directors of several cultural, scientific and archaeological institutions in Egypt, receiving two awards: Italian knighthood in 2004 and the State Distinction Award in 2010.

In his warm and spacious ministerial office in a four-storey building in Zamâlik, alDamâtî seems at ease speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly. The off-white walls are studded with framed pictures, exuding a minimalist elegance. A large flag of Egypt and a huge golden replica of the God of Justice Maat stand beside his elegant desk. He is familiar with the room, where — as Director General of the Egyptian Museum from 2001 to 2004 — he used to meet with secretary general of the

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Supreme Council of Antiquities Gâballah ‘Alî Gâballah and former antiquities minister Zâhî Hawwâs. His hair has greyed a little perhaps since then, but his humble character, sense of humour and ingratiating smile remain unchanged. Archaeologists feel al-Damâtî’s track record will allow him to manage Egypt’s antiquities and heritage portfolio more efficiently, since he is familiar with the ministry’s different sections and its many hidden doors. They also say that his relative youth will make his rhythm appropriately speedy. However suited to the job, however, alDamâtî’s will be no easy task, with negligence of monuments stored and exhibited topping the list of urgent issues. The Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage (MAH) also suffers from a small budget that will prevent work from being completed, be it the construction of new museums or the development of existing ones. Since 2011, when the ministry was formed (to be renamed with the word “heritage” added on al-Damâtî’s arrival), several archaeological projects have been on hold including the construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Gîza Plateau and the National Egyptian Museum for Egyptian Civilization (NEMEC) as well as the development of the Gîza Plateau itself. Another pressing issue has been the breakdown of security, allowing encroachment on and destruction, looting and smuggling of sites and monuments. al-Damâtî seems remarkably upbeat for a man bearing that much of a burden, and he confidently vows to improve both infrastructure and personnel. “My job is to embody a new vision and carry out an action plan to properly preserve antiquities for eternity and upgrade the skills of MAH staff, sprucing up efforts to resume archaeological projects now on hold.” al-Damâtî explains that he has started collecting detailed “status reports” on every unit, department and administration in the ministry as well as in museums and archaeological sites across the country. These reports will provide him with all the information required about the ministry’s administrative echelon, the employees’ financial conditions and finished and unfinished projects. He also asked department heads to provide their own visions or plans to develop their

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respective departments, including suggested solutions to problems. This will form the basis of the ministry’s strategy on how to deal with challenges. “In fact,” al-Damâtî asserted, “I have a determined vision on how to deal with problems and carry out my duties, but working in collaboration with the ministry’s top officials and employees will provide a broader perspective, which has its own positive impact.” al-Damâtî pointed out that he is planning to work on four rather than just two levels, tackling the public and society as well as MAH monuments and employees. “Visitors and society at large are very important elements to work with in order to promote and preserve our monuments, which in its turn will raise our GDP,” he said, adding that the public is the main focus of many countries’ tourism policies. In Germany, for example, there is the Institute for Museum Research, al-Damâtî says, a part of whose work is to provide research on services provided by museums to visitors and how to raise their satisfaction levels. In Egypt such an interest has started to come through: one MA he discussed was on the topic. Satisfaction levels are raised by providing better services including information centres, quality restaurants, bookshops and souvenir shops, proper facilities and personable guides with the right information. al-Damâtî went on to detail his plans. Society will be covered through collaboration with the ministries of education, culture and youth and sports as well as all Egypt’s governorates in order to raise archaeological awareness among Egyptians. During nationalholiday promenades at archaeological sites, for example, children should be taught not to deface or harm monuments. To this end, a new department dedicated to cultural awareness has been added to MAH that will target schools and universities, with such services as a general booklet on Egyptian history to be taught for a week by a qualified archaeologist. Booklets on the history of every governorate in Egypt are to be published and taught in the relevant schools as well. “There were a few separate attempts in previous years to raise archaeological awareness, like the Friends of the Egyptian Museums, for example,” al-Damâtî says. “It’s about time these efforts were unified into a single effective scheme.”

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

al-Damâtî says MAH will at the same time resume its work on protecting and preserving the country’s monuments in a new way. It will not only depend on restoring and opening them to public but developing and inaugurating new sites in remote areas as well: Mâdî city in Fayyûm and Bahbît al-Higâra in the Delta and the al-Mamalik necropolis in Cairo. “If we leave these sites neglected as is the case now they will fall into oblivion within a few years because they will be subjected to looting.” If they are developed and opened to the public that will provide employment, security and tourist income. But how will this goal be achieved without financial resources? al-Damâtî says he and his team will search for new and unconventional sources of funding. “I will ask foreign missions who come to excavate in Egypt to carry out some restoration work and develop the required sites and I am sure that they will not say no.” al-Damâtî will spare no effort in completing the stalled projects, he says: “I will start with the NEMEC because much work was exerted in its construction and preparation, which all stopped due to the country’s conditions. The second is the GEM because it is Egypt’s mega project. This does not mean that I will work on these two projects and leave the others,” he is quick to add. To ensure that the action plan al-Damâtî has drawn up is properly executed; the minister has embarked on inspection tours of sites and museums all over Cairo as a first step. He visited the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square, the Gîza Plateau, GEM, NEMEC, Khufu’s second solar boat in restoration and al-Mu‘izz Street in Islamic Cairo. Inspection trips are also planned for sites in Alexandria, the Delta, Luxor and Aswân. He also visited the MAH building in ‘Abbâsiyya. During these visits he met with employees and listened to their problems, suggesting ways of improving such sites and also promising to meet the employees’ demands. al-Damâtî explains that another goal of his strategy is to put into execution the antiquities law of 117 of 1983 and its amendments in 2010, which has not been correctly applied since 2011. He says that the MAH won several court cases concerning sites that were subjected to encroachment but the situation of the sites in question remains unchanged because the law is not applied.

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Such is the case, for example, with the Black Pyramid of King Amenemhat III. “I will also resume the documentation of artefacts whether on display in museums or stored in the ministry’s different galleries,” al-Damâtî adds. This will help in the battle to recover stolen and illegally smuggled artefacts. The lack of documentation stands against the recovery of several objects. Based on his good friendship with the Germans, will al-Damâtî manage to recover the priceless bust of Queen Nefertiti? Despite all documents that prove that the bust of Queen Nefertiti left Egypt by fraud, the official papers issued and signed by Egypt’s Head of Antiquities Authority at the time does not state that. “That is why Egypt has failed to retrieve the bust despite all efforts exerted since 1922,” al-Damâtî asserted. He recounts that the French Head of the Antiquities Authority in 1922 had prohibited the Germans from excavating in Egypt for five years in return for their refusal to return Nefertiti’s bust. An agreement was made to exchange the bust with another three statues but German citizens went on a strike to stop the removal of Nefertiti’s bust and the agreement failed. Four other attempts have been made since 1933, the last being Hawwâs’ in 2005; all failed because of lack of documents. “Still,” al-Damâtî promised. “I will retrieve all the stolen objects that have been smuggled out of the country.” Asked whether he will continue with the policy of sending ancient Egyptian exhibitions abroad, al-Damâtî said such exhibitions were good ambassadors for Egypt and its civilisation and encouraged people to visit the country. “Holding exhibitions abroad,” he added, “is an international policy that is a part of the culture of science, art and civilisation. When a museum is being restored, it does not usually store its collection but sends it to exhibitions abroad.” Under Gâballah ‘Alî Gâballah Egypt worked closely with the British, under Hawwâs with the Americans. Will it work closely with Germans under al-Damâtî’s? “Definitely not,” alDamâtî asserts. He will cooperate with the entire world to protect and develop Egypt’s heritage. “I am really very optimistic and I feel that more can be implemented to do that.” (Nevine El-Aref, “Temple run”, Al-Ahram Weekly, July 3, 2014).

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, s’est entretenu jeudi avec l’ambassadeur d’Italie au Caire, S.E. Maurizio MASSARI. L’entretien a porté sur les moyens de renforcer la coopération archéologique entre les deux pays, ainsi que les préparatifs de la célébration du 110e anniversaire de la découverte de la tombe de Néfertari. Les deux responsables ont également examiné l’organisation de stages de formation, l’échange d’expertise notamment en matière de gestion des musées et des sites historiques, l’entrainement des conservateurs des musées. Courant octobre prochain, un colloque braquera la lumière sur les activités déployées par les 22 missions archéologiques italiennes présentes sur le territoire égyptien. En outre, le ministre a examiné les derniers développements du projet de réhabilitation du Musée gréco-romain d’Alexandrie, ainsi que le réaménagement de certains sites comme Saqqâra et le musée archéologique de Mallawî. (MENA, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie et l’ambassadeur d’Italie examinent la célébration de la découverte de la tombe de Néfertari », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 3 juillet 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie reçoit l’ambassadeur d’Italie pour examiner la coopération entre les deux pays », al-Yawm alSâbi‘, 3 juillet).

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Lundi 7 juillet 2014 Le musée archéologique de la Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), en coopération avec le Conseil international des musées (ICOM) et l’université d’Alexandrie, organise un congrès international à partir du 10 octobre 2014. Participera à ce congrès une élite des directeurs et des représentants des musées internationaux (Italie, Espagne, Belgique, France, etc.). Ce congrès vise à promouvoir le dialogue pour une meilleure coopération entre les musées, les universités, les centres de recherches et les États. Il vise également à renforcer le rôle éducatif des musées au sein

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de la société et à encourager les programmes et les expositions archéologiques. (Jacqueline Munîr, « Un congrès international de l’ICOM se tient à la BA », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 7 juillet 2014).

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Mercredi 9 juillet 2014

Dans le port-est d’Alexandrie, des pièces d’artillerie de l’époque de BONAPARTE ont été retrouvées par une équipe de plongeurs russes. Une mission de l’Académie russe des sciences (Institut d’égyptologie), dirigée par Dr Galina BELOVA, effectue des fouilles sousmarines dans cette région depuis 4 ans. Cette équipe a découvert des vestiges de l’Expédition, menée en 1798 par le général français Napoléon BONAPARTE. Les éléments d’armement du XVIIIe siècle ont été trouvés près du port-est d’Alexandrie et de la Citadelle de Qâytbây, au nord de l’île de Pharos où fut érigé durant l’Antiquité le fameux Phare d’Alexandrie, qui servait de guide aux marins dès le IIIe siècle av. J.-C. jusqu’au XIVe siècle (1303). Le Phare a été détruit par des tremblements de terre et des raz-de-marée. La découverte comprend des canons, des fusils et des pistolets. Selon Muhammad Mustafa, directeur général du département des antiquités submergées à Alexandrie, cette mission, en coopération avec la marine égyptienne, a utilisé des méthodes géophysiques pour s’assurer de l’existence d’antiquités dans les sites archéologiques sousmarins. « Cette saison, l’objectif de la mission était de trouver ces vestiges », souligne Mustafa. Et d’ajouter : « Ces pièces retrouvées étaient à bord du navire français Le Patriote, connu aussi sous le nom Saint-Augustin. Les plongeurs les ont trouvées et les ont remontées ». En effet, l’épave de ce navire

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

avait déjà été localisée dans les années 1980 par une équipe française. Ce navire avait trois mâts et trois ponts jaugeant 560 tonneaux et possédant un tirant d’eau lège de 11 pieds. Il était armé de deux canons seulement. Il avait été construit à Bayonne en 1783 et avait été équipé pour l’Expédition d’Égypte en 1798. Le Patriote avait transporté une partie du comité scientifique et du matériel que le général CAFFARELLI avait fait embarquer pour l’Expédition. Ce fameux officier avait chargé son navire d’instruments de topographie, d’armes de chasse, d’instruments médicaux ainsi que d’un miroir concave et une machine électrique… autant d’objets destinés à la partie scientifique de l’Expédition. CAFFARELLI était l’un de ces rares hommes de génie, à la fois général et scientifique. À son arrivée en Alexandrie, le navire s’est empalé sur un rocher et a coulé. « Toutefois, il est fort probable qu’une partie du matériel fut récupérée après le naufrage. Mais les plongeurs russes ont toujours l’espoir de faire sortir des eaux quelques instruments scientifiques », déclare Mustafa. Dans le port d’Alexandrie, les découvertes liées à l’époque hellénistique, et plus particulièrement au fameux Phare d’Alexandrie, considéré comme la septième merveille du monde, ont une grande importance. Elles ont ouvert la porte à plus d’études et de recherches sous-marines sur les vestiges de l’Expédition d’Égypte. Le directeur du département d’archéologie sous-marine affirme aussi que « les armes découvertes et tout ce mobilier archéologique ont été directement transférés au centre de restauration au Grand Musée, afin de commencer les travaux de restauration, de garantir leur protection, de les étudier et de les exposer sans doute à l’avenir au grand public ». (Nasma Réda, « Les vestiges de BONAPARTE refont surface », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 9 juillet 2014).

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Au cours d’une recherche archéologique dans le Delta du Nil, à 25 Km au sud de la branche de Rashîd (Rosette), les vestiges d’une ville romaine complète enfouie sous le limon du Nil dans le gouvernorat de Buhayra ont été localisés. C’est dans ce petit village de Kom al-Ahmar, à 7 Km à l’ouest de

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la ville Mahmûdiyya et la branche de Rosette du Nil, que cette découverte spectaculaire a eu lieu. La mission archéologique internationale égypto-italienne opérant sur le site avait commencé ses travaux en septembre 2012. Lors de leur troisième saison, une équipe de géophysiciens s’est rendue dans la région et a effectué un travail intensif de topographie. Ces études ont été un tournant décisif pour la mission.

« Après ces études, on a presque eu la confirmation de l’existence d’une ville complète enfouie », raconte Muhammad Qinâwî, chef de l’équipe égyptienne. D’après le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh al-Damâtî, « cette ville était enterrée sous d’épaisses couches de limon. Les travaux de prospection magnétique sur le site ont révélé de nombreux constructions et bâtiments entourant cette ville qui prend la forme rectangulaire et qui étaient probablement utilisés dans des buts administratifs ou religieux ». Les photos aériennes, la cartographie de la région et la topographique montrent le plan de la ville qui est divisée en deux. Le sud est le plus ancien. Il remonte aux premières années de la période hellénistique, alors que le côté nord du site date de la fin de la même période, jusqu’à la période romaine (de l’an 27 av. J.-C. à 476). « D’autres ruines trouvées montrent la présence de traces datant de la fin de la période romaine, mais cela n’a pas été encore confirmé », reprend Qinâwî. En fait, ce ne sont pas les premières découvertes remontant à cette période qui ont été trouvées dans cette région. Tout près du village de Kom al-Ahmar se trouvent d’immenses bains romains qui avaient été découverts dans les années 1940. « Ces bains servaient probablement les citoyens de la ville », ajoute-t-il.

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Selon al-Damâtî, « la nouvelle découverte a une importance exceptionnelle. Elle aiderait à explorer la vie quotidienne des citoyens à cette époque et à dévoiler plus de détails sur leur mode de vie, ainsi que le style de l’architecture de ces villes ». Le plan de travail de la mission au cours des saisons prochaines a pour but de révéler le mode de vie ainsi que les styles d’architecture des bâtiments et les mécanismes de planification urbaine à l’époque hellénistique. Qinâwî souligne que les méthodes technologiques utilisées peuvent aboutir à d’excellents résultats dans les prochaines années, pour écrire un nouveau chapitre de l’histoire égyptienne. « Son emplacement est méconnu, mais il est très probable que le site soit l’ancienne capitale Métélis », conclut-il. (Nasma Réda, « Une ville romaine sous les limons du Nil », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 9 juillet 2014. Voir également Muna Yâsîn, « Une ville romaine cachée sous le limon d’al-Kom al-Ahmar », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 1er juillet).

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Le Dr Samârât Hâfiz a démissionné de son poste de président du secteur des antiquités islamiques et coptes à cause du manque de crédits financiers. « À cause du manque d’argent, je ne peux pas acheter des caméras de surveillance, ni embaucher du personnel de sécurité sur les sites historiques, ni entreprendre la moindre restauration, ni même payer les entreprises de nettoyage… En plus, j’essuie toutes les critiques et les attaques », constate amèrement Dr Hâfiz. Il déplore l’absence de moyens financiers consacrés aux fouilles. Il invoque également des raisons de santé qui l’empêchent de poursuivre ses fonctions. Enfin, Dr Hâfiz souhaite bonne chance à son successeur. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Samârât Hâfiz : je démissionne à cause du manque de crédits financiers », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 juillet 2014).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a nommé l’archéologue Hasan Yâqût au poste de directeur de son cabinet. Yâqût était directeur général de l’administration des soins médicaux du ministère. Il était également l’un des collaborateurs du Dr al-Damâtî lorsque celui-ci était directeur du Musée Égyptien. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie nomme Hasan Yâqût directeur de son cabinet », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 juillet 2014

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Jeudi 10 juillet 2014

Today, Christie’s auction house is supposed to put on sale the BC 2300 limestone statue of Sekhemka, inspector of scribes in the house of largesse, “one revered before the great god”. Until Al-Ahram Weekly went to print it was not known whether or not the international campaign launched to stop the sale of Sekhemka reached its goal. Egypt has taken all legal and diplomatic procedures to stop the sale and to return the ancient Egyptian statue to the homeland. The statue is 75 cm tall and depicts Sekhemka holding a roll of papyrus on which are listed a number of offerings. His wife SitMerit is found sitting at his feet. The statue went into the possession of the Northampton Museum in 1849 after the Ottoman sultan offered it to the museum at the end of the

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18th century. Another story holds that the statue was acquired by the second Marquis of Northampton, Spencer COMPTON, during a trip to Egypt, after which his son offered it to the museum in the 19th century. A month ago the statue caught the headlines of international newspapers and magazines as the Northampton Museum in London put it on sale at Christie’s in an attempt to fund projects to enhance the cultural assets of the town such as improvements to the museum and Delapre Abbey. Christie’s expects to rise between £4 to 6 million from the sale. This generated much discontent among archaeologists, in the international community and the Museums Association (MA), all of who asked how a museum could abandon its duty and send an artefact of its treasured collection to auction instead of preserving it. This week the Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage (MAH) sent an official letter to the Egyptian Embassy in London, asking the embassy to take all legal procedures to stop the sale of Sekhemka statue. Minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî denounced the sale of the statue and told the Weekly that the museum’s decision is “incompatible” with the values and role of museums worldwide, which he said should “spread culture” and not try to earn money. al-Damâtî called on the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to stop the sale on the grounds that it goes against the council’s ethics. Meanwhile the MA, the regulatory body for museums across the United Kingdom, warned the Northampton Borough Council and announced in several British newspapers including the Telegraph that it would review Northampton’s membership if it broke the ethical guidelines by going ahead with the sale. Chairman of the MA’s ethics committee, David FLEMING, told the Northampton Chronicle, “We do appreciate the huge financial pressure that many local authority museums are under at the present time, but the MA’s code of ethics appeals for such a sale only as a last resort after other sources of funding have been thoroughly explored.” He went on to say, “At a time when public finances are pressured, it is all the more important that museum authorities behave in an ethical fashion in order to safeguard the long-term public interest... We would urge the council to seek alternative

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sources of capital funding before undertaking the sale of such an important item with a long history of association with the borough... Without this, the MA cannot endorse the sale.” The Arts Council of England has also said the sale could jeopardise Northampton Museum’s accreditation status, which would affect its ability to acquire grant funding from various bodies in the future. Members of the Save Sekhemka Action Group told the Northampton Chronicle that a “small protest” would be held outside Christie’s on Thursday. Andy BROCKMAN, one of the archaeologists who took part in the campaign, told the Weekly that the UK Museums Association and Arts Council of England both say the sale of Sekhemka is an “unethical” breach of the UK Museums Code of Ethics which will bring Northampton Council into disrepute. The sale, he continued, is also opposed by museum and archaeological professionals who wish to make sure no part of Egypt’s cultural history is sold off. “Let us hope that all of us would work together and prevent the sale of this wonderful example of Egyptian culture which should be freely protected and enjoyed by all of us.” (Nevine ElAref, “Save Sekhemka”, Al-Ahram Weekly, July 10, 2014. Voir également MENA, « Des archéologues égyptiens lancent une campagne pour interdire la vente de Sekhemka à Londres », al-Shurûq, 4 juillet ; Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « La statuette du scribe Sekhemka en vente aux enchères à Londres », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 5 juillet ; Arwâ al-Shurbagî, « Après 160 années de silence, des Britanniques s’opposent à la vente du scribe en chef », al-Watan, 6 juillet ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Campagne internationale pour stopper la vente de la statuette de Sekhemka », al-Ahrâm, 7 juillet ; Amer Sultan, “Northampton and Christie’s insist on Sekhemka sale, claim Egypt approves”, Ahram Online, July 9 ; « Tentatives égyptiennes pour empêcher la vente de la statuette de Sekhemka à Londres », al-Shurûq, 10 juillet).

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Two shipments of stolen Egyptian artefacts spanning the eras of the pharaohs and the Mamluks have been returned to Egypt, thanks to efforts from diplomatic officials. The first consists of eight Islamic wooden art decorations stolen in 2008 from the pulpit of Ghânim al-Bahlawân Mosque in al-Darb alAhmar in Cairo’s historic Islamic district. BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Ghânim al-Bahlawân Mosque, named after the Circassian Mamluk, was constructed in 1478 AD during the reign of Sultan Qâytbây. The decorative items depict geometrical patterns embellished with ivory.

‘Alî Ahmad, head of restoration at Egypt’s antiquities ministry, told Ahram Online that the story started in 2012 when the Egyptian embassy in Copenhagen reported that Denmark’s customs police had uncovered a package containing the stolen items, with investigations revealing that the package had been dispatched from the United States to Switzerland via Denmark. Egypt’s antiquities ministry then took all legal procedures to recover the decorative items and filed a lawsuit to bring them back, said Ahmad. Two weeks ago a Danish court ruled that the artefacts must be returned to Egypt. Meanwhile, an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus lid stolen in the aftermath of the 2011 uprising from the French Mission galleries by the Saqqâra pyramids has also been returned. When the lid showed up on the selling list of a Paris auction house, Egyptian official took diplomatic efforts and succeeded in having the artefact returned, Ahmad said, adding that the lid is in very good condition and that it depicts the facial features of its owner. All the returned items are now at the Egyptian Museum for restoration and will be displayed in an exhibition for retrieved antiquities. (Nevine El-Aref, “Islamic, Pharaonic items returned to Egypt from Denmark and France”, Ahram Online, July 10, 2014. Voir également « L’Égypte récupère 8 pièces antiques volées au Danemark », al-Bashâyyir, 8 juillet ; Muhammad al-Rammâh, « L’Égypte récupère 8 pièces archéologiques de la Danemark », al-Dustûr, 8 juillet ; MENA, « L’Égypte récupère 8 pièces antiques exportées illégalement au Danemark », alShurûq, 8 juillet ; Akram Sâmî, « Le Danemark restitue 8 pièces archéologiques à l’Égypte »,

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al-Watan, 8 juillet ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le Musée Égyptien accueille 8 pièces antiques restituées par le Danemark », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 juillet ; Nasma Réda, « L’Égypte récupère 9 pièces volées », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 16 juillet).

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Vendredi 11 juillet 2014

A 4,000-year-old Egyptian statue has been sold for just over £15 million at an auction at Christie’s in London, despite the Egyptian government’s outcry and strong criticism inside the UK. The sculpture, which depicts Sekhemka, inspector of royal scribes, is being sold by Northampton Borough Council. It was originally acquired by the 2nd Marquis of Northampton during his travels in Egypt in 1849-50 and was given to Northampton Museum either by the 3rd or 4th Marquis of Northampton prior to 1880. The auction was interrupted by some Egyptians who were trying to stop the controversial sale. During the bidding, the group started shouting inside the auction room. “You are selling antiquities stolen from Egypt! You will not be allowed to go with it!” shouted one. Northampton Borough Council, which claims absolute ownership of the statue, plans to use the money to help fund a £14 million extension to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. However, Arts Council England has warned that if the sale goes through, the museum could lose its accreditation status. Ashraf al-Khûlî, Egypt’s ambassador to the UK, has pledged to challenge the sale, which he described as “illegal”. “Today’s sale is not the end of it,” he told Ahram Online. According to the inscription on the statue’s base, it depicts a man who was inspector of the scribes of the royal court.

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Christie’s London’s Director and Head of Antiquities Georgiana AITKEN said that Sekhemka ranks as the most important Egyptian sculpture ever to come to market. “Christie’s is honoured to present it,” she added. Renowned comic book writer Alan MOORE has commented that the sale “could only be catastrophic.” He was quoted as saying that the planned sale is “undercutting one of the fundamental principles by which museums acquire artefacts in their collections.” MOORE, from Northampton, added: “I have donated things to the museum. But I would not be able to do that again in the knowledge that at some point in the future that gifts, made in good faith, could be sold off by a council.” Some reports say by putting the invaluable statue on sale, Northampton Borough Council violated the terms of gifting agreement between the Marquis of Northampton and Northampton Museum. Christie’s and the council insist the sale is legal. (Amer Sultan, “Ancient Egyptian statue sells for £16 million in UK despite outcry”, Ahram Online, July 11, 2014. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “UK museum selling Egyptian artefact, officials to take legal action”, Ahram Online, July 6 ; Muna Yâsîn, « L’Égypte sort vaincue après la vente de la statuette », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 12 juillet ; « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Nous avons vainement tenter d’empêcher la vente de Sekhemka », al-Bashâyyir, 14 juillet ; Nasma Réda, « Sekhemka vendue aux enchères », AlAhram Hebdo du 16 juillet ; Zâhî Hawwâs, « La malédiction de Sekhemka », al-Sharq al-Awsat, 17 juillet).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a annoncé la création d’un département de gestion des crises et des catastrophes, qui sera chargé de prévenir toute menace contre le patrimoine égyptien. Ce nouveau département, qui regroupera une élite d’experts et de spécialistes, aura comme mission d’alerter et de régler les crises. Par ailleurs, Dr al-Damâtî a souligné qu’avant la révolution du 25 janvier 2011 son ministère employait 27 000 personnes. Aujourd’hui, on en compte 60 000 ! Ces effectifs surnuméraires serviront à combler les besoins en personnel dans les différentes administrations du ministère. (MENA, « Création

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d’un département de gestion des crises pour préserver les richesses archéologiques égyptiennes », al-Dustûr, 11 juillet 2014).

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Une source bien informée au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie révèle que le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a décidé la nomination de Mansûr Burayk au poste de directeur général de l’administration centrale du Caire et de Gîza. Il remplace ainsi le Dr Yûsuf Khalîfa qui vient d’être nommé président du département des antiquités égyptiennes. Quant à l’archéologue ‘Alî al-Asfar, il a été nommé président de l’administration centrale de Haute-Égypte. Une autre décision n° 274 nomme l’archéologue Mahmûd ‘Afîfî président de l’administration centrale de Moyenne-Égypte. Enfin, une décision n° 276 confie à Sayyid Yamânî la présidence de l’administration centrale de la détention archéologique. À noter également la décision du ministre d’écarter Dr Muhammad Mustafa, superviseur du Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM), et de nommer provisoirement à sa place Dr Usâma Abû al-Khayr, en attendant de choisir un nouveau superviseur. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « alDamâtî change 5 des chefs des départements au ministère », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 11 juillet 2014).

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Mercredi 16 juillet 2014 Suite à un mémorandum d’entente signé entre l’Égypte et le gouvernement italien, le ministre des Antiquités, Muhammad Ibrâhîm, a donné le feu vert aux travaux de restauration du Musée gréco-romain à Alexandrie. « Les fonds et l’expertise italienne appuieront le Musée gréco-romain de la ville d’Alexandrie, qui possède la plus grande collection d’art grécoromain du monde. Le gouvernement italien fournira les fonds nécessaires pour la restauration avec un coût total qui s’élève à 8 millions de dollars et 2 millions d’euros, pour un musée qui devrait générer, une fois restauré, environ 1 000 emplois », a déclaré Ibrâhîm.

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Bien que le projet semble prometteur, il a suscité des débats houleux entre les archéologues. Certains refusent catégoriquement ce projet estimant qu’il altère les propriétés archéologiques de ce musée. « Je suis contre ce nouveau projet de restauration présenté aujourd’hui devant le Conseil Suprême des Antiquités (CSA) et qui va affecter le caractère et le style unique de ce musée qui abrite des pièces grecques rares ayant un aspect égyptien », lance Ahmad ‘Abd al-Fattâh, exdirecteur du musée. « À cause de cette nouvelle restauration, on sera obligé d’annuler les travaux de restauration qui avaient commencé en 2005 et qui avaient coûté 120 millions de L.E. C’est un gaspillage d’argent public. En plus, la superficie consacrée aux cafétérias du musée sera plus grande que celle consacrée à la bibliothèque ! C’est dommage, car cette bibliothèque ressemble à celle du Musée du Vatican du point de vue du genre de livres et d’ouvrages de références rares qu’elle possède », se lamente ‘Abd al-Fattâh qui rejette catégoriquement le projet de nouvelle restauration. « Dans tout musée, il existe une organisation pour l’exposition des pièces, soit par séquence historique, soit par style, soit par thème. Avec la nouvelle restauration, nous serons devant un style vague d’exposition avec un thème indéfini. Pour toutes ces raisons, j’ai refusé de participer à ce projet. Ce musée n’a besoin que de 60 ou 70 millions de L.E. au plus pour achever les travaux restants », ajoute-t-il. Les responsables du CSA ne nient pas les accusations de ‘Abd al-Fattâh, mais affirment que le plan final de restauration n’est pas encore définitif. Les Italiens ont présenté deux propositions pour cette restauration : la première permet d’inclure le bâtiment du gouvernorat d’Alexandrie, dont la superficie est de 700 m2. Il est mitoyen au musée et a été totalement détruit pendant les jours de la révolution du 25 janvier. Une campagne a été lancée il y a quelque temps par des archéologues et des intellectuels afin d’annexer cette surface au Musée gréco-romain. L’autre proposition ne renfermait pas ce bâtiment. « Le CSA est en train d’étudier les deux propositions. Même le style d’exposition n’a pas été encore choisi puisqu’une commission est chargée de choisir la meilleure proposition », explique Suhayr Amîn, une responsable de la

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section des musées. « À noter que ce projet n’a pas pour but de rénover simplement le musée ou de développer le bâtiment, mais nous avons l’intention d’en faire un musée international. On a besoin d’une grande somme pour pouvoir construire deux étages et ajouter des salles d’exposition, afin de conserver les découvertes éventuelles à Alexandrie. Sans négliger la création d’autres services comme un musée pour enfants, des cafétérias, en plus d’un système d’éclairage et de sécurité. Tout cela a besoin d’un grand budget », conclut la responsable. Le Musée gréco-romain d’Alexandrie situé rue al-Mathaf se trouve à quelques pas du centre-ville. Pas loin des sites archéologiques, il se trouve à côté de l’amphithéâtre romain de Kom al-Dikka, de la colonne Pompée, du Serapeum et des catacombes de Kom al-Shuqafa. Le musée a été officiellement inauguré le 17 octobre 1892 par le khédive ‘Abbâs Hilmî II. Le bâtiment du musée comprend une façade néoclassique reposant sur six colonnes. Il renferme plus de 40 000 pièces de valeur qui datent e principalement du III siècle av. J.-C. au IIIe siècle apr. J.-C. couvrant ainsi la période ptolémaïque et romaine, notamment des momies, des sarcophages, des tapisseries... offrant un panorama aussi fidèle que varié de la civilisation gréco-romaine.

donnent des indices précieux sur le mode de vie des Alexandrines de l’époque, sur leur manière de s’habiller et de se coiffer. (Samar Zarée, « Musée gréco-romain : Les fonds avant les idées », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 16 juillet 2014).

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Jeudi 17 juillet 2014

The newly discovered Saint Macarius painting.

The Dayr al-Suryân Monastery in Wâdî al-Natrûn boasts some gems of holy architecture and design, with the Church of the Holy Virgin, the Gate of Prophecies and the uniquely detailed gypsum altar. It also contains the relics of Mary Magdalena, and the famous Monk in a White Robe. Yet the newly discovered painting of “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in heaven with the souls of the blessed on their bosoms” — in its simple, comics-like style — is arguably the most striking object. It was uncovered in 2000, and even then it could be seen that the art continued to the left, together with Syriac inscriptions. Last month restorers were finally completing work on removing the 18th-century plaster concealing The Three Fathers under the management of the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo Professor Karel INNEMÉE.

Ce musée, qui renferme aussi des pièces provenant du Fayyûm, de Bahnasâ et autres, est également réputé pour sa collection de Tanagra. Le mot Tanagra vient du nom d’un village de la Grèce antique, célèbre par sa nécropole ouverte pour la première fois en 1874 et qui abritait une quantité considérable de figurines. Ces gracieuses figurines, faites en terre cuite par des artisans alexandrins et ayant conservé jusqu’à présent leur couleur,

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Last week, in the company of Pawel BUDZINSKI and Stanislaw GULINSKI from the Polish Embassy, work on the southern khorus (chorus) had been completed and the scaffolding removed, but in the space of a month — unbeknown to anyone up to that point — a new painting had been uncovered on the same wall.

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lap of Abraham (a clear indication that the text is in reference to the painting to its right). Left of the inscription is a painting representing two saints on horseback killing small figures on the ground — one of whom is named Alexandros. In the absence of inscriptions, however, the saints themselves have not been identified. The wall of the nave after restoration

A representation of Saint Macarius, as INNEMÉE explained, the new painting was found in nearly perfect condition by a conservation mission led by the Polish archaeologist Cristobal CALAFORRA. To its right there is a small figure of a monk standing on a grapevine, with the contour of a head suggesting a second monk behind him, possibly a reference to Saint Macarius of Alexandria, who is cited in Volume XXIX of the Historia Monachorum: he is said to have refused the gift of a bunch of grapes on falling ill out of humility. The painting to the left, however, suggests it might be a representation of Macarius the Great. It is a large cherubim with a human face and three other heads around his own: of a lion, a bird and a bull, a reference to the vision of Ezekiel. The cherubim has six green eye-covered wings, two of which cover his body: a possible reference to the Apocalypse of Sain John. With one hand he holds the arm of Macarius, perhaps guiding him to a new place to live in the Desert of Sketis.

A painting representing Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in paradise with the souls of the blessed and the Khorus painting

Left of the painting there are inscriptions in Syriac and Coptic. The Syriac text is well preserved and speaks of the death of Mar Maqari of Takri, Abbot of the monastery, in AD 888. It wishes that he would join Saint Macarius in heaven and rest in the

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Asked whether there was a chance of further discoveries on this and/or the northern wall and ceiling — an image that evoked a kind of Egyptian Sistine — INNEMÉE said there were probably more paintings on the lower part of the same wall and others on the wall between the nave and the khorus. As for the northern wall, he said, the humidity from a water wheel that was in operation just outside it until the 1970s has probably destroyed what paintings were there. The roof of the nave was built in the 16th century, a period when no murals were made, what is more. It is therefore unlikely to hold any hidden art. (Sherif Sonbol, “Which Macarius?”, Al-Ahram Weekly, July 17, 2014).

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Dimanche 20 juillet 2014 Le directeur général de la restauration au sein du musée d’Art islamique (MAI), Dr Hamdî ‘Abd al-‘Azîm, confirme la restauration de près de 50 pièces archéologiques (verre, bois, ivoire, céramique) sur les 165 pièces touchées par l’attentat terroriste qui a touché le musée il y a six mois. L’équipe de restaurateurs égyptiens a réussi à restaurer les pièces les plus importantes qui ont été saccagées comme le mihrâb (niche orientée vers La Mecque) al-Sayyida Ruqayya, le mihrâb al-Hâkim bi-Amr Allah et le minbar (chaire) Titar. Dans un délai d’un an, la restauration des autres pièces exceptionnelles sera achevée, notamment les pièces en verre qui nécessitent plus de temps. Dr ‘Abd al-‘Azîm a précisé qu’aucun problème n’entrave le travail des restaurateurs. Les matériaux nécessaires ont été fournis par le département des projets du ministère. En plus des contributions de la Fondation Prince Klaus des Pays-Bas et de la campagne « Tous

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ensemble pour restaurer nos antiquités » lancée par l’égyptologue Bassâm al-Shammâ‘. Par ailleurs, Dr ‘Abd al-‘Azîm a révélé que les restaurations architecturales du bâtiment du musée sont au point mort à cause du manque de financements. Six mois passés après l’attentat, aucune initiative n’a été prise. À ce rythme-là, la restauration du musée nécessiterait entre 4 et 5 années. (MENA, « Le directeur de la restauration du MAI : achèvement de la restauration de 50 pièces », al-Tahrîr, 20 juillet 2014. Voir également Radwa Hâshim, « Le MAI est exposé au vol. Les dons collectés pour sa restauration se sont volatilisés », al-Watan, 28 juillet).

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La Police du Tourisme et des Antiquités de Minyâ a saisie 30 pièces archéologiques remontant aux époques islamiques, romaines et grecques en possession d’un habitant à Mallawî. La perquisition du domicile de Muhsin ‘Abd al-Hakîm, 48 ans, a permis de saisir : 15 pièces de monnaie de différentes tailles, 3 talismans d’époque pharaonique, un scarabée inscrit, 3 bagues d’époque islamique, une statuette en pierre en forme d’animal (15 cm), 2 flûtes en cuivre d’époque islamique, une stèle en pierre décorée de motifs floraux, 3 chapelets d’époque islamique, ainsi qu’une grosse quantité de perles de différentes tailles et formes. (Haggâg al-Husaynî, « Saisie de 30 pièces antiques en possession d’un jeune à Minyâ », al-Ahrâm, 20 juillet 2014).

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Mercredi 23 juillet 2014

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Egypt on Wednesday received from Germany a painted limestone relief that was stolen in the last century from the tomb of 18th dynasty high priest Sobekhotep in the Nobles necropolis on Luxor’s west bank. Minister of Antiquities and Heritage Mamdûh alDamâtî told Ahram Online that the recovery of the relief started a few months ago when he was Egypt’s cultural attaché in Germany and curators at Bonn University Museum were working hard to organise a temporary exhibition there. During preparations, a curator at the museum spotted the relief and it was confirmed that it was stolen and had been taken from the 18th dynasty tomb of Sobekhotep, a high priest during the reign of King Tuthmose IV. The limestone relief is in very good condition. It is 30cm tall and 40cm wide. It depicts two figures of Sobekhotep standing and making offerings to deities. The owners of the relief, a German couple, did not know it was stolen because they brought from a British private collection in 1986 and offered it to Bonn University Museum so it could be displayed at the temporary exhibition. When they found out it was a stolen and illegally smuggled artefact, said al-Damâtî, they admitted Egypt’s possession of the relief but asked for it to remain in Germany at the Friedrich Museum for Ancient Egyptian Artefacts in Al-Rin area in Bonn. Egypt rejected the demand and said it should be returned under antiquities law 117 of 1983 and its amendment in 2010. Hence the couple agreed to return the relief after putting it on display for three weeks at the exhibition in Bonn. Egypt’s embassy in Germany stated on its website that Ambassador Muhammad Higâzî held a celebration on the occasion of returning the artefact and praised the couple for returning it. Higâzî called on antiquities collectors to return the Egyptian artefacts they own voluntarily to where they belong. He also called on German authorities to cooperate with Egyptian authorities to protect its cultural and archaeological heritage in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing Illicit Import. (Nevine El-Aref, “Stolen 18th dynasty relief returns from Germany”, Ahram Online, July 23, 2014. Voir également MENA, « Une famille allemande restitue une stèle archéologique à l’ambassade d’Égypte à Berlin », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 juillet ;

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Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le centre de restauration du Musée Égyptien accueille la pièce antique restituée par l’Allemagne », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 6 août ; MENA, « L’Égypte récupère une pièce pharaonique de l’Allemagne », al-Shurûq, 6 août ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Le Musée égyptien réceptionne la stèle de Sobekhotep restituée par l’Allemagne », al-Ahrâm, 7 août ; Dalia Farouq, « 24 pièces restituées à l’Égypte en 1 mois », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 3 septembre).

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Samedi 26 juillet 2014

told Ahram Online that the coins were found in the luggage of a Sudanese citizen who was on his way to New Zealand. The coins were probably stolen from the Museum of Islamic Art, which was badly damaged in a car bomb attack on the nearby Cairo Security Directorate headquarters in January. The recovered coins, al-Râwî explained, include 11 from the 1200 to 1277 of Higra, decorated with Arabic text, and seven dated to the reign of Sultan Hasan Kâmil, decorated with foliage on one side. Two coins from the reigns of kings Fu’âd and Fârûq are also among those recovered. All the coins will be restored and studies, in order to be put on display at the temporary exhibition of recovered artefacts at the Egyptian Museum. (Nevine ElAref, “Two dozen antique coins recovered at Cairo airport”, Ahram Online, July 26, 2014).

Cairo Airport Customs today foiled a smuggling attempt of 20 authentic coins dating to different Islamic and modern periods, including the era of Muhammad ‘Alî. Ahmad alRâwî, head of the Archaeological Unit for Ports,

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Dimanche 3 août 2014

Lundi 4 août 2014

Le président du secteur des musées au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie, Ahmad Sharaf, a révélé que le manque de financement constitue la raison principale pour laquelle le réaménagement du musée archéologique de Mallawî n’a pas encore démarré. Ce musée a été pillé et saccagé lors des violences qui avaient suivi le dispersement des sit-ins Frères musulmans de Râbi’a al-‘Adawiyya et d’al-Nahda le 14 août 2013. « Conformément au protocole de coopération signé avec l’Italie, de nouvelles vitrines d’exposition d’une valeur de 0,5 million de dollars auraient dû être installées. De même, le gouvernorat d’al-Minyâ aurait dû soutenir le projet de restauration du musée à hauteur de 3 millions de L.E. Pourtant, tout cet argent n’a pas été versé pour le démarrage des travaux visant à rouvrir le musée au public », souligne Sharaf.

Le ministre de l’Archéologie a nommé Dr Khâlid Ahmad al-‘Inânî superviseur général du Musée national de la Civilisation égyptienne situé à Fustât. Dr al-‘Inânî remplace ainsi Dr Muhammad Fawzî nommé président du département des antiquités islamiques et coptes. Rappelons que Dr al-‘Inânî est titulaire d’un doctorat de l’Université de Montpelier. Il jouit d’excellentes relations avec l’Unesco qui sponsorise la construction du Musée de la Civilisation. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Khâlid al-‘Inânî nome superviseur du Musée de la Civilisation », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 4 août 2014).

« La structure architecturale du musée est intacte. Le site et les décors internes ont besoin d’être réaménagés, en plus des nouvelles vitrines », précise Sharaf. En coopération avec le ministère de l’Intérieur, le ministère de l’Archéologie a réussi à récupérer plus de 1 000 pièces archéologiques volées des collections. Il ne reste que 150 pièces pillées ou totalement détruites (monnaies en or et poteries). Les efforts sont intensifiés afin de retrouver le reste de la collection à l’intérieur comme à l’extérieur du pays. (MENA, « Le manque de financement retarde le réaménagement du musée de Mallawî », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 août 2014. Voir également MENA, « Restauration de 50 pièces antiques du musée de Mallawî, un an après sa destruction », al-Dustûr, 12 août ; Thereza Kamâl, « Le musée de Mallawî : saccagé par le terrorisme et enterré par la bureaucratie », alMasrî al-Yawm, 15 août).

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BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

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Mercredi 6 août 2014 The Archaeological Unit at Cairo International Airport has foiled a smuggling attempt of 185 historic coins. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online on Wednesday that the coins were found in the luggage of an Egyptian passenger who was travelling to Rome on Tuesday night. Inspection work carried out by curators at the Archaeological Unit confirmed the coins were from the Ptolemaic and Graeco-Roman eras. According to the inspection report, the collection includes of 45 coins between 1.08 and 2.1cm in diameter, 56 coins ranging between 2.2 and 2.8cm in diameter, and 84 coins ranging between 2.9 and 3.5cm in diameter. al-Damâtî said that all the coins were suffering of corrosion and bear faces of Graeco-Roman and Ptolemaic deities. (Nevine El-Aref, “Coin smuggler foiled at Cairo Airport”, Ahram Online, August 6, 2014).

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Trois individus sont morts noyés dans un trou de 20 mètres de profondeur creusé dans le sous-sol d’une maison située dans le village de Badîn à al-Daqahliyya. Ces victimes entreprenaient des fouilles illicites à la recherche d’antiquités. Les équipes de la défense civile ont péniblement réussi à retirer trois cadavres : le propriétaire de la maison, Ahmad Nabîl Ibrâhîm, 33 ans ; son beau-frère Ahmad Muhammad Ibrâhîm, chauffeur âgé de 35 ans et une troisième personne non identifiée. Il s’agit d’un plongeur à qui la famille des pilleurs a fait appel pour retirer les deux cadavres, mais qui s’est noyé lors des opérations de sauvetage. (Salâh Ramadân, « 3 personnes dont un plongeur se noient dans un trou lors de fouilles clandestines », al-Watan, 6 août 2014. Voir également Ghâda ‘Abd al-Hâfiz, « Repêchage de 3 noyés dans un trou au cours de fouilles clandestines », al-Masrî alYawm, 7 août ; « 3 personnes meurent noyées au cours de fouilles illicites à al-Daqahliyya », al-Bashâyyir, 7 août).

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Jeudi 7 août 2014

CARTER face to face with the Tut’s mummy

When British Egyptologist Howard CARTER discovered the intact tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922 the whole world was spellbound. Today, another facet of the historic find is revealed at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum in the “Discovering Tutankhamun” exhibition. It explores the story behind the excavation through CARTER’s original records, drawings, and photographs. On 5 November 1922, one day after the discovery of the tomb, he sent a telegraph to his sponsor, Lord CARNARVON, saying “At last have made wonderful discovery in Valley, a

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

magnificent tomb with seals intact…” It would be ten years before CARTER had completed recording and documenting the tomb’s treasures. “Can you see anything?” asked CARNARVON as CARTER later opened the tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. “Yes,” replied Carter. “Wonderful things.” These words are inscribed on the exhibition’s entrance wall to make the visitor ready to explore the story of the discovery. The exhibition then focuses on the story of the tomb’s discovery and how it created Tutmania across the globe. The exhibition includes photographs by Times photographer Harry BURTON, CARNARVON having given the paper exclusive access to the excavations. Paul COLLINS, co-curator of the exhibition, said that some of BURTON’s photographs showing chairs and other furniture found during the excavations had been loaned from the Metropolitan Museum in New York, along with a limestone head of Tutankhamun and a granite statue of the boy king from the British Museum. Regretfully, there are no artefacts on loan from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the home of the Tutankhamun collection, as the exhibition was planned at the height of the 25 January Revolution and loans proved impossible to negotiate, COLLINS said. However, CARTER’s diary is among the exhibition items, along with his personal belongings including his reading glasses, brush and microscope. A limestone fragment showing Queen Nefertiti offering a bouquet of flowers to the god Atun is also on display, as is part of a limestone statue of the pharaoh Akhenatun. Most of the items on display are taken from the archives of Oxford’s Griffith Institute, which was given more than 3,000 record cards and 1,800 negatives when CARTER died in 1939. The Institute then published nine volumes on the discovery of the tomb between 1963 and 1990. They were also used to construct a replica tomb in Luxor beside CARTER’s rest house. A replica of the boy king’s sumptuous gold funerary mask is on show, the original being in Cairo. Handfuls of seeds, among them almonds and watermelon meant to be used by the king in the afterlife, are also on display. The exhibition describes how Tutmania later hit both sides of the Atlantic, impacting the arts,

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culture and design during the 1920s. Ancient Egyptian motifs appeared on clothes, jewellery, fabrics, furniture, architecture and even advertisements. “Tutankhamun, Lord CARNARVON and Howard CARTER became almost like movie stars,” COLLINS told the BBC news. He added that there was an extraordinary fad for games, costumes and posters. “Everybody wanted a little bit of Tut,” he said. Songwriter Harry VON TILZER had a 1923 hit with “Old King Tut,” and the sheet music and an old recording of the song appear in the exhibition. It was played at the Ashmolean’s launch event last week, accompanied by a group of 1920s-style dancers. “‘Old King Tut’ was one of the great hits of the time, just as the Charleston was becoming the most popular dance,” COLLINS told BBC news. “It was a great combination.”

archéologique, la restauration, les fouilles et la surveillance des travaux des missions archéologiques étrangères. Ce Comité sera redynamisé en accueillant de nouvelles personnalités jeunes. Conformément à l’article 67 du statut exécutif de la loi, ce Comité regroupe 13 membres extérieurs au CSA :  Dr Amâl al-‘Imarî, professeur d’archéologie islamique à la faculté d’Archéologie du Caire.  Dr Ahmad al-Zayyât, professeur d’archéologie islamique à la faculté de Lettres de l’université de Tantâ.  Dr al-Sayyid al-Bannâ, professeur restauration archéologique à l’université Caire.

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 Dr Ra’fat al-Nabarâwî, ancien doyen de la faculté d’Archéologie du Caire.  Dr Fahmî ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, ancien président du département des antiquités islamiques et coptes au sein du CSA.  Dr Usâma Tal’at, professeur d’archéologie islamique à la faculté d’Archéologie du Caire.  ‘Abd al-Rahmân ‘Abd al-Tawwâb, ancien directeur général des antiquités islamiques et coptes au sein du CSA.

1920’s posters depicting Tut’s mania

A Tut board game, a hand-beaded lurex jacket, and a Cartier diamond brooch are among the objects inspired by the contents of Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as a ritual couch ornamented with animal heads crafted by a sculptor in Hull. The opening ceremony of the exhibition, which will last until November 2, was attended by a relative of Lord CARNARVON. (Nevine El-Aref, “Revisiting Tut’s discovery”, AlAhram Weekly, August 7, 2014).

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Le secrétaire général du Conseil Suprême des Antiquités (CSA), Dr Mustafa Amîn, a pris la décision n° 6217/2014 destinée à réorganiser le Comité permanant des antiquités islamiques et coptes. Composé d’une élite des cadres du CSA et d’experts extérieurs au ministère, ce Comité joue un rôle déterminant dans la prise de décisions pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine. Il exerce également un contrôle dans la mise en place des projets

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 Dr Husâm al-Barmîlî, chef du département d’architecture à la faculté de Polytechniques de l’université de ‘Ayn Shams.  Dr Nâdir ‘Abd al-Dâyim, maître assistant à la faculté de Lettres de ‘Ayn Shams.  Dr Muhammad ‘Abd al-Latîf, maître assistant à la faculté de Tourisme de l’université de Mansûra.  ‘Abdallah ‘Abd al-Hamîd al-‘Attâr, ancien président du département des antiquités islamiques et coptes au sein du CSA.  ‘Âtif ‘Abd al-Hamîd Ghunaym, ancien directeur général des musées historiques.  Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîm, ancien président de l’administration centrale des antiquités coptes.

MENA, « Réorganisation du Comité permanant des antiquités islamiques et coptes », al-Yawm al-Sâbi’, 7 août 2014).

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In their article, FRANCIGNY and Claude RILLY, director of the French archaeological mission in Sedeinga, write: “The name of Amun and his face were hammered out and later carved anew, proving that the persecution of the god extended to this remote province during the reign of Akhenaten and that his images were restored during the following reigns.” (Nevine El-Aref, “Evidence of Akhenaten”, Al-Ahram Weekly, August 7, 2014). Excavations at the Sedeinga necropolis in northern Sudan have revealed important evidence of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten’s revolution against his ancestors’ religion in the shape of a sandstone carving depicting the god Amun. The stone panel was found in two pieces beneath a sarcophagus in a tomb, apparently used as a support to hold the coffin. Studies of the carving show that the face and name of Amun were removed from the stone panel and later restored. The tomb was not the first location of the engraving as it was originally part of a bigger wall decoration inside a temple dedicated to Akhenaten’s mother, Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III. Tiye was presented in her temple as the incarnation of the goddess Hathor and as a female sphinx, an honour that was reserved only for the pharaohs. Horns and a sun-disk were later added to her headdress in other images after her son Akhenaten abandoned the worship of Amun, focusing instead on the single god Atun. Centuries after her death, Queen Tiye’s temple was destroyed and fell into ruin. Much of it has still not been unearthed, with the exception of parts of statues that depict her as a sphinx. “All the major inscriptions with the name of Amun in Egypt were erased during Akhenaten’s reign,” archaeology team member Vincent FRANCIGNY, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, told the online archaeological site Live Science. He said that archaeologists had also determined that after Akhenaten’s death the god’s face and hieroglyphs were restored. “This restoration may have been done during the reign of his successor and son Tutankhamun, who with the help of Amun temple priests resurrected the old ancient Egyptian religion and the worshipping of the god Amun-Re,” returning Egypt to its former polytheistic religion.

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a décidé la nomination de l’archéologue Husâm al-Dîn ‘Abbûd au poste de directeur des antiquités du temple d’Abû Simbil, en remplacement de l’archéologue Ahmad Sâlih. Celui-ci est désormais chargé de l’administration du Nubian Antiquities Salvage Fund. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Mamdûh al-Damâtî nomme Husâm al-Dîn ‘Abbûd directeur des antiquités du temple d’Abû Simbil », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 7 août 2014).

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Samedi 9 août 2014 Le tourisme égyptien a essuyé une nouvelle atteinte due aux coupures d’électricité qui ont empêché jeudi dernier plusieurs centaines de touristes de visiter les hypogées de la Vallée des Rois, des Reines et des Nobles à l’Ouest de Louqsor. Pourtant les sites touristiques à Louqsor, à Aswân et en mer Rouge devraient être épargnés par le plan de délestage électrique. La colère s’est emparée des 400 touristes qui ont vainement fait la route de la mer Rouge pour visiter Louqsor. Ils ont exigé le remboursement de leurs tickets d’entrée. (Rânyâ ‘Abd al-‘Âtî, « Les coupures d’électricité nuisent au tourisme à Louqsor », al-Ahrâm, 9 août 2014).

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Lundi 11 août 2014 Des archéologues membres de la coalition « Sariqât lâ tanqati’ » (Des vols non stop) ont dénoncé le pillage intensif de la zone archéologique située à l’ouest d’Aswân. Ils ont 26

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affirmé que les dix tombes découvertes dernièrement ont été accaparées par les voleurs. Durant une longue année, le ministère de l’Archéologie n’a absolument pas réagi. Alors que des missions scientifiques s’échinent depuis de longues années dans cette même région sans rien trouver, les pilleurs, eux, ont mis au jour dix tombes dans moins d’une année. Sans parler des autres tombes exhumées et pillées en toute discrétion. Le ministère de l’Archéologie a adressé un rapport détaillé ainsi qu’un S.O.S. à la présidence de la République, afin de l’aider à combattre ce phénomène. Sachant que la lutte contre la mafia des antiquités nécessite des renforts de sécurité, en plus de la Police du Tourisme et des Antiquités. (Muna Yâsîn, « Les tombes d’Aswân en proie au pillage et le ministère lance des S.O.S. », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 11 août 2014. Voir également « La sécurité est responsable des pillages des tombes des nobles à Aswân », al-Tahrîr, 11 août ; Hind Mûsa, « Le relâchement des autorités policières est responsable de l’accroissement des empiètements sur le patrimoine », al-Dustûr, 12 août).

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Mercredi 13 août 2014

museums, they found that back then, people were using similar preserving materials in the same proportions as found in later mummies. “This work demonstrates the huge potential of material in museum collections to allow researchers to unearth new information about the archaeological past,” said co-author Thomas HIGHAM of the University of Oxford. “Using modern scientific tools our work has helped to illuminate a key aspect of the early history of ancient Egypt.” Experts used gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and other chemical analysis techniques to identify natural materials used to preserve corpses at the time. “These recipes consist of a plant oil or animal fat 'base' constituting the bulk of the 'balms',” said the study. Lesser amounts of conifer resin, an aromatic plant extract, wax and plant gum or sugar were also used. “Moreover, these recipes contained antibacterial agents, used in the same proportions as were employed by the Egyptian embalmers when their skill was at its peak, some 2500-3000 years later,” said the study. Researchers on the decade-long project came from the Universities of York, Macquarie and Oxford. The linen fragments they examined originated from entombed bodies in the earliest recorded ancient Egyptian cemeteries at Mostagedda in the Badarî region of Upper Egypt. (AFP, “Mummies in Egypt began long before Age of Pharaohs: study”, Ahram Online, August 13, 2014. Voir également Reuters, « La momification remonte à plus de 6 000 ans », al-Ahrâm, 15 août).

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The earliest evidence of mummification in Egypt suggests that the practice of wrapping bodies to preserve them after death began around 1,000 years earlier than thought, said a study Wednesday. The study in the journal PLOS ONE is the first to describe resins and linens used as funeral wrappings dating back as far as 3350 to 4500 BC. Historians have long believed that the Egyptian practice of mummification began around 2500 BC. But by applying modern scientific analysis to Egyptian collections that were already in British

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L’exposition « Reines et déesses de l’Égypte ancienne : Trésors du Metropolitan Museum à New York » est composée de 200 pièces. Elle reflète le rôle éminent de la femme

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à l’Égypte ancienne, lequel est incarné par les objets appartenant à l’unique reine d’Égypte qui a porté la couronne pendant une longue durée : Hatchepsout. On trouve aussi exhibées certaines pièces de la déesse de l’amour et de la fertilité, Hathor. Inaugurée le 19 juillet dernier en présence de l’ambassadeur d’Égypte à Tokyo, Hishâm al-Zamtî, cette exposition durera jusqu’au 23 septembre. Étant exposés pour la première fois hors des États-Unis, ces chefs-d’oeuvre sont présentés sous la supervision de l’ambassade américaine et du ministère japonais des Affaires étrangères. « À travers cette exposition, les Japonais auront l’occasion de mieux connaître la civilisation égyptienne. Ce qui les incitera à venir en Égypte pour visiter les sites archéologiques », affirme le directeur du secteur des antiquités égyptiennes auprès du ministère des Antiquités, Yûsuf Khalîfa. En effet, les pièces exposées font partie de la collection du Metropolitan Museum à New York, dont le nombre atteint 26 000 environ. Le visiteur de l’exposition pourra admirer des objets fabriqués exprès pour la reine-pharaonne, à partir de matières diverses et de formes variées. Si l’on trouve une statue de granit représentative de la reine en forme masculine du pharaon, signe du pouvoir, une autre, fragmentée, toujours en granit, incarne une femme forte dont les traits sont sévères et durs, coiffée d’une grosse perruque. Néanmoins, certaines pièces reflètent la beauté de la reine. À titre d’exemple, la tête en calcaire coloré, où Hatchepsout, souriante, est maquillée et coiffée d’une couronne rouge qui est le symbole de la Basse-Égypte. Cette effigie est devenue le logo de l’exposition sur ses affiches de promotion. Le côté esthétique ne s’arrête pas là. Y sont exhibés des bijoux, à l’instar des bracelets, en pierres semiprécieuses, une couronne dorée, ainsi qu’un miroir. D’après le directeur Khalîfa, les pièces de cette exposition sont fabriquées et sculptées avec finesse. « Ce qui reflète une époque de stabilité politique et de prospérité économique, qui a permis une créativité libre. Raison pour laquelle les dessinateurs et les sculpteurs avaient créé ces objets avec dextérité », renchérit le directeur. Les égyptologues n’ont pas négligé la vie religieuse de Hatchepsout et sa vie dans l’au-delà. Le visiteur peut admirer le vase

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canope dont le couvercle est en forme de la tête de la reine, ainsi qu’un cercueil de bois peint daté de la même époque. Outre les pièces représentant la reine Hatchepsout, l’exposition comprend aussi des statues qui incarnent la déesse de l’amour et de la fertilité Hathor, à l’instar de la tête de la vache en granit ou la double statue, de granit toujours, où Hathor est coiffée du disque solaire. D’après les égyptologues, toutes les pièces d’Hathor ont été fabriquées au cours du règne de Hatchepsout, révélant en fait son amour, voire sa dévotion sincère pour les divinités, notamment Hathor. En plus, un nombre considérable de pièces exposées ont été découvertes par des égyptologues anglais et américains à la fin du XIXe siècle et pendant la première moitié du XXe siècle. Elles représentaient le noyau principal du Metropolitan Museum à New-York, notamment le département de l’Égypte ancienne, selon le site officiel du musée. Quant au reste des objets exposés, ils sont offerts par des collectionneurs dont les noms sont inscrits dans le musée. « Toutes ces pièces sont sorties légalement et officiellement d’Égypte à cette époque », reprend le directeur. Selon lui, le Metropolitan Museum de New-York a le droit de faire plusieurs expositions à partir de cette collection. Quant à l’Égypte, « nous sommes en train de préparer deux expositions au Japon et en Chine. Toutes les pièces seront sélectionnées à partir de nos collections distinguées », conclut le directeur. (Doaa Elhami, « Hatchepsout, invitée des Nippons », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 13 août 2014).

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During his inspection tour to examine issues that put construction of a planned Sharm al-Shaykh museum on hold, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî announced the creation of a temporary archaeological

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exhibition at Sharm al-Shaykh’s Conference Hall. He explained that the exhibition aims at providing a new tourist destination and to help fund the construction of the Sharm al-Shaykh museum. al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the exhibition is to be open soon and will include a collection of 300 artefacts that give its visitors a vision of the different facets of Egyptian civilisation. The objects on display will be carefully selected from all museums in Egypt, including those obtained from excavations sites in Sinai. During his visit, al-Damâtî inspected construction works being carried out at the museum and reviews all the obstacles that stand against the resumption of the work. In fact, the construction work of the Sharm alShaykh museum was put on hold in the aftermath of the January 2011 revolution due to financial problems. The first phase of the museum was completed in 2009 following three years of feasibility studies and construction work. This phase included construction of the museum building and associated administrative structures as well as 26 bazaars and a bookstore. The second phase, which is to begin soon, was put on hold due to lack of funding after the January 2011 revolution. This phase includes the completion of the museum’s interior and exhibition facilities, along with the installation of the museum’s security system. Muhammad al-Shaykha, head of the projects section, mentioned that according to the museum’s original plan, the different halls of the museum will exhibit some 7,000 artefacts dating from prehistoric times to the modern era, which have been carefully selected from museums all over Egypt. Objects unearthed in Sharm al-Shaykh and others that have been retrieved from Israel will also be on display along with 11 authentic Coptic textiles offered by Naglâ’ Riyâd, who inherited them from her aunt, artist Tahiyya Halîm. The textiles are of different sizes and shapes and are decorated with images of animals, foliage and geometric shapes. The museum’s garden will serve as an open-air museum and entertainment area, featuring a cinema, theatre and 1000-seat

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conference hall. The museum will also feature a cafeteria and a bookstore specialising in history and antiquities. (Nevine El-Aref, “Temporary exhibition to fundraise construction of the Sharm al-Shaykh museum”, Ahram Online, August 13, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inspecte le projet du musée de Sharm al-Shaykh », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 août).

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Le secrétaire général du Conseil Suprême des Antiquités (CSA), Dr Mustafa Amîn, a pris la décision n° 6378/2014 portant la nomination de l’archéologue Mâgda Yûsuf Muhammad ‘Alî au poste de directeur général du Musée d’Art islamique. Mâgda Yûsuf remplace ainsi l’archéologue Mustafa Khâlid Ibrâhîm, parti à la retraite. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Le CSA nomme Mâgda Yûsuf directeur général du Musée d’Art islamique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 août 2014).

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Jeudi 14 août 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a nommé Dr Târiq Sayyid Tawfîq, professeur d’archéologie à l’université du Caire, au poste de superviseur général du Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM). Lors de la conférence de presse tenue aujourd’hui, alDamâtî a déclaré que ce projet accuse un ralentissement dû au manque de financements. En effet, les dons collectés par le ministère de l’Archéologie restent faibles : 6 millions de dollars et environ 1 million de L.E. Tous les gros œuvres du GEM seront achevés en décembre 2016. Fin 2017, le GEM sera doté de tous ses équipements et pourra être partiellement inauguré. (MENA, « Târiq Tawfîq nommé superviseur du GEM », al-Yawm al-Sâbi’, 14 août 2014. Voir également, Hind Mukhtâr, « Le Premier ministre recommande d’aplanir tous les obstacles devant le projet du GEM », al-Yawm al-Sâbi’, 11 août ; Hind Mûsa, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : le GEM deviendra une institution culturelle et éducative », alDustûr, 12 août ; Radwa Hâshim, « al-Damâtî : l’inauguration du GEM est reportée à 2018 », al-Watan, 14 août).

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Vendredi 15 août 2014

On Friday, German authorities handed over to Egypt’s ambassador to Germany, Muhammad Higâzî, samples of King Khufu’s cartouche, taken illegally by two German archaeologists from a room found inside the Great Pyramid. The samples are due to arrive in Egypt within a week, to be examined and restored if necessary before being returned to their original positions inside the pyramid in Gîza. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh alDamâtî told Ahram Online that he greatly appreciated the cooperation of the German government and all the efforts exerted by German authorities, especially science minister of Saxony state, Sabine VON SCHORLEMER. alDamâtî said that the return of the samples comes after a year of legal and political efforts by the antiquities ministry. In November 2013 a documentary entitled The Cheops Project was released on YouTube, showing researcher Dominique GOERLITZ and author Stefan ERDMANN during their secret trip inside Khufu’s Pyramid and the difficulty they faced in reaching the cartouche. A sample of the cartouche was taken during the expedition and was subject to laboratory analysis in Germany. When the documentary was released, the antiquities ministry learned about the illegal expedition inside the pyramid and decided to impose penalties on both German archaeologists for stealing the items and smuggling them outside of the country. The ministry’s permanent committee has prohibited any archaeological cooperation with Dresden University, which supported the work of the two German archaeologists, as well

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as the scientific laboratory where the stolen and smuggled samples were analysed. The case against the two Germans was referred to the Egyptian prosecutor-general for further investigation, alleging that both archaeologists had broken Egyptian law by entering the pyramid and taking the samples without permission from the ministry. They also smuggled the samples out of the country, in breach of international law and the UNESCO convention. A request that the Egyptian police and Interpol put the names of both German archaeologists on the airport watch-list was also submitted. Now, al-Damâtî asserted, procedures are been taken in cooperation with the German authorities in order to penalise the criminals and file an international lawsuit against them according to the international law, which criminalises such actions towards a monument on the World Heritage List. (Nevine El-Aref, “Stolen fragments from pyramid tomb to be returned from Germany”, Ahram Online, August 15, 2014).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a déclaré avoir pris connaissance de tous les dossiers de son ministère au cours des 50 derniers jours. Il a réalisé que la majorité des projets archéologiques se sont arrêtés, notamment, à cause du manque de financements et de la baisse des recettes. Lors d’une conférence de presse organisée hier au siège du ministère à Zamâlik, al-Damâtî a exprimé son étonnement de trouver des projets suspendus pour des raisons bizarres : bureaucratie, entêtement, refus de certains responsables d’apposer leurs visas et signatures par peur d’assumer leurs propres responsabilités. al-Damâtî a expliqué que la crise financière ne sera pas réglée du jour au lendemain. Il faut un plan pour remédier à la situation. Il faut également développer les ateliers de moulage du ministère, car il ne convient pas que les répliques archéologiques vendues aux bazars de Khân al-Khalîlî soient made in China. L’aménagement et l’ouverture à la visite touristique de nouveaux sites archéologiques auront des retombées bénéfiques sur l’accroissement des recettes et le redéploiement des effectifs surnuméraires.

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Fin 2014, une exposition archéologique se tiendra à Sharm al-Shaykh, afin de profiter du tourisme balnéaire de cette ville et d’augmenter les rentrées d’argent. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologue : La crise financière est responsable de l’arrêt des projets », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 août 2014. Voir également Muna Yâsîn, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : la plupart des projets sont gelés à cause de l’entêtement des responsables et du manque de financement », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 16 août).

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Mercredi 20 août 2014 Un an après son vol, le cartouche rouge portant le nom du roi Chéops est de retour en Égypte. La pièce a été livrée cette semaine à l’ambassade d’Égypte à Berlin. « Bien que le cartouche volé soit maintenant en route vers sa place originale, les procédures juridiques continueront jusqu’à la condamnation des criminels », affirme Mamdûh al-Damâtî ministre des Antiquités. al-Damâtî dit apprécier la coopération des autorités allemandes et leur aide précieuse, notamment celle de la ministre des Sciences saxonne, VON SCHORLEMER. Cette récupération fait suite aux mesures, notamment juridiques, prises par le ministère pour la récupération de cette pièce illégalement arrachée. Les antiquités égyptiennes sont protégées par la loi numéro 117 de 1983. De plus, les pyramides sont inscrites sur la liste du Patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco. « Les autorités allemandes, l’Unesco et le ministère égyptien des Affaires étrangères ont déployé beaucoup d’efforts pour assurer le retour de cette pièce. C’est un monument universel qui appartient à l’humanité toute entière », assure al-Damâtî. Le vol du cartouche par les chercheurs allemands était tabou dans les milieux archéologiques. Le gouvernement allemand a dernièrement accepté de restituer les pièces volées à condition qu’il y ait une réconciliation entre le ministère égyptien des Antiquités et l’Université allemande où travaillent les chercheurs. Proposition qui a été refusée du côté égyptien, qui exigeait le retour du cartouche sans conditions. Muhammad Ibrâhîm, ex-ministre des Antiquités, a suivi l’enquête de

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près avec le Procureur général. Il a pris contact avec le ministère égyptien des Affaires étrangères, lui demandant de poursuivre les investigations, pour prouver la culpabilité des deux archéologues allemands et les faire condamner. « Ces deux personnes ont enfreint la loi égyptienne en pénétrant dans la pyramide sans permission, en arrachant les 5 échantillons et en emmenant des antiquités hors du territoire égyptien. En plus, ils ont eu l’audace de l’annoncer sur Youtube », dit-il. « On ne fait jamais de conciliation officieuse. Tous les contacts sont officiels avec l’ambassade d’Allemagne et le gouvernement allemand », reprend-t-il. Et d’ajouter : « Cet incident ne va pas seulement à l’encontre de la loi égyptienne, mais à l’encontre de la loi internationale et des conventions de l’Unesco ». Recherchés par Interpol, les deux hommes ont été placés sur la liste de surveillance des aéroports. « Nous ne les lâcherons pas sans sanctions », assure ‘Alî alAsfar, ancien responsable au ministère des Antiquités. Un procès est en cours devant la justice allemande. L’ambassade d’Allemagne au Caire a, pour sa part, dénoncé l’action de ces chercheurs, rappelant que « les vandales ne sont, en aucun cas, associés au Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Kairo ». Les deux archéologues allemands avaient affirmé, il y a quelques mois, que leurs recherches et visites sur le plateau des pyramides étaient « régulières depuis 2006 ». Ils avaient une théorie à prouver, celle qui consiste à dire que la grande pyramide de Chéops est plus ancienne que ce que l’Histoire admet. Pour prouver leur point de vue, les deux chercheurs n’avaient pas hésité à pénétrer sans autorisation au sein de la pyramide. Des mesures de sécurité draconiennes ont été prises par les autorités égyptiennes sur les différents sites archéologiques, notamment sur le plateau des pyramides. Dernièrement, deux touristes russes ont été arrêtés par la police près de la pyramide de Chéphren pour avoir utilisé des appareils photo sophistiqués. Après les investigations, ils ont été libérés. Pour sa part, Muhammad Shîha, directeur général du site, déclare que suite au pillage, inspecteurs et gardiens ont peur que l’appareil saisi ne soit utilisé pour des travaux de publication

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scientifiques ou médiatiques. « On organise et réglemente seulement les visites touristiques. L’accès individuel est catégoriquement interdit. Seul le comité permanent des antiquités peut accorder des permissions d’entrée, avec des conditions très strictes, afin de ne pas nuire aux monuments à la valeur inégalable », conclut Ibrâhîm. (Nasma Réda, « Le cartouche de Chéops retrouve sa demeure », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 20 août 2014. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « L’Égypte récupère les échantillons du cartouche de Chéops de l’Allemagne », al-Ahrâm, 15 août ; Hishâm Shawqî, « Les échantillons de Chéops sont de retour de Berlin », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 17 août).

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Plus de 200 jours se sont écoulés depuis l’explosion qui l’a frappé et l’état du Musée d’Art islamique au Caire empire. La porte principale est bloquée par des briques et les fenêtres sont endommagées. « Pas une mesure n’a été prise pour la restauration de ce bâtiment historique après l’attentat terroriste du 24 janvier dernier », explique l’expert en antiquités Muhammad al-Kahlâwî. « Ce musée est devenu une maison fantôme », dit-il. Ce qui a accéléré la visite de la délégation de l’ICOM (Conseil international des musées). Une visite qui n’a rien apporté de nouveau, puisque l’Unesco n’a pas encore fait le don de 100 000 dollars annoncé en faveur du Musée d’Art islamique après l’attentat de janvier. L’organisation internationale de l’ONU avait aussi annoncé son intention d’organiser une campagne internationale dans le même but. À noter que l’Unesco n’est pas le seul organisme à contribuer au financement du fonds pour la restauration du musée. L’acteur égyptien Muhammad Subhî a versé 50 000 L.E. (6 300 dollars). Il a aussi lancé la campagne « 1 million d’Égyptiens » pour collecter des

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

fonds pour la restauration des musées mis en danger. L’USAID a, pour sa part, annoncé verser un million de L.E. pour cette restauration. « Si cette dernière aide vient à temps, on pourra restaurer le bâtiment. Les travaux commenceront en août », explique Ahmad Sharaf, chef du département des musées au ministère des Antiquités. Lors des six derniers mois, les visites des experts étrangers au Musée d’Art islamique se sont succédé, afin d’évaluer l’avancement des travaux de restauration. « Un groupe d’experts égyptiens, dont la plupart sont des techniciens du Musée d’Art islamique, a commencé les travaux de restauration dès la première minute après l’attentat, mais les travaux se sont arrêtés plusieurs fois en raison d’un manque d’équipements et de financement », explique un technicien du chantier en cours. Sur 1 471 pièces exposées lors de l’attentat, pas une pièce ne manque. 74 d’entre elles sont totalement détruites, la plupart en verre ou céramique ; 26 autres sont cassées et 64 nécessitent une restauration très sophistiquée et délicate. « C’est vraiment un travail difficile », explique le ministre égyptien des Antiquités, Mamdûh al-Damâtî. Il ajoute que lors de cette visite de la délégation de l’ICOM, la question des subventions a été discutée pour restaurer le bâtiment et ses salles endommagées par l’explosion. « Nous avons pour cela des experts de haut niveau », dit Muhammad Sâmih ‘Amr, président du Conseil exécutif à l’Unesco. Une idée soutenue par Christain MANHART, chef de la section des musées et des objets culturels à l’Unesco et chef de délégation de l’organisation venue au Musée d’Art islamique quelques semaines après l’attentat. Il a affirmé : « Ce que j’ai vu alors était vraiment désolant. J’ai vu ce musée d’Art islamique il y a deux ans, après sa dernière restauration en 2010. J’ai vu quel joyau ce musée était. Et aujourd’hui, l’intérieur est totalement détruit... ». Il ajoute toutefois que la structure du bâtiment est extrêmement solide et n’est pas endommagée. « Seuls les coffrages et les façades internes et externes ont souffert, c’est pourquoi cela semble impressionnant. Les collections et les vitrines sont bien sûr très endommagées et

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là, il y a beaucoup de travail à faire. Des objets ne sont pas récupérables, ils sont extrêmement importants non seulement pour l’Égypte, mais aussi pour le monde entier, car c’est l’un des plus importants musées islamiques du monde. Par la contribution de la communauté internationale, le musée peut retrouver son aspect historique. L’Unesco va aider l’Égypte à la recherche de soutien international », conclut le président du conseil exécutif à l’Unesco. Le ministre des Antiquités annonce avoir « presque achevé les travaux de restauration des pièces endommagées ». Reste le bâtiment. « En cas de manque de financement, tout est paralysé », souligne Sharaf. « Je pense que la restauration de ce musée va durer longtemps. C’est un travail qui peut durer des mois ou des années, cela dépend des fonds disponibles. S’il y a assez d’argent, le travail peut aller plus vite », souligne MANHART. Les experts estiment que la somme globale nécessaire pour ces travaux est de 10 millions de dollars. Or, le compte bancaire 70007000, ouvert pour sauver et restaurer ce bâtiment, ne renferme aujourd’hui que « 19 000 L.E. et 200 dollars. Une somme faible qui n’est pas à la hauteur des dégâts causés », explique Sharaf. (Nasma Réda, « Les souffrances du Musée d’Art islamique », AlAhram Hebdo du 20 août 2014. Voir également Nada al-Khûlî, « La restauration du MAI attend l’aide américaine », al-Shurûq, 1er août ; Reuters, « L’ICOM inspecte le MAI avant le lancement de la restauration », al-Yawm alSâbi‘, 5 août).

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Avec « Égypte — Dieux. Hommes. Pharaons », les trésors de la culture de l’Égypte antique sont exposés pendant 6 mois, du 25 juillet à fin février 2015, au Völklinger

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Hütte, Patrimoine Culturel Mondial de l’Unesco, en Sarre (Allemagne). Les 250 pièces de grande taille viennent du Museo Egizio de Turin en Italie, le plus ancien musée égyptien au monde avec l’une des plus importantes collections de culture égyptienne antique. Le Museo Egizio est aussi considéré comme le plus important après le Musée du Caire. Les objets de l’exposition racontent la longue histoire des divinités, comme Horus, Anubis et Osiris, des pharaons, des hauts fonctionnaires, et la vie quotidienne dans l’Égypte antique. Quelques papyrus et objets funéraires, ainsi que des momies et bijoux seront de même exposés. « C’est un musée unique et riche qui montre une partie importante de l’histoire de l’Égypte », explique Ahmad Sharaf, chef du département des musées au ministère des Antiquités. L’exposition présente un sarcophage en bois vieux de 4 500 ans, ainsi que des sandales de papyrus d’environ 3 000 ans. Elle compte pareillement des objets d’art datant de l’époque ptolémaïque, qui témoignent du mélange des cultures égyptienne et hellénique. Plusieurs momies exposées montrent le culte funéraire et le perfectionnement égyptien pour conserver les corps. « L’exposition montre que les anciens Égyptiens pensaient tout le temps à leur vie éternelle. Le culte des morts occupait une place importante », note Sharaf. L’exposition est accompagnée d'un programme riche de coopération entre l’Université de la Sarre et l’Université de Trèves (Italie) et sa section d’égyptologie. Cette exposition a lieu pour la célébration des 20 ans du Patrimoine Culturel Mondial Völklinger Hütte, et l’inauguration d’un nouveau centre d’accueil de l’Unesco. Völklinger Hütte, qui sera officiellement un centre international de la civilisation égyptienne antique, invite ses visiteurs à découvrir l’univers de l’Égypte ancienne. « Nous sommes heureux de présenter cette exposition qui montre des pièces provenant du Musée d’égyptologie de Turin, et de présenter au Patrimoine Culturel Mondial Völklinger Hütte des pièces parmi les plus importantes qui nous sont parvenues de l’Égypte antique », annonce Meinrad Maria Grewenig, directeur général du Patrimoine Culturel Mondial Völklinger Hütte. Presque toutes les pièces sont exposées pour la première fois en Allemagne. Dans d’autres pays européens comme la France, le Luxembourg et

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la Belgique, exposées ».

« ces

pièces n’ont jamais été

L’ambassadeur égyptien à Berlin, Muhammad Higâzî, a affirmé, lors de la cérémonie inaugurale : « Nos antiquités sont nos ambassadeurs à l’étranger ». « Venez visiter l’Égypte pour jouir de ses musées uniques et ses temples », a-t-il lancé à tous les touristes du monde. Pour sa part, le ministre des Antiquités égyptiennes, Mamdûh alDamâtî, a salué l’initiative de coopération entre le musée de Turin et le ministère égyptien. « Les jeunes archéologues égyptiens ont besoin de ce genre de coopération avec les experts en égyptologie du musée de Turin, surtout pour la formation des cadres du nouveau Grand Musée égyptien », dit-il. (Nasma Réda, « Antiquités égyptiennes : de Turin à Berlin », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 20 août 2014).

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Jeudi 21 août 2014 Two weeks ago, archaeologists and heritage officials applauded when President ‘Abd al-Fattâh al-Sîsî gave the go-ahead for the Suez Canal Corridor Development Project (SCCDP). The project will widen parts of the existing waterway and create a second, parallel canal. The scheme will not only develop Egypt’s economy and provide jobs, but it will also open up new tourist destinations. The new waterway is ten km south of Qantara, the eastern gateway to Palestine and Syria in ancient times and the starting point of the famous Horus Road, the longest military road in Egypt and the only one to have retained physical evidence of its ancient fortresses and military structures. Horus Road was a vital commercial and military link between Egypt and Asia and has borne the marching feet of no fewer than 50 armies. From west to east, the pharaohs Thutmose III and Ramses II crossed Sinai with their military forces. From east to west came the Assyrian hordes, the Persian army of Cambyses, Alexander the Great and his mercenaries, Antiochus and the Roman legions, and Arab conquerors led by ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âs.

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“Digging a parallel canal, ten km from one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites, is certainly good news for archaeology,” Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told the Al-Ahram Weekly. He added that the project is a good opportunity to spruce up a planned development project for archaeological sites located within the vicinity of the Suez Canal, especially at Qantara. “The chequered history of Qantara is a reminder of military battles from Pharaonic times to the early 1970s,” al-Damâtî said. He added that the development projects at these sites were part of the ministry’s efforts to protect and preserve the country’s monuments by developing and opening new archaeological sites. “This will provide employment, security and tourist income,” al-Damâtî said. Collaboration with the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) began in February last year when the SCCDP plan was in its initial stages, he said. The ministry provided the SCA with maps identifying the location of archaeological sites, in order to prevent encroachment or destruction of the sites when the new waterway is built. This is why the digging work is to be located ten km south of Qantara, an area of no known monuments or archaeological sites. No work will take place at Qantara west, he said. “News that the SCCDP is violating one of Egypt’s archaeological sites is unfounded and false,” al-Damâtî told the Weekly.

A bird view of Habwa fort complex

As a first step towards development of the sites and to make them more touristfriendly, a committee had been set up, which he will lead, to study all the archaeological sites in this area and to see which sites are appropriate for restoration and eventual opening to the public. “I want to open seven archaeological sites in Qantara, three on the east and four on the west, while the other sites will follow one by one,” al-Damâtî said,

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adding that all of the selected sites will be restored and opened to the public by the time the SCCDP is completed. The three sites in east Qantara are Tell Abû Sayfî, Pelusium and the Habwa Fortress. Those to the west are Tell al-Dafna, Tell al-Maskhûta, Tell al-Seyeidî and ‘Ayn al-Sukhna. A site management component will be included in the development project. It will provide a tourist route so visitors can enjoy the different architectural styles of the ruins, together with information panels and a hightech security and lighting system. A visitor centre, bookstore, souvenir shop and cafeteria will be built. Two buildings displaying a “Panorama of Ancient Egypt Fortresses”, similar to the October War Panorama in Nasr City in Cairo, are also planned for the area. al-Damâtî told the Weekly that preliminary project work will be carried out by the Ministry of Antiquities. This includes required studies and documentation of the monuments. The ministry plans to sign international cooperation agreements with several European countries in order to complete the actual development work. He did not give details of these agreements, but said that they involved countries interested in the area and in the cultural heritage of Egypt. “This is a new tourist site with very distinguished monuments that relate to Egypt’s military history through the different time periods,” alDamâtî said, adding that once work starts a new site could be completed every three months. The scene of several battles: “The development of Horus Road as a tourist attraction has finally gained momentum,” archaeologist Muhammad ‘Abd al-Maqsûd, head of the archaeological committee of the Horus Road development project, told the Weekly. During the ancient Egyptian era, Qantara East, the start of Horus Road, was the scene of several battles, among them those led by the pharaohs Ahmose I in his war of liberation against the Hyksos, Seti I in his military campaigns against rebels in Sinai and Canaan, and Ramses II in his war against the Hittites. In modern times, ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said, Qantara East saw battles between the allies and the Ottomans during World War I, as well as serving as the base of Australian operations

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in Sinai from 1916 until final demobilisation in 1920. It was the location for a World War I-era warehouse and hospital centre that were also used during World War II. The town was captured by Israel during the 1967 War, but won back after the 6 October War of 1973.

Bone remains of worriors in the leberation war

In peacetime, the city was an important trading post and one of Egypt’s busiest ports during the Graeco-Roman period, second only to Alexandria. Ships from the eastern Mediterranean and caravans from Syria and Palestine came to trade goods such as wine, oil and honey, which were transported to Egypt and the Red Sea by Nile barge and by road. Osiris and Horus finds: By the mid1990s, the area was drawing interest as an important archaeological site, particularly after a number of ancient Egyptian monuments and artefacts were discovered during excavations by archaeologists from the US’s Trinity University, France’s Sorbonne and the then-Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), now the Ministry of Antiquities. These finds came within the framework of the salvage operation of Sinai monuments organised in response to the threat posed to scores of sites by the new al-Salâm Canal. Several ancient objects and structures were discovered, among them a mud-brick temple, a number of bronze and limestone coins and scarabs featuring Osiris and Horus, limestone reliefs bearing the names of two royal figures and two seated statues. Weapons, pottery shards, grain silos, stables, storerooms, a dormitory for soldiers and dwellings were also excavated, along with the remains of military fortresses, citadels, churches, amphitheatres and baths. At Pelusium and neighbouring sites at Tell al-Makhzan and Kanâ’is, which probably

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formed part of Greater Pelusium, excavation work has been carried out around the ancient port, amphitheatre, Byzantine church and ruins of three more churches dating from the fourth and fifth centuries CE. “The Horus Road was, of course, also the highway along which Christian pilgrims travelled, and there were churches from Rafah to Pelusium,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said. Excavations in the Tell al-Burg area revealed two limestone forts, one dating from the reign of the 28th Dynasty pharaoh Tuthmosis III and the second from the 19th Dynasty. The latter was probably a Ramesside fort as it bears the name of the pharaoh Ramses II, and is dubbed “the Mansion of the Lion.” The remaining part of the first fort was found on the east bank of the al-Salâm Canal. It consists of a moat built on a foundation of between nine and 14 layers of fired red brick, a material used only rarely during the ancient Egyptian New Kingdom. A small stela dedicated to the Asiatic gods Resheph and Astarte was among the items found, and a number of horse and donkey burials were uncovered in the moat. Other items recovered include several jar handles stamped with the cartouches of the pharaohs Smenkhare and Tutankhamun and inscriptions from Tuthmosis III and a stone block of a deity with the name “Strong Bull” written on it. The walls of the fort are 100 metres high and are embellished with a number of rectangular mud-brick towers. Surrounding it is a two-km-long moat that was once filled with water. At Tell al-Heir, 25 km east of the Suez Canal, the French mission from the Sorbonne found the Migdol Fort of Seti I. This large fort had soaring towers and a rest house for the pharaoh. It is believed to be the second most important military fort on the Horus Road after Tharo West, found in 2003 by an Egyptian team led by ‘Abd al-Maqsûd. In 2004, the fort of Tharo East was discovered. It is 500 metres long, 250 metres wide and featured walls that were 13 metres thick and a 12-metre-wide southern entrance. It was once surrounded by a giant water-filled moat. “This is the largest fortress yet found,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd told the Weekly, adding that the structure included 24 massive defence towers, 20 metres by four metres in size. Along

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with Tharo West, it was part of the eastern defences of the ancient Egyptian military town of Tharo and Egypt’s gateway to the Delta. It was also the point where the ancient Egyptian army carried out military campaigns to secure the city borders. The graves of soldiers and horses have been found. “The bones of humans and horses found in the area attest to the reality of such battles,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said. “This discovery is concrete evidence of the events depicted on the reliefs of Seti I, engraved on the north wall of the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak,” he added. The reliefs narrate Seti I’s campaign to smash rebels forces in the first year of his rule. ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said that the discovery also shows that ancient artists drew accurate topographical maps of the Horus Road, which once stretched from Egypt to Palestine. According to the reliefs, 11 forts were built on this section of the road, although excavations have so far unveiled only five. The first was at Qantara East and the last was in Gaza. Although the New Kingdom pharaoh Seti I was the founder of the Horus Road, said ‘Abd al-Maqsûd, several parts of a Middle Kingdom fortified barrier named the al-Amîr Wall have also been discovered along the military route. It is still not clear whether this was once part of a wall linking the Middle Kingdom series of fortresses, he added. Protecting archaeological sites: The existence of forts on Horus Road has long been part of the historical record, first revealed in reliefs at Karnak. But their ruins were only excavated from 1859 onwards, when initial excavations started to dig the Suez Canal to link the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. While digging, workers stumbled upon what were believed to be the traces of an archaeological site. The Suez Canal Company, responsible for building the canal, arranged for an international archaeological mission to excavate the planned waterway before continuing the digging. The mission carried out several archaeological surveys along the planned waterway, from Suez to Port Said, as well as on the western and eastern edges of the canal route.

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Several archaeological fragments, pots, stelae and reliefs were discovered and the company built a museum in Ismâ’ilîyya, now the Ismâ’ilîyya Museum, to display the unearthed artefacts. “Due to such discoveries, the planned path of the Suez Canal was changed to the one we see today,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said. He explained that the original waterway was to have run from Qantara West to the al-Bardawîl Lake, but this was changed to run from Qantara West to Port Said. “This led to the creation of Port Fu’âd,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd pointed out. Excavations area until the Israeli archaeologists then 1967 and 1980 and which were returned Peace Treaty.

were carried out in the occupation in 1967. Israeli excavated Sinai between unearthed several objects, to Egypt under the 1977

In 1983, when Egypt’s military forces left Qantara East, the site was turned over to the SCA. During the 1973 War, soldiers building a military camp stumbled upon ruins dating back to the reign of the pharaoh Seti I, including objects bearing his cartouche. In the mid-1990s, further excavation work was carried out within the al-Salâm Canal.

wooden ornate columns, wooden and metal sconces, a metal consul, a tableau carrying the dynasty's symbol and other fixtures, according to MENA. The smuggling attempt occurred through an import-export company, which hid the artefacts inside two containers. In April, police foiled another smuggling attempt at the same port, the Damietta harbour, where they seized Jewish antiquities. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egyptian police foil antiquities smugglers at Damietta port”, Ahram Online, August 21, 2014. Voir également Yusrî al-Badrî, « Échec d’une tentative d’exportation illégale de 98 pièces archéologiques vers les États-Unis », a-Masrî al-Yawm, 22 août ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Tentative déjouée d’exportation de 98 pièces archéologiques vers les États-Unis », al-Ahrâm, 23 août).

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Mercredi 27 août 2014

Earlier this year, ‘Abd al-Maqsûd told the Weekly that excavation work carried out at Qantara East has uncovered an ancient logistics area, including a collection of administrative buildings, customs buildings, structures used to store grains, stables, and a dormitory for soldiers. A cartouche of Ramses II was also unearthed. The cartouche is engraved with Egypt’s ancient name — Kemet. “This is the first time that Egypt’s name has been seen on a monument built in Sinai,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said. (Nevine El-Aref, “Developments in Qantara”, Al-Ahram Weekly, August 21, 2014).

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Egyptian harbour police captured 98 artefacts being smuggled from the Nile Delta city of Damietta on their way to the United States, state-run news agency MENA reported. The artefacts are from the dynasty of Muhammad ‘Alî, which ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1952, and included 32 metal lanterns, two

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After a seven-month hiatus, restoration work of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in central Cairo is finally set to begin. The MIA was subjected to severe destruction and damage in January after a car bomb exploded outside the adjacent Cairo Security Directorate. The blast of the bomb destroyed the façade of the building and the nearby Egyptian National Library and Archives building. After several meetings and discussion, The United Arab of Emirates offered to restore the whole museum in collaboration with foreign experts from Italy, Germany and the United States. Antiquities minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the Emirates will not only provide the required budget to return the

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MIA to its original lure but to provide all security equipment and state-of-the-art showcases. The restoration will also include the renovation of the museum’s walls, columns and foundations. He went on to say that the museum halls and treasured collection will be arranged as they were before with the exception of the souvenir hall that was located in the core of the museum. “It will be relocated to another place at the end of visitors’ path,” explained al-Damâtî. He said that in midSeptember a delegation of the International Committee of Museums (ICOM) is to visit Egypt and embark on a tour of the MIA to inspect its recent situation and suggest ideas for its restoration. Collaboration methods are to be also discussed. The Museum of Islamic Art was home to an exceptional collection of rare woodwork and plaster artefacts, as well as metal, ceramic, glass, crystal, and textiles objects of all Islamic periods from all over the world. The museum is a two-story building, with the lower floor containing an exhibition hall that displays 2,500 artefacts in 25 galleries. The second floor and the basement are to be used for storage.

The blast of the car bomb not only destroyed the façade of the building, but also damaged the large columns at its front. The interior of the museum was topsy-turvy, with a number of ceilings inside the building collapsing, and some artefacts being damaged. Many of the glass window panes that once decorated the building have also been shattered, and damage has been caused across the façade, which has lost some of its decorative casing. The authentic wooden gate of the museum inlaid with silver and iron geometric motifs has been totally destroyed, while the adjacent annex built in a similar architectural

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style to house the administrative offices after the museum’s restoration and re-inauguration in 2010 has also been damaged. Now a new hope is in the air. (Nevine El-Aref, “The United Arab Emirates is to restore the MIA”, Ahram Online, August 27, 2014. Voir également MENA, « Le Bureau émirati de coordination des projets financera l’intégralité des restauration du MAI », al-Dustûr, 31 août ; Dînâ ‘Abd al‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : les Émirats arabes unis ont promis de financer intégralement la restauration du MAI », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 31 août ; Muna Yâsîn, « Le MAI renaît grâce à un don des Émirats », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 1er septembre).

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Jeudi 28 août 2014

For more than three years Mugama‘ alAdyân, the religious compound, of Old Cairo has stood almost empty. Streets that were once buzzing with tourists and souvenir traders are mostly abandoned. The area is one of the most important sites for understanding the history of the world’s three great religions. In one small part of Old Cairo, the visitor will find the ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âas Mosque, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church that stands atop the Roman fortress of Babylon, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. After the 25 January Revolution the once steady flow of tourists and traders came to an abrupt end. Today there are police stations in front of the ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âas Mosque and the Hanging Church. But there are signs that tourists and researchers may soon be returning to the Mugama‘ al-Adyân. Last week the minister of antiquities, Mamdûh al-Damâtî, made an official visit to inspect the area and the Hanging Church. A restoration of the

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church was completed four years ago, but its re-opening was delayed because of the revolution.

church’s decorations and icons were restored in collaboration with Russian experts, and new lighting and ventilation systems have been installed.

The church, like other monuments located in heavily populated areas, had suffered considerable damage from air pollution, rising groundwater, high humidity, and leakage of water from the century-old sewage system. There was also damage from the 1992 earthquake, which increased the number of cracks in the walls and foundations. The decorations on the church’s wooden ceiling were also heavily stained with smoke. In 1997, the then Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), now the Ministry of Antiquities, launched a comprehensive restoration project to preserve Egypt’s Coptic sites and return the Hanging Church to its original splendour. The neighbouring Coptic Museum was also restored and an extension built to display new exhibits. The Ben Ezra Synagogue and Abû Sirga Church were also repaired. “The restoration of the fourth-century Hanging Church finished in 2010 after 13 years of the building being hidden under scaffolding,” al-Damâtî said during the tour, saying that the church will be re-opened in mid-October. The adjacent church of Abû Sirga will also be inaugurated in December after completion of its restoration. al-Damâtî announced that the entirety of the Mugama‘ al-Adyân, the area of the religious sites, will be closed off for pedestrians only, as is the case in al-Mu‘izz Street in Islamic Cairo. Muhammad al-Shaykha, head of the Projects Section at the ministry, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the restoration work on the Hanging Church was carried out to the highest professional standards. He said that the official re-opening, originally planned for 2010, was put on hold due to the lack of security in the aftermath of the January Revolution, but that now it is safe for the building to be re-opened. The aim of the restoration, carried out in three phases, was to reduce water leakage into the church and strengthen its foundations against future damage. Similar work was done at the Babylon Fortress, he said. The walls were reinforced, missing and decayed stones replaced, and masonry cleaned and desalinated. “The church now stands as proudly as it did in the past,” al-Shaykha said. The

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“Every effort has been made to ensure that all the original architectural features are retained,” al-Damâtî said, adding that the restoration work was extended beyond the church’s walls to include neighbouring monuments and surrounding streets, thanks to a budget of LE101 million. The streets have been refurbished to suit the area’s monuments, including the Coptic Museum, the ‘Amr Ibn al‘Âas Mosque, and the Mârî Girgis and Abû Sirga Churches, he said. Unfortunately, some areas are still in poor condition. al-Damâtî said he intends to contact the Cairo governor in order to ensure that garbage around the area is removed. “Restoring the Hanging Church has two important advantages,” al-Damâtî said. “Individual monuments are being preserved for future generations and the entire neighbourhood is being revived and upgraded. This will increase the ministry’s income in the future, allowing it to restore other monuments.” (…) Elsewhere in the area, the Coptic Museum was refurbished and officially reopened in 2006 after three years of restoration. The main structure of the museum blends Roman and Fatimid forms and was built by Murqus Semayka Pasha in 1910. By 1992 it had fallen into a state of disrepair. After the earthquake of that year the museum was closed for safety reasons, leaving only the new wing, added in 1947, open. In 2003 that too closed as the massive overhaul of the museum began. The building was in a critical condition when the restoration began. The walls of the old wing had developed cracks following the

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earthquake, the ceiling decorations were mostly hidden by layers of accumulated dirt and mashrabiyya fittings over the windows were broken. The floor of the new wing had been partially ruined by rising groundwater and there were no emergency exits. To rescue the buildings, the foundations were consolidated and strengthened by micro-piles, with sharply pointed columns installed beneath the new wing. To improve visitor flow, the two wings were connected by a corridor and their levels adjusted. A hydraulic lift and wheelchair ramps were installed for disabled visitors. The wooden ceilings in the old wing were cleaned, revealing painted scenes of Venice and Istanbul. In collaboration with the American Research Centre in Egypt (ARCE), a team of Italian restorers consolidated, cleaned and conserved the museum’s most important frescoes. Two new exhibition halls were created in the space between the wings. The first includes an atrium in which capitals from Saqqâra were erected on replica columns. The display also includes a sixth-century pulpit. Rough, unfired mud bricks were used for parts of the walls of the atrium, replicating the environment in which the objects were originally found. The second hall is used for conferences and has a bookshop and small cafeteria. It connects to the Roman fortress and the ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âas gate which, after the completion of the on-going drainage system project, will serve as the Coptic Museum’s second entrance. Al-Shaykha said that the museum now has the latest security system, a restoration lab, a children’s art school and a library, and the garden and fountain had been restored to their original splendour. The museum’s displays have also been reordered and are now arranged according to region of origin, chronologically, or grouped together according to the objects’ material. The restoration work extended to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, originally a sixth-century church near the old Roman fortress of Babylon. The synagogue was restored in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Architecture and Restoration (CCAR). The CCAR carried out the synagogue’s restoration between 1982 and 1991. Today there is a marble slab inscribed

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with the names of the benefactors and the sentence “Moses worshipped God here.” “In the ninth century CE, Egyptian Jews bought the ancient church and a large piece of land surrounding it and converted the whole area into a Jewish synagogue,” said Muhammad Mahgûb, former director of the archaeological area of Old Cairo. He pointed out that the synagogue became internationally famous when writings known as the Geniza Documents were discovered there, casting light on the community in mediaeval times. These documents, the Ben Ezra Geniza, were uncovered in 1890 when the ceiling of the storeroom collapsed. In 1892, Jacob SAPHIR, a Jewish researcher, took several thousand documents away and wrote a description of the storeroom and its contents. In 1894, documents dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries CE were removed. Today, the TaylorSchechter Collection at the Cambridge University Library contains most of the rest of the Ben Ezra Documents, some 140,000 rare manuscripts and half a million other documents. (…) The ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âas Mosque, the area’s most distinguished Islamic monument, dates from 642 CE and was the first mosque to be built in Egypt. It has naturally undergone considerable changes over the past 13 centuries. Few, if any, of the original architectural elements remain. It has been restored twice in modern times, first in the 1980s and again in the 1990s. “The later restoration work corrected serious errors in the earlier restorations and in the extension to the mosque carried out in the time of the Mameluke emir Murâd Bek in 1779,” said ‘Abdallah al-‘Attâr, former head of the Islamic and Coptic Monuments Section at the Ministry of Antiquities. The restoration work also stopped the leakage of subterranean water into the mosque. Special attention was given to the iwân al-qibla, the prayer hall, which has a raised floor and opens onto the main courtyard through arcades. “The columns of the iwân were dismantled, restored and re-erected in their original form. Damaged and fragile pillars that could not be satisfactorily consolidated were replaced by similar ones from the ministry

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stores,” security sewage mosque

al-‘Attâr said. A new lighting and system was also installed, while the system in the area surrounding the was repaired.

Finally, the Abû Sirga Church, known as the Saint Sergius Church, is the oldest Coptic Church in Egypt. It is one of the places where the holy family is believed to have hidden during the biblical flight into Egypt. It was also the place where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church were elected, among them the patriarch Isaac (681-692). The church was built in the fourth century and was dedicated to Sergius and Bacchus, soldier-saints martyred during the fourth century in Syria by the Roman emperor Maximian. It was burned during the fire in alFustât, the new Arab quarter, during the reign of the caliph Marwân II around 750 CE. It was restored in the eighth century, and has been rebuilt and restored many times since. The most interesting feature is probably the crypt where Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus are said to have rested when they were in Egypt. The crypt is 10 metres deep and when Nile levels are high is often flooded. The restoration work focused on reducing the subsoil water in the tiny shrine beneath the altar and reinforcing the church’s columns, walls, floors, tiles and ceiling. (Nevine El-Aref, “The restoration of Old Cairo”, Al-Ahram Weekly, August 28, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie inspecte demain les travaux de restauration du Mugama‘ al-Adyân », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 août ; MENA, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Inauguration en octobre prochain de l’Église suspendue », al-Shurûq, 19 août ; Sâra ‘Abd al-Muhsin, « Ouverture partielle du musée de la Civilisation et de l’Église suspendue en octobre prochain », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 septembre).

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This week Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî announced the recovery of 246 items of jewellery once owned by members of the Muhammad ‘Alî family. The pieces include a collection of gold palatine rings and diamond earrings, brooches, necklaces and bracelets, al-Damâtî said. One brooch was adorned with a single 40-carat stone. al-Damâtî said the jewels were found in two separate safety deposit boxes at Bank Misr. He made the announcement at a press conference at the office of the Tourism and Antiquities Police Sunday. The first 110 objects had been deposited as security for a loan. When loan repayments fell into arrears the Bank decided to sell the jewels at auction. “An advertisement in al-Ahrâm newspaper alerted us to the existence of the artefacts,” Major General Ahmad ‘Abd al-Zâhir, head of the Antiquities Investigations Section, told reporters. The jewellery was confiscated and is now subject to an ongoing investigation. A specialist committee appointed by the minister of antiquities has already confirmed that the pieces were once part of Egypt’s royal collection.

The second cache, which includes 136 items, was recovered after a yearlong investigation that was initially sparked by the circulation of photographs of some of the items of jewellery among foreign, Arab and Egyptian traders. The recovered gems are now in the Royal Jewellery Museum in Alexandria. The whereabouts of many of the jewels once

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owned by Egypt’s royal family have been a mystery since at least 1954. Then president Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir auctioned off a number of pieces that had been confiscated during the revolution two years earlier, and deposited others at the Muntazah and Râs al-Tîn Palaces in Alexandria, and the ‘Âbidîn and al-Qubba palaces in Cairo. Nabila Habîb, a member of the archaeological committee that examined the jewels, says it has long been recognized that many of the pieces seen in photographs, worn by Egypt’s royal princesses, were unaccounted for, and that the items currently displayed at the Royal Jewellery Museum in Alexandria are only a fraction of the original royal collection. Habîb told Al-Ahram Weekly that when Ahmad Fu’âd, King Fârûq’s son, visited the museum he told her the collection was far from complete. “It is a unique collection that in its entirety provides an important insight into jewellerymaking techniques and changing tastes, across the Ottoman Empire,” Habîb said.

Mahmûd ‘Abbâs, head of the Modern Era Antiquities Section, said that it is unclear whether the recovered gems were among those sold at auction by Nâsir or were later spirited out of the public domain. He also posited a third possibility, that some of the items may be among the jewellery female members of the Muhammad ‘Alî family were known to have given to trusted servants when they first learned about the order to confiscate all their property. (Nevine El-Aref, “Mystery diamonds”, Al-Ahram Weekly, August 28, 2014. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt police recover world’s third largest diamond”, Ahram Online, August 25 ; Ibrâhîm Ahmad, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Les bijoux saisis de la famille de Muhammad ‘Alî suffisent pour créer un grand musée », al-Yawm al-Sâbi’, 24 août ; Ashraf Mughîth, « Récupération de 246 pièces de joaillerie appartenant à Muhammad ‘Alî et à sa famille », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 25 août ;

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Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « La collection saisie de la famille de Muhammad ‘Alî est transférée vers le Musée des Bijoux royaux », al-Ahrâm, 25 août ; Doaa Elhami, « Bijoux royaux : un héritage retrouvé », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 24 septembre).

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The customs police at in Suez succeeded Thursday to catch red-handed two persons who tried to smuggle and sell four coins into Egypt. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî said that one of the accused persons are Egyptian and holds a coin while the second is a German and holds the other three coins. The Archaeological committee, which examined the coins approved its authenticity and confirmed that it dates back to the Ottoman era and it is made of gold. Ahmad al-Râwî head of Antiquities Units in Egyptian ports told Ahram Online that the coins are of small sizes and engraved with kuffi handwriting while the other sides of the coins bear a phrase “made in Egypt.” The coins are now in the storage for restoration and both criminals were sent for investigations. (Nevine El-Aref, “Four Ottoman coins are back to Egypt”, Ahram Online, August 28, 2014. Voir également MENA, « Le CSA réussit à déjouer une tentative d’exportation de monnaies d’époque ottomane », al-Dustûr, 28 août ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le CSA réussit à déjouer une tentative d’exportation de monnaies d’époque ottomane », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 28 août).

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III – SEPTEMBRE 2014

Mercredi 3 septembre 2014 Dressée sur la rive est du Nil dans la Nubie égyptienne, la région de Djebel al-Sahâba est connue pour ses cimetières datant probablement de 13 650 à 12 650 ans av. J.C. Ces cimetières ont été mis au jour au cours de la campagne internationale de sauvetage des monuments de la Nubie, par l’archéologue américain Fred WENDORF en 1964. « Plusieurs squelettes ont été trouvés dans ces cimetières qui appartiennent à une communauté qui vivait en Nubie, nommée Qatan », explique Fikrî Hasan, professeur d’archéologie au Collège de Londres. Selon lui, les tombes étaient des fosses de forme ovale, couvertes d’une dalle de calcaire, avec de petits monticules de terre ajoutés dessus. « Ces cimetières sont les plus anciens se caractérisant par une architecture bien planifiée et bien structurée », retrace le site officiel du British Museum.

qui semble conforter cette hypothèse c’est la présence jusqu’à huit dépouilles dans une même sépulture, la mise en terre de chacune ayant eu lieu au même moment. Cette interprétation ne convainc pas entièrement le professeur Hasan. « Pourquoi suppose-t-on que toutes les victimes soient décédées dans le même laps de temps ? », se demande-t-il étonné. Selon lui, la zone où vivait la communauté de Qatan, dite le site 117 en Nubie, a été envahie par la neige entre 13 400 et 11 000 av. J.-C. Ce climat a permis l’installation de communautés vivant de la pêche et de la chasse. Ces groupes vivaient au sein de villages et avaient bâti des cimetières. « Ils avaient des croyances religieuses et construisaient des tombeaux élaborés. Les cornes de vaches trouvées sur certaines sépultures indiquent probablement l’existence de relations sociales », explique le professeur. Et de conclure : « Les traces de blessures sur certaines dépouilles laissent à penser qu’il y avait des querelles entre les villages ». (Doaa Elhami, « Les secrets de Djebel al-Sahâba », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 3 septembre 2014).

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Jeudi 4 septembre 2014

Ce groupe de squelettes a été soumis à des radiographies minutieuses en 2006. Ces individus jouissaient en fait d’une excellente santé. Mais le plus surprenant est que 40 % des défunts avaient des traces de coups sur leurs squelettes ainsi que, pour certains d’entre eux, de lacération et d’autres blessures diverses. Le nombre élevé de victimes, et la présence de femmes et d’enfants parmi elles, a invité les experts en archéologie à émettre l’hypothèse que ces personnes aient été exposées à une sorte de violence collective. Ce

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Visitors to the Japanese capital soon fall under the spell of ancient Egypt the boy king Tutankhamun thanks to exhibition, “Tutankhamun and the Golden of the Pharaohs”, which opens in Tokyo

will and an Age this

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September. Tutankhamun was seen for the first time in Japan in 1965 when objects from the Egyptian Museum’s priceless collection were exhibited in Tokyo. The second time was in 2012 when the magic of the boy king and his royal grandparents captured the heart of Osaka residents on the last leg of a ten-city tour that began in Switzerland and passed through Germany, France, England and several US states. The new exhibition highlights one of the most interesting eras in ancient Egyptian history, the period before and during Tutankhamun’s reign 3,300 years ago. Each artefact in the show displays the dazzling craftsmanship that characterised earlier Tutankhamun exhibitions. Of the 124 artefacts carefully selected from the Egyptian Museum, 30 are from the museum’s Tutankhamun collection. Artefacts from earlier royal tombs from the 18th Dynasty, including the tomb of Tutankhamun’s great-grandparents Yuya and Tuya and the KV55 burial tomb, are also included. According to the terms of the exhibition agreement, revenues from the show could reach $10 million, said Ahmad Sharaf, head of the museums section at the Ministry of Antiquities in Cairo. A fixed amount of $2 added to the price of each ticket will be given to Egypt, as will a percentage of the merchandise sold through the show. The exhibition, accompanied by an Egyptian curator and restorer, will travel for one year within Japan, beginning in Tokyo and Niigata and including institutions in other cities. While all the necessary security procedures have been followed for the exhibition, some archaeologists have criticised the Ministry of Antiquities’ policy of sending exhibitions abroad. They say that the policy of sending artefacts outside the country uses Egypt’s heritage to make money and denies people the opportunity of seeing the objects at the Egyptian Museum. ‘Abd al-Halîm Nûr al-Dîn, head of the Egypt Archaeologists Union, said that the revenues raised were not sufficient. “The money it will raise is equal to the revenue of only one day from the Suez Canal,” he said. Nûr al-Dîn said that the ministry did not follow regulations set by parliament when it decided to send the present exhibition abroad. He said

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that it contains objects that the regulations expressly forbid from being sent outside Egypt. Other archaeologists have accused the ministry of breaking an administrative court ruling of July 2013 that ordered the immediate return of the Cleopatra exhibition that had toured four US states, a decision that led to the loss of millions of dollars. The country had earned $450,000 from each city the exhibit travelled to, plus a further $1 million for each 100,000 visitors and a 10 per cent cut of merchandising sales. “The ministry has resumed sending exhibitions abroad in an attempt to raise money towards the completion of suspended antiquities projects, whether restoration work or the construction of new museums,” Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh alDamâtî told the Weekly. He said that the decline in tourism after the 2011 revolution had depleted ministry funds, the budget of which is self-financed.

Previous ministers borrowed from the Finance Ministry to pay the salaries of ministry employees, leaving the ministry with debts it must repay, he added. “Resuming the policy of sending antiquities exhibitions abroad is our only way to raise money towards preserving Egypt’s antiquities, to provide the required budget to complete postponed antiquities projects, and above all to attract more tourists to the country, which will revive tourism in Egypt,” Mamdûh al-Damâtî said. He argued that the criticisms of ministry policy were unfounded. A previous exhibition in Osaka had returned to Egypt at its scheduled time, he said, and Japan was enthusiastic about hosting more ancient Egyptian exhibitions. After three meetings of the ministry council, the request for the new exhibition was approved, he said, on the proviso that the number of objects from the Tutankhamun collection would be reduced and

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some would be replaced by objects from the 18th Dynasty. al-Damâtî said that a wheel included in the exhibition was not part of the Tutankhamun collection but came from the same New Kingdom period. He said that the ministry, in seeking to send the exhibition abroad, had not broken the administrative court ruling. The ruling only affected the Cleopatra exhibition, which has now returned to Egypt, he added. “Sending exhibitions abroad is a wellknown activity of any culture,” al-Damâtî said, adding that many foreign museum directors regularly sent collections abroad, particularly when local institutions are closed for restoration. This had happened during restoration work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Turin Museum in Italy, he said. He noted that the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria and the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo are currently closed and their collections are in storage. It might have made more sense to send objects from these museums on tour instead, he added. “Exhibitions abroad are also a means to protect and preserve Egypt’s treasured collections,” al-Damâtî said, adding that when an artefact is selected for an exhibition abroad it is often carefully restored and documented. A special catalogue is also likely to be produced for the exhibition. al-Damâtî said that the number of visitors visiting Egypt also typically increases after an exhibition is held abroad. Archaeologist ‘Abd al-Rahîm Rayhân supported the ministry’s policy of exhibitions abroad, describing it as an important way to promote Egypt’s heritage and a good opportunity to exchange experiences between archaeologists and curators in different countries and areas of expertise. (Nevine ElAref, “Tutankhamun in Tokyo”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 4, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie approuve l’organisation d’une exposition sur Toutankhamon à Tokyo durant un an », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 août ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « 124 pièces de la collection de Toutankhamon exposées au Japon », al-Ahrâm, 14 août ; Reuters, « L’Égypte accepte la demande du Japon d’accueillir une exposition sur Toutankhamon durant une année », al-Shurûq, 14 août).

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

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The scene at Bâb al-Khalq in Cairo has almost returned to normal. The January car bomb attack that targeted the Cairo Security Directorate on Port Said Street, where the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is located, caused heavy damage and killed four people. Now, with the directorate restored, the street is once more buzzing with activity. But the façade of the MIA, which features elaborate decorations in the Islamic style, remains damaged and the shattered glass of the windows has not been replaced. In place of the authentic Mameluke gate, inlaid with silver and iron geometric motifs, stands a temporary mud-brick wall. Ever since the 24 January bombing, the facility has been closed to visitors.

Finally, this week, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates and head of the Emirates Development Projects Cooperation Office in Egypt, Sultan Ahmad al-Gâbir, together with Egypt’s minister of antiquities, Mamdûh alDamâtî, inspected the MIA with a view to its repair and restoration. Inside the building, the floor has been cleared of broken glass and metal shards, the collapsed wooden beams removed. The space now looks almost the same as it did before the explosion. Still to be replaced are boards covering the electricity and security systems set in the ceiling and broken showcases. During the tour, al-Gâbir announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be working with Egyptian authorities to rescue the MIA and its priceless collection reflecting the glory of the Islamic civilization. The collection, he said, shows how art flourished through various Islamic empires: “The UAE has the honour to provide all kinds of financial and technical support to return the MIA, one of the most important museums in the world, to its former glory.” He continued, “One great Emirati 45

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citizen, who has spent a great deal on supporting science, culture and the preservation of heritage, is to provide the required budget for the restoration.” al-Gâbir did not, however, name the generous individual. He said out that restoration of the MIA is one of several projects the UAE is implementing in Egypt to preserve Islamic heritage. “The UAE leadership is keen to provide all forms of support that contribute to backing Egypt,” al-Gâbir said, adding that many UAE citizens are contributing to development projects in key sectors on Egypt. Restoring the MIA, he said, will help promote Egypt’s culture and tourism and support the economy. al-Damâtî expressed his gratitude to the UAE for supporting the MIA’s restoration, saying that the UAE has been the only country to respond to Egypt’s campaign, launched shortly after the bombing, to finance the work. “We are thankful to the UAE for its full support in bringing the museum back to its former glory in collaboration with Egyptian and foreign experts.” He said that UNESCO has contributed $100,000 while Germany, Italy and the United States have offered to help with the restoration work. Muhammad al-Shaykha, head of the Projects Department at the Ministry of Antiquities, said the work may take up to one year and will include restoration of the MIA façade, building and halls. New state-of-the-art security and lighting systems are also to be installed. The collection will be arranged as it was before with the exception of the souvenir hall, previously located at the centre of the museum, which will now be “relocated to another place at the end of visitors’ path.” Ahmad Sharaf, head of the Museums Department, said that the UAE did not decide on a specific budget for the restoration but promised to provide all the required funds. Hamdî ‘Abd al-Mun‘im, head of the restoration department at the MIA, said the bomb blast damaged 179 out of 1,471 artefacts in the collection. To date, MIA restorers have restored 47 of the 179 items, including the mihrabs of the Mameluke Lady Ruqayya and the Fatimid al-Âmir bi-Ahkâm Allah. They are in the process of restoring 37 other objects and researching what might be

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done with the remaining 65. (Nevine El-Aref, “In Mameluke lands”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 4, 2014).

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Vendredi 5 septembre 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a annoncé la signature d’un protocole de coopération avec l’Organisme des services médicaux de l’armée. Ce protocole assure une couverture médicale complète du personnel du ministère de l’Archéologie souffrant de pathologies lourdes et chroniques : cancers, hépatites, etc. Ce protocole entrera en vigueur à partir du début septembre prochain. Dr al-Damâtî a loué cette initiative qui comble une des attentes les plus importantes du personnel de son ministère. Sachant que les soins médicaux de grande qualité qui seront prodigués aux archéologues dans tous les hôpitaux militaires auront des retombées bénéfiques sur le travail archéologique. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie signe un protocole avec l’Organisme des services médicaux de l’armée », al-Yawm alSâbi‘, 5 septembre 2014).

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Samedi 6 septembre 2014 Le Parquet général a ordonné hier la mise en examen du secrétaire du président du département des antiquités islamiques et coptes au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie. Les enquêtes ont révélé que l’accusé réclamait des pots-de-vin des citoyens désireux d’obtenir des certificats attestant que leurs terrains ne renfermaient aucun vestige archéologique. L’accusé obtenait entre 10 et 20 000 L.E. par certificat. Plusieurs personnes ont déposé plainte contre lui. Il a même été saisi la main dans le sac et a été filmé au moment de toucher un pot-de-vin. Les enquêtes judiciaires se poursuivent afin de déterminer si d’autres responsables du ministère de l’Archéologie étaient complices de cette corruption. (Ahmad Shalabî, « Mise en examen pour corruption du secrétaire du président du département des

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antiquités islamiques et coptes », al-Masrî alYawm, 6 septembre 2014).

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Mardi 9 septembre 2014

Today, the Ministry of Antiquities established an independent authority to review the current condition of historic Cairo and provide a means of cooperation between the ministry and the authority’s members to develop the city and return it to its original allure. The authority includes representatives of four ministries: Antiquities, Tourism, Endowments and Construction as well as the Cairo governorate. Antiquities minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that this authority is to review the current condition of the streets and monuments and provide a complete plan for their restoration as well as develop the city’s surroundings to show its original atmosphere. He promised that all encroachment would be removed, streets would be paved and shops would be cleaned and polished to match the colour of the monuments that surrounding them. Historic Cairo lies amid the modern urban area of Cairo overlooking Salâh al-Dîn Citadel and it displays a very distinguished collection of Islamic monuments from different Islamic ages such as mosques, madrasas (schools), hammâms (baths) and fountains. When it was founded in the 10th century, it became the new centre of the Islamic world and reached its golden age in the 14th century. The historic centre of Cairo bears impressive material witness to the international, political,

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commercial and intellectual importance of the city during the medieval period. In the 7th century, when ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âs conquered Egypt, al-Fustât, Egypt’s first Islamic capital was built. During the domination of the Abbasids, al-Fustât gradually declined in importance and was replaced by the northern suburb of al-‘Askar, which included the governor’s palace, houses, shops and a mosque. In 870 al-‘Askar’s governor, Ahmad IbnTûlûn made Egypt independent of the Abbasid Caliphate and founded the north-eastern capital called al-Qatâi‘. But at the beginning of the 10th century, when the Abbasids regained control of the country, al-Qatâi‘ was destroyed. They only spared the great mosque of IbnTûlûn with its large courtyard surrounded by porticoes intended for teaching, punctuated by elegantly decorated round arches, believed to be the work of Iraqi artists. The great period of the city’s splendour began at the end of the 10th century, when Egypt was conquered by the powerful Shiite Fatimids. A new capital called al-Qâhira was founded in 969 AD. The mosque of al-Azhar was built between 970 and 972 under the Caliph al-Mu‘izz, to serve as a sanctuary and as a meeting place; it also housed a university, which became an important centre for Islamic studies. After the brief intrusion of Seljuk Turks and the attacks of the Crusaders, Egypt fell into the hands of Salâh al-Dîn, founder of the Ayyubid era in 1172. This period coincided with the time of the Mamelukes, who replaced the Ayyubids and remained in power until 1257. (Nevine El-Aref, “A new authority to develop and restore historic Cairo”, Ahram Online, September 9, 2014. Voir également Sahar Zahrân, « Lancement de la mission de sauvetage des monuments du Caire historique », al-Ahrâm, 8 septembre ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Création d’une autorité indépendante regroupant 4 ministères afin de gérer le projet du Caire historique », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 septembre).

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Mercredi 10 septembre 2014 Le Conseil Suprême des Antiquités a annoncé que trois missions archéologiques européennes vont reprendre leurs travaux dans différents sites d’Alexandrie. La mission française poursuit ses fouilles commencées dans la région d’Abû Sîr à Burg al-‘Arab. Des travaux de nettoyage et de relevés du secteur de la nécropole qui date d’époque romaine seront poursuivis. Une mission polonaise du Centre culturel polonais reprend ses travaux de fouilles dans la région de Mâriyâ située à l’ouest d’Alexandrie. Une autre mission polonaise poursuit ses fouilles dans le secteur situé à Kom al-Dikka. Au cours des précédentes saisons de fouilles, de nombreux vestiges archéologiques ont été exhumés dont la Villa des oiseaux, des thermes d’époque romaine, etc. (Muhammad Maglî, « 3 missions archéologiques européennes reprennent leurs fouilles à l’ouest d’Alexandrie », al-Dustûr, 10 septembre 2014).

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Jeudi 11 septembre 2014

When Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî announced the resumption of work at Djoser’s Step Pyramid in Saqqâra this week, after some four years’ delay, the decision was generally applauded. But some archaeologists are raising concerns about the company chosen to do the restoration. They accused the ministry of negligence in awarding the work to the al-Shurbagî Company, which, they say, was responsible for the earlier collapse of a block of the 4,600-year-old Step Pyramid.

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Amîr Gamâl, representative of the NonStop Robberies pressure group, accused the company and the ministry of not following international restoration standards because they built a new wall around the pyramid. International rules prevent such new additions being made, he said. Gamâl added that the company, hired in 2006, had not finished the work by 2008, as specified in the contract. “Meanwhile, the condition of the pyramid has been going from bad to worse,” he said. “The company does not specialise in restoration, and it has never carried out restoration work in Egypt,” Gamâl said, adding that the al-Shurbagî Company had previously only built cafeterias and other modern buildings at archaeological sites. “If the ministry is confident in the restoration work that is being carried out, it should release a technical report for all to see,” he added. Ahmad Shihâb, an official of the Preserving Egypt Antiquities Organisation, an NGO, said that he was concerned because a 2011 UNESCO report had said that the pyramid was at risk and there was no proper restoration plan. “These accusations are unfounded,” said Kamâl Wahîd, director-general of Gîza Antiquities. He added that the restoration work was being carried out according to plans approved by UNESCO, the Ministry of Antiquities and the relevant consultancy bureau. “The al-Shurbagî Company, in charge of the restoration, is registered with the government as an ‘A’ category company, like Arab Contractors and Orascom, which means that it is qualified for the work,” Wahîd said. The company is following a plan drawn up by specialists in the field and its work is under the supervision of the ministry’s consultancy bureau, led by the well-known architect Hasan Fahmî, he added. An architectural committee, including professors of architecture from Cairo and ‘Ayn Shams universities and led by Mustafa al-Ghamrâwî, is also reviewing the restoration. Wahîd said that it is not true that a wall has been built around the pyramid, or that a block of the pyramid has fallen. “All the blocks scattered around the pyramid fell away over centuries as a result of environmental stresses,” he said, adding that these blocks had been collected, cleaned, and returned to their original positions as part of

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the first phase of the work. Blocks damaged beyond repair have been replaced with replicas to fill the gaps in the pyramid’s structure, he said, and the whole structure has been subjected to careful tests. “A delegation from UNESCO and ICOM [International Council of Monuments] is now visiting several sites and museums in Egypt and it will soon issue its report,” Wahîd said, adding that the report will adjudicate between the claims of the ministry and its critics.

Yûsuf Khalîfa, head of ancient Egyptian antiquities at the ministry, accused the critics of creating a false controversy that would have a negative impact on the economy and efforts to stimulate tourism. The restoration of Djoser’s Step Pyramid started in 2002, Wahîd said, when he had warned the then minister of antiquities, Zâhî Hawwâs, of the threats to the structure. Hawwâs appointed a team of Egyptian and foreign archaeologists who began a study of the structure with a view to comprehensive restoration, he added. Geological surveys and laboratory tests of the ground material has been done, and an analysis of the structure carried out. In 2006, the al-Shurbagî Company was selected, through a bidding process, to carry out the restoration work recommended in the report. The restoration work continued until 2010, when it was suspended for budgetary reasons. Meanwhile, a British team used giant air bags in the pyramid’s inner chamber to support the ceiling, which was in danger of collapse. Following the 25 January Revolution, work was again suspended because of money problems. Last week, during al-Damâtî’s visit to the site, he announced that a new budget would see the work resumed for completion by 2015. (Nevine El-Aref, “Pyramid restoration restarts”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 11,

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2014. Voir également Muna Yâsîn, « Le CSA : Djoser souffre de fissures dans la chambre funéraire », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 30 août ; Nada al-Khûlî, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie : La pyramide de Djoser va bien… Elle sera prochainement inaugurée », al-Shurûq, 5 septembre ; “The Step Pyramid is safe and sound, says antiquities official”, Ahram Online, September 6 ; Radwa Hâshim, “Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Les Frères musulmans se tiennent derrière la rumeur de l’effondrement de la pyramide de Saqqâra », al-Watan, 7 septembre ; Safâ’ Safwat, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Les nouvelles sur l’effondrement de la pyramide de Djoser sont infondées », alShurûq, 8 septembre ; Nasma Réda, « Quelle rénovation pour la Pyramide de Saqqâra ? », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 17 septembre ; « Les archéologues en appellent au chef de l’État pour sauver la pyramide de Saqqâra », alDustûr, 28 septembre ; Muna Yâsîn, « Le syndicat des architectes décide la formation d’une commission afin d’examiner la détérioration de l’état de la pyramide de Saqqâra », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 29 septembre).

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On Tuesday evening Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî and the governor of Cairo, Galâl alSa‘îd, were joined by nine other cabinet members for the inauguration of the third, and final phase of the al-Mu‘izz Street rehabilitation project, reports Nevine El-Aref. Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, director of the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation Project, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the Ministry of Antiquities had completed the replacement of all street lighting damaged or stolen during the January 2011 Revolution within the allocated budget of LE1,100,000. The first and second phases of the project were completed three months ago at a cost of LE4,200,000. All encroachment on 49

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monuments lining the street has been removed, the façades of shops spruced up, sidewalks repaired and 64 new gates installed as part of the pedestrianisation of the area. Visitors can now stroll along al-Mu‘izz Street, admiring the splendour of the Islamic monuments, without being in danger of being knocked down by passing motorcycles. (Nevine El-Aref, “al-Mu‘izz restored”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 11, 2014. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « La rue al-Mu‘izz resplendit à nouveau », alAhrâm, 10 septembre).

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attempt that did more harm than good. In the 1981-1987 restoration, according to Wahîd, restorers removed the entire Romanera casing and replaced it, at certain points, with cement, causing a large chunk of limestone to fall from the southern shoulder in February 1988. The 10-year restoration project that ended in 1998 involved the removal of the casing stones, and the harmful cement and gypsum mortar used in earlier restorations. (Nevine El-Aref, “Salvage operation”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 11, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le Sphinx subira demain une opération de restauration et de maintenance », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 28 août ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Restauration du Sphinx », al-Ahrâm, 29 août ; « L’Égypte entame la restauration du Sphinx, le plus ancien malade dans l’histoire », al-Bashâyyir, 30 août).

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The Gîza Plateau was a hive of activity yesterday as workers supervised by restorers and Egyptologists installed iron scaffolding around the body of the Sphinx, 16 years after the decade-long project to restore it ended in 1998. The director general of Gîza Monuments, Kamâl Wahîd, explains that the conservation work includes two sections of the Sphinx’s body: a 24-cm wide block in the rear that was last restored in the late-Pharaonic period and has slid out of position; and a 31-cm-wide section of the neck affected by air pollution and erosion. “This is a periodical maintenance of the great Sphinx which will last for only two months,” said Wahîd. Since it was carved during the Fourth Dynasty (2600-2500 BC), the Sphinx has for millennia acted as guardian of the western gateway to the Gîza Plateau. During the reign of the New Kingdom Pharaoh Tuthmosis IV, craftsmen covered the Sphinx’s body with limestone slabs, the surface having eroded into a series of deep recesses and rounded protrusions. Further work was undertaken in the reign of Ramses II and during the 26th Dynasty, when limestone was inserted to consolidate the earlier restoration. During Roman times some blocks were replaced with relatively soft and friable limestone, an example of a restoration BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

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Over the last seven days, top officials from UNESCO, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) embarked on an inspection tour at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Gîza Plateau and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation at al-Fustât. They were there to investigate the work completed and provide solutions to problems that for three years now have stood in the way of its completion. During their visit, delegation members praised the work as “distinguished”, stressing Egypt’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage whether inside or outside the country and its willingness to complete all unfinished archaeological projects. Târiq Tawfîq, supervisor of GEM, says the delegation was enthusiastic about GEM’s lab and its state-of-the-art equipment, despite the budget issues the Ministry of Antiquities has been facing. Tawfîq adds that the visitors promised to exert all possible efforts to help GEM, activating various forms of collaboration including training Egyptian curators and providing expertise. In collaboration with the ICOM, Tawfîq announced, Egypt is to host an international symposium on the display of human remains.

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The delegation also toured the alleyways of historic Cairo and discussed ways to help Egypt restore the site of the Abû Mînâ Monastery in Alexandria, in order to remove it from the World Heritage Endangered List and put it on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. As per the delegation’s recommendations, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî has formed an independent committee to administer the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation Project, including the ministries of antiquities, tourism, endowments, construction and Cairo governorate. This committee, al-Damâtî said, is to follow up restoration works carried out on different monuments there, removing all the encroachment that has accumulated since the 2011 revolution. It will also develop streets and alleys around different Islamic sites to promote tourism. The director general of ICOM, Mechtild ROSSLER, enthusiastically announced that a special delegation from ICOMOS is to visit Egypt within days to offer support for preserving monuments and share techniques used to solve problems relating to encroachment on archaeological sites. UNESCO has a long and successful record of joint cooperation with Egypt in the field of cultural heritage, among which was the very successful Nubian Salvage Campaign in the 1960s and a series of important cultural projects in Egypt, including the International Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswân and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in Cairo. At the request of the Ministry of Antiquities, the ongoing NMEC project was designed to build the capacity of the museum staff. The project will improve international knowledge of Egyptian culture and attract visitors from around the world. More recently, UNESCO assisted the Egyptian government after the Mallawî Museum was looted in August 2013. When a car bomb ripped through the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo earlier this year, UNESCO and the government of Italy contributed funding and technical assistance to restore the museum. The current phase of cooperation on the Urban Regeneration of Historic Cairo (URCH), designed to enhance the management of the complex World Heritage property of historic Cairo, is reaching completion. Discussions are also under

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way with several countries and institutions to help Egypt restore this unique heritage, an important part of its cultural identity. The director-general of UNESCO, Irina BOKOVA, renewed her commitment to the preservation of heritage: “Egyptian heritage is part of the universal story of humanity and I will spare no efforts to mobilise the expertise of UNESCO and its partners for its preservation. This is as essential for Egyptians as it is for people across the world.” (Nevine El-Aref, “Developments galore”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 11, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Réunion entre le ministre de l’Archéologie et les experts des délégations internationales de l’Unesco », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 7 septembre ; MENA, « Des délégations internationales effectuent des visites intensives au musée de la Civilisation à Fustât », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 9 septembre).

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The Lawrence of Arabia historical handdrawn map of northern Arabia during World War I will be auctioned on 4 November. The map, sketched by Thomas Edward Lawrence in 1917, records a crucial period in the history of Arab revolutions against the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Sotheby’s London, the renowned auctioneer, expects the map reaches LE800,000 – LE1 million (£70,000-100,000). The map charts Lawrence’s journey across the desert of Arabia, now known as Saudi Arabia, in May 1917. It is the only map in Lawrence’s hand, showing details of the route he followed in the days preceding the capture of the Red seaport of Aqaba later that year, which was seen by historians as a decisive victory in the Arab uprising to topple Ottoman rule. Lawrence was a British scholar and soldier who played a crucial role in mobilising

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the Arab revolt in World War I and became known as “Lawrence of Arabia.” According to British documents, in 1914 Lawrence was part of an expedition to explore northern Sinai, carrying out reconnaissance under the cover of a scientific expedition. When war broke out, he became an intelligence officer in Cairo. In June 1916, the Arab revolt began against Turkey, an ally of Germany, a revolt the British had strongly encouraged. Lawrence was a liaison officer and adviser to Faisal, son of the revolt’s leader Sherif Hussein of Mecca. The Royal Society of Asian Affairs is the current owner of the map, which was shown recently in major exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum in London and at the Australian War Memorial Canberra. In the notes he wrote on the map sketch, Lawrence carefully plotted the map on a single sheet of tracing paper, signing it and annotating it with the words “this is the only drawn copy so please do not lose it prematurely.” Lawrence left the UK’s Royal Air Force in February 1935 and died on 19 May following a motorcycle accident. (“Lawrence of Arabia’s map of Arabia set to go on sale”, Ahram Online, September 11, 2014).

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al-‘Imarî mosque is one of Egypt’s oldest mosques. It has very distinguished Islamic architecture and one of the oldest and most important Fatimid minarets that survives until today. The mosque was built in 474 AH during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph alMuntasir Bi-llah al-Fâtimî and was named alAzhar al-Sa‘îd by the public. Muhammad Ahmad, head of the Islamic monument in Isnâ explains that the minaret, is attributed to Fakhr al-Mulk Sa‘d al-Dawla Sar Takin, a high-ranking Fatimid official. It is very important minaret because it sheds light on our understanding of the nature and the wealth of official patronage in the Fatimid period. (Nevine El-Aref, “al-‘Imarî mosque is safe says Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities”, Ahram Online, September 11, 2014. Voir également Usâma alHawwârî, « al-Damâtî inspecte aujourd’hui la mosquée al-‘Imarî après son incendie », alAhrâm, 8 septembre ; Nasma Réda, « La mosquée al-‘Imarî victime d’un incendie », AlAhram Hebdo du 10 septembre ; Dînâ ‘Abd al‘Alîm, « Une commission architecturale pour inventorier les dégâts et restaurer la mosquée al-‘Imarî », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 septembre).

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Samedi 13 septembre 2014

Yesterday evening wooden elements of al-‘Imarî mosque in Isnâ were subject to damage after a fire occurred in its backyard due to an electrical issue. According to Mustafa Amîn, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities the blast did not affect the mosque’s walls but it had a minor impact on its wooden elements such as the mashrabiyya windows, the pulpit and arcades. Today antiquities minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî appointed an archaeological and architectural committee to inspect the damage and provides solutions to repair and restore it.

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Tonight the Coptic Museum is celebrating Coptic New Year with a series of lectures about Coptic arts, history, the Coptic calendar, and its relation to the ancient Egyptian calendar. Afterwards, a music concert will follow. Ahmad Sharaf, head of museums section of the Ministry of Antiquities, said this is the first time for the ministry to celebrate Coptic New Year in this way. He added that

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the celebration is entitled "Wâhid Tût" (One Tout), referring to the name of the first month of the Coptic Year, which commemorates the god of knowledge, Thoth. Sharaf explained that the Coptic calendar is based on the ancient Egyptian calendar, though its years and months coincide with those of the Ethiopian calendar, but with different numbers and names. It has 13 months: 12 of 30 days each and an intercalary month at the end of the year of five or six days, depending on whether the year is a leap year or not. The year starts on 11 September in the Gregorian calendar, or on the 12th in the year before Gregorian leap years. The Coptic leap year follows the same rules as the Gregorian, so that the extra month always has six days in the year before a Gregorian leap year. The names of the months are Tût, Baba, Hator, Kiahk, Tûba, Amshîr, Baramhât, Baramûda, Bashans, Pa’ûna, Epep, Mesra and Nasie. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities celebrates New Coptic Year”, Ahram Online, September 13, 2014. Voir également Sâra ‘Abd al-Muhsin, « Les experts en archéologie en appellent au retour du calendrier copte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 septembre).

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cleaning and developing archaeological and historical sites in Egypt, in an attempt to preserve and protect Egypt’s heritage. He said that the campaign would extend to all archaeological sites nationwide; to create clean, well-developed areas where archaeological sites are located.

al-Damâtî and ‘Abd al-‘Azîz cleaning

Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, head of the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation Project, said the first phase of the campaign had started in medieval Islamic Cairo in the areas of alGamâliyya, al-Azhar, al-Ghûrî, al-Darb al-Ahmar and Bâb al-Wazîr. al-Damâtî, ‘Abd al-‘Azîz and a group of children who live in the area participated in the cleaning campaign. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egyptian antiquities ministry launches campaign to clean historic sites”, Ahram Online, September 13, 2014).

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al-Damâtî with the children who participated in the cleaning campaign

The Ministry of Antiquities launched a campaign on Saturday to clean the locations of Egypt’s archaeological sites, in collaboration with local NGOs. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the project aims to encourage the public to participate in

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The ancient Egyptian funerary statue Sekhemka should have been included in a new section of the school curriculum in the UK, a campaign group has suggested. With the start of the academic year early this month, British school children are set to learn about the history of the world through 100 objects from British museums, as part of the national history curriculum. These objects include an Egyptian mummy and an Arabic encyclopaedia of medicine. It is hoped the range of artefacts, which are up to 700,000 years old, will help spark an interest for students aged 5 - 14. The Save Sekhemka Action Group has asked for the 4,500 year-old statue to be included in the scheme, arguing that doing so

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“would have saved a unique and wonderful antique artefact for the UK.” Egyptologists say the statue, believed to show Sekhemka with his wife Sitmerit, was found during the nineteenth century when the search for antiquities in Egypt gained pace. It is believed one of the tombs discovered in the burial city of Saqqâra at that time belonged to Sekhemka, who was an administrator in the Royal Court in the Old Kingdom during the Fifth Dynasty (2700BC2250BC).

The invaluable statute, housed in Northampton museum for over 150 years, was sold two months ago to an unknown collector for £15.76 million, despite an outcry both from international observers and from Egyptians. If the statue was a part of the educational scheme, it would have enhanced the reputation and attraction of Northampton’s museums and kept it safe from the present turmoil in the Middle East, the action group said in a letter to the Times. The letter said that the public lost the statue “thanks to the inaction on the part of our large museums.” The action group has spent the last two years trying to stop the sale, warning the public might not be able to view again if it were sold to a private collector. “At any time during the last two to four years the British Museum, encouraged by other museums, could have broached the possible inclusion of Sekhemka in the History Project,” wrote Gunilla LOE, the group’s chair. She reiterated that the legal agreement between Northampton Borough Council and Lord Northampton granting him 45 precent of the auction price in exchange for giving up his ownership claim to the statue in favour of the council is unethical. Her group believes that selling the statute is “collective loss of a unique artefact that had given pleasure and awe and knowledge to generations of people.” (“Sekhemka statue should be part of history curriculum in UK: Campaign”, Ahram Online, September 13, 2014).

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Mardi 16 septembre 2014 Egypt’s antiquities minister denied Tuesday claims that the Djoser pyramid, the country’s first, had been damaged during restoration work by a company accused of being unqualified to do such work. Addressing journalists who had been allowed inside the 27th century BC pyramid near Cairo, Mamdûh al-Damâtî said: “You have seen the inside of the pyramid. It has not been destroyed; it is not in danger.” “Restoration work is underway without a problem,” the minister added in his remarks to the journalists, who had been invited to see for themselves so that they did not spread “rumours”. But Marwa al-Zaynî, a specialist in the restoration of antiquities, claimed that the company hired to do the work, al-Shurbagî, does not have the experience for such projects, and she criticised what has already been done. “There is an enormous visual difference between the part (of the pyramid) already restored” and the rest of the structure, she told AFP. “The part that has been restored gives the impression of being a new pyramid, which contravenes all international norms.” al-Shurbagî’s project manager, Michel Farîd Ghubriyâl, brushed aside the criticism, saying the work done “gives the pyramid the appearance it would have had when it was first built”. al-Zaynî called for the appointment of a committee of independent international experts to evaluate the work and decide whether the tomb “is in danger or not”. (AFP, “Egypt denies claims oldest pyramid damaged in restoration”, Ahram Online, September 16, 2014. Voir également Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : La pyramide de Djoser est en bon état », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 septembre ; Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « L’Unesco demande à l’Égypte un rapport détaillé sur l’état de la pyramide de Djoser », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 25 septembre ; ‘Alî Hasan, « Le syndicat des architectes forme une commission technique pour examiner la pyramide de Djoser », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 26 septembre ; Nada al-Khûlî, « Des archéologues en appellent à Sîsî pour sauver la pyramide de Saqqâra et réclament la démission d’alDamâtî », al-Shurûq, 28 septembre).

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Mercredi 17 septembre 2014

Avec ses 21 monuments islamiques : fatimides, mamelouks ou ottomans, la rue alMu‘izz célébrait ce week-end l’achèvement de ses travaux de rénovation. En présence des dirigeants du projet, le premier ministre, Ibrâhîm Mihlib, ainsi que le gouverneur du Caire, ont célébré la fin de la troisième et dernière phase du projet. Cette phase consistait en la rénovation du système d’éclairage des bâtiments et de la rue. « L’ancien système était complétement détruit, la plupart des poteaux et des fils avaient été volés lors de la révolution du 25 janvier 2011 », explique le directeur du projet, Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz. Le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh alDamâtî, a précisé que le coût de cette phase de rénovation a dépassé un million de L.E. pour un coût total de plus de 4 millions. « À 16h, les monuments tels que les mosquées et les musées fermaient leurs portes. Désormais, tout a changé, la rue vivra aussi une partie de la nuit », s’est réjoui Hânî Muhammad, l’un des responsables du projet. « Ce système d’éclairage exceptionnel donne un air antique et une saveur d’autrefois aux monuments qui se trouvent tout au long de cette rue historique », poursuit le directeur du projet. Le ministère a travaillé sur deux axes : la réhabilitation de la rue et une campagne pour faire prendre conscience aux habitants et aux visiteurs de l’importance historique du quartier. « Ce dernier point est le plus difficile, mais le ministère y travaille », précise encore ‘Abd al-‘Azîz. Deux campagnes ont été lancées : « Connaissez-vous votre patrimoine ? », et une autre sur la propreté. Les habitants étaient

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encouragés à nettoyer cérémonie d’inauguration.

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La première phase de réhabilitation de la rue concernait les travaux d’aménagement, le ravalement des façades des magasins et des maisons, et la réparation de la chaussée avec un coût total de 1,7 million de L.E. La deuxième phase consistait en la pose de portails électriques qui bloquent l’accès à la rue de 21h jusqu’à 9h. Les délégués de 5 grandes organisations internationales, dont l’Unesco, se sont rendus rue al-Mu‘izz la semaine dernière. (Nasma Réda, « La rue alMu‘izz brille enfin de tous feux », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 17 septembre 2014).

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Jeudi 18 septembre 2014 Among the first decisions made by Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî, after he took up his post in late June, was the appointment of Târiq Tawfîq to head the planned Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Gîza Plateau. After receiving his PhD in Egyptology from Bonn University in Germany, Tawfîq started his academic career at the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University, where he became a lecturer in Egyptology and then an associate professor. He was the official spokesman of the founding committee of the Syndicate of Egyptology in Egypt and has lectured in Germany, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy and Malta. He is also a member of various regional and international archaeological and Egyptological academies. The appointment did not please everyone, however, including some ministry employees who felt that the appointment should have been made internally. “The ministry has many qualified individuals, and there was no need to make an external appointment,” said one ministry archaeologist speaking on condition of anonymity. From his modern office overlooking the Gîza Plateau, where the GEM is soon to see the light of day, Tawfîq welcomed the Weekly’s questions with a broad smile. The walls were empty aside from bookshelves and books, and the room as a whole was simply furnished with

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chairs, tables and a large desk covered with documents. Tawfîq admitted that he has been given a difficult task as the GEM’s first director, given the ministry’s budgetary concerns and problems regarding the realisation of the ambitious architectural design. “When I was asked by the minister to direct the GEM I was surprised,” Tawfîq said, adding that the unexpected position is also a great responsibility. “I have concerns of course,” he said, noting the obstacles facing this gigantic project. “But I did not hesitate in accepting the job, which is a great challenge. I am very enthusiastic because the appointment shows al-Damâtî’s confidence in me and it will be a chance for me to leave a mark on this new institution.” One initial challenge will be transporting the Tutankhamun collection from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square to the GEM, something that should be carried out, Tawfîq said, with international assistance. “I am already concerned about the safety of the materials during their transportation,” he said. Tawfîq describes the GEM as Egypt’s fourth pyramid, after the three pyramids at Gîza. When completed, it will be one of the world’s largest museums and a major cultural, historical, and educational institution. Visitors to the museum will discover galleries covering 92,000 square metres, equal to six football stadiums. The institution’s educational centre will offer scientific programmes to raise the cultural and archaeological awareness of Egyptian young people and other visitors, while the exhibitions will help them learn about Egypt’s history and topography. The GEM will also contribute to its immediate environment, Tawfîq said, explaining that when the museum is inaugurated hotels, resorts and other services will soon follow, developing the surrounding area. According to feasibility studies, some five million visitors are expected each year. “This will increase the living standards in the area, as well as offering job opportunities,” Tawfîq said, pointing out that the GEM is located at the intersection of the Gîza, al-Haram, Six October and Haqâ’iq alAhrâm areas. “Because of the GEM’s unique character we need to develop special administrative and operational systems to properly manage the institution,” Tawfîq said.

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“We cannot simply import ready-made administrative systems, though we can invite international professionals to help us develop our own.” The GEM is being sponsored by UNESCO, the UN’s cultural body, which has the task of ensuring that the new institution conforms to international guidelines. “However, the GEM is not like the new National Museum for Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) that is under the direct supervision of UNESCO,” Tawfîq said. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is also involved in the work on the GEM, helping to ensure that displays and other aspects of the museum meet the highest international standards. A delegation from UNESCO, ICOM and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) recently visited the GEM to inspect the work and suggest solutions to the problems that have delayed its completion, Tawfîq said. During their visit, delegation members praised the work and Egypt’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage. The delegation was enthusiastic about the GEM’s laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment, these having been successfully completed despite the budgetary issues the ministry has faced. The delegation also promised that every effort will be made to activate various forms of collaboration, including training Egyptian curators. Before starting his new job, Tawfîq reviewed the work already completed on the GEM, discovering that the restoration labs and storehouses had been successfully completed and staff trained in collaboration with Japanese experts. However, the fall in tourism after the 25 January Revolution interfered with the construction schedule and work came to a halt. In 2012, work resumed after a joint venture between Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries and the Belgium BESIX Group was awarded the contract for completion of the GEM’s third phase, which includes construction of the museum’s main building and landscaping. BESIX is the company that built the impressive Borg Khalifa tower in Dubai. Today, continuing, if

Tawfîq said, the more slowly than

work is originally

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anticipated, and very good results have been achieved. “A third of the construction work has been completed,” he said, adding that the main walls have been built and the challenge now is the ceiling. The design presented formidable technical challenges to the engineers working on the project. “If the required funds are provided, the whole building will be completed at the beginning of 2017,” Tawfîq said. Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib formed a special committee to help raise the necessary funds, and negotiations are underway with the JICA, the Japanese development agency, to obtain another soft loan similar to a previous loan that was used for the earlier construction work. Other ideas include a campaign entitled “One dollar per night” under which the Ministry of Antiquities would collect one dollar for every night a tourist spends in any hotel in Egypt, the money going towards funding the GEM. “This dollar would be an optional fee,” Tawfîq said. There are also proposals to make the best possible use of GEM facilities on a regional level, providing an additional source of funds. The museum’s restoration labs could be made into a regional expert centre, for example, and help to support the heritage needs of the entire Middle East. The success of the subscription scheme for the Suez Canal has also encouraged Tawfîq to launch a similar campaign to support the GEM’s construction. Negotiations are also under way with banks in Egypt. The Suez Canal Authority has also offered money to support the work. “Work at the GEM up to now has cost half a billion dollars, and an equal amount is needed to make the dream of the new institution come true,” Tawfîq said. He added that the planned exhibition design of the museum will not be changed, but will be reviewed by Egyptian experts. “If changes are required to make the exhibition design more attractive to visitors, then these will be carefully studied,” Tawfîq said. The British company in charge of the design, which withdrew because of budgetary issues, will be replaced by a new company, he said.

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He added that rumours that the replica of the tomb of Tutankhamun erected beside archaeologist Howard CARTER’s rest house on the west bank at Luxor will be dismantled and re-erected inside the museum are unfounded. The GEM will display authentic objects, not replicas, he said. However, brainstorming is under way on how to exhibit the Tutankhamun collection, in particular, in the best and most stimulating way. “It is too early to confirm anything as final decisions have not yet been taken,” he said. However, the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, moved from central Cairo some years ago, will be kept in storage in the GEM until construction work is completed, he said. It will then be transferred to the building’s main entrance, he added. Up to now, only some 12,000 pieces from the 100,000 planned for the museum’s collection have been transferred to the GEM. “When I took up the post of director, I found that the different departments of the museum were working on isolated islands and problems had developed as a result. However, these have now been resolved and there is a new atmosphere in the institution,” he said. Work to transport the GEM’s collection from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square will begin this week. Tawfîq said that this was the case because it is necessary to have sufficient time to restore the objects and prepare them for display. The exact date of the museum’s inauguration had not been decided, he said, though this was likely to take place in phases. The first phase will be in 2017, after the completion of the construction work, and the second is likely to take place in 2019. “The important thing now is to create an efficient team of GEM curators. Comprehensive training courses are therefore continuing. It is also important to raise the international profile of the GEM, and so we are doing everything possible to promote the museum internationally,” Tawfîq said. Offers of international aid had been flooding in, he added, whether financial, technical, or in terms of training. Finally, Tawfîq said he wants to see the government take action to complete the planned fourth line of the metro, with a new

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station to be located in front of the museum. The Gîza governorate should also widen the road leading to the museum. Tawfîq says that the metro should also be extended to the NMEC, in nearby Fustât. “If this was done, tourists could visit the Gîza pyramids, the GEM and the NMEC in one trip by metro,” he said. (Nevine El-Aref, “A dream comes true”, AlAhram Weekly, September 18, 2014. Voir également Zâhî Hawwâs, « Le GEM n’est pas un simple musée ! », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 2 août).

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Samedi 20 septembre 2014 L’ingénieur Târiq Radwân, qui travaille au Département des projets au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie, a révélé que les entrepôts muséologiques ne sont pas sécurisés depuis quatre ans, malgré les sommes faramineuses qui y sont consacrées. Chaque fois que le ministère conclut un contrat avec une entreprise et dépense plusieurs millions de L.E., elle finit par le résilier sans prendre aucune sanction à l’égard de l’entreprise qui ne remplit pas ses obligations. Voilà qui soulève de nombreux points d’interrogation. Lors d’une conférence de presse organisée cet après-midi sous le titre « Sauvez le patrimoine égyptien des entreprises de BTP », Radwân a évoqué le cas de la zone archéologique des pyramides. Malgré les 30 millions L.E. dépensées pour sa sécurisation, les équipements installés ne sont pas adaptés pour la surveillance nocturne. Sans parler des infractions financières commises dans les musées d’Art islamique et du Manyal. Radwân conclut en précisant que les plaintes adressées au Parquet général n’ont pas résolu ces crises et cette corruption. Il en appelle le ministre de l’Archéologie en personne à demander des comptes aux responsables et au personnel de son ministère. (Sâra ‘Abd al-Muhsin, « Les entrepôts muséologiques ne sont pas sécurisés », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 20 septembre 2014. Voir également « 30 millions L.E. dilapidées sur la sécurisation inefficace des entrepôts muséologiques », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 30 septembre).

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Mardi 23 septembre 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a pris la décision n° 422/2014 portant la nomination de l’ingénieur Gharîb Sunbul au poste de président de l’administration centrale pour la maintenance et la restauration, en remplacement du Dr ‘Afâf ‘Abbâs. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie nomme Gharîb Sunbul président de l’administration centrale pour la maintenance et la restauration », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 23 septembre 2014).

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Mercredi 24 septembre 2014

During recent excavation work at Tell al-Amarna city archaeologists discovered a woman with more than 70 elaborate and lengthy hair extensions. The discovery sheds light on Amarna’s hairstyles. Archaeologist Jolanda BOS — who leads research of Amarna’s hairstyles — published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology stated that during her study she found that the uncovered woman was not mummified but that her body was wrapped in a mat. “Her head was covered with a very complex hairdo with almost 70 extensions fastened in different layers and heights on her head,” BOS wrote in the journal. She suggested that the hair was most likely styled after death before being buried adding, “these hairstyles were also used in everyday life.” BOS continued that studies on the necropolis at Amarna revealed that 28 out of 100 recently excavated skulls have different coiffures worn in Egypt between 1353-1335 BC. Some of them have curly black hair while others have brown straight hair while the rest

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have gray to white hair. “Multiple people donated their hair to create extensions,” BOS pointed out. She also revealed that most of the skulls have braids with different sizes and some of them have died hair with henna to hide the gray colour. (Nevine El-Aref, “New discovery: Hair extensions are as old as ancient Egyptians”, Ahram Online, September 24, 2014).

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According to export licensing procedures, certain cultural objects more than 50 years old and valued above specified financial thresholds require an individual licence for export out of the United Kingdom, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. SSAG, supported by nine societies and organisations, is fighting to block any possible attempt to export the statue, saying it is a “unique and wonderful antique artefact for the UK.” The ancient statue, which dates from 5th Dynasty and is believed to show Sekhemka the scribe with his wife, Sitmerit, was given by the Marquess of Northampton to Northampton Museum around 1870. “We are sure the license has not been issued yet. We are keeping our eye on it,” LOE said, pledging not give up till the statue is resorted to Northampton Museum for public view.

The 4,000-year-old Sekhemka statue is still in the UK despite being sold over two months ago to a private collector, Ahram Online can confirm. The statue was sold by Northampton Borough Council for £15.76 million at Christie’s of London in July, despite an outcry from Egypt and campaign groups. While the identity of the new owner is not yet known, the campaign groups strongly fear the statue might have been sold to a wealthy Middle Easterner who will move it from the UK. The Save Sekhemka Action Group (SSAG) expressed its concern about the safety of the statute. “We are very keen to keep it safe from the present turmoil in the Middle East,” Gunilla LOE, the chair of the group, told Ahram Online. Campaign groups warn selling the statue to a private collector will deny the public of their right to view it. The new owner of the statue needs to apply for an export license to take it abroad. A spokesperson at Arts Council England (ACE) refused to say whether an application for an export license had been submitted. “We can neither confirm nor deny whether an export licence application has been received as we are bound by a duty of confidentiality — common law — and disclosure would be a breach of that confidence,” she said. It is understood that issuing the license could take up to three months.

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On 1 August, the museum lost its accreditation status after the controversial sale of the Egyptian statue. ACE ruled the sale breached the accredited standards for how museums manage their collections. Egypt condemned the sale as an "an abuse of the Egyptian archaeology." SSAG regrets the museum’s loss of accreditation because it will mean the certain decline of the museum since the loss of this status stops it being eligible for outside grants from the Lottery, Arts Council England and other art and cultural grant giving bodies. LEO hopes that this removal of accreditation “will serve as a warning to other museums and local authorities not to sell items from public collections.” (“Sekhemka statue still in UK awaiting possible export license”, Ahram Online, September 24, 2014).

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45 Km seulement séparent la pyramide de Maydûm, surnommée la pyramide incomplète, de celles de Gîza. Une petite distance qui a convaincu le ministre du Tourisme, Hishâm Za‘zû‘, d’ajouter ce site au plus important circuit touristique d’Égypte, celui du plateau des pyramides de Gîza. « La pyramide de Maydûm, avec ses deux temples ainsi que les tombes qui sont à côté, est ouverte à la visite », explique Nâdya ‘Âshûr, directrice générale des antiquités égyptiennes à Banî Swayf. Selon elle, le visiteur a la possibilité de découvrir dans ce site archéologique, en plus de la pyramide, des tombes et des temples

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bien préservés malgré leurs âges reculés. Bien que le site soit facilement accessible grâce à trois différentes routes (Le Caire-Asyût ouest, Le Caire-Asyût est, et la route agricole Le Caire- Banî Swayf), et malgré cette richesse archéologique, il est malheureusement peu fréquenté. Cela est dû au manque de services et d’activités touristiques pour attirer les visiteurs. Afin de combler ces lacunes, un projet de réaménagement et d’investissement touristique va être entrepris dans toute la région, y compris dans l’oasis de Maydûm située tout près du complexe archéologique. (Doaa Elhami, « Maydûm sur la carte touristique », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 24 septembre 2014).

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Jeudi 25 septembre 2014

Abûsîr, is already a popular site with tourists. It is located on the shore of Lake Mariout, about 48 km southwest of Alexandria on the Alexandria-Matrûh road. The site includes the ruins of an ancient temple, a small lighthouse and a series of tombs. The Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn site is 196 km west of Alexandra and six km east of al‘Alamayn, not far from the World War II memorial. The ancient town stretches over an area one km long and 0.5 km wide, making it the largest archaeological site on Egypt’s north coast. Although there were historical records for the ancient site of Leucaspis, as well as rudimentary plans of its layout, these had been forgotten by the 1990s, when construction began on the giant Marina holiday resort that today stands near the site. Early construction work soon revealed marble columns and other debris, and archaeologists stepped in to preserve the ruins. The Polish Archaeological Institute in Cairo and the American Research Centre in Egypt have unearthed the ruins of more than 50 structures in the town and adjoining necropolis. The ancient town was a natural harbour, adjacent to which was a commercial quarter; further south was the town centre, which included baths, markets and a basilica.

Holidaymakers to Egypt’s north coast will have more to entertain them than sun, sand and sea next summer: they will also be able to explore the archaeological site of Mârînâ al-‘Alamayn, known 2,000 years ago as the town of Leucaspis. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî, following a tour of the archaeological site, this week gave the goahead for a resumption of restoration work, suspended in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution. Part of the site will be open to tourists next April. The work is being carried out by a Polish-Egyptian team, led by archaeologist Erysztof JAKUBIAK from the Institute of Archaeology at Warsaw University. The aim of the project, said Muhammad al-Shaykha, head of the projects section at the ministry, is not only to preserve the existing site, but also to develop it as a new attraction on the north coast. The Taposiris Magna site, known as

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The earliest archaeological finds, which date from the mid-second century BCE, have been located in the town’s necropolis. It is thought that the town was occupied until the seventh century CE. Archaeologists believed that Leucaspis was an especially important port during the Greek and Roman eras in Egypt. The Greek name Leucaspis means “white shell” or “shield.” According to Muhammad ‘Abd alMaqsûd, former director of Lower Egyptian antiquities, the town was given this name because of the softness and white colour of the nearby sand. Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, was worshipped there, and statues found of her at the site show her emerging from a white shell. The Romans later called the town Locabsis. The Polish Archaeological Institute began systematic excavations of the western part of the site in 1986 under the direction of Wiktor A. DASZEWSKI, conducting a survey and documenting all of the monuments. The ancient site is located between the slopes of an

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ancient beach and a lagoon, separated from the open sea by a narrow strip of sand and the modern Alexandria-Marsa Matrûh highway. At the northern area of the site, near the sea, several buildings were partly cleared by the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation in the 1980s. The upper part of the site was once used as a cemetery.

Reconstructed pillar-tombs in the town’s necropolis

Fieldwork by the original Polish team concentrated on the cemetery, where a series of important discoveries was made. Some wellpreserved tombs were uncovered, of which there are four main types: rock-hewn tombs covered with limestone slabs; tombs cut into the bedrock but with step pyramid-shaped superstructures; and tombs like cubic structures built on the rock surface with two or four loculi, or burial niches, frequently surmounted by funerary monuments such as a column or sarcophagus. ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said that some of the third type of tombs consisted of a loculus covered by a structure similar to a huge sarcophagus and were similar in type to tombs found in Turkey and Cyrenaica, while others contained two loculi and were surmounted by a pillar decorated with two capitals in the socalled “Nabatean” style. The fourth type of tombs found at the site are hypogea, or underground tombs, consisting of superstructures with monumental entrances that lead to vaulted staircases with burial chambers cut into the bedrock. Large vertical shafts provide the burial chambers with air and light, and these contain rock-cut benches, loculi and stone altars. These tombs have been dated from the late second century BCE to the late first century CE. The Polish excavations also recovered lamps, glass vessels and pottery from Cyprus,

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the Aegean, Asia Minor and Italy. Several sculptures were also found. Among the most remarkable discoveries were a lead coffin and mummies in one of the side chambers of a tomb. “These are similar to the well-known examples from the Fayyûm, as the mummies found at the site have portraits painted on wooden panels like the Fayyûm mummies,” ‘Abd al-Maqsûd said. In 1988, a joint Polish-Egyptian mission began restoration work at the site. Three monuments in the necropolis that had been toppled by an earthquake were restored, while several others were reinforced and repaired. In the area of the town, a series of buildings, both private and public, was excavated. Several large houses in a good state of preservation were found in the central part of the site. The houses consisted of rooms grouped around one or two peristyle courtyards. Each house was originally equipped with underground cisterns and a well-developed system of aqueducts. In the central part of the site, a circular-shaped bath was discovered, as well as structures located near the lagoon that seem to have served as storehouses. Lamps, coins, statues and pots were also unearthed. According to ‘Abd al-Maqsûd, the finds indicated that most of the excavated structures could be dated to the first and third centuries CE. The ancient town must have been a very prosperous community, he said, with a wide range of imported pottery found at the site, particularly amphorae, suggesting flourishing trade relations with the Mediterranean region. The settlement was probably destroyed by an earthquake in the late third century CE, but was partially inhabited again in the fifth and sixth centuries. A small basilica church uncovered in the eastern sector is considered to be the best evidence of this later occupation. From 2000 to 2005, the Polish archaeological mission continued research in this area, and in 2006 and 2007 Egyptian archaeologists continued the exploration of the ruins, partly clearing the main rooms of the houses located there. “This work was done in collaboration with a site-presentation project carried out by a joint mission from the

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American Research Centre in Cairo and Egyptian archaeologists in 2006-2008,” said Rafal CZERNER, deputy director of the Polish mission. He said that the Polish-Egyptian mission then embarked on the preservation and conservation of the ruins that had deteriorated following their uncovering.

Southern baths

The work was continued in 2009, when a portico courtyard in the western part of the baths area was cleared, preserving the walls and raising a few columns. “The conservation of the remains of the heating installation also proceeded,” CZERNER said. Research and preservation work also continued in another room of a house in the area that was paved with large slabs made of dark marble. “The base of the marble labrum [basin] was preserved in the western part and the labrum itself was lying next to it,” CZERNER said, adding that a further room to the east of the complex was also partly restored. In 2009, a comprehensive restoration and development of the site was launched, and in 2010 a large section of the site was equipped with a 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, as well as the necropolis and residential areas. However, in the aftermath of the 25 January Revolution, the restoration and development work stopped. MEDEKSZA said the team then focused on research and documentation since work at the site had become impossible, and the site itself was closed to visitors. Archaeological work resumed in 2013 and focused on the necropolis and the part of the site dating from Hellenistic and Roman

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times. The most interesting discoveries were made within the area of the ancient baths. “Although Egypt’s transitional period was still ongoing, and the duration of the mission was limited, the mission continued its studies and restoration of the Roman baths south of the central square and connected city basilica,” CZERNER said, adding that the remains of one of the largest tombs in the necropolis has been excavated and valuable wall paintings have been conserved. During the work, the team uncovered an ancient latrine that experts said was carefully and elegantly built. Remains of polychrome plaster were found, together with a collection of small bronze rings with inscriptions. “We have also undertaken the conservation of wall paintings that have been kept in storage for several years,” CZERNER said. These included fragments showing the figures of Helios, Harpocrates and Sarapis. Al-Shaykha said that work on the site had been proceeding slowly “but al-Damâtî’s inspection tour has changed the situation,” with work now being sped up to meet the deadline of opening the site to the public next April. The idea was to remove debris, landscape the area, and integrate existing monuments into a more accessible and recognisable historical site for visitors, he said. Facilities including a parking area, entrance gate, and ticket and information office will also be constructed. There will also be a new visitor route with signs and billboards bearing information about the site. An enclosed area will be constructed to display artefacts found at the site. (Nevine El-Aref, “al-‘Alamayn site to re-open”, Al-Ahram Weekly, September 25, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Inauguration en avril prochain de la zone archéologique de Mârînâ », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 septembre ; Nevine El-Aref, “Mârînâ al‘Alamayn archaeological site is set to open in April”, Ahram Online, September 16).

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Vendredi 26 septembre 2014 Le Premier ministre, Ibrâhîm Mihlib, a décidé la nomination du Dr Fathî Sâlih au poste de conseiller du Premier ministre pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine. À sa propre

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demande, Dr Sâlih a renoncé à tout salaire ou indemnités qui lui sont dus dans le cadre de l’exercice de ses fonctions.

Fondateur et directeur honorifique du National Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT), Dr Sâlih a publié de nombreuses études et recherches sur l’utilisation de l’informatique et des techniques modernes dans la documentation du patrimoine égyptien. Il a accumulé une grande expérience à travers les postes qu’il a occupés : conseiller culturel d’Égypte à Paris, ambassadeur d’Égypte auprès de l’Unesco. Par ailleurs, il est également membre du conseil d’administration du Grand Musée Égyptien et de l’Institut d’Égypte. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Fathî Sâlih nommé conseiller du Premier ministre pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 26 septembre 2014).

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Samedi 27 septembre 2014 Starting today (Saturday), and for two days only, all open archaeological sites in Egypt can be visited for free. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the decision is the ministry’s way of marking World Tourism Day and an attempt to encourage Egyptians and foreigners who live in Egypt to know more about the country’s civilisation. It also, he added, reflects the country’s stable security condition. “Egypt is safe,” al-Damâtî asserted. al-Damâtî went on saying that in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, a number of cultural events are to be held, including musical concerts, folk dance performances and poetry recitals organized in al-Mu‘izz Street, al-Suhaymî House in Old Cairo, Manyal Palace, the garden of the Egyptian

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Museum in Tahrîr, at the Abû Simbel temples and Qâytbây Citadel in Alexandria. Nashwa Gâbir, head of the technical office, said that the documentary film department of the Ministry of Antiquities is to provide to the media documentaries on Egypt’s different archaeological sites, aiming to raise cultural awareness of Egypt’s heritage and get foreigners more acquainted with Egypt’s civilizational history. Gâbir pointed out that on the fringes of the celebration a book fair is to be held at Manyal Palace where a large collection of historic and archaeological books will be available. Ahmad Mutâwi‘, director of the development of archaeological sites section at the ministry, explained that technical workshops for children are to be held in all museums around Egypt in an attempt to raise children’s awareness on Egypt’s heritage and its distinguished civilisations. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s archaeological sites free for two days”, Ahram Online, September 27, 2014).

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Lundi 29 septembre 2014 Les douaniers de l’aéroport international du Caire ont réussi à saisir 13 pièces antiques dissimulées dans les bagages d’un steward égyptien en partance pour Dubaï. Interrogé sur l’origine de ces pièces qui datent de différentes époques, le steward a prétendu qu’elles appartenaient à son grand-père et qu’il comptait les vendre aux Émirats. (« Saisie de 13 pièces archéologiques en possession d’un steward avant son départ pour les Émirats », al-Bashâyyir, 29 septembre 2014. Voir également ‘Abd al-Hamîd al-Musalmânî, « Échec d’une tentative d’exportation illicite de 13 pièces antiques à l’aéroport du Caire », alTahrîr, 29 septembre ; ONA, « Saisie de 13 pièces archéologiques en possession d’un steward en partance pour les Émirats », alDustûr, 29 septembre).

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needed the money to fund a £14m (approximately LE162.7) extension of Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. The MA stated that the NBC has not demonstrated that the sale of Sekhemka is its last resort when it comes to its development plans for the museum.

SSAG outside Christie’s

The UK’s Northampton Museum could face new harsh sanctions for the sale of the ancient Egyptian Sekhemka statue. Sanctions include possible suspension of member status in the UK’s largest museum organisation, the UK Museum Association (MA). The Association will hold a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday to decide on the possible actions against the Northampton Borough Council (NBC), which sold the statue on 10 July. The 4,500-year-old, painted limestone statue was sold to a private buyer at Christie’s in London for £15.8m (about LE183.6 million). The Museum Association has confirmed to Ahram Online that the meeting is being held in response to the outcry in the UK and Egypt, which followed the sale. “A range of sanctions are available to us on such occasions, including barring membership,” Alistair BROWN, the Museum Association’s policy officer told Ahram Online. Save Sekhemka Action Group welcomed the possible action as a “massive step”. The MA, founded in 1889, is an independent membership organisation representing museums and galleries in the UK and people who work for them. It has over 6,000 individual members and 600 institutional members. As a non-profit charity, it seeks to inform, represent and develop museums and people who work for them so that they may provide a better service to society and the public. The MA has condemned the sale as a violation of the museum’s code of ethics, which only allows for such sales in the case of exceptional circumstances. According to the code of ethics, to be eligible to sell items, a museum would need to be able to demonstrate that they are in dire need of funding and have exhausted all other options. The museum has justified the sale of the statute on the grounds that it urgently

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David FLEMING, chairperson of the Museum Association’s ethics committee, said “we do appreciate the huge financial pressure that many local authority museums are under at the present time, but the code of ethics provides for such a sale only as a last resort after other sources of funding have been thoroughly explored.” Arts Council England has earlier withdrawn the Northampton Museum’s access to funding after the sale of the statue, confirming it will follow the Museum Association’s decision on the issue. “We are genuinely concerned that some local authorities could sell parts of their collections to raise funds. This would be in contravention of the Museums Code of Ethics,” BROWN said. “We also intend to hold a summit of other funders, including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, later in the year,” he added. “We already have a red list to protect heritage sites at risk. Now we will ask the summit members to create a similar list for important objects and collections at risk of being taken out of public ownership,” BROWN said. While considering it “a bit late,” Ruth THOMAS the Vice President of the Save Sekhemka Action Group welcomed the authority’s disciplinary meeting on the Northampton Museum. “This will send a strong message as the Northampton Museum will not be to share anything with other museums if its membership is withheld.” “It will be a shame to the museum,” she added. (“Sekhemka statue sale: Northampton Museum faces new sanctions”, Ahram Online, September 29, 2014. Voir également BBC, « Deux musées britanniques sanctionnés suite à la vente de Sekhemka », al-Shurûq, 1er août ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Sanction sévère contre le musée de Northampton suite à la vente de Sekhemka », al-Ahrâm, 4 août).

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Mardi 30 septembre 2014 Le ministre de l’Aviation civile, Husâm Kamâl, et le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, ont effectué une tournée d’inspection du Terminal 3, afin d’examiner le site proposé pour héberger un musée archéologique au sein de l’aéroport international du Caire. Ce musée servira de vitrine civilisationnelle pour accueillir les touristes du monde entier, notamment les voyageurs en transit à l’aéroport. Dr al-Damâtî a annoncé la concrétisation de cette idée qui pourrait également voir le jour dans d’autres aéroports régionaux comme à Sharm al-Shaykh et à Hurghada. De son côté Kamâl a confirmé la disposition du ministère de l’Aviation à aplanir toutes les difficultés et à fournir toutes les facilités nécessaires à l’implantation de ce nouveau musée. Celui-ci sera la première chose que découvrent les touristes dès leur débarquement. (‘Abd al-Hamîd al-Musalmânî, « Les ministres de l’Aviation et de l’Archéologie inspectent le site du nouveau musée à l’aéroport du Caire », al-Tahrîr, 30 septembre 2014).

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Dans le cadre d’un protocole de coopération conclu entre le Nubian Antiquities Salvage Fund et la Bibliotheca Alexandrina, un premier centre pour la préservation du patrimoine nubien va être fondé à Aswân. Le directeur général du Nubian Antiquities Salvage Fund, Dr Ahmad Sâlih, a annoncé que le nouveau centre regroupera de jeunes experts archéologues. Son premier travail consistera à dresser l’inventaire des décorations et basreliefs nubiens dispersés sur plusieurs sites historiques, notamment dans la zone archéologique située sur les bords du lac Nâsir. Les graffitis de l’île Suhayl à Aswân seront également répertoriés. Un bureau administratif du centre a été fondé dans la région alMahmûdiyya. Il sera doté d’équipements électroniques et microfilms les plus modernes, sous les auspices de l’Unesco. (Yâsir Abû al-Nîl, « Nouveau centre pour la préservation du patrimoine nubien », al-Ahrâm, 30 septembre 2014).

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Mercredi 1er octobre 2014

damaged tiles. All the decorative elements of the ceilings will also be restored. According to the project timeline, the restoration project is to be completed in July 2015 and the three monuments will be ready for official inauguration, said ‘Abd al-‘Azîz.

Qubat ‘Âtika and al-Ga‘farî

Egypt’s antiquities ministry in October is to start a comprehensive restoration project of three of al-Khalîfa area’s monuments, including al-Sayyida Ruqayya Mosque and Mausoleum and both Qubat ‘Âtika and alGa‘farî. al-Khalîfa area is located in al-Sayyida Zaynab district in Down Town Cairo and it houses a number of Islamic monuments from the Ayubid and Fatimid era. Among the most important is the mausoleum of Queen Shagarat al-Dur, wife of the Ayyubid Sultan Nagm al-Dîn Ayyûb, the Mosque and Mausoleum of Prophet Mohamed’s daughter al-Sayyida Ruqayya and both Qubat ‘Âtika and al-Ga‘farî which are mausoleums of members of Prophet Muhammad family. Antiquities Minster Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the project — funded via a US grant of $116 million — should help promote tourism to Egypt. Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, director of the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation Project, said the restoration work will be carried out in two phases. The first is consolidating the structure’s foundations, columns and walls. Also, cracks that have spread over the buildings in the past centuries will be restored while salt accumulated in several locations inside and outside the structures due to the high rate of humidity will be removed. The second phase includes the restoration of all the buildings’ wooden items, as well as repairing or replacing

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Rukayya mausoleum from inside

al-Sayyida Ruqayya Mosque and Mausoleum was built by al-Sayyida ‘Alam alAmîriyya, the wife of Fatimid Caliph al-Hâkim Bi-Amr Allah in remembrance of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter Ruqayya. It is located at the western side of the al-Khalîfa street adjacent to the Shagarat al-Dur mosque. The mausoleum has three arcades and two niches with gypsum foliage elements. Neighbouring the al-Sayyida Ruqayya Mosque and mausoleum found both Qubat ‘Âtika and al-Ga‘farî. Qubat al-Ga‘farî was built in 1120 AD and it belongs to Muhammad Ibn Ga‘far the grand-grand son of Prophet Muhammad’s cousin ‘Alî Ibn Abî Tâlib. Qubat ‘Âtika was built in 1122 AD and it belongs to al-Sayyida ‘Âtika bent Zayd, Prophet Muhammad’s aunt. ‘Abd al‘Azîz said that Qubat ‘Âtika is very important because it houses the oldest Fatimid dome ever found while Qubat al-Ga‘farî and alSayyida Ruqayya mosque and mausoleum display a distinguished Islamic decorative elements and were built later after their death to commemorate them. (Nevine El-Aref, “alKhalîfa monuments are under restoration”, Ahram Online, October 1, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie commence la restauration de

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quelques monuments dans Khalîfa », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, Muna Yâsîn, « Le ministère commence la restauration de al-Khalîfa », al-Masrî al-Yawm,

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la zone d’al30 septembre ; de l’Archéologie quelques sites à 1er octobre).

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— Dans l’archéométrie, l’Ifao collabore avec le Grand Musée et le musée de la Civilisation à Fustât. On est proche d’eux sur le plan technique, car nous avons un laboratoire sophistiqué : le seul du Moyen-Orient qui permet une analyse au carbone 14. De même pour un projet égypto-franco-allemand à la citadelle. C’est un projet topographique et documentaire qui comprend aussi la restauration, la conservation et la numérisation de plaques de verre. Un autre exemple est celui de Dayr al-Madîna à Louqsor. — Et les fouilles, quel est leur nombre actuellement ? — Nous travaillons sur 20 sites archéologiques. À côté de nos chantiers déjà connus depuis plusieurs décennies, nous avons ouvert de nouveaux sites, comme par exemple Kom Abû Billû en bordure du désert Libyque.

Depuis 4 ans, l’Ifao a profondément changé. Sous l’impulsion de sa directrice, Béatrix MIDANT-REYNES, l’Institut retrouve progressivement le dynamisme de ses débuts. Formations, publications et équipes reprennent un coup de jeune.

Al-Ahram projets de l’Ifao ?

hebdo :

Quels

sont

— Toutes les fouilles sont-elles actives malgré les conditions sécuritaires ?

les

Béatrix MIDANT-REYNES : La mise en place du projet de formation des jeunes archéologues égyptiens nous tient particulièrement à cœur. Après 4 ans de préparation, il voit enfin le jour. Il contribue à former des archéologues égyptiens aux métiers de l’archéologie de terrain, de la conservation et de la mise en valeur des sites à travers une formation spécialisée. — L’Ifao est-elle la seule institution en Égypte qui propose cette formation ? — Non, les Américains, et notamment l’égyptologue Mark LEHNER, ont déjà une longue expérience dans ce domaine. L’Institut allemand d’archéologie a aussi fondé une école dans ce domaine. Mais l’originalité de nos cours est que notre travail s’inscrit dans un fort partenariat avec le CSA. Responsabiliser les Égyptiens et les intégrer aux fouilles qui ont lieu est l’esprit de notre programme. — À quels autres projets l’Ifao collabore-t-il avec le ministère des Antiquités ?

— Toutes les fouilles tournent sans exception : celles qui ont lieu dans des endroits isolés comme celles qui ont lieu en ville. Par exemple, les travaux sur les murailles du Caire : Bâb al-Tawfîq, Borg Zafar ou Bâb alNasr n’ont pas subi la moindre interruption. Peut-être aussi par chance… En tout cas, lorsque les autorités stoppent les fouilles, nous respectons ces décisions. Les archéologues sont passionnés et travaillent dans toutes les conditions. — Comment les travaux de l’Ifao ont-ils évolué au fil des ans ? — Hormis la numérisation des archives qui facilite grandement le travail, nous avons acheté une presse numérique qui permet l’impression des livres en couleur. On va aussi lancer une nouvelle ligne de guides touristiques grâce notamment à notre service de vente en ligne. Bref, tous les services se sont réorganisés : publications, archéométrie, gestion de l’image et, enfin, services de documentation. On a rajeuni l’Ifao dans tous ses départements avec des professionnels plus jeunes et plus en fait des nouvelles technologies. (Doaa Elhami, « Béatrix MIDANT-REYNES : On a rajeuni l’Ifao ! », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 1er octobre 2014).

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La modernisation de l’Ifao est aussi passée par sa bibliothèque. Dépositaire et gardienne d’un patrimoine scientifique patiemment assemblé année après année depuis la fondation de l’Institut, elle reste l’illustration de ce que cette ancienne maison scientifique doit à la tradition. Récemment, la bibliothèque est passée au « système universitaire de documentation », connu sous le nom de SUDOC. Ce système recense les documents dans un catalogue unique. « Cet outil de catalogage nous oblige à suivre des consignes précises », avance Philippe CHEVRANT, conservateur et responsable de la bibliothèque. Ce réseau facilite notamment la recherche par auteur ou motsclés en incluant des précisions comme la nationalité de l’auteur ou encore le lieu de publication de l’ouvrage. Un projet s’appuyant sur le SUDOC devrait à l’avenir permettre de recueillir des informations sur la localisation des références bibliographiques réparties entre cinq écoles françaises à l’étranger : l’Ifao, l’École française d’Athènes, de Rome, la Casa Velazquez et l’École d’Extrême-Orient. « Grâce à ce projet, le chercheur pourra accéder aux références des livres et articles qui concernent un site archéologique à partir d’une carte grâce à un signalement adéquat dans la notice bibliographique », se réjouit Marianne Rif‘at, bibliothécaire à l’Ifao.

Par ailleurs, la bibliothèque envisage d’adhérer au catalogue collectif des bibliothèques universitaires mis en place par le Conseil suprême des universités égyptiennes. Cette démarche prendra du temps, « mais elle sera enrichissante pour mieux faire connaître aux universitaires égyptiens les richesses de la bibliothèque de l’Ifao », poursuit M. CHEVRANT. La numérisation des ressources fait aussi partie

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des grands enjeux, comme la diversité des langues. « Nous intégrons toujours plus de ressources numériques à côté de la documentation imprimée », indique le responsable de la bibliothèque. Formation, enrichissement de la documentation, inclusions croissantes aux bases de données internationales, tout en veillant à conserver les collections anciennes et à les valoriser : la bibliothèque de l’Ifao est aujourd’hui consciente des enjeux du XXIe siècle. (Doaa Elhami, « La bibliothèque suit le mouvement », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 1er octobre 2014).

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L’Ifao c’est aussi une maison d’édition complète : impression et distribution. « On va passer à l’édition numérique pour rendre disponibles gratuitement tous nos périodiques, comme les BIFAO (Bulletin de l’Ifao), les annales islamologiques et les BCAI (Bulletin Critique des Annales Islamologiques) », affirme Mathieu GOUSSE, directeur du pôle éditorial. En 2009, lors d’une opération de déstockage, « nous avons vendu 7 000 livres en un mois », se souvient GOUSSE, se réjouissant de l’intérêt des lecteurs pour les publications de l’Ifao. Fort d’un matériel de pointe récemment acquis, l’Ifao peut désormais imprimer des ouvrages couleurs en nombre limité. « Notre nouvelle presse permet une grande réactivité et beaucoup de souplesse dans les tirages, en plus d’une rapidité de production de très bonne qualité, poursuit M. GOUSSE. On peut imprimer seulement une dizaine d’exemplaires et en reproduire d’autres plus tard selon le succès que connaît l’ouvrage ».

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Le service est aussi en train de réaliser des guides archéologiques qui correspondent aux chantiers des fouilles de l’Ifao. « Chacun sera composé de 140 à 160 pages en petit format. Ces guides sont des visites culturelle, historique, architecturale et archéologique d’un site donné, élaborées par un archéologue », précise GOUSSE. Le département éditorial de l’Ifao souhaite désormais mettre sa presse à la disposition des entreprises et institutions françaises. (Doaa Elhami, « Développer le secteur de l’édition », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 1er octobre 2014).

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Dix-sept jeunes archéologues viennent d’être sélectionnés pour suivre le programme de formation continue en archéologie ouvert par l’Ifao. Des experts de l’Ifao ont sélectionné les 17 candidats pour suivre les cours de ce programme, dont la durée s’étale sur un an, et qui pourrait être complété par une bourse au département d’archéologie en France. « Nous étions surpris du niveau des candidats qui suivent les cours de ce programme », affirme Béatrix MIDANT-REYNES, directrice de l’Ifao et organisatrice du « Programme de la formation continue en archéologie ». Un avis partagé par les experts en archéologie Cédric GOBEIL et Clara JEUTHE. « Leurs questions sont spécifiques et les discussions qui se déroulent entre nous reflètent leur compréhension des enjeux du travail archéologique sur le terrain », explique JEUTHE. Dans ce programme, les candidats apprendront à sélectionner et appréhender l’exploitation d’un site archéologique. À partir de cet apprentissage, l’archéologue aura la faculté de former sa propre équipe de fouille. « Ingénieur, architecte, botaniste, géologue, et surtout un topographe et un photographe, l’archéologue doit comprendre les spécificités dont le site a besoin pour mener à bien les recherches. Il apprend ainsi les différents moyens de gérer une mission de fouille archéologique », poursuit MIDANT-REYNES. À travers ce programme, la directrice de l’Ifao cherche surtout à créer une nouvelle génération d’archéologues égyptiens autonomes capables de mener des missions de fouilles qui respectent la rigueur scientifique inhérente au travail de recherche d’un site : dégagement des

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pièces, consolidation, enregistrement de celles-ci.

préservation

et

Bien que les 17 personnes aient une expérience des travaux sur le terrain, elles pâtissent d’un apprentissage trop théorique dans les universités égyptiennes. « C’est honteux d’être professeur en archéologie sans avoir pratiqué de fouilles. Raison pour laquelle je suis venu pour suivre ce programme. J’espère que les travaux de chantiers seront étudiés dans nos universités égyptiennes », explique Mahmûd Labîb, doctorat en archéologie. Pour la jeune inspectrice Huda, les équipements sophistiqués occupent une importance majeure sur les chantiers. « J’ai constaté que toutes les missions étrangères utilisaient des équipements très modernes qui rendent plus efficace le travail des membres de la mission tout en leur faisant gagner beaucoup de temps. Ces équipements sont inexistants dans les missions égyptiennes. J’aimerais pouvoir apprendre à m’en servir et présenter un rapport scientifique au niveau mondial à la fin de la saison de fouille », affirme-t-elle. Pour Hamâda Killâwî de Minyâ, « ce programme est enrichissant, puisqu’il marque l’évolution de la science des fouilles des dix dernières années. Je vais transmettre cette science aux 44 jeunes inspecteurs que j’entraîne à Minyâ », renchérit-il, ravi. Même sentiment chez Mahmûd Sâlim, qui met en avant la diversité des expériences vécues par les inspecteurs. « Les professeurs ont proposé à chacun d’entre nous de continuer notre formation sur le site qui nous correspond le mieux. Pour ma part, j’ai choisi le site Balât, localisé à Dakhla, pour enrichir mes connaissances acquises sur le site de Sharqiyya, dans le Delta », dit-il. Killâwî souligne aussi l’importance du laboratoire de l’Ifao, unique en Égypte, dont les installations permettent la datation au carbone 14. L’un des archéologues nous a appris un programme numérique nous permettant de dessiner les inscriptions et les différentes structures archéologiques sur ordinateur. C’est un grand avantage d’apprendre l’utilisation de cette technologie pour la recherche archéologique. Après la fin de cette formation, les candidats souhaitent que l’Ifao puisse se

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servir de leurs nouvelles compétences sur différents sites archéologiques. (Doaa Elhami, « Transmettre savoir et technologies », AlAhram Hebdo du 1er octobre 2014).

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À l’Ifao, deux grandes salles racontent l’histoire d’une typographie centenaire. Des milliers de caractères renferment toutes les écritures : hiéroglyphes, caractères latins, lettres arabes... Au tout début, le texte obtenu était imprimé « en mettant chaque caractère à côté de l’autre pour composer un mot », explique le typographe Husâm Sa‘d. Ces caractères et leurs moules étaient classés dans des tableaux de sorte que le typographe retenait par cœur l’emplacement de chaque signe. Au fil du temps, cette presse a évolué pour composer des textes ligne par ligne. « Le typographe devait laisser une place pour les signes hiéroglyphiques insérés dans le texte français. Au fur et à mesure, des corrections des textes étaient faites, afin d’obtenir la version finale », poursuit Sa‘d.

An attempt to smuggle seven Ottoman coins was foiled Wednesday at Cairo International Airport. Yûsuf Khalîfa, head of the ancient Egyptian antiquities section of the Ministry of Antiquities, related that during a routine inspection of luggage at the airport, customs personnel discovered seven antique coins in the luggage of an Egyptian citizen who was travelling to the United Arab Emirates. The coins were of the same size and eroded. They bear the year when they were made, and decorative elements. Khalîfa continued that customs officers asked the Ministry of Antiquities to assign an archaeological committee to check the authenticity of the coins. The committee, he said, verified the authenticity of the coins, saying they date back to the Ottoman period. The coins are now in the Egyptian Museum for restoration and study. The Egyptian passenger was sent to investigators to know from where and how he obtained the coins. (Nevine El-Aref, “Coin smuggling attempt foiled at Cairo Intl Airport”, Ahram Online, October 1, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Échec d’une tentative d’exportation illicite de 7 monnaies d’époque Muhammad ‘Alî à travers l’aéroport du Caire », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1er octobre ; MENA, « Échec d’une tentative d’exportation illicite de 7 monnaies d’époque Muhammad ‘Alî à travers l’aéroport du Caire », al-Shurûq, 1er octobre).

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Mardi 7 octobre 2014 Au fond de la salle, de gros ustensiles ressemblent à ceux d’un cuisinier. « Ces instruments étaient utilisés pour refondre les caractères de plomb détériorés, et en refaire d’autres », reprend le typographe. Dans les années 1980, avec l’arrivée de nouveaux instruments, l’imprimerie de l’Ifao connaît une première révolution. Les textes sont alors filmés avant d’être imprimés. Aujourd’hui, avec l’arrivée de l’imprimerie numérique en couleur, cette étape a aussi disparu. (Doaa Elhami, « Du plomb au numérique : Le Musée de l’imprimerie », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 1er octobre 2014).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a approuvé le plan de réaménagement du musée archéologique de la Nubie à Aswân qui a été inauguré en 1997. Le directeur général du Nubian Antiquities Salvage Fund, Dr Ahmad Sâlih, a déclaré que ce plan coûtera près de 10 millions L.E. Il englobera la modernisation des réseaux d’électricité, d’eau et des égouts qui constituent une menace pour la collection du musée. Le musée de la Nubie s’étend sur une superficie de 50 000 m2. Il enferme un théâtre, une salle de cinéma, une salle de conférences, 5 classes pour l’instruction des jeunes, des bazars et un grand jardin muséologique. Son plan de réaménagement est financé par le

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Nubian Antiquities Salvage Fund sous les auspices de l’Unesco. La première phase des travaux sera inaugurée en janvier 2015. (Yâsir Abû al-Nîl, « 10 millions L.E. pour le réaménagement du musée de la Nubie », alAhrâm, 7 octobre 2014).

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Vendredi 10 octobre 2014

The antiquities unit at Cairo International Airport managed to prevent two attempts to smuggle two different batches of ancient coins. A collection of 145 coins was found in the luggage of an Egyptian woman travelling to London, while the second batch of 24 coins was found in bags belonging to a Lebanese man who was travelling to Beirut. According to Ahmad al-Râwî, head of the Antiquities Units at Egyptian Ports, the coins were found by chance during routine inspection of passengers’ luggage. The coins, he explained, date from the Ottoman period through to the Muhammad ‘Alî family period. Twenty-two of the coins are engraved with the name of Sultan Husayn Kâmil (ruler of Egypt from 1853- 1917) with the words “the Egyptian Sultanate” on the other face. Nineteen of the coins bear the name of King Fu’âd I (ruled 1922 – 1936) while 118 bear the name of his son King Fârûq (ruled 1936-1952). Three of the coins are decorated with Ottoman decoration and six with medallions. The coins were confiscated by the police and sent to the Egyptian museum for examination and restoration, while the two suspects are facing investigation. (Nevine ElAref, “Egyptian airport officials seize smuggled Ottoman-era coins”, Ahram Online, October 10, 2014).

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The renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York purchased a collection of 4,000-year-old Egyptian artifacts found a century ago by a British explorer, averting a plan to auction the antiquities that had drawn criticism from historians. The Treasure of Harageh collection consists of 37 items such as flasks, vases and jewellery inlaid with lapis lazuli, a rare mineral. Discovered by famed British archaeologist Sir William Matthew Flinders PETRIE, the relics date to roughly 1900 B.C., excavated from a tomb near the city of Fayyûm. Portions of the excavated antiquities were given in 1914 to donors in St. Louis who helped underwrite the dig. The planned auction had been condemned by U.S. and British historians who feared the loss of a valuable cultural resource to the private marketplace. British auction house Bonhams withdrew the treasure Thursday, the planned day of sale, and announced the new deal Friday. Bonhams did not disclose the purchase price, but it had valued the items at $200,000. The collection was owned by the St. Louis Society of the Archaeological Institute of America. It was initially housed at the St. Louis Art Museum and then at Washington University in St. Louis before it was placed in private storage two years ago. The auction prompted the archaeological institute’s national office to rebuke the independent St. Louis chapter in a written statement that cited its “firmly expressed ethical position concerning the curation of ancient artifacts for the public good.” Alice STEVENSON, curator of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London, said a sale to a private buyer would have violated an agreement between the museum’s namesake explorer and the St. Louis group that

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the antiquities be distributed to public museums, accessible to both researchers and the public. “Museums and archaeologists are stewards of the past,” she said. “They should not sell archaeological items in their collections for profit.” Such auctions place other antiquities at risk by “providing incentives for global criminal activity that can lead directly to the loss of the art they claim to value,” she added. Howard WIMMER, secretary of the nonprofit St. Louis group, said the society reluctantly decided to sell the collection when it became too expensive to pay an estimated $2,000 in annual storage costs. Society leaders were also concerned about properly preserving the artifacts. “If there had been any way that we could have reasonably kept these items in St. Louis, we never would have pursued this course,” he said. “One way or the other, we had to find a new home.” Doug BOIN, a history professor at Saint Louis University, called the Met’s purchase “a happy ending for the collection.” But he expressed dismay at the St. Louis group’s approach, noting that another item from the Harageh excavation sold separately at auction for more than $44,000. Before the scheduled auction, the St. Louis society’s president, a Washington University professor, resigned in protest, and members remain dissatisfied, he said. “We’re happy for the Treasure of Harageh to have been taken by a museum,” he said. “But we don’t feel like there’s been any resolution as to how we got here.” Diana Craig PATCH, the Met curator who intervened at the last minute to help broker the purchase, said the collection would complement the museum’s existing collection from the Harageh excavation. “If it had gone to the private market, there is a very good chance (the items) would be resold separately, she said. Context is everything to archaeologists. When pieces lose their context, they lost a lot of their history.” (AP, “Metropolitan Museum of Art acquires Egyptian artifacts withdrawn from auction”, Ahram Online, October 10, 2014. Voir également Radwa Hâshim, « L’Égypte échoue à récupérer des pièces antiques vendues à 500 000 £ à Londres », al-Watan, 3 octobre ; Fâtima Zaydân, « Un musée américain renonce à vendre en enchères des pièces antiques », alMasrî al-Yawm, 5 octobre ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm,

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« L’Égypte parvient à empêcher la vente de 36 pièces antiques à Londres », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 12 octobre ; Radwa Hâshim, « Suspension de la vente de 36 pièces archéologiques égyptiennes à Londres », al-Watan, 13 octobre ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Suspension de la vente de 36 pièces pharaoniques à Londres », al-Ahrâm, 13 octobre).

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Lundi 13 octobre 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a nommé Mahmûd Hasan al-Halwagî au poste de directeur général du Musée Égyptien de Tahrîr, en remplacement d’al-Sayyid ‘Âmir parti à la retraite. al-Halwagî est titulaire d’une licence d’archéologie de l’université du Caire en 1979. Il a débuté sa carrière en tant que conservateur du Musée Égyptien (1983), puis chef du département de l’Ancien Empire (2010), puis directeur du musée égyptien de l’Académie égyptienne à Rome (2012). (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Mahmûd al-Halwagî nommé directeur du Musée Égyptien », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 octobre 2014).

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Mardi 14 octobre 2014 Le conseil d’administration du Conseil Suprême des antiquités (CSA) a approuvé, lors de sa dernière réunion présidée par le ministre de l’Archéologie, a approuvé la tenue d’une exposition archéologique égyptienne intitulée « Les secrets submergés de l’Égypte » dans trois capitales européennes : Paris, Londres et Berlin. Cette exposition d’un an intervient suite à la demande déposée par Franck GODDIO, président du Centre européen des Antiquités submergées. L’Égypte touchera 600 000 euros, en plus d’un euro sur chaque billet vendu après atteindre les 100 000 visiteurs. Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî a affirmé que toutes les assurances et les mesures juridiques ont été prises, afin de sécuriser les pièces antiques envoyées à l’étranger contre tout risque de détérioration, perte, vol, confiscation, ainsi que contre les catastrophes naturelles, les

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guerres et les opérations terroristes. Le montant du contrat d’assurance dépasse les 16 millions de dollars. al-Damâtî a souligné que la tenue de cette exposition aura des effets bénéfiques sur la promotion du tourisme international, la consolidation des liens culturels entre l’Égypte et l’Union européenne, en plus des retombées financières et de l’augmentation des recettes du ministère. De son côté, le président du département des musées, Ahmad Sharaf, a précisé que les 293 pièces archéologiques de cette exposition ont été sélectionnées dans différents musées égyptiens : 18 du Musée Égyptien, 22 du Musée gréco-romain d’Alexandrie, 31 du musée national d’Alexandrie, 15 du musée de la Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 207 des collections de l’administration des antiquités submergées. La première station de cette exposition itinérante sera l’Institut du Monde Arabe à Paris (du 7 septembre 2015 au 7 janvier 2016). La deuxième station sera le Martin-Gropius-Bau à Berlin (du 15 avril au 15 août 2016). Enfin, l’exposition s’achèvera à Londres entre le 15 novembre 2016 et le 15 mars 2017. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « L’exposition des secrets submergés d’Égypte en tournée européenne », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 octobre 2014. Voir également MENA, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie signe le contrat de l’exposition Secrets submergés d’Égypte », al-Shurûq, 22 octobre).

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Mercredi 15 octobre 2014

À l’entrée du musée, l’attention du visiteur est immédiatement retenue par ce bateau de type pharaonique, placé dans un bassin et qui donne la sensation d’être dans un endroit exceptionnel. « Ce bateau a été fabriqué à Rashîd (Rosette) pour donner un

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goût exceptionnel à ce musée unique », explique Khâlid Mustafa, chef du département central des musées régionaux au ministère des Antiquités. Lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture, le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a estimé que ce musée, proche de Port Tawfîq, sera bientôt mis sur la carte des visites touristiques. L’inauguration du musée aura un goût particulier, puisqu’elle a coïncidé avec le mégaprojet de creusement d’un nouveau Canal de Suez. Il raconte la longue histoire de la ville de « Kalzum », nom gréco-romain de la ville de Suez. Il renferme des documents historiques rares, notamment ceux relatifs à la construction du Canal de Suez. Sur une superficie de 6 000 m2, ce musée est composé de deux étages. Le rez-dechaussée renferme une seule salle d’exposition appelée « salle variée ». C’est une salle funéraire qui montre toutes les étapes de l’embaumement chez les pharaons. Cette salle renferme une fausse porte de tombeau, une table d’offrandes, des vases canopes et quelques offrandes dont la plupart ont été découverts à Suez. Une momie dorée unique avec son sarcophage y est aussi présentée. « Cette salle attire les visiteurs ainsi que les chercheurs, car elle renferme d’énormes secrets ayant trait aux rites funéraires », souligne Mustafa. Le premier étage attire plus de visiteurs. 1 276 pièces sont exposées. Elles racontent l’histoire de la ville de Suez grâce à une muséologie fine répartie sur 6 salles. La première est nommée « Sésostris », du nom du canal creusé sous le règne du roi Sénousert III (1855-1874 av. J.-C.) de la XIIe dynastie sous le Moyen Empire. Elle raconte les innombrables tentatives des pharaons de creuser un canal reliant la mer Rouge à la Méditerranée, à travers le Nil, afin de faciliter le transport commercial et maritime. Le commerce maritime est décrit dans la deuxième salle qui met en relief le visage de Hatchepsout, cinquième reine pharaonique de la XVIIe dynastie et son célèbre voyage au pays de Punt (Somalie). La salle renferme aussi certains outils et instruments de navigation, comme cette planche en bois et ces poteries utilisées pendant les excursions. Étant donné que cette ville est située tout près du Sinaï et regorge de pétrole, on y trouve une salle consacrée à la

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« métallurgie ». « Des pierres précieuses comme la turquoise ou l’or, l’argent et d’autres métaux sont exposées. Elles ont l’air d’être récemment extraites de la terre », souligne Mustafa. La salle al-Kalzum retrace l’histoire du « canal des Ptolémées », creusé par le roi Ptolémée II pour relier le Nil à la mer Rouge. Ce musée montre l’importance de l’aspect religieux de la ville à l’époque islamique. Elle était, en effet, située sur la principale route du pèlerinage à La Mecque. Des objets qui racontent le pèlerinage comme ces fragments de la kiswa (la toile qui couvre la Kaaba), ou encore ces pistolets et autres instruments de sécurité, sont exposés au musée. Cette salle nommée « Mahmal » (nom du convoi qui transportait la toile de la Kaaba) renferme la dernière kiswa offerte à l’Arabie saoudite par Ahmad Fu’âd, dernier prince d’Égypte. La dernière salle porte le nom du Nouveau Canal de Suez. « Les vitrines renferment quelques correspondances de hauts responsables égyptiens au khédive Ismâ‘îl, afin de le prévenir de la colère du monde entier s’il poursuit l’exécution de ce grand projet », explique Mustafa. De même, les statues des khédives Ismâ‘îl et Tawfîq sont exposées dans cette salle ainsi qu’un véhicule utilisé lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture du Canal de Suez en 1869. 46 millions de L.E. est la somme totale allouée à la construction du Musée national de Suez. Au cours des 4 dernières années, il aurait dû être inauguré trois fois. « À chaque fois, l’ouverture au public a été entravée par des mesures administratives. Cette fois-ci, le ministère a tout réglé », explique Mustafa. « Le musée ouvrira ses portes officiellement au public au mois d’octobre pendant la Fête nationale de la ville de Suez », conclut-il. (Nasma Réda, « Le Musée de Suez voit enfin le jour », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 15 octobre 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Le musée de Suez aura d’énormes retombées financières », al-Yawm alSâbi‘, 29 septembre ; ‘Amr Ghunayma, « Inauguration du musée de Suez », al-Ahrâm, 30 septembre).

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Jeudi 16 octobre 2014

Mihlib greets Tawâdrus II during the reopening of the Hanging Church

Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib, Pope Tawâdrus II and Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî were among the dignitaries attending the reopening of the Hanging Church — socalled because it sits above the gate to the Roman fortress of Babylon — after 16 years of restoration. During the opening ceremony, alDamâtî described the completion of the restoration of “one of the most important monuments in the history of Egyptian civilisation” as evidence of Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding Coptic sites. At a time when the region is suffering from a resurgence in terrorism, al-Damâtî continued, the completion of work on the Hanging Church reaffirmed Egypt’s position as the cradle of civilisation, a place where the three revealed religions stand in harmony, and where the call for Muslim prayers is called alongside the ringing of church bells.

Mihlib, who told the assembled dignitaries that the restoration of the church

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should serve as a symbol of Egypt’s national unity, quoted the words of late Pope Shinûda: ‘Egypt is not a nation in which we live but a nation that lives inside us’. The restoration project, he said, was completed by Muslim and Christian restorers who worked together to overcome daunting architectural challenges and preserve the important Coptic shrine. The project took so much time, Mihlib added, because of the threats posed by groundwater. “It was necessary to reduce the level of subterranean water, which threatened the foundations of all the area’s monuments. This was no easy task, and the difficulties were compounded by the church’s critical structural condition.” A major overhaul of the area’s sewage system is now complete. As chairman of Arab Contractors, which since 1998 has collaborated with Orascom on restoration work of all monuments in the area, Mihlib has a long association with the project The re-opening of the church, said Pope Tawâdrus II, sends three messages: one of redemption towards our ancestors; a second highlighting Egyptians’ consciousness of their glory and a third underlining the harmony which has historically existed between all Egyptians. “The existence of these three religious edifices in one place [the synagogue of Ben Ezra and the Mosque of ‘Amr Ibn al‘Âas are nearby] reflects how Egyptians lived together in peace and love. Mugamma‘ aladyân, where the Hanging church is located, is testament to the fact the three religions exist not for rivalry but to spread love and peace.” The Hanging Church, damaged by air pollution, rising groundwater, humidity and leaks from the century-old sewage system, also suffered during the 1992 earthquake. In 1997 the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) launched a comprehensive restoration project to preserve Egypt’s Coptic sites. The neighbouring Coptic Museum was restored and an extension built to display new exhibits. Waad Muhammad, charge d’affaires of the projects section at the Ministry of Antiquities, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the official re-opening of the church, originally planned for 2010, was delayed due to security concerns immediately before, and in the aftermath of, the 2011 January Revolution. Restoration work progressed in three phases.

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First it was necessary to reduce water leakage into the church and strengthen its foundations, which included major work on the supporting fortress. Walls were reinforced, stones replaced, and the masonry desalinated. “The church now stands as proudly as it did in the past,” said Muhammad.

Work on the interior included the restoration of icons, undertaken in collaboration with Russian experts, and the installation of new lighting and ventilation systems. “Every effort was made to retain the original architectural features,” says al-Damâtî. Restoration work extended beyond the church walls to include neighbouring monuments and surrounding streets. The Hanging Church is thought to be the first built in the basilica style. Though the earliest mention of the church in an extant text is in the biography of the Patriarch Joseph I (831-49) a church has stood on the site since at least the late fourth or early fifth century CE. The church was largely rebuilt by Pope Abraham (975-78) and in the eleventh century became the seat of the Coptic Orthodox pope. Additional work on the church was undertaken during the rules of the caliphs Hârûn al-Rashîd, al-‘Azîz Billah al-Fâtimî and al-Zâhir al-‘Izz al-Dîn Allah. (Nevine El-Aref, “Coptic monument restored”, Al-Ahram Weekly, October 16, 2014. Voir également “Egypt’s ‘Hanging Church’ officially inaugurated Saturday”, Ahram Online, October 11 ; Ahmad Mansûr, « L’Église Suspendue : 16 années pour restaurer cette icône du patrimoine copte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 11 octobre ; Nûr Rashwân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : Nous avons affronté de nombreuses difficultés au cours de la restauration de l’Église Suspendue », al-Shurûq, 11 octobre ; Mansûr Kâmil, « Mihlib et le Pape Tawâdrus inaugurent l’Église Suspendue après sa restauration », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 12 octobre ; Nasma Réda, « L’Église Suspendue retrouve sa splendeur », Al-Ahram Hebdo du

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15 octobre).

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him as an outsider. He is the NMEC’s 18th director-general in the last seven years. Although the appointment has not pleased everyone, there has been general agreement that al-‘Inânî has the necessary qualifications and integrity. 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 Tourism and Hotel Management at Hilwân University, where he rose through the ranks.

Antiquities minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî embarked on Thursday on an inspection tour around the different archaeological sites and monuments in the upper Egyptian city of Banî Swayf escorted by the city’s governor Magdî alBatîtî and Yûsuf Khalîfa, head of the ancient Egyptian section. The area of Maydûm Pyramid was the first site to be visited. During the tour, al-Damâtî announced that a comprehensive restoration project is to begin immediately to make the site more tourist friendly. The development project will include the establishment of a sound and light show on the ancient history of Banî Swayf and the construction work of Maydûm pyramid. A new lighting system powered by solar energy is to be installed as well as a visitor’s centre equipped with a cinema, bookstore, gift shops and cafeteria. al-Damâtî also gave the go ahead for the ministry’s excavation works at Ihnâsyâ site to conduct further exploration in addition to the restoration project that is already underway. The site is to be developed into an open-air museum. (Nevine El-Aref, “Maydûm Pyramid site under restoration in Upper Egypt”, Ahram Online, October 16, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie annonce le réaménagement des zones de Maydûm et de Ihnâsyâ », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 16 octobre).

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The recent appointment of Egyptologist Khâlid al-‘Inânî as director-general of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) was met with surprise by some archaeologists and curators, especially among employees of the Ministry of Antiquities. Some consider al‘Inânî to be too young for such a post and see

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While at Hilwân, al-‘Inânî was director of the Open Learning Centre, head of the Tourism Guidance Department, vice-dean for Education and Student Affairs and a professor of Egyptology. He is also an associate scientific expert and member of the board of administration at the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO) and a visiting professor at Montpellier III. He has lectured in France and Switzerland. al-‘Inânî spoke to the Weekly about his vision for the new institution. His office at the NMEC, in the al-Fustât area of Cairo, overlooking ‘Ayn al-Sîra Lake, is small and modern. There is a black leather sofa, two armchairs and a table. There is a large window behind al-‘Inânî’s desk. A bookshelf occupies another wall. “When I was asked by the minister to direct the NMEC, I was surprised but very proud to be selected to hold such an important and interesting post,” al-‘Inânî said. He added that after his appointment he thanked Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh alDamâtî for his trust and confidence in him. He says he returned to Egypt after the June 2013 Revolution, after spending a year in Montpellier, because he wanted to help rebuild and develop Egypt.

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al-‘Inânî acknowledges that he has been given a challenging task, given the ministry’s budgetary concerns, but says that everyone should do the maximum possible at this point in Egypt’s history. “I did not hesitate a minute in accepting the job, although I knew the obstacles I would have to confront to make the long-awaited dream of the NMEC come true,” he added. Holding the post after 17 other directors in the last seven years, each of whom made his own contributions, is also likely to bring challenges, al-‘Inânî said. He decided to put his academic career on hold in order to accept the post because of al-Damâtî’s assurance that the ministry will fully support its new projects, as far as it is able, and because of his desire to leave his own stamp on the new institution. “I will try hard to achieve success in my new responsibility and continue what the 17 previous directors have started,” he said, noting that each of these made contributions, even if they were sometimes working in a difficult atmosphere. Egypt, al-‘Inânî added, will not be able to regain its reputation for tourism unless the government is able to provide the required security for tourists and organise events that create a buzz abroad. “I guarantee that the opening of a great museum such as the NMEC will be an event of this kind,” he said. al-‘Inânî said that al-Damâtî is going in the right direction with his support for the ministry’s mega-projects, at the top of which are the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Gîza Plateau and the NMEC. The minister visits each project every week, meeting with those concerned to discuss the current state of the work, any problems they may be encountering and ways to solve these in order to meet the deadlines. The commercial and cultural sections of the NMEC are due to open before the end of this year. The cultural section of the NMEC houses a 332-seat cinema, a 486-seat theatre, and lecture and conference halls equipped with state-of-the-art projectors, media, sound and lighting systems. The commercial section has 42 shops, which will eventually be rented out for the sale of souvenirs, handicrafts, books and other items. The museum’s parking lot overlooks the nearby lake and will

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accommodate 450 cars and 55 buses. The site will also have cafeterias and restaurants. “The food courts can serve 500 people at once,” al‘Inânî said. The museum’s labs and storehouse are also to be opened at the end of this year. “They are the largest storage spaces in Egypt and equipped with state-of-the art equipment,” he said. al-‘Inânî added that though he has not visited the storage spaces at the GEM, the country needs both those at the NMEC and GEM to house the large number of archaeological artefacts that require protective housing. Some storage spaces, especially those in remote areas, lack adequate security systems, and the NMEC could help make up for this. “This problem was shown during the lack of security in the aftermath of the 25 January Revolution, when storage spaces were subjected to damage or looting,” he said. The NMEC storage galleries are equipped with hightech security systems with 24-hour monitoring cameras and can easily store hundreds of thousands of items. The museum also has two large labs for the study and preservation of human remains and objects made from organic materials. One section is dedicated to Carbon14 analysis, and is only the second centre of its kind in Egypt, after the one at the IFAO. The NMEC also has a modern print shop that will be used for printing internal papers, books, brochures and newsletters, as well as off-site, non-museum materials. “These labs and the print shop have cost the ministry a lot of money and now is the time to grasp the benefits,” al-‘Inânî points out, adding that foreign archaeological missions in Egypt might take advantage of the new facilities. The museum also has state-of-the-art theatre and cinema facilities where films can be screened and performances held. The cinema is likely to be dedicated to the showing of documentaries, but feature films may also be screened. “Everything depends on the ministry’s decision on how it would like to administer the NMEC’s commercial and cultural section,” al-‘Inânî said. One problem that may arise is how to determine the best use of the 42 retail spaces in the NMEC’s commercial section and appropriate rents.

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Before starting his new job, al-‘Inânî reviewed the work that had already been done, and confirmed that restoration labs and storage spaces had been successfully completed and staff trained in collaboration with UNESCO experts. However, the drop in tourism after the 25 January Revolution has interfered with the construction schedule and work was halted. Even so, al-‘Inânî has been amazed at what has been achieved during the difficult circumstances. “The NMEC’s human resources are incredible,” he said. The NMEC now has 270 employees, a figure al-‘Inânî would like to see increase to 500 when it is officially opened. The majority of the NMEC staff is young and professionally trained. While al-‘Inânî sees this as one the new museum’s strengths, he says that the energy and professionalism of the staff had led to their being disappointed at the lack of progress over the past three years. Salary cuts and delays in the museum’s opening — it was originally to have opened in 2011 — have hurt staff morale. al-‘Inânî has organised lectures for the staff in museology, restoration, archaeology, the arts and history by professional Egyptian and foreign curators, as well as archaeologists and Egyptologists from Britain, France, Italy and Switzerland. New publicity material for the museum is being prepared, including an updates to the institution’s website, where no new information had been added since the end of 2010. One of al-‘Inânî’s priorities is to raise staff salaries. When the NMEC begins to earn revenue, he says there will be salary increases. “Routine administrative procedures have been the only negative aspects of the job thus far,” he said, adding that most of these have been solved since his appointment. The minister has also set up a special committee to deal with future financial, legal and administrative problems, the members of which include representatives of the ministry’s different sections as well as the ministries of housing and finance and the Nubia Development Fund. The third phase of the NMEC’s construction has not yet been started. This will include completion of the new museum’s exhibition halls. “The walls and ceilings are the only things that exist in the halls at the

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moment,” al-‘Inânî said, adding that the designs for the halls have been completed and need only to be executed. In addition to the NMEC’s main exhibition halls, including the core spaces where the artefacts will be exhibited in chronological order, the royal mummies mausoleum and the six main exhibition halls, the institution will also have temporary exhibition halls and a pyramid-shaped capital museum space at the top of the building. “This phase will cost more than LE 500 million,” said al-‘Inânî, adding that he has the required funds at least until the soft opening of some of the museum’s spaces in November. “If the required budget is provided and the works spruced up, the NMEC as a whole will see the light of day in less than two years,” al‘Inânî confirmed. He said that a fund-raising campaign has been launched in order to collect the extra funds. “I intend to make every effort to convince UNESCO, the NMEC’s main technical advisor, to launch a fund-raising campaign for the NMEC similar to the one that was launched for the Nubian Monuments in the 1960s,” he said. “I am pretty sure that UNESCO will extend a helping hand towards the NMEC when the cultural centre is inaugurated.” Meanwhile, UNESCO has supported the NMEC by providing museological experts and training courses for the staff. Last month, a delegation from UNESCO, International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) inspected the work at the NMEC and offered solutions to the problems that have delayed its completion. The delegation was enthusiastic about the NMEC’s laboratories and state-of-theart equipment and praised Egypt’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage. During the tour, the director of ICOM announced that a future ICOM annual meeting would be held in Egypt at the NMEC. ICOM Egypt has also officially transferred its permanent bureau to the NMEC. Later in October, ICOM will send a French expert on civilisation museums to the NMEC, al‘Inânî said. There are also plans to twin the institution with the Museum of Civilisations in

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Quebec, as well as the newly inaugurated Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations in Marseille. Contact has also been made with the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. IFAO is to train the museum’s laboratory staff in the use of the equipment, which is similar to that in the IFAO laboratories. A first group of curators, restorers and technicians had already been trained, and a further group is due to start soon. The German Archaeological Institute has also visited the NMEC and is hoping to enter into collaboration. al-‘Inânî said that while the exhibition design will not be changed as construction continues, new artefacts will be added while others will be transferred to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square or sent to the GEM. A committee has been organised by ministerial decree, including the directors of the three museums and a panel of distinguished Egyptologists, to reorganise the collections of the museums. Finally, al-‘Inânî said that the mission of the new museum is to serve Egyptians perhaps more than foreigners, since the new institution is not only a cultural institution displaying Egypt’s civilisation but also a leisure destination. It will help to develop the surrounding neighbourhood as well. (Nevine ElAref, “All about the NMEC”, Al-Ahram Weekly, October 16, 2014. Voir également Nevine ElAref, “The cultural section of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is to open end of November”, Ahram Online, October 13 ; MENA, « Clap II : création d’une commission pour élaborer le scénario muséologique au musée de la Civilisation », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 octobre).

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security systems are all installed. The work is not proceeding according to the schedule drawn up in with UNESCO, however, as construction was put on hold after the January 2011 Revolution. The museum was originally to be opened in July 2011. Owing to the revolution and funding problems, the opening has been delayed until 2015, and may well not occur for some time after that.

A bird view of the NMEC after completion

Plans for the NMEC were drawn up in 1990. The space allocated for it is now the parking area of the Cairo Opera House in alGazîra. Since the area proved too small for the planned museum, the idea remained dormant until 1997 when, during an iftâr (breaking of the Ramadan fast) with the minister of interior, former minister of culture Fârûq Husnî was so impressed by the panoramic view at the edge of the ‘Ayn al-Sîra Lake that he suggested to archaeologists and experts from UNESCO that it might make a suitable location for the museum.

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The 33-feddan site of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC), overlooking the ‘Ayn al-Sîra Lake in the heart of Egypt’s first Islamic Capital, al-Fustât, has remained almost unchanged since October 2010. The NMEC’s main building is nearing completion, including galleries, corridors and exhibition sections. Despite still showing some concrete underlay, floors and staircases are encased in grey marble and the lighting and

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The indoor entrance of the NMEC main building

All the authorities concerned agreed, describing it as the perfect site not only because of its attractive backdrop but also for its distinguished history. In addition to being at the centre of the former city of al-Fustât and near to Old Cairo, with its ‘Amr Ibn al-‘Âas Mosque, Hanging Church and Ben Ezra synagogue, the site is close to Ma‘âdî, an

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important area in the pre-dynastic epoch, as well as to the Citadel of Salâh al-Dîn. Selection of the site for the NMEC was formalised in 2000. The Cairo governorate removed all encroachments on the property and offered the Ministry of Culture the requested 33 feddans. In 2002 the pyramidshaped foundation stone of the building was laid, and in 2004 the first phase of the project was completed. An extensive pre-building inspection was carried out to determine if any ruins or antiquities lay buried below ground. An up-to-date storage space, similar to that at the Louvre Museum in Paris and the British Museum in London, was built on the site. This is the first time that such a storage facility has been built in Egypt and includes a high-tech security system that is directly connected to the police commissariat.

The path leading to the outdoor exhibition and the cultural centre

To access the storage space, magnetic cards from two inspectors are required. To tighten security measures further and prevent theft, each showcase has its own code connected to a special device, which in turn registers the time and the ID code of the curator who opened it. A laboratory to restore pieces in the museum’s collection is also among the achievements of the first phase. The second phase started in 2007 but has not yet been completed. Târiq al-Nag‘âwî, the NMEC project’s engineer, told the Weekly that work at the museum has been slow, but the team has completed the building’s commercial and cultural section, including a cafeteria, restaurants, cinema, theatre and 42 souvenir and handicrafts shops. The museum’s glass pyramid-shaped roof will display a multimedia show of the different Egyptian civilisations. Escalators and elevators have been installed, as have the

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offices of the administrative staff. Mahrûs Muhammad, director of engineering at the NMEC, told the Weekly that there were attempts to loot the museum in the aftermath of the revolution. “Thanks to the workers of the Hasan ‘Allâm Construction firm, who were on the site, a human shield was formed against the thugs and vandals who attempted but failed to enter the museum,” he said. The museum will display 150,000 artefacts from the principal museums in Egypt: the Egyptian, Islamic and Coptic Museums in Cairo; Graeco-Roman and Alexandria National Museums in Alexandria; and Luxor Museum. Items will also come from major archaeological storehouses, including those on the Gîza Plateau and at Saqqâra. The NMEC will also house monuments, including the Seboua Temple of Ramses II, now on Lake Nâsir; an entire façade of a Fatimid sabîl; two columns from Djoser’s temple at Saqqâra; a collection of royal mummies; and the mummy of the ancient Egyptian artist Sanejem, which is currently displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square. The royal mummies will be exhibited in such a way as to show their different personalities and achievements within a social context, including models of relevant temples, tombs and obelisks. The River Nile, handwriting, handicrafts, society and faith are the five main themes of the new museum. As Egypt’s source of life and stability, the Nile effectively gave birth to ancient Egyptian civilisation, which was based on agriculture. In the Nile pavilion, visitors will be able to traverse the various epochs, beginning with pre-history and continuing to the Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic and modern periods. One of the most important components will be the section providing the history of Lake Nâsir — its creation and role in changing Egypt’s irrigation system and agricultural methods. The exhibition will start with the reign of Pharaoh Mena, founder of the First Dynasty, and continue until the time of Senusert III of the Middle Kingdom. In this pavilion, a section will be dedicated to Egypt’s flora and fauna. In the handwriting section, visitors will see the scientific aspects of the nation’s evolution in science through astrology, mathematics and medicine.

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Various kinds of handicrafts relating to copper and other metals will be on display, as well as sculpting, carving and architecture. Egyptian society and its system of rule will be explained in the ethnographical section, along with the different faiths.

The pyramid-shape capital club

There will also be outdoor exhibits, which will include several of the discoveries made on the site before the museum’s foundation stone was laid. Among these were a Fatimid laundry found in the 1960s by a French team; the oldest existing plan of an Islamic house, dating back to 75 AH; and blocks bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions. These blocks were eventually used in the construction buildings on the site. The oldest dyeing factory ever discovered, with more than 100 clay-dyeing pots, will be displayed in the outdoor exhibition. Ancient Egyptian artefacts found in the debris, including the udjet (eye of Horus) and scarab amulets, will be placed in a special showcase displaying objects recovered from the area. To attract more Egyptian visitors, a commercial zone, including a cafeteria, restaurants, a cinema and a theatre, will be created in the museum garden. Bazaars and shops are also to be built. (Nevine El-Aref, “The scene at the NMEC”, Al-Ahram Weekly, October 16, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie annonce l’inauguration fin novembre de la première phase du musée de la Civilisation », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 octobre).

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Lundi 20 octobre 2014

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After a year of legal and diplomatic negotiations, Egypt is to receive Tuesday a collection of 15 ancient Egyptian objects from London. ‘Alî Ahmad, head of the Antiquities Recuperation Section of the antiquities ministry said that these objects were monitored last year by the section as they were on the selling lists of Christie’s and Bonham’s auction halls in London. After examining the photos of these objects and comparing them with the ministry’s registry, archaeologists of the Recuperation Section approved their authenticity. All legal procedures were then taken immediately to stop their sale and remove them from auction halls. Ahmad told Ahram Online that the objects include a red granite engraving depicting a captive that was a part of king Amenhotep III’s statue found at his funerary temple at Kom al-Hîtân on Luxor’s west bank as well as a collection of limestone women busts from the New and Middle Kingdoms. A New Kingdom painted limestone of a cobra head is also among the recovered items as well as six amulets depicting different ancient Egyptian deities. Two painted cartonnages, which were stolen from the storage of the French archaeological mission of the Louvre at Saqqâra during the lack of security that overwhelmed the country in the aftermath of the January 2011 Revolution are also among the recovered objects. A human-shaped piece of glaze dated to the Greco-Roman era stolen from the archaeological galleries at al-Qantara East area was also recovered. Upon its receipt, the items will be sent to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr where they will be subject to restoration before being shown in a temporary exhibition at the museum. (Nevine El-Aref, “A collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts recovered from London”, Ahram Online, October 20, 2014. Voir

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également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie reçoit 15 pièces antiques restituées par Londres », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 20 octobre ; Reuters, « L’Égypte récupère de Londres 15 pièces archéologiques », al-Shurûq, 20 octobre ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie reçoit 15 pièces antiques restituées par Londres », al-Ahrâm, 21 octobre).

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The Greco-Roman museum in Alexandria, which has been hidden beneath iron scaffolding and green tarpaulin since it was closed in 2005, is to be restored. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî announced on Monday that restoration work at the museum would begin in December. He told Ahram Online that the project had been delayed for three reasons: lack of funding, poor security and bureaucracy, but these had now been solved. The Italian government has provided money to fund the restoration. “The funds for the restoration come within the framework of a memorandum of understanding [MOU] signed with Egypt in 2008 to strengthen ties of friendship, cultural and scientific cooperation, and the protection of cultural heritage between Italy and Egypt,” said al-Damâtî. According to the MOU, the funds would be provided by the Italian government, from a debt-swap programme and from the Italian Development Agency. The funds allocated amount to $6 million and the restoration work will be carried out in collaboration with the Universita della Tuscia in Viterbo over 18 months, including the restoration of the building itself, the replacement of the display cases, the installation of new lighting, ventilation and security systems, and the renewal of the overall display.

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Ahmad Sharaf, head of the ministry’s museum section, said the façade of the museum would remain but changes would be made inside the building. The museum will include halls for the display of its permanent collection, a section dedicated to archaeological study and research, and a museum for children. Italian architects will also use state-of-the-art techniques to make the museum more environmentally friendly. The museum started life with 11 galleries, but was gradually enlarged. The 25th gallery was inaugurated in 1984, and this contains a variety of coins from different countries, chronologically arranged and dating back to 630 BCE and continuing through to Egypt’s Ottoman period in the 19th century. This collection is a fascinating record of civilisation in the process of change as religions merged and society evolved. (Nevine El-Aref, “GrecoRoman museum in Alexandria to undergo restoration”, Ahram Online, October 20, 2014).

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Mercredi 22 octobre 2014

Archaeologists unearthed the missing head of one of the two sphinxes found guarding the entrance of an ancient tomb in Greece’s northeast, as the diggers made their way into the monument’s inner chambers. The tomb on the Amphipolis site, about 100 km from Greece’s second-biggest city Thessaloniki, has been hailed by archaeologists as a major discovery from the era of Alexander the Great. They say it appears to be the largest ancient tomb to have been discovered in Greece. The marble head, slightly damaged on the nose, has curls falling on the statue’s left shoulder and traces of a reddish colour. “It is a sculpture of exceptional art,” the ministry said,

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adding that fragments of the two sphinxes’ wings were also found.

impliquant plusieurs ministères, dont les plus importants sont ceux de la Culture et des Antiquités, en plus du National Organisation for Urban Harmony (NOUH). Le gouvernorat du Caire, quant à lui, a déjà pris l’initiative de déblayer le terrain. Juste après l’évacuation des marchands ambulants et le retour du calme au centre-ville, il a commencé à repeindre d’une couleur sobre, mais unifiée, tous les bâtiments donnant sur la place Tahrîr.

Excavations, which began in 2012, have not yet determined who is buried in the tomb. They have uncovered an intricate mosaic depicting the god Hermes as the conductor of souls to the afterlife. Made up of coloured pebbles, it covers the floor of a room thought to be the antechamber to the main burial ground. Culture ministry officials have said that the monument appears to belong to a prominent Macedonian from the 300-325 B.C. era. (Reuters, “Greek archaeologists unearth head of sphinx in Macedonian tomb”, Ahram Online, October 22, 2014. Voir également Reuters, « Découverte d’ossements dans une tombe qui date du règne d’Alexandre le Grand », al-Shurûq, 12 novembre).

« Ce n’est pas une question de peinture, mais c’est un travail d’experts beaucoup plus compliqué », déclare Salâh Zakî, ingénieur, professeur d’urbanisme et membre du NOUH. Le gouvernorat a aussi commencé à asphalter certaines rues et à en réparer les carrelages abîmés. Les panneaux de signalisation ont également été soignés.

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Un projet de restauration du Caire khédivial sera prochainement mis à exécution. Cinq ministères travaillent sur cette initiative pour rendre au centre-ville son aspect mythique d'autrefois. « Paris d’Orient », ou Le Caire du khédive Ismâ‘îl, jouit d’un patrimoine architectural unique. Mélangeant styles européen, arabe et islamique, le centre de la capitale, qui en illustrait la splendeur aux XIXe et XXe siècles, est tombé dans l’anarchie et la négligence depuis des années, notamment durant les trois dernières années après le déclenchement de la révolution du 25 janvier 2011. « Le centre-ville du Caire documente un patrimoine culturel qui résume une partie importante de l’histoire de l’Égypte », déclare Mamdûh al-Damâtî, ministre des Antiquités. Il était donc nécessaire d’accorder une importance à cette région abandonnée. Selon lui, il s’agit d’un grand projet visant une urgente restauration des monuments, des bâtiments et des rues du centre-ville, afin de pouvoir lui rendre son aspect original. Il s’agit d’un travail collectif

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« Tout le travail exécuté jusqu’à maintenant n’est qu’un pas en avant. On fait le nettoyage nécessaire avant de commencer le vrai travail. Notre grand défi était les marchands ambulants qui occupaient tous les rues et les trottoirs du centre-ville », explique Rihâm Arrâm, responsable du département des antiquités au gouvernorat du Caire. Ce n’est pas le seul problème. Ce qui inquiète l’architecte Zakî c’est que 30 % des bâtiments du centre du Caire, dont la maintenance est quasi absente, sont occupés par des bureaux d’organismes gouvernementaux. Ils ont été réutilisés comme sièges de banques ou de cabinets gouvernementaux. « Ces établissements ne restaurent pas régulièrement les bâtiments qu’ils occupent, ce qui explique l’état de délabrement où ils se trouvent », souligne-t-il. Selon Arrâm, le NOUH a des idées intéressantes pour le développement du centreville. « Dans le cadre de la préservation du patrimoine, des plans ambitieux de restauration et de rénovation du centre-ville ont été soigneusement étudiés depuis des semaines par le gouvernorat, visant une vraie renaissance du quartier historique », souligne-t-elle. Un comité d’experts s’est réuni la semaine dernière avec le Premier ministre, pour choisir parmi les anciens projets déjà présentés. « Le comité chargé va choisir le meilleur projet en excluant ceux qui ne conviennent plus », affirme Arrâm. Ce n’est pas la première fois que des projets soient lancés pour le réaménagement et

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la restauration du centre-ville. Mais aucun n’a été amené jusqu’au bout. « À mon avis, un nouveau départ devrait se baser sur le travail déjà effectué, par exemple reprendre les projets de réaménagement des places Ramsès et Khâzindâr, des rues Alfî et Sarây al-Azbakiyya, entre autres, il ne faut pas partir à zéro et faire table rase de ce qui a été fait », souligne Galila Al-Qadi, professeur à la faculté d’ingénierie de l’Université du Caire, et directeur à l’Institut français de recherches pour le développement (IRD).

intéressante, mais son aspect pratique reste à démontre.

Khédive Ismâ‘îl L’ancien club Muhammad ‘Alî, actuellement club des diplomates égyptiens.

Les responsables au gouvernorat, lequel se chargera du financement de tout le projet, ont l’intention d’adopter une approche prudente. « Une zone sera restaurée en guise de projet pionnier, une fois terminée, l’équipe de travail reproduira l’expérience dans d’autres endroits », a déclaré Arrâm. Le gouvernorat cherche aussi à placer dans les rues et les bâtiments importants des plaques expliquant leur valeur historique, afin de sensibiliser les habitants. De petites initiatives ont déjà donné le ton : il y a quelques mois, le ministère des Antiquités a restauré la Banque Misr, rue Muhammad Farîd, tandis que la Banque du Caire a financé la restauration de la statue du grand économiste Tal‘at Harb, située à la place portant son nom. « La place ‘Ataba, à elle seule, renferme plus de 20 monuments », dit Mahmûd ‘Abbâs, directeur du secteur des monuments modernes au ministère des Antiquités. Une question cruciale pour le développement du centre-ville, celle de transformer Le Caire khédivial en zone piétonne. L’idée évoquée par le Premier ministre est partagée par Zakî. « Les gens veulent se balader tranquillement dans la vieille ville du Caire pour contempler ses bâtiments et son architecture unique », dit-il. L’idée est

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Né au quartier du Caire au palais alMusâfir Khâna à Gamâliyya en 1830, Ismâ’îl a été nommé par le sultan ottoman à Istanbul khédive d’Égypte. Son règne a duré de 1863 à 1879. Éduqué en Autriche, Ismâ’îl termine ses études en France, à l’École militaire. Il retourne en Égypte lors du règne de son oncle Sa‘îd. Après la mort de celui-ci, Ismâ’îl le succède. Sa place lui a permis de réaliser ses ambitions de faire de l’Égypte un pays moderne et du Caire la ville la plus belle au monde. L’urbanisation était son plus grand projet, après le creusement du Canal de Suez. Nommé le « Brave chevalier », il offre son règne à son fils Tawfîq en 1879 et meurt en 1895 à Istanbul, en Turquie. Lorsque Ismâ’îl est devenu khédive d’Égypte, en 1863, le centre du Caire était en état périlleux. Ismâ’îl a donc entrepris une vraie révolution urbaniste. Il voulait faire du centreville une partie de l’Europe où il avait fait ses études. La planification et le début de ce grand projet ont duré cinq ans. En 1872, le khédive a inauguré la rue de Muhammad ‘Alî (entre Ramsès et la Citadelle), de 2,5 km de longueur. Une rue célèbre par ses bâtiments de style classique avec des arcades pour les piétons. Ensuite, il a construit l’Opéra du Caire en 1867. Puis c’était important de se débarrasser des lacs et étangs qui causaient de graves

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maladies et qui s’éparpillaient au Caire. « Ismâ’îl était nommé Abû al-Sibâ‘ (l’homme des lions). Il a décoré l’entrée du centre-ville par quatre lions énormes, des deux côtés du pont de Qasr al-Nîl. Sur les façades de quelques bâtiments du centre-ville ou dans les rez-de-chaussée, on trouve également les têtes de cet animal féroce. Cela montre qu’Ismâ’îl était un homme fort et remarquable », explique ‘Abbâs, chef du département des monuments des époques modernes. Ce khédive a également étendu les réseaux routiers, d’eau potable, d’électricité. La superficie du Caire khédivial était de 2 000 feddans (pour 350 000 habitants). « On doit être fier en passant par le centre-ville. Ismâ’îl ne s’était pas contenté d’importer un style urbain moderne, mais il a réussi un métissage avec les styles arabe et islamique, ce qui en fait l’originalité exceptionnelle. Des ingénieurs de plusieurs pays européens, surtout les Italiens, ont contribué à réaliser ce mariage architectural », dit ‘Abbâs. (Nasma Réda, « Le Caire khédivial fait peau neuve », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 22 octobre 2014).

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Police officers at Safâgâ port on the Red Sea coastline confiscated on Tuesday seven parcels arriving from the United Arab Emirates upon discovering that they were filled with antiquities and historical documents. Antiquities minister, Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online Wednesday that an archaeological committee from the antiquities ministry inspected the boxes and uncovered that they included 16 Arabic and foreign coins. Three of the coins are from the Ottoman period, eight are from Yemen, two were fabricated in 1902 in Spain and one from Canada in 1857. The boxes also include 12 authentic pieces of Egyptian jewellery and Bedouin veils ornamented with silver and gold coins along with 65 albums housing thousands of old stamps bearing photos of different members of Muhammad ‘Alî’s family. al-Damâtî asserted that all these objects are under the protection of Egypt’s antiquities law 11 and explained that negotiations are underway with embassies of Spain, Canada and Yemen among others to return the coins to the countries where they belong.

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Ahmad al-Râwî, head of the Recuperation Antiquities Section explained on Wednesday that the stamps are dated from 1898 to 1972 and that they are the ministry’s property according to the UNESCO convention for safeguarding antiquities and presidential decree number 114, which prohibits exchange of cultural heritage items between countries. alRâwî pointed out that among the confiscated objects are two well-preserved textile Bedouin veils embellished with coins from Sana, Constantinople and Mecca, which are dated to an era between 1327 and 1386. al-Râwî went on to say that the documents found in the parcels are very important they document the history of postal systems in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Emirates. All the documents and manuscripts found in the parcels were, according to al-Râwî, property of the Egypt National Archive and Documents Authority as per law number eight concerning the protection of manuscripts. (Nevine El-Aref, “Seven parcels filled with antiquities confiscated upon arrival to Egypt”, Ahram Online, October 22, 2014).

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al-Damâtî with the Alexandria governor admiring jewellery boxes

The Royal Jewellery Museum stands in the elegant Alexandria district of Zîzînya. The exquisite neoclassical building holds an important part of Egypt’s history. On Sunday the museum was buzzing with media people, foreign and Egyptian journalists, photographers and top governmental officials. The museum was finally re-opening its doors to the public after three years of closure.

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On 28 January 2011, just three days after the outbreak of the 25 January Revolution, the neighbouring villa of the Alexandria governor was set on fire, and around 300 thugs climbed over the museum’s iron gates. Security personnel and nonuniformed police officers stopped the mob from entering the museum and saved its unique royal jewellery collection. “When we were sure that all the vandals were away from the museum, I called the curators and asked them to evacuate the collection to ministry safes,” Ibrâhîm Darwîsh, the former museum director, told the Weekly. The jewellery was kept in the safes until earlier this month when it was returned to the Museum’s exhibition halls. Before Sunday’s re-opening, the building was restored, cleaned and renovated, said Ahmad Sharaf, head of the Museums Section at the Ministry of Antiquities. This included restoration of wall engravings and oil paintings, cleaning of stained glass, refinishing of parquet floors and cleaning the building’s facade. Some of the exhibits, especially those with precious stones, were also restored. The museum’s security system was upgraded, with new state-of-the-art security devices and cameras to monitor movements inside and outside the museum 24 hours a day. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh alDamâtî told reporters that the re-opening of the Royal Jewellery Museum comes within the framework of ministry efforts to re-open the country’s closed museums and archaeological sites and to preserve Egypt’s heritage. “The ministry is following its plan to open two new sites every month,” al-Damâtî said, adding that last month alone saw the official re-opening of the Suez National Museum in the canal city of Suez and al-Mu‘izz Street in historic Cairo. This month, in addition to the Royal Jewellery Museum in Alexandria, the Hanging Church in Old Cairo is being re-opened, he said. alDamâtî said that November would see the soft opening of the cultural centre of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in al-Fustât and inauguration of the Sphinx Courtyard on the Gîza Plateau. The Weekly also asked the minister about the newly recovered jewellery collection of the former ruling family, Muhammad ‘Alî. For

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six decades the collection was stored in Bank Misr safes or locked away in the Central Bank of Egypt. al-Damâtî said that the collection found in Bank Misr is now being documented and restored and will soon be put on display in a special hall of the Royal Jewellery Museum. The jewels in the Central Bank of Egypt were found by chance during a routine bank inventory. They were packed inside 45 wooden crates, forgotten in the Bank’s vaults following their arrival there after the 1952 Revolution.

Princess Shweikar’s diamond crown

al-Damâtî told the Weekly that both collections would be on temporary exhibition in the museum until the ministry has prepared a Cairo venue for their permanent display. He said this could be the Prince Muhammad ‘Alî Palace in Manyal, but he refused to confirm this as the committee in charge may still select another place. He also announced that entrance to the Alexandria Museum will be free for one month for Alexandria residents in celebration of its re-opening. The museum was originally built as a summer palace for the family of Zaynab Fahmî, the wife of a descendant of Muhammad ‘Alî. On her death, Fahmî left the palace to her daughter, Princess Fâtima al-Zahrâ’, who added an east wing. Her maternal uncle, an Italian architect who also designed the Sîdî Gâbir Station in Alexandria, created the interior design of the palace. Following the 1952 Revolution, the government claimed the palace, though alZahrâ’ was allowed to live in it during her lifetime. In 1964 she left Alexandria and handed the palace to the government. When she died in 1983, the palace was used briefly as a presidential rest house. In 1986 former president Husnî Mubârak issued a decree

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designating it as a new museum for the former royal jewellery collection. In 1994 and then again in 2005 the museum was subjected to restoration as time had taken its toll on the building. The restoration work also upgraded the showcases and display areas. New lighting and ventilation systems were installed, along with a new security system connected to CCTV. The building itself was given a facelift and the walls were refinished. In October 2010, the museum was re-opened to the public. It was closed in 2011 as a result of the disturbances taking place across the country in the aftermath of the 25 January Revolution. “Closing the museum was essential to protect its unique collection from robbery or destruction of the sort that took place at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo,” Sharaf said.

Fawziyya’s jewellery box

The museum has some 1,024 objects, only 665 of which are exhibited, that were once the personal possessions of the family and descendants of Muhammad ‘Alî. Among them are magnificent pieces owned by Muhammad ‘Alî himself and his son Sa‘îd Pasha, as well as by members of the family up to King Fu’âd and his first wife, Princess Shwukâr. King Fârûq’s mother, Queen Nazlî, and his wife, Queen Farida, also owned valuable pieces that are now in the museum, some of them designed and created by the French firm Boucheron. The collection includes an ornate chess set owned by Muhammad ‘Alî, a coffee set inlaid with silver and embellished with gold, a set of gold glassware decorated with 977 diamonds and a number of medals and decorations. Gold cosmetics boxes and other items engraved with the initials of Queen Nazi are also among the jewels created by the French house of Van Clef & Rappels.

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King Fârûq’s platinum rattle in the shape of a royal crown inlaid with diamonds

Other notable pieces include a set of jewels owned by the sisters of King Fârûq; Princess Fawzî yâ, the first wife of Reza Pahlavi, the former shah of Iran; and Princess Faze. There is an Indian-inspired set that was originally owned by Queen Airman, the second wife of King Fârûq. Jewels belonging to Princess Samîh and Princess Qadrî yâ Husayn Kâmil are also on show, as are medallions once worn by Prince Yûsuf Kamâl and Prince Muhammad ‘Alî Tawfîq. The interior of the museum is itself a work of art. The walls are decorated with portraits of members of the Muhammad ‘Alî family, with brief descriptions of each of them. The ceilings were painted by Egyptian, Italian and French artists and depict tales from Greek mythology; those on the second floor include details from famous French and Italian love stories. Even the bathrooms are works of These and the corridors leading to them lined with pieces of white porcelain, and walls are painted with swimming nymphs images from the Fables of LA FONTAINE other fairy tales.

art. are the and and

Among the highlights of the museum are the wonderful stained glass panels in the main hall of the first floor, in the stairwell and the first-floor bathroom. Famous French artists of the time were commissioned to create these masterpieces. (Nevine El-Aref, “Royal Jewellery Museum re-opens”, Al-Ahram Weekly, October 23, 2014. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd alMu‘tî, « Inauguration du musée des Bijoux royaux après trois années de fermeture pour raison de sécurité », al-Ahrâm, 16 octobre ; MENA, « Le musée des Bijoux royaux : témoin de 147 ans d’histoire de l’Égypte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 octobre ; Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt’s

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royal jewellery now on display at Alexandria museum”, Ahram Online, October 19 ; Nasma Réda, « Les trésors royaux se laissent à nouveau admirer », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 22 octobre).

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Mercredi 29 octobre 2014

King Tuthmose III. Seven reliefs and two marble columns were unearthed along with a huge red-granite armless colossus of a seated person, al-Damâtî. The items have been brought to the Saqqâra site for restoration and further study, the minister said, adding that the Hawd Zulaykha area has now been declared an archaeological site and under the control of the ministry in order carry out more surveys nearby and unearth more of the temple. (Nevine El-Aref, “Gîza men arrested after digging up ancient temple under house”, Ahram Online, October 29, 2014).

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The colossus discovered

Seven residents of a Gîza district have been arrested after they illegally excavated the area beneath their home and found the remains of an ancient Egyptian temple. The huge limestone blocks, engraved with hieroglyphic texts, date from the reign of the New Kingdom's King Tuthmose III, and were found in the Hawd Zulaykha area of alBadrashayn district. The find was made two weeks ago, according to Major General Mumtâz Fathî, an aide to the interior ministry and a director in the tourism police. A unit from the tourism and antiquities police heard of the illegal excavation work and arrested the seven men — two of whom are Palestinian, Fathî said. The police also found diving costumes, oxygen cylinders and diving masks with the detainees.

Antiquities Minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî said that the unearthed blocks are genuine and belong to a huge temple from the reign of

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

After years of negligence and encroachment Wakâlat (Caravanserai) Qâytbây in al-Gamâliyya area in historic Cairo is to be restored with the aim to develop it into a Mameluke hotel. The project is to be carried out by the antiquities ministry in collaboration with the housing ministry, which will conduct the required studies. The Caravanserai, like many other Islamic monuments in heavily populated areas throughout Cairo, is suffering from encroachment, negligence and mistreatment from area inhabitants. Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, head of the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation project, told Ahram Online that all cracks would be removed, foundation consolidated and masonry restored on Wakâlat Qâytbây. He added that after restoration the Caravanserai would feature 15th century furniture to reflect the era in which it was constructed. Wakâlat Qâytbây was built by Sultan al-Ashraf Abû al-Nasr Qâytbây and served as a model for other caravanserais in the Mameluke period. This includes storage and commercial buildings, which sold merchandise and provided accommodation for merchants and their clients. The façade of the building overlooking Bâb alNasr Street is divided into three horizontal

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levels, with the entrance at its centre. On each of the two sides of the portal are five shops, above each of which is a mashrabiyya window. On top of these windows are another row of windows provided with networks of iron grills. The entrance consists of a recessed wall containing an opening for the door. An inscription, carved in Mameluke thuluth script states the reason for building the edifice. The ground floor is a rectangular courtyard surrounded by a group of storage areas. Above it are three stories, which include residential units for merchants.

reign, but also because of the mystery that has surrounded his life, death, and lineage. Archaeologists are still perplexed by questions like who the real Tutankhamun was. Was he the son or the brother of the monotheistic Pharaoh Akhenaten? Why did his tomb contain such treasures, despite his having died so young? How, in any case, did he die? Was he killed at 18 years of age, or did he suffer from some fatal disease? Whenever Egyptologists succeed in deciphering some of the boy king’s mysteries others appear to perplex them.

Tutankhamun’s mummy

‘Abd al-‘Azîz said that historic Cairo’s north gate, is also to be restored. The gate will be converted into an open visitor’s centre with a large image displaying the history of Cairo and its development over time. (Nevine El-Aref, “Wakâlat Qâytbây to be restored into Mameluke hotel”, Ahram Online, October 29, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Lancement des travaux de réaffectation de Wakâlat Qâytbây et de l’enceinte Nord du Caire », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 28 octobre).

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Jeudi 30 octobre 2014 Some 90 years after the British Egyptologist Howard CARTER discovered his intact tomb in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank at Luxor, the ancient Egyptian boy king Tutankhamun continues to hold the world’s attention. This has not only been because of his intact funerary collection, unearthed inside his tomb despite his early death and short BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

However, in 2005 some of these mysteries were resolved when Tutankhamun’s mummy was subjected to a CT scan, an intense medical check-up and forensic analysis that was the most comprehensive since its discovery. The tests took five years, and in 2010 1,700 high-resolution CT-scan images were published. At that time the Egyptian scientific team concluded that the boy king had died of natural causes at the age of 19 and had not been killed by a blow to the back of his head as had been traditionally believed. They discovered no indication of violence, discounting theories that he had received such a blow. Instead, the team theorised that the open fracture at the back of the mummy’s head had most likely been used as a second route through which embalming liquid was introduced to the lower cranial cavity and neck via the back of the upper neck. At the same time, they noted a fracture above the left knee that may have occurred a day or two before the pharaoh’s death, suggesting that this could have become fatally infected.

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With the help of medical anthropologists from Germany, the Egyptian scientific team said that the real causes of Tutankhamun’s death were malaria and other pathogens. The team concluded that a sudden leg fracture might have led to a life-threatening condition when the malaria infection occurred. DNA tests also showed that Akhenaten was Tutankhamun’s father, not his brother as some have claimed.

Now a new virtual autopsy carried on the boy king and shown on Sunday in a BBC documentary entitled “Tutankhamun: The Truth Uncovered” has given a new picture of the young king’s life, death and physical appearance. Scientists in the documentary claim that they have recreated the first-ever life-size image of the 18th Dynasty king through 2,000 computerised tomography CT scans.

Palaeogeneticist Carsten PUSCH from the University of Tubingen in Germany, who was part of the scientific team, described Tutankhamun as “not a proud Pharaoh or a strong leader as he was a young boy who was frail and weak.” “He couldn’t walk by himself and needed other people or walking sticks because of bone necrosis,” PUSCH said. Scientific tests on 11 other mummies carried out at the same time revealed that Tutankhamun’s family was plagued by malformations and infections. Several pathologies, including Kohler Disease II, a bone disorder, have been diagnosed in Tutankhamun and four other mummies from his family. The CT scans, said Cairo-Scan Centre Executive Director Ashraf Silîm, revealed that Tutankhamun was also afflicted with vascular bone necrosis, a condition in which diminished blood supply to the bone leads to the serious weakening or destruction of tissue. “This might have rendered Tutankhamun particularly vulnerable to physical injuries and have been the cause of the altered structure of his left foot,” Silîm said. “The findings provide an answer to why 130 walking sticks were found inside his tomb and why he is shown in several relief shooting arrows while sitting,” added former minister of antiquities Zâhî Hawwâs, who also led the 2005 scientific research on the golden king. Three attempts made to reconstruct the Pharaoh’s facial features using the latest forensic techniques by French, American and Egyptian teams, each working independently, reached surprisingly similar conclusions. The results revealed a face markedly different from the image on the golden mask, as well as from many of his statues in the Egyptian Museum. But although the results solved some of Tutankhamun’s mysteries, they did not suffice for some Egyptologists.

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A wooden statue showing the king’s facial features

They have constructed a 3D computer model of what he would have looked like during his life. The result is shocking, with the scientists claiming that the boy king had a clubfoot and feminine hips. The research also claims that Tutankhamun’s parents were probably brother and sister, which resulted in a son riddled with genetic disorders. “It was important to look at his ability to ride a chariot, and we concluded it would not have been possible for him, especially with his partially clubbed foot, as he was unable to stand unaided,” head of the Italian Institute for Mummies Albert ZINK told the British newspaper The Independent. “We need further genetic analysis because that would give us more insight into his condition,” he said, adding that the boy had also suffered from malaria and a fractured leg, which could have had a hand in his early death. Ashraf Silîm, a radiologist at the University of Cairo who was part of the scientific team, told the newspaper “the scans show evidence to support the theory that Tutankhamun developed Kohler’s Disease, or the death of the bones, during adolescence, which would have been incredibly painful.” He added “popular theories relating to the murder of King Tut have been more or less put to rest in recent years, as a large fracture in his skull was more likely the result of the mummification process than any deliberate blow to the head.”

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Such claims have triggered the anger of Egyptian Egyptologists, who have described it as “a malicious slander on ancient Egyptian civilisation”. Hawwâs told the Weekly that such speculations were scientifically unfounded, pure fabrication and the result of a search for fame. “We know that this man had 130 walking sticks and that he used to shoot arrows while he was sitting, but this does not mean that he had a clubfoot,” Hawwâs said.

A computerised speculation of Tutankhamun’s body

Egyptologist Ahmad Sâlih refused to accept ZINK’s results. He told the Weekly that Tutankhamun’s mother, most probably a woman named Kia, was not Akhenaten’s sister and was not even one of his relatives. Sâlih wondered how the research could have come up with the result that Tutankhamun’s family had suffered from genetic disorders as not all the mummies had been discovered. “Only his mummy and those of his daughters and the owner of the KV 55 tomb have been discovered,” he said, adding that archaeological and historical studies said only that the young pharaoh had come to the throne at a young age and his reign had lasted for nine years. “Earlier research did not highlight any information concerning his figure or bodily features,” Sâlih said, pointing out that Tutankhamun appears on the walls of his tomb as well as in his statues in a classic form like any other ancient Egyptian king using the Amarna arts style, in other words with an elongated skull and large waist. The 130 sticks found in his tomb could have had many uses, Sâlih said, adding that British scientists had examined the spinal cord

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

of Tutankhamun and found that it was a little twisted, which may have led to difficulty in movement. However, they had not mentioned any impairment or that he was suffering from a spinal disease. Ahmad Sa‘îd, professor of ancient Egyptian civilisation at the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University, said that research carried out from 2005 to 2010 had not mentioned any of the newly claimed results screened in the BBC documentary. He said that brother-sister marriage was not evidence of genetic disorders as it was a trend in the ancient Egyptians royal family and was intended to preserve the purity of royal blood. “The scientific team is looking for fame as their results are only speculation without any archaeological or historical evidence,” Sa‘îd told the Weekly. The large hips claimed for Tutankhamun and his supposedly feminine appearance were unfounded, he said, adding that this was an artistic style used to represent the Nile god Hapy. According to Hawwâs, the stylised male/female physique characteristic of representations of Akhenaten was an iconographic convention that bore no relation to the pharaoh’s actual appearance. “According to Amarna religious belief Aten was both male and female and therefore Akhenaten, as his representative, was depicted as having the form of both a man and a woman,” he said. (Nevine El-Aref, “Slandering Tutankhamun?”, Al-Ahram Weekly, October 30, 2014. Voir également Zâhî Hawwâs, « Atteinte portée contre le pharaon doré », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 28 octobre ; « Toutankhamon était efféminé », al-‘Arabî alGadîd, 7 décembre).

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Mardi 4 novembre 2014

Mahmûd Mabrûk : Le Sphinx est sain et il n’y pas de danger. Nous sommes là pour la restauration de routine. C’est horrible de lire et d’écouter parfois des propos alarmistes sur l’état du Sphinx, car il n’appartient pas seulement aux Égyptiens mais au aussi au patrimoine mondial. C’est un monument qui a une histoire, une esthétique qu’il faut respecter. — Mais il est clair que le Sphinx a quand même des fragilités...

Le président du secteur des musées au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie, Ahmad Sharaf, a affirmé que le musée archéologique d’al-‘Arîsh est sorti indemne de l’attentat terroriste perpétré ce soir. Heureusement, les deux obus tirés se sont écrasés à proximité du musée. De toute manière, le musée archéologique d’al-‘Arîsh est fermé depuis 2011 à cause de l’insécurité qui règne sur le Nord Sinaï. Sa collection archéologique a été entreposée en lieu sûr. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le musée d’al-‘Arîsh est sain et sauf », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 4 novembre 2014. Voir également Radwa Hâshim, « Le musée d’al-‘Arîsh n’a pas été touché par les tirs de tout à l’heure », alWatan, 4 novembre ; Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Un archéologue appelle le ministre de l’Archéologie à transférer les collections du musée d’al‘Arîsh », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 5 novembre).

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Mercredi 5 novembre 2014 Mahmûd Mabrûk, ingénieur et superviseur des travaux de la maintenance actuelle du Sphinx, revient sur les travaux qui ont été entrepris sur Abû al-Hawl.

Al-Ahram Hebdo : En quoi consistent les travaux de restauration en cours ? Le Sphinx est-il en bon état ?

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— Le Sphinx a, à plusieurs fois, subi des restaurations et nécessite des soins permanents. Parfois, il y avait de vrais dangers. Cela a nécessité quelques fois des interventions urgentes, afin de pouvoir stopper les dégradations. J’ai assisté depuis 1989 jusqu’à 1998 aux travaux continuels et durs. J’ai eu l’honneur de diriger pour la première fois une équipe bien formée : des archéologues, des ingénieurs et des sculpteurs de haut niveau. C’était une équipe expérimentée qui connaît l’histoire de chaque pierre du Sphinx. Vraiment, c’était un travail dur de réparer et de remplacer ou de sculpter près de 13 000 pierres du corps de cette statue monumentale. Mais c’était urgent, car le ciment et le plâtre utilisés pour rattacher les blocs au corps du Sphinx afin de le renforcer se sont détachés. Ces travaux de 1983 à 1986 étaient vraiment une série d’erreurs. Le corps de la statue a commencé à éclater et à rejeter les blocs de pierre en surface. Notre travail alors a démarré dès 1989. Artistes, ingénieurs et archéologues ont joué une symphonie de concert. Il a fallu d’abord retirer les gros blocs de pierre apposés sur la surface puis gratter le ciment qui s’était infiltré. — Y a-t-il d’autres menacent cette sculpture ?

problèmes

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— Il est à noter que la pierre dans laquelle a été taillé le Sphinx était en calcaire argileux, très fragile, sensible à l’humidité et peu homogène. La pollution, l’humidité et la nappe phréatique ont influencé la structure. Ce

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qui exige une réhabilitation et une restauration continuelles. À ces facteurs naturels s’ajoutent les interventions de l’homme. La partie la plus dure c’est la tête, et la plus délicate, c’est le cou et la poitrine. — Donc votre travail actuel est-il presque le même, puisque vous commencez à remplacer quelques pierres par d’autres ? — Cette partie du corps du Sphinx n’a pas souffert pendant mon dernier travail. Mais aujourd’hui, les blocs se détachent l’un après l’autre. On utilise des matériaux proches de ceux des pharaons. — Et pour le cou et la poitrine ? — Cette partie est très fragile comme je l’ai dit. On a profité de la technologie pour imiter les matières utilisées à l’époque pharaonique. Les visiteurs ne sentiront pas la différence entre les anciens matériaux et les nouveaux. — Le Sphinx soins continuels ?

a-t-il

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Le ministère de l’Archéologie étudie la possibilité de prolonger jusqu’à 21 heures l’ouverture des temples de la rive ouest de Louqsor : al-Dayr al-Baharî, Madînat Hâbû, Ramesseum, Séthi Ier et de Thoutmosis III. Lors de sa visite effectuée avant-hier à Louqsor, le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a inspecté quelques projets archéologiques en cours, notamment l’éclairage et la sécurisation de la vallée des Rois. Ce projet consiste en l’implantation d’un réseau de surveillance fonctionnant 24h/24. 95 % des travaux effectués en coopération avec l’Espagne se sont achevés. (Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Ouverture jusqu’à 21 heures des temples de la rive ouest », al-Ahrâm, 5 novembre 2014).

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de

— Oui, il a besoin d’une surveillance continuelle pendant toute l’année. Cela a été une erreur de laisser cette statue sans restauration pendant ces quatre dernières années. (Nasma Réda, « Mahmûd Mabrûk : Il faut une surveillance continuelle », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 5 novembre 2014).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a déclaré que son ministère a gelé les travaux dans 30 grands projets archéologiques dans différents gouvernorats à cause des dettes et du déclin du tourisme depuis la révolution de janvier 2011. Il a précisé qu’au cours du mois dernier, les recettes du ministère de l’Archéologie n’ont pas dépassé 20 millions L.E., alors que les traitements mensuels du personnel dépassent les 58 millions L.E. (Muhammad Mutâwi‘, « Arrêt des travaux dans 30 projets archéologiques à cause de l’endettement », al-Ahrâm, 5 novembre 2014. Voir également MENA, « Gel des travaux dans 30 projets archéologiques à cause du manque de ressources financières », al-Shurûq, 4 novembre).

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“Tutankamun: the Truth Revealed” is the title of a TV show produced by a private company in England for the BBC and the Smithsonian Channel in the United States. But the show reveals lies, not the truth. It quotes scientists whose real intention is to become famous in the media, and one of them, a former member of the Egyptian mummy project, uses the Egyptian team’s CT and DNA analysis without permission to spread lies about Tutankhamun, claiming that the ancient Egyptian boy king was handicapped, born with a club foot. This golden boy has entered the hearts of people all over the world, and this person wanted to take him out of our hearts. This person and the film producer have made a huge mistake and in so doing they have lost the respect of all reasonable people. Scholars

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all over the world disagree with them, and, again, instead of revealing the truth all they have done is to propagate lies. The UK’s Daily Mail newspaper has published an article on the new documentary on Tutankhamun, produced by STV and already aired. The documentary distorts what Tutankhamun looked like: the boy king, whose treasure and tomb still fascinate people across the world, was presented in a completely fantastic way, humiliating not only the Egyptian king but also rewriting the history of the ancient world. The face of the king was reconstructed by a French team that rebuilds the features of the dead using special computer programmes. This reconstruction was not based on science or on the study of the anatomy of the face of the mummy, however. Another EgyptianAmerican team had already reconstructed the king’s face, but for some reason the programme used the image produced by the French. It is obvious that there is a clear difference between the features of Tutankhamun’s mummy, preserved in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, and the image shown in the programme. In my own lectures on the golden king, I always show three reconstructed images of Tutankhamun, and when I show the French reconstruction I am careful to say that it is not borne out by the facts. Furthermore, the documentary makers stated that Tutankhamun had feminine hips, but this is not based on scientific evidence. First, the study of Tutankhamun’s mummy by X-ray and CT scan has not shown any indication of such female features. The hips of the mummy are tied up with linen, and it is not possible to show that he had the kind of female hips seen, for example, in statues of the pharaoh Akhenaten. How did the television team, which did not perform any scientific studies or even touch the mummy, reach these results? The purpose was to tarnish the image of the Egyptian pharaoh. Second, the idea behind focusing attention on Tutankhamun’s hips was to attract attention to the statues of Akhenaten, the father of Tutankhamun. These statues are

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expressions of the god Aten, whom Akhenaten worshiped as a sole god and creator of the universe. Thus, the statues and images of Akhenaten with female features are reflections of religion. In fact, the skeleton of Akhenaten, which was buried in tomb KV55, has no feminine features. Scientific studies carried out by the Egyptian team on the mummy of Tutankhamun have shown that the king was generally in good health in spite of suffering from flat feet, meaning that blood did not reach his left toes. The archaeological evidence proves that the king grew up and lived in Memphis, the administrative capital of Egypt during the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. He lived in a palace at Memphis and his wet-nurse Maya took care of him: the French archaeologist Alain ZIVIE has found her tomb, which contains an image of Tutankhamun sitting on her lap. Tutankhamun also built a small rest house to the south of the temple of Khafre at Gîza. The desert between Gîza and Saqqâra was called the Valley of Ghazâl (the valley of deer) and Tutankhamun used this rest house to relax after hunting wild animals. This fact alone shows that he was not the invalid claimed in the television programme. In addition, the king appears in many scenes depicted on golden shrines and wooden boxes, as well as on fan holders, sitting or standing in his chariot. This also shows that he was fond of shooting and hunting. One of the new discoveries found beneath the houses of a village located between Abûsîr and Saqqâra is a block that depicts Tutankhamun seated and shooting wild animals, while his wife, Ankhesenamun, is kneeling by his feet. If he had looked like the image broadcast in the TV documentary he would never have been able to hunt wild animals. This documentary did not entertain at all, and, despite its efforts, it will not make me forget the beauty of Tutankhamun. But this is not the first time that a foreign team has damaged the golden boy. The first occasion was in 1925, when Tutankhamun’s British discoverers, Howard CARTER and Douglas DERRY, opened the sarcophagus and coffins and found that the face of the mummy was covered with a golden mask and 150 amulets. CARTER looked at the

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mask and saw the face as an idealised portrait of the young king executed in precious materials with unsurpassed craftsmanship. I myself go to see the mask every time I visit the Cairo Museum. It served as a place in which Tutankhamun’s soul could dwell if some ill fate befell his body and thus was an essential item of the royal burial objects. When the tomb was opened, the king’s head was adhered to the inside of this marvellous object because of the resins used to preserve the mummy. To remedy this situation, CARTER and DERRY heated knives to melt and cut through the resins. As a result, the process of freeing the mask removed the mummy’s head as well. I can well imagine being in CARTER’s place, seeing this exquisite face for the first time and knowing that within it was the real face of the king. Should I remove the mask and do damage to the royal mummy? Or should I leave the two joined together and exhibit the mummy with the mask in place? My choice would have been the same as CARTER’s: take the mask off, even at the price of damaging the head beneath. The ancient Egyptians thought that the flesh of the gods was made of gold, so, fittingly, their artisans used this metal to create this masterpiece. They hammered together two thick gold sheets and then gave them the features of the king. Recent X-ray examination of the mask has revealed that the artisans added thin layers of gold, silver, and copper alloy to the gold body of the mask to increase its brilliance. After the mask was taken off the mummy was broken into 18 pieces, but the head was in good condition. Harry BURTON, a member of CARTER’s expedition, took a photograph at the time that shows that CARTER and his team left the head of the mummy covered with linen, turquoise beads and a diadem. This seems to show that although CARTER damaged the body of the king when he removed the bandages and the objects wrapped with them, he did not damage the head. What happened to the head to make it appear as it does today? The only possible explanation is that later investigators were responsible when they used chemicals to treat this part of the body. The story began in 1968 when R G

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HARRISON, an anatomist at the University of Liverpool in the UK, intended to X-ray the body. A sweet smell greeted him when he removed the lid of the coffin. The dismemberment was discovered, along with CARTER’s poor job of rewrapping the mummy. HARRISON’s team also realised that Tutankhamun was missing one of his thumbs, as well as his penis. HARRISON confirmed some of DERRY’s observations, including the king’s age at death, though he believed it was at the younger end of the range of 18 to 22 years. He confirmed the similarities between the skulls of Tutankhamun and the KV 55 tomb mummy. These mummies were about the same height and similarly proportioned. Clearly, there was a family resemblance.

X-rays of Tutankhamun’s skull revealed opaque material that was probably residue from the mummification process, a fragment of bone inside the skull, and a thickened or fuzzy area on the back of the skull. Some people have pointed to this as evidence that the king received a fatal blow to the head. But the fact that the bone is loose in the skull would indicate that whatever event placed it there occurred after mummification. Otherwise, it would have become caught in the embalming material introduced into the skull. The X-rays also revealed scoliosis in the king’s spine; perhaps he was frail, as had been suggested in the past. The king was returned to his tomb. But no one knew what had happened to the mummy, until the photograph taken by HARRISON and his team became public. No band of linen or beads and diadem can be seen. These might have been removed and put in storage.

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But I myself looked in the store on the west bank at Luxor and also in the Luxor Museum and the Cairo Museum and found nothing. The pieces on the head were stolen. Last year a team from London announced that it had studied pieces from the king’s body and found that the mummy had been burned. I raised the question of how these pieces were removed from the body without permission, since no one would have given permission to take pieces from the mummy of the golden boy. Of course the evidence could show that the mummy had been burned: the stolen pieces could have been burned by the hot knives that CARTER and his team used when they were removing the golden mask. We can now see the full extent of the crimes that have been committed against Tutankhamun: a scientist who has given fake information against the boy king and TV producers who have used CT-scan images without permission. They will be sued and taken to court. Moreover, the European academic Albert ZINK used DNA results without permission, saying that he took the DNA from the mummy of Tutankhamun. The fact is, however, that he never touched the mummy. The story of the golden boy is far from finished. (Zâhî Hawwâs, “The truth about Tutankhamun”, Al-Ahram Weekly, November 6, 2014. Voir également Nevine El-Aref, “Virtual autopsy of Tutankhamun triggers anger of Egyptian Egyptologists”, Ahram Online, November 4).

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Mercredi 12 novembre 2014

La Cour d’assises de Gîza, présidée par le magistrat Mahmûd Sâmî, a décidé le renvoi

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devant le Parquet général du Dr Zâhî Hawwâs. Celui-ci doit se justifier des accusations dont il fait l’objet dans le procès du vol d’échantillons dans la pyramide de Chéops. Par ailleurs, la Cour a condamné à une peine de prison et à une amende de 5 000 L.E. 6 Égyptiens et 3 Allemands impliqués dans cette affaire. En outre, les 3 Égyptiens ont été révoqué de leurs postes au sein du ministère de l’Archéologie. (al-Walîd Ismâ‘îl, « La Cour d’assises transfère Hawwâs devant le Parquet à cause du cartouche de Chéops », al-Watan, 11 novembre 2014. Voir également « Zâhî Hawwâs comparaît devant le Parquet pour son implication dans le vol du cartouche de Chéops », al-Bashâyyir, 11 novembre ; « Zâhî Hawwâs traduit en justice pour son implication dans un vol archéologique », al-‘Arabî al-Gadîd, 11 novembre ; Ahmad Shalabî, « Hawwâs en Cour d’assises dans l’affaire du cartouche de Chéops », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 12 novembre).

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Mercredi 12 novembre 2014 « Bien qu’elle soit découverte depuis longtemps, la tombe de Min n’a jamais été enregistrée ou archivée. Une mission espanoitalienne, en coopération avec le ministère égyptien des Antiquités, s’est installée sur les lieux afin d’étudier les inscriptions et l’architecture de cette tombe, en vue de la préparer aux visites touristiques », explique Irini MORFINI, adjointe de Mila Ivarez SOSA, chef de cette mission. Mais un autre objectif, d’une importance majeure, a surgi lorsque les expertes ont constaté que les peintures de la tombe se sont gravement érodées au fil des décennies. Mais ce n’est qu’une surprise parmi d’autres... Creusée dans une roche, la tombe de Min se situe dans la région de Shaykh ‘Abd alQurna, qui fait partie de la nécropole thébaine, dans le gouvernorat de Louqsor. Malgré les surnoms reliant étroitement Min à la province de Thinis, comme ceux de « maire de Thinis », « chef des divinités de Thinis », « maire de l’oasis », « chef du festival d’Osiris », qui suggèrent un lien étroit avec le lieu du culte du dieu à Abydos, le tuteur Min est connu seulement par sa tombe à Thèbes ainsi que par quelques puits funéraires sur le même site.

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Ces nominations reflètent sa position reconnue sous le règne du roi Thoutmosis III, puisqu’il était le parrain de son fils, le futur roi Amenhotep II. Il a occupé aussi des postes militaires et administratifs. Cette confiance que Thoutmosis III accordait à Min se reflète aussi dans les peintures et les inscriptions sur sa tombe. Sur le mur sud de la salle transversale de la tombe, on admire deux scènes montrant Min avec le prince Amenhotep lui apprenant le tir à l’arc. Les inscriptions montrent que la leçon a lieu dans la cour du palais de Thinis, indiquant que le prince a passé quelque temps dans la demeure de son tuteur. « Les scènes de la leçon de tir à l’arc et les textes qui les accompagnent sont d’une importance particulière parce qu’elles fournissent les seules preuves concrètes au sujet des fonctions d’un tuteur royal », reprend MORFINI. D’ailleurs, la scène suggère que Min est mort avant qu’Amenhotep ne devienne souverain de l’Égypte. Min n’aura jamais vécu pour voir son disciple sur le trône, puisqu’Amenhotep est représenté en tant qu’enfant et désigné comme fils de roi. Autre particularité de la tombe de Min. À la différence des autres tombes de la région de Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qurna, entièrement peintes, celle-ci ne l’est qu’à moitié. Quant à sa structure, la tombe de Min se compose d’une avant-cour, d’une salle hypostyle latérale et de trois chapelles s’ouvrant du côté nord de la salle transversale. Au cours des fouilles sur un site à Thèbes, sur la rive ouest du Nil, les archéologues ont découvert au fond d’un puits funéraire une tombe inconnue. Datée de la XVIIIe dynastie, « cette tombe appartient à un homme qui s’appelle May. Accompagné de son épouse Nefret, May est représenté dans plusieurs scènes picturales », annonce Irini MORFINI, adjointe du chef de la mission sur le site. D’après les inscriptions, May serait « superviseur des écuries du roi », « superviseur des chantiers », entre autres. Selon les égyptologues, la tombe de May, comme celle de Min, est ornée de scènes de pêche et de chasse. Malgré leur modestie, ces peintures gardent une certaine originalité, notamment au niveau des couleurs. MORFINI espère en découvrir d’autres. Un espoir légitime puisqu’il reste encore quatre puits à relever

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pendant la deuxième saison de fouilles qui a commencé au début du mois. (Doaa Elhami, « Min livre ses secrets », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 12 novembre 2014).

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Today, fifteen wooden beams of King Khufu’s second solar boat were transferred to the store of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) after restoration. The beams were restored in situ at the Gîza plateau after being removed it from a pit neighbouring the Great Pyramid of Khufu. They had suffered damage from fungi and insects, ‘Afîfî Ruhaym, head of the Khufu Solar Boat Restoration Project, told Ahram Online. Ruhaym continued that when all the beams are restored the whole boat would be reconstructed in order to be ready to be placed on display beside the first boat (which is currently on display in a museum especially constructed for it on the plateau) at the GEM when it opens. Ruhaym explained that the restored beams were in a critical condition, which is why they had been selected from 200 others found in the first layer of 13 layers that comprise all the boat’s beams.

Wooden beam

“This is the third phase of a five-stage project to restore Khufu’s second boat,” said Ruhaym adding that the first phase began 20

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years ago, when in 1992 a Japanese scientific and archaeological team from Waseda University in collaboration with the Japanese government offered a grant of $10 million to remove the boat from its original pit, restore and reassemble it and put it on show to the public. The team cleaned the pit of insects but found that water had leaked from the nearby museum that houses the first solar boat. This leakage had affected a small part of the wood, hence the necessity to quickly undertake restoration work. The Japanese team, under the direction of Professor Sakuji YOSHIMURA, inserted a camera through a hole in the chamber’s limestone ceiling to transmit video images of the boat onto a small TV monitor on site. Images screened showed layers of wooden beams and timbers of cedar and acacia, as well as ropes, mats and remains of limestone blocks and small pieces of white plaster. The camera allowed an assessment of the boat’s condition and the possibility of restoration. YOSHIMURA told Ahram Online that during the Egyptian Japanese team inspection they found that the second boat was in a much better state of 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 was photographed and air measurements taken, the pit was resealed. It was thought that the pit had been so well sealed that the air inside would be as it had been since ancient Egyptian times, YOSHIMURA pointed out that sadly this was not the case. Air had leaked into the pit from outside and mixed with the air inside. This had allowed insects to thrive and negatively affect some wooden beams. (Nevine El-Aref, “Fifteen beams of King Khufu’s second solar boat arrive to GEM after restoration”, Ahram Online,

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November 12, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie annonce le transfert de 15 fragments de la seconde barque de Chéops vers le GEM », al-Yawm alSâbi‘, 12 novembre ; « Transfert de 15 fragments de la seconde barque de Chéops vers le GEM », al-Ahrâm, 13 novembre).

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L’égyptologue italien Fabrizio Sergio DONADONI fête cette année ses 100 ans. Portrait : 85 ans. C’est la durée de l’itinéraire professionnel de Fabrizio Sergio DONADONI. Par sa longévité et ses apports à l’égyptologie, il est nommé par ses pairs le père des égyptologues italiens. Mais ce n’est pas la seule raison. DONADONI est le premier à avoir enseigné de l’égyptologie dans les universités italiennes. Au fil des décennies, ses étudiants sont devenus des égyptologues renommés, à l’instar d’Edda BRECCIANI, dont la mission opère à Saqqâra et Madînat Mâdî au Fayyûm, et Anna Maria DONADONI, ex-directrice du Musée égyptien de Turin. DONADONI vient de célébrer son centième anniversaire le mois dernier. Sa passion pour l’égyptologie commence prématurément à l’âge de 15 ans. « Je faisais la visite du pavillon égyptien au British Museum, et j’ai été impressionné par les antiquités égyptiennes », se souvient-il. Une visite qui a été déterminante dans son itinéraire professionnel et sa vie privée, même si à cette époque le jeune garçon n’avait pas réalisé la forte influence que cette visite aurait dans sa vie. Plus tard, lorsque son oncle maternel a voulu que son neveu étudie le droit, « Ma mère m’en a empêché et m’a dirigé vers des études d’égyptologie, en France », racontet-il.

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Au pays des Lumières, le jeune DONADONI s’initie à cette discipline avec des maîtres de l’égyptologie, comme LEFÈBRE et MORET. De retour en Italie où il n’y avait pas encore de chaire d’égyptologie, DONADONI étudie la philologie et la papyrologie à l’Université de Pise. Là, le jeune étudiant fait la connaissance de BRECCIA, grand archéologue et directeur du Musée gréco-romain d’Alexandrie. BRECCIA, malade, rentre en Italie et envoie, à sa place, le jeune DONADONI, « seul et ne connaissant rien ». Nouvelle terre, nouvelle vie et nouvelle société, DONADONI doit s’y adapter rapidement et continuer les fouilles de BRECCIA à Antinoé à Shaykh ‘Abâda. Sur le chantier, il découvre des pierres d’Akhenaton et des statues divines dans un temple ramesside. Pendant cette période, DONADONI se met dans la peau d’un Égyptien : tarbouche sur la tête, il se déplace d’un endroit à l’autre à dos d’âne. Pourtant, en pleine saison, DONADONI est contraint de quitter son site de recherche pour Le Caire. La Deuxième Guerre mondiale s’est déclenchée. DONADONI doit rentrer en Italie. À la fin de la guerre, DONADONI doit faire face aux nécessités de la vie. Il travaille dans une librairie à Pise puis à Paris, où il suit des cours. Il travaille à l’occasion à Copenhague avec VOLTIN le Danois, spécialiste en démotique. Quand BRECCIA prend sa retraite, il propose à DONADONI de prendre sa chaire à l’Université de Pise et d’y enseigner l’histoire ancienne. DONADONI accepte à condition d’y donner des cours d’égyptologie. De même, on lui propose de donner des cours de lectorat grec à l’Université de Milan. Il accepte aux mêmes conditions. « C’est depuis ce moment qu’on enseigne l’égyptologie dans les universités italiennes », se rappelle-t-il avec fierté. 1958, année inoubliable pour DONADONI. « Toutes les missions archéologiques se consacraient au sauvetage des antiquités de la Nubie sous l’égide de l’Unesco. Pour se rendre à Abû Sinbil, on prenait un bateau du Challal à Wadi Halfa qui ne partait qu’une seule fois par semaine. On vivait des mois dans un bateau et on passait les journées à recopier les textes et prendre des photos la nuit, afin d’obtenir des photos de bonnes résolutions », se souvient-il. « Malgré toutes ces difficultés, c’était une bonne occasion pour se connaître et échanger les expériences. Je me souviens notamment de

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ces grands archéologues qu’étaient Labîb Habashî et Gamâl Mukhtâr », poursuit-il. Chacun a laissé son empreinte sur l’autre, à la fois sur le plan professionnel et humain. À côté du sauvetage du temple d’Abû Sinbil, DONADONI se souvient des campagnes italiennes de fouilles sur des sites nubiens mineurs dont personne ne s’occupait, comme al-‘Alâqî, Ikhmindi, Sabagoura et Tamit. À Ikhmindi, la mission italienne découvrit une stèle grecque chrétienne qui portait le nom du roi bâtisseur de la ville. Ce dernier fut un contemporain de la fin des travaux sur le temple d’Isis, à Philae, et du début de la christianisation de la Nubie pendant le règne de l’empereur byzantin Justinien. Le père des archéologues italiens se rappelle sa mission à Tamit avec peine, une ville qui comprenait une série d’églises avec de magnifiques peintures. « Mais le barrage et son lac ont noyé tout cela », raconte-t-il d’une voix sèche pleine d’amertume. Malgré tout, DONADONI reste heureux d’avoir passé sa vie au service de l’égyptologie. (Doaa Elhami, « DONADONI : Une vie au service de l’égyptologie », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 12 novembre 2014).

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Aux quatre coins du pays, d’Aswân à Alexandrie et des Oasis jusqu’à la côte de la mer Rouge, 128 missions italiennes opèrent actuellement en Égypte. Ce grand nombre de missions italiennes en Égypte n’est pas le fruit du hasard. Dès 1828, une première mission italienne entamait des fouilles en Égypte. Depuis cette date jusqu’à maintenant, l’activité archéologique italienne en Égypte n’a pas cessé de se développer. Si la première moitié du XIXe siècle est marquée par les voyageurs, les amateurs et les collectionneurs, le premier projet considéré comme scientifique est celui d’Ippolito ROSELLINI (1828-1829). Son objectif était la valorisation du patrimoine artistique et culturel égyptien. C’étaient les premiers pas de ce qu’on appelle aujourd’hui la science de l’égyptologie. Cette première expédition franco-toscane était composée de deux experts, Jean-François CHAMPOLLION et Ippolito ROSELLINI. En 15 mois, le binôme fait le tour des célèbres sites archéologiques: Gîza, Saqqâra, Memphis, Banî

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Hasan, Thèbes, Abû Sinbil et Wâdî Halfa en Nubie. Cette fructueuse expédition permet à ROSELLINI de rapporter en Toscane une collection considérable de pièces précieuses, dont les plus importantes sont des milliers de dessins et manuscrits ainsi qu’une considérable documentation sur des monuments et sites antiques. Suite à cette expédition, les missions italiennes archéologiques, financées par le gouvernement italien, ont commencé à affluer dans la Vallée du Nil. « Les découvertes archéologiques les plus significatives ont eu lieu entre 1902 et 1920. Elles comprennent la tombe de la reine Néfertari datée de la XIXe dynastie, dévoilée par Ernesto SCHIAPARELLI, directeur du Musée égyptien à Turin. Les tombes, comme celle du peintre Maya, de la XVIIIe dynastie, et celle de Kha, de la XVIIIe dynastie aussi, à Dayr al-Madîna, font également partie des découvertes fondamentales des archéologues italiens », explique Paolo SABATINI, directeur de l’Institut italien au Caire. Après cette florissante période d’activités archéologiques italiennes, le rôle des générations qui suivent apparaît clairement au travers de la célèbre campagne de sauvetage des monuments de la Nubie. C’est notamment grâce à une équipe égypto-italienne que les monuments de l’île de Philae ont été transférés et sauvés avant d’être submergés après la construction du Haut-Barrage. De nos jours, les 128 missions italiennes sont spécialisées dans les différentes périodes historiques. La préhistoire avec le professeur Barbara BARICH, en passant par les différentes périodes pharaoniques avec une équipe florissante d’égyptologues renommés, à l’instar de Francesco TIRADRITTI et Marilina BETRO. Les époques gréco-romaine et copte, quant à elles, sont couvertes par les professeurs Paola DAVOLI et Mario CAPASSO. S’agissant de la période copte et byzantine jusqu’à l’âge islamique, Rosario PINTAUDI avec le professeur Giusepe FANFONI en sont les spécialistes. Les travaux archéologiques ne s’arrêtent pas aux fouilles. Ils comprennent aussi la documentation, la restauration, la consolidation et la conservation. De nouvelles activités ne cessent de démarrer dans le milieu des égyptologues

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italiens. Il en va ainsi de l’installation du chantier-école à Saqqâra et à la Tikiyya Mawlâwiyya. « Le concept de chantier-école sera généralisé dans la plupart des sites archéologiques où opèrent les missions italiennes », promet M. SABATINI. Pour le moment, l’Institut italien au Caire est en train de préparer une célébration à l’occasion des 110 ans de la découverte de la tombe de la reine Néfertari. (Doaa Elhami, « Archéologie : Une coopération fructueuse », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 12 novembre 2014).

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Le professeur Giuseppe FANFONI, fondateur et chef du Centre égypto-italien pour la restauration et l’archéologie au Caire, revient sur ses travaux.

Al-Ahram Hebdo : Pourquoi avoir décidé de restaurer Sama‘ Khâna (le théâtre des derviches) ? Giuseppe Fanfoni : Tout a commencé pendant la moitié des années 1970, lorsque j’ai aperçu Sama‘ Khâna, connue sous le nom de Tikiyya Mawlâwiyya, qui se trouve dans la rue al-Siyûfiyya, dans le quartier d’al-Hilmiyya alGadîda, au Caire. J’ai demandé à Mme Carla BURRI, responsable des antiquités au Centre culturel italien, une autorisation. À cette époque, les autorités compétentes préféraient la restauration de l’Institut de la musique arabe situé sur la rue Ramsès, au centre-ville du Caire. Mais je voyais les choses autrement. L’état lamentable dans lequel se trouvait la Sama‘ Khâna nécessitait sa restauration. Ainsi, en 1976, j’ai pu obtenir l’autorisation du secteur des monuments islamiques dépendant de l’Organisme des antiquités pour la restaurer. Mais je n’ai commencé qu’en 1980. — Qu’est-ce qui vous a retardé ? — À l’époque, je n’avais aucune idée sur les derviches, ni sur leur maître fondateur, Galâl al-Dîn al-Rûmî. Je suis parti alors en quête de la Tikiyya Mawlâwiyya (le théâtre des derviches) en Turquie, pour y étudier l’architecture de tous les Sama‘ Khâna désertés suite aux ordres de Kemal Atatürk en 1925. En étudiant les documents, j’ai fait la connaissance de Galâl al-Dîn al-Rûmî et de sa doctrine. Il était primordial de connaître par cœur l’organisation de la communauté des derviches

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et leur doctrine avant de commencer la restauration. En général, en Turquie ou en Égypte, Sama‘ Khâna n’est que le reflet architectural de cette doctrine. Raison pour laquelle j’ai passé quatre ans de ma vie dans des études approfondies en me basant sur de solides références. — Pourquoi avez-vous fondé au Caire le Centro Italo-Egiziano per il Restauro e l’Archeologia, après avoir terminé la restauration de Sama‘ Khâna et son inauguration en 1989 ? — Au cours de ces 9 ans, les travaux de restauration et de nettoyage, notamment des murs qui étaient attaqués par l’humidité et le sel, n’ont pas cessé. Il fallait les consolider. Durant ces années, beaucoup d’archéologues égyptiens et étrangers ont été formés, et sont devenus des restaurateurs très connus, comme Nairi HAMPIKIAN et Haggâgî Ibrâhîm qui sont actuellement professeurs d’archéologie à l’Université de Tanta. J’ai constaté que la conservation est d’une importance majeure pour les générations à venir. Pour ce faire, il faut former les jeunes archéologues et ouvriers à la restauration et à la conservation des monuments. — Avez-vous pensé à fonder chantier-école dans ce même objectif ?

le

— Le chantier-école est d’une importance majeure, bien qu’on ait étudié l’archéologie et la restauration à la faculté. Mais cela ne permet ni de connaître les difficultés de la réalisation des choses, ni de les vivre. Cette expérience est acquise plutôt grâce au travail sur le terrain. C’est ce qu’offre le chantier-école qui permet aussi l’échange d’expériences entre les différentes spécialités et générations. Ce qui peut former de vrais professionnels capables de diriger des sites archéologiques. — Pourquoi partie de Sama‘ formation ?

avez-vous consacré une Khâna au centre de

— Il faut réutiliser les monuments après leur restauration et les exploiter. Sama‘ Khâna est transformé en centre culturel où sont organisées des conférences internationales, à l’instar du Congrès international sur l’héritage culturel qui a eu lieu

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en décembre 2009. De même, le théâtre des derviches renferme une salle d’expositions, où sont présentées les photos des restaurateurs pendant leurs travaux. D’ailleurs, la Tikiyya Mawlâwiyya a ouvert ses portes aux différents programmes télévisés pour attirer l’attention du téléspectateur sur le monument. C’est un moyen de sensibiliser les gens à l’archéologie. Mais il faudra préserver l’identité de ce monument. — Quel est votre prochain projet ? — Poursuivre la maintenance du complexe et le nettoyage des murs. Également, restaurer le minaret et le palais de Yazbak qui sont mitoyens à Sama‘ Khâna. C’est un énorme projet à entamer le plus tôt possible. (Doaa Elhami, « Giuseppe FANFONI : La conservation est d’une importance majeure pour les générations à venir », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 12 novembre 2014).

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Jeudi 13 novembre 2014 November 2014 marks 92 years since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Luxor. This is an occasion that could be used to promote tourism to the city where the golden king and his tomb are located. It is also be an ideal opportunity to announce that only one ticket is now needed to visit Tutankhamun’s family tombs, including those of Amenhotep II, Yuya and Tuya, and tomb KV55. Even with the passage of time, we should never forget what the English team did to the pharaoh’s mummy in 1968. Jewellery disappeared, and pieces of the mummy were taken without permission. Only last year an English team announced, based on their examination of these stolen pieces, that the mummy of Tutankhamun had been burned. My intention in this article, and in the article published in the Weekly last week, is to show that despite the problems that Tutankhamun had during his life, he was in good health and used to hunt wild animals. He was not disabled, contrary to what was alleged on a recent TV show.

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Last week I wrote about the lies told in an English TV show about the golden king, and how a scientist had perjured himself in front of scholars all over the world. The truth about Tutankhamun is the real discovery made by the great British archaeologist Howard CARTER, enabling us to discover new material about the boy king every year. The truth has been revealed by the great work of the Egyptian Mummy Project and the discovery of Tutankhamun’s family and how he died. When CARTER first started working in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank at Luxor he did so as a chief inspector. He directed the attention of a wealthy American, Theodore DAVIS, to the Valley of the Kings. CARTER was searching for the tomb of Thubmose IV and needed funding to continue his excavations there. CARTER began his work in 1902. One of his first discoveries was the tomb of Maiherpri (KV36). In 1908, CARTER met Lord CARNARVON and succeeded in convincing him to apply for a concession in the Valley of the Kings. CARTER was sure that he would be able to locate an intact tomb. He worked, without success, for four years. By the summer of 1922 CARNARVON had grown tired of his fruitless investments there. He called CARTER to discuss whether it was worthwhile continuing the excavation. After a long discussion, CARNARVON finally gave CARTER a last chance at one more excavation season. Many people do not know the true story of the discovery of the tomb. A young boy named Husayn ‘Abd al-Rasûl was hired by the overseer of CARTER’s workmen to bring water to the site, which he did in one or two trips every day. The water came in large pottery jars carried on the back of a donkey. Things have not changed much today. We used to do the same thing during my excavations in the Valley of the Golden Mummies in the Bahariyya Oasis, for example. On the morning of 4 November 1922, ‘Abd al-Rasûl arrived at the site as usual. Before he could set the jars on the ground he had to dig a small hole because the bottoms of the jars were pointed. ‘Abd al-Rasûl’s digging uncovered a flat patch of stone. This was the first step down to the tomb of Tutankhamun.

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‘Abd al-Rasûl wearing the king’s necklace

A photograph shows the boy wearing an ornate necklace with a scarab and sun disk flanked by cobras, which was found in 1924 in the chamber known as the treasury of the tomb. Only CARTER could have allowed such a gesture to be made. He certainly put the necklace on ‘Abd al-Rasûl himself, as a reward for the discovery that led to the tomb’s excavation. I am sure, though, that this gesture was only for the purpose of taking the photograph. This is also not the only photograph of ‘Abd al-Rasûl at the site. The wife of the seventh earl of CARNARVON, Jean Margaret HERBERT, found a photograph in Lord CARNARVON’s collection showing ‘Abd al-Rasûl standing on the cleared steps of the tomb. A German reporter went to Gurna on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor in search of the former water boy. He met ‘Abd al-Rasûl at the rest house of the Ramessium, the mortuary temple built for Ramses II. When ‘Abd al-Rasûl met the journalist he brought with him photographs that show him wearing the necklace. There are two of these: one of ‘Abd alRasûl as an old man of 70 and one of his son. In each photograph the subject is holding an old photograph of ‘Abd al-Rasûl as a boy wearing the jewellery of the boy king. Shaykh ‘Alî ‘Abd al-Rasûl, a descendent of a well-known family of tomb robbers, told me that the water boy was his cousin. We know the identity of many people who surrounded the boy king. These include Haremhab, who was the army commander, and Ay, who bore the title of his father and also served as a priest and military officer under the monotheistic king Akhenaten. There was also the high priest of Amun, Parenefer, as well

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as two viziers who worked with the king, Pentu and Usermont, and Huy, who was the overseer of Nubia during the pharaoh’s reign. There were also Maya, head of the treasury of Tutankhamun, and Seb and Panalcht, the mayors of Thinis and governor of Lcaula respectively.

recovered. Scholars have also suggested a relationship between other mummies and that of Tutankhamun, such as the mummy of the Elder Lady in the tomb of Amenhotep II and the mummy in KV55.

But the most interesting figure is Tutankhamun’s teacher Senejem, who also built a tomb in the desert, and his wet nurse Maya, whose tomb was found in the Saqqâra necropolis. Inside her tomb, scenes depicting Maya with Tutankhamun as a young boy sitting on her lab were uncovered. We should also not forget queen Nefertiti and Tutankhamun’s wife, Ankhesenamun. In fact, many mysteries have surrounded Tutankhamun’s family. For example, we do not know who his father was. Some scholars believe that Akhenaten was Tutankhamun’s father, based on the discovery of a text mentioning Tutankhamun as the son of a king and Ankhesenamun as a daughter of a king. But the inscriptions state that Tutankhamun lived at Amarna, which would seem to rule this theory out. Others believe that Amenhotep III could have been the father of Tutankhamun, since Tutankhamun made additions to Amenhotep III’s temples at Luxor, suggesting a close connection between the two kings. Tutankhamun also described himself as “renewing the monument of his father.” Some scholars, however, believe that the word “father” in hieroglyphics could also mean “grandfather,” so the evidence is inconclusive. The archaeological evidence suggests that the mummy found in KV55 belongs to Akhenaten or Smenkhkare. The mother of Tutankhamun is also not known. Some believe that Kiya was his mother and died while delivering the boy king, while others say that queen Tiye, the wife of Amenhotep III, or queen Nefertiti, the wife of Akhenaten, could have been the mother of Tutankhamun. We know more about Tutankhamun’s children, as the mummies of Yuya and Tuya, the parents of queen Tiye, as well as the mummy of Amenhotep III and the two foetuses of Tutankhamun’s children, have all been

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The mummy of Tutankhamun’s mother

It was thought that a DNA test might unravel this mystery, so two laboratories were built, one in the basement of the Egyptian Museum and the second in the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University. Each had its own team, each working so that one team would not know the results of the other. Both labs were specifically devoted to analysis of ancient DNA from mummies, and the staff had to be Egyptian so that the tests could be properly monitored. Tests on the Y-chromosomes of the male mummies would determine a precise genetic relationship between them, if there was any relationship at all. I was sceptical that this arrangement would work, but I was delighted by the results. With just a 0.017 chance of error, the team established that the mummy of Amenhotep III was the father of the mummy in KV55, and that the KV55 mummy was the father of Tutankhamun. The tests were done to a

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standard that would satisfy an FBI paternity test. The question now was whom the KV55 mummy belonged to. Many believed that it could be Akhenaten, whose epithets could be found on a coffin found in the tomb, but others believed that the mummy was that of Semenkhkare. Earlier forensic analysis had determined that the body was that of a man who was at most 25 years old. This was too young for Akhenaten, who reigned for 17 years and had two daughters before he was crowned. Perhaps if we could determine who gave was the mother of the KV55 mummy it would help. We knew that Akhenaten’s mother was queen Tiye, who was long suspected of being the Elder Lady, formerly known as the mummy of KV35. We also knew that this mummy’s hair matched the lock of hair found in Tutankhamun’s tomb and was labelled as belonging to queen Tiye. If we compared the Elder Lady’s DNA to that of the mummies of Yuya and Tuya, queen Tiye’s parents, that would confirm her identity. Indeed, that is exactly what the DNA tests showed. KV35 shared half of the tested genetic markers with the mummy of Yuya and the other half with Tuya. Radiological examination showed that the queen had died at about the age of 50 and that her parents had both died in their 50s. What would the tests reveal about the relationship between Tiye and the KV55 mummy? They showed that Tiye was the mother of the mummy. There was still the problem of age. A man of 25 years old was much too young to be Akhenaten. New CT scans were performed, which revealed degeneration of the spine related to age and osteoarthritis in the knees and legs. This mummy was much older than previously thought. It belonged to a man in the range of 35 to 45 years old. That meant almost certainly that the offspring of Amenhotep III and Tiye was Akhenaten. There remained a shadow of a doubt, however, because so little is known about Smenkhkare, even how old he was. Scans of the mummy shed light on another aspect of the family. It has often been

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thought that an abnormality caused by a genetically inherited disease such as Marfan Syndrome was the reason for the strangely elongated and feminine appearance of the king in the art of the Amarna Period. But the scan revealed no abnormalities. Instead, the reason for the artistic convention must be sought in Akhenaten’s ideas about the god Atun and his attempt to show himself as having both male and female qualities, just like Atun who was both the father and mother of all creation. Attention now turned to the search for Tutankhamun’s mother. We were surprised to find the answer so easily. The results of the DNA tests showed that his mother was the younger woman in KV35 who was the daughter of Amenhotep II and Tiye. We have no evidence that either Nefertiti or Kiya was the daughter of Amenhotep III and Tiye. Two foetuses were found in the treasury room known today by the numbers CARTER assigned to them at the time of their discovery: 317a and 317b. One is seven months old and the other is nine months old. We began to look for the mummy of Ankhesenamun, the mother of the two foetuses. The ancient Egyptians sometimes buried mother and daughter together, such as in KV35, where queen Tiye was found beside her daughter. This made me think about the two female mummies found in KV21: these could possibly be Nefertiti and one of her daughters. They were found in 1817 by the Italian archaeologist Giovanni BELZONI. Later, the American archaeologist Donald RAYAN collected the mummies and put them in two boxes within the tomb to protect them. The first mummy is called KV21a and has no head. The second is KV21b, which is better preserved. DNA tests showed that KV21a was very likely the mother of the two foetuses. More research is needed on the mummy KV21b and the mummy of Mutnodkmet, the sister of Nefertiti, to solve the mystery of Nefertiti.

mummy that the as well English

The first examination of the boy king’s happened in 1968, when it was found mummy had lost the band on its head as turquoise jewellery. Last year an team announced that it had pieces

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from the mummy of Tutankhamun that were taken in 1968. This needs investigation to find out how this happened. The last X-ray of the mummy was done by HARRIS in 1978, but the CT scan done by the Egyptian Mummy Project team revealed new information that the X-rays and inspection by human eyes had missed. It was hoped that this would lead to answers to the questions that other studies had raised, and perhaps end speculation about the boy king’s alleged murder. It might even raise new questions, but that is the nature of science. Like X-rays, CT scans are not invasive, but unlike X-rays they produce a threedimensional image in which different types of soft issue and bone can be differentiated. The machine was taken to Luxor and operated by Hânî ‘Abd al-Rahmân. All the members of the team were Egyptian.

this curious shape, which is common in the art of the Amarna Period. One diagnosis that the CT scan could not find was scoliosis. There was also no evidence of a blow to the head. The loose pieces of bone earlier noted could not have resulted from an injury received while the king was alive.

Reconstruction of Tutankhamun’s facial features

When we entered the tomb and removed the glass casing that covered the stone sarcophagus of the king, we found that the outermost coffin was cracked. This was not a great surprise, considering that the coffin had been sitting in the burial chamber without benefit of conservation or climate control for the past 80 years. It took us half an hour to remove the lid. Inside, covered with a cotton blanket and linen, was the king, still lying on his bed. The body was in pieces. The face, hands, legs and feet were still preserved. It reminded me of an ancient monument lying in ruins in the sand. The team included leading Egyptian scientists, among them Ashraf Silîm. Some of the analyses of the CT scans confirmed the results of the older examinations using modern developmental markers. The team used the partial eruption of the mummy’s wisdom teeth and the state of the epiphyses to determine that the king was 19 years old when he died. His bones indicated that he was in good health, of moderate height, at 1.7 metres tall, and had a slight build. There was no sign of chronic disease or childhood malnutrition, indicating that he had been well cared for in his youth. He had good teeth. The CT scan also made it very evident that he had a very elongated skull, which earlier researchers had also noted. Because his cranial structure had not prematurely fused, the team ruled out that any pathology lay behind

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Earlier X-rays had revealed an unexpected oddity about the mummy: some of the king’s frontal ribs and his sternum were missing. Some people wondered if this was a birth defect, while others believed that the king had been in a chariot accident, maybe kicked by a horse which resulted in the bones of his chest being fatally crushed, or perhaps embalmers had removed the ribs for some reason. There had been no earlier mention of this portion of the anatomy being missing. It was suggested that the ribs were removed sometime between 1926 and 1967 in order to steal his jewellery. Examination revealed no evidence that the king might have received any massive injury to his chest. I believe that the ribs were cut by CARTER when he was removing the golden mask. The radiologists stated that indications of an injury on the left leg resulted from an accident just a few hours before Tutankhamun died. The apparent condition of the king’s mummy has led some to say that it was not properly preserved. But the scanner revealed that the embalmers had employed at least five different kinds of embalming fluid, which had been introduced into the body multiple times. They had done their best to prepare their king for the afterlife, and the king had been well fed while he was alive.

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More examination of the mummy found that Tutankhamun’s spine was slightly curved, giving him a mild case of a condition known as kyphoscoliosis. It was discovered that he had troubles with his feet. His right foot had a low arch, but his left foot was deformed as a result of clubfoot. There is evidence that the king had malaria. Could it have been malaria that killed him?

seizure led to the king’s untimely demise. In the first programme I only spoke about the famous mask of the boy king. In the second, I spoke about the so-called “dream stela” of Thutmose IV and argued against the idea that it could be used as evidence to support the notion that the family of Tutankhamun suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy. That part, however, was edited out and did not appear in the broadcast programme.

There is no evidence to suggest that Tutankhamun was murdered. The mummy showed no sign of trauma to the head or the chest from any blow that the king received during his lifetime. I propose the following theory regarding the death of the boy king: as shown in the CT scan, he suffered an accident a few hours before he died. This might have happened, for example, while he was out hunting wild animals from his chariot in the desert near Memphis. Another young man might have recovered from the type of injuries he received, but Tutankhamun succumbed to his wounds, resulting in his untimely death. The story of the golden boy king has not ended and will continue. In the meantime it is important to correct the misinformation put out by the recent TV show and by the German scholar who used CT scan images without permission. The courts will put an end to these lies. (Zâhî Hawwâs, “The truth about Tutankhamun”, Al-Ahram Weekly, November 13, 2014. Voir également Zâhî Hawwâs, « Crimes contre Tout ! », al-Sharq al-Awsat, 19 novembre).

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Tutankhamun, the boy king who died prematurely and whose treasures have mesmerised people from around the world since the discovery of his tomb in 1922, has long been the subject of controversy among scholars and non-specialists alike. Numerous works have speculated about the reasons behind this monarch’s death. I was interviewed for two documentary programmes that presented two different theories for the death of the king. The first argued that Tutankhamun was killed in a chariot accident, and the second, and most recent, argued that an epileptic

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The argument that Tutankhamun died from an epileptic seizure is based on a theory put forward by Hutan ASHRAFIAN, a surgeon at Imperial College London. ASHRAFIAN argues that Tutankhamun came from a family with a long history of temporal lobe epilepsy. He based his argument on artefacts produced during the reigns of members of Tutankhamun’s family. The earliest artefact is the dream stela of Thutmose IV, Tutankhamun’s great-grandfather. The stela, as I said in the programme, records an event during the reign of Thutmose IV. The text says that while Thutmose IV was on a hunting trip, he stopped for a rest under the head of the Sphinx, which at that time was covered in sand up to its neck. He fell asleep and had a dream in which the Sphinx told Thutmose that if he cleared the sand away from his body, he would become the next pharaoh. Thutmose did as he was told and became the next king, even though he was not the crown prince. According to ASHRAFIAN, this stela supports the idea that Tutankhamun’s family suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy, since people with this condition often have visions. The religious and artistic revolutions of Thutmose IV’s grandson Akhenaten have been used as further evidence to support ASHRAFIAN’s theory, arguing that the religious revolution was the result of another vision. “People with temporal lobe epilepsy who are exposed to

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sunlight get the same sort of stimulation and religious zeal,” explained ASHRAFIAN, as quoted in an interview with the Washington Post.

Weekly, November 13, 2014).

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ASHRAFIAN also says that epileptic seizures are known to alter the levels of hormones involved in sexual development, which he believes may explain the effeminate depictions of the physical appearance of this king and his successors, Semenkhkare and Tutankhamun. Medically speaking, this theory is almost impossible to prove, since there is no definitive test for epilepsy. Egyptologically, the theory also has very little merit. Ancient Egyptian art usually served a symbolic function. The dream stela, for instance, cannot be used to support the idea that Thutmose IV suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy, simply because those who have studied ancient Egyptian royal art know that such works were often used as propaganda aimed at legitimising the rule of a king who was not in the direct line of succession. Thutmose IV was not supposed to succeed his father so he sought to justify his ascent to the throne by claiming that it was the result of divine would. Queen Hatshepsut did something very similar. In her mortuary temple at Dayr al-Baharî there is a scene in which the god Amun-Re appears in the form of Hatshepsut’s father, Thutmose I, and impregnates her mother with his divine breath. Hatshepsut thus legitimises her rule by presenting herself as the daughter of the god Amun-Re himself. Although the reason behind Akhenaten’s religious revolution is still the subject of debate among scholars, the idea that it was the result of a vision during an epileptic seizure seems highly unlikely. Egyptologists and non-specialists alike will continue to speculate about what led Akhenaten to revolutionise religion and art, and they will continue to theorise about the reasons behind the premature death of Tutankhamun. More documentaries will be produced presenting a theory and editing out any argument that does not agree with whatever it is they are trying to “prove.” Where is the truth? We may never know. (Yasmine ElShazly, “Was Tutankhamun epileptic?”, Al-Ahram

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On Sunday evening, the Gîza Plateau was buzzing with visitors, as Egyptian and foreign journalists, TV anchors, photographers and top government officials flocked to the area to witness the official inauguration of the Sphinx courtyard, off the tourist path for two decades. King Menkawre’s Pyramid, the smallest of the three Gîza Pyramids, and Amenhotep II’s Temple were also opened to visitors. Carved from a single ridge of stone, the limestone half-man half-lion Sphinx proudly sits in a quarry below the level of the plateau greeting visitors. “The Sphinx is now safe and sound after being hidden under scaffolding for almost three years,” Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told reporters during a tour of the plateau before the arrival of Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib to announce the official inauguration of the courtyard. He added that the restoration aimed at consolidating the northern side of the statue, which includes a large part of the Sphinx’s left shoulder and neck. The restoration work had included replacing some blocks on the left side of the statue where there were cracks and

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refurbishing the chest and neck of the monument with a new coating to prevent further erosion. “Restoration work took place on the new blocks inserted to consolidate those added during the last century’s restoration,” he said. To encourage tourism, al-Damâtî said that the Sphinx courtyard would be open for the first time in years and a separate ticket to the one for the Plateau would be required by those wishing to be face-to-face with the great Sphinx. Between the front paws of the Sphinx is the granite “dream stelae” inscribed with a story relating a dream of the 18th Dynasty King Thutmose IV. The story says that Thutmose IV fell asleep under the Sphinx, which was buried in the sand to its neck, and had a dream that the Sphinx spoke to him and promised that if he would free it from the sand Thutmose would become king of Egypt. Thutmose started the first excavation work to uncover the Sphinx in 1400 BCE, and with the help of a large team of workers the king succeeded in digging out the front paws, between which he placed a granite slab, now called the dream stelae. Later, King Ramses II undertook a second excavation. In 1817, Italian explorer Giovanni Battista CAVIGLIA carried out excavation work in the area and uncovered the Sphinx’s chest. In 1925, further digging work was carried out by French Egyptologist Émile BARAIZE, and in 1936 the entire Sphinx was finally excavated. In 1931 engineers employed by the Egyptian government repaired the head of the Sphinx when part of its headdress fell off due to erosion. The Sphinx has since been restored several times, most recently for a ten-year span starting in the 1990s. The pyramid of the 4th dynasty king Menkawre was also inaugurated after a new lighting system was installed and the wooden stairs inside it repaired. al-Damâtî said that budgetary problems had been behind the delay in the completion of the restoration, which had taken three years and not the one originally planned. According to the ministry’s rotation plan, one pyramid of the three Pyramids of Gîza will be closed every year for restoration. The temple the 18th dynasty king Amenhotep II built to the Sphinx was also among the monuments opened to visitors at

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the Plateau. In this temple, Amenhotep II paid homage to both Khufu and Khafre, builders of the two largest pyramids at Gîza. During the opening ceremony, Mihlib said it was important to maintain the Plateau. He said that during previous visits maintenance had been required and there had been evidence of encroachment. Mihlib ordered the ministries of antiquities and tourism to cooperate with the tourism and antiquities police in order to remove any future encroachments and prohibit the entrance of horses and camels to the area. al-Damâtî also announced that the Fayyûm entrance would be opened soon within the framework of ministry plans to develop the Gîza Plateau. (Nevine El-Aref, “Sphinx open to visitors”, Al-Ahram Weekly, November 13, 2014. Voir également Najet Belhatem, « Le Sphinx, grand maître des secrets », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 5 novembre ; Nevine El-Aref, “Sphinx and Khafre’s Pyramid to open Sunday”, Ahram Online, November 6 ; « Mihlib inaugure aujourd’hui l’enceinte du Sphinx », al-Bashâyyir, 9 novembre ; « Le ministre de l’Archéologie annonce l’ouverture au public du parvis du Sphinx et de la pyramide de Mykérinos », alBashâyyir, 9 novembre ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « La pyramide de Mykérinos accueille ses visiteurs aujourd’hui », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 10 novembre).

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Samedi 15 novembre 2014 Les musées Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen de la ville de Mannheim s’apprêtent à accueillir l’exposition Ägypten Land der Unsterblichkeit (Égypte – Pays de l'immortalité) qui s’y tiendra à partir du 16 novembre. Près de 500 pièces archéologiques retraceront 4 000 ans d’histoire et de civilisation égyptiennes. Parmi les pièces les plus importantes qui seront exposées figurent un Livre des morts et un papyrus long de 9 mètres. L’exposition durera jusqu’en mai 2015. (« La civilisation égyptienne s’expose en Allemagne », al-Bashâyyir, 15 novembre 2014).

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Lundi 17 novembre 2014 After two days touring the maze of alleys of Historic Cairo, inspecting its heritage monuments, a UNESCO delegation embarked today on a four-hour visit to Saqqâra necropolis, where it toured Djoser’s Step Pyramid, inside and outside, to check on restoration works being conducted there. The delegation ended its visit to Egypt this evening. Before leaving for Paris, delegation members met both Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh alDamâtî and Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib, to give their preliminary recommendations concerning encroachment on monuments in Historic Cairo and the restoration of the Step Pyramid in Saqqâra. Their official report is to be issued mid-December. During their meeting, al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the delegation highlighted that development and restoration work in Historic Cairo is going slowly and that the ministry should speed it up. They also noted that some edifices neighbouring the monuments have different architectural styles from the monuments, which has a negative impacts on the area’s architectural atmosphere. They recommended redeveloping these edifices in a consistent architectural style. al-Damâtî said that the delegation also raised concerns on neighbourhood encroachments on the monuments of Historic Cairo and asked for their immediate removal. al-Damâtî said he would consider all the recommendations of the UNESCO delegation and meet them very soon in cooperation with all concerned authorities and organisations. For his part, Cairo Governor Galâl Sa‘îd said that the governorate has undertaken all the required procedures to remove all encroachments and to demolish all illegal buildings on or near monuments, many of which have been build during the past three years, when security was lacking in the aftermath of the January 2011 revolution. He promised to return Historic Cairo to its original look. Nadâ al-Hasan from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) highlighted the efforts being exerted by the

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antiquities ministry to preserve monuments in Historic Cairo, but noted that the aims of the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation Project — which are to preserve not only monuments but also the area’s architectural style and historic atmosphere — are not being fully applied. alHasan announced that ICOMOS would issue a recommendation to remove all ugly buildings that encroached on the area’s monuments, as some of them are threaten historic edifices because they are ramshackle in construction. She also asked the governor to stop any new construction in the area. “In the coming five years, a concrete vision of Historic Cairo has to be drawn and new efficient officials appointed that are capable of managing such a great historic site as well as providing required funding to develop the city again, as it was before 2011,” al-Hasan said.

UNESCO delegate inside the Djoser’s pyramid

As for Djoser’s Step Pyramid, Ahmad ‘Ubayd, supervisor of the international organisations section at the antiquities ministry, said the UNESCO delegation visited the pyramid upon request from al-Damâtî. Two months ago, archaeology activists said that restoration work being carried out on the Step Pyramid was ruining the site, and was being executed by a firm that wasn’t qualified — or even specialised — in such work. Media reports also circulated that a block of the pyramid’s structure had tumbled down. The antiquities ministry denied the claims. Kamâl Wahîd, director of Gîza antiquities at the ministry, told Ahram Online at that time that the restoration work was utilising

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the latest technology and had been approved by the ministry, its consultancy bureau, and UNESCO. (Nevine El-Aref, “UNESCO ends visit to Egypt, discusses preliminary recommendations”, Ahram Online, November 17, 2014. Voir également Radwa Hâshim, « Une délégation de l’Unesco rencontre le ministre de l’Archéologie pour mettre au point les plans de développement du Caire historique », al-Watan, 15 novembre ; MENA, « La commission de l’Unesco et de l’Icomos visite la pyramide de Djoser », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 novembre ; Sanâ’ ‘Arafa, « Plan de développement du Caire historique », al-Ahrâm, 16 novembre).

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Mercredi 19 novembre 2014 L’institut français d’Égypte a organisé au Caire la semaine dernière une rencontre sur le patrimoine et la protection des biens culturels, en partenariat avec le ministère égyptien des Antiquités, l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale (IFAO), et les services de police spécialisés dans ces domaines en Égypte et en France. L’idée de cette rencontre a surgi suite à l’exposition au musée de Budapest en 2013 de deux épitaphes qui avaient été volées sur le site de fouilles Tabbat al-Gaysh, à Saqqâra. « Tout a commencé en 2013, lorsque j’ai reçu des documents du musée de Budapest comportant de fausses informations sur ces épitaphes, signalant qu’elles avaient été vendues en France », explique Vassil DOBREV, responsable de la mission archéologique de l’Ifao opérant sur le site. « Ce site renferme de magnifiques chambres funéraires qui ont gardé toutes leurs décorations et gravures, et la nécropole était intacte. Alors comment ces pièces sont-elles arrivées à Budapest ? C’était surprenant », ajoute-t-il. Le trajet des pièces, selon les documents, est long. De la Suisse à Londres, en passant par la France pour ensuite être vendues au musée de Budapest en Hongrie. « Évidemment, il s’agissait d’une affaire de vol. C’est pourquoi nous avons saisi la justice hongroise », affirme de son côté ‘Alî Ahmad, directeur général du département du rapatriement des antiquités au ministère

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égyptien des Antiquités. Ainsi lors de la rencontre francoégyptienne, les discussions ne se sont pas limitées à cet incident, mais se sont élargies pour débattre du sujet de la protection du patrimoine égyptien et des biens culturels en général. Les deux partenaires ont discuté en profondeur du problème du trafic des antiquités, notamment après la multiplication des actes de vol qui visent les sites archéologiques depuis janvier 2011. ‘Alî Ahmad a donné, lors de son allocution, des exemples de cas de restitution soulignant les efforts déployés de la part de la police en Égypte et dans d’autres pays et la saisie quasi quotidienne de biens culturels de grande valeur dans les ports et les aéroports, et même dans les bagages des passagers. « En fait, l’humanité est confrontée à des réseaux de crime organisé. Pour lutter ensemble contre les fléaux du pillage, du trafic international et du recel, il est devenu indispensable d’appliquer une coordination entre les services de nos deux pays », a noté pour sa part l’ambassadeur de France, André PARANT. Dans son discours, M. PARANT a notamment souligné la coopération dans les domaines de la formation des personnels, de la sensibilisation et de la mise en valeur du patrimoine culturel de l’humanité. Le renforcement de la concertation entre, d’une part, les archéologues et les restaurateurs, et d’autre part, les policiers, permettrait d’échanger en temps réel les informations susceptibles d’identifier et de répertorier les objets volés. Sans oublier l’importance de la coopération entre les enquêteurs, la police judiciaire, les services douaniers, ainsi qu’aux niveaux ministériel et diplomatique, insistent les spécialistes. Cette rencontre a permis aux participants de présenter des exemples concrets pour bien appréhender les difficultés et chercher ensemble les meilleures façons de les surmonter, d’autant plus que les méthodes de trafics illicites ont changé. « Jusque-là, on ne découvre qu’environ 10 % de l’ensemble des trafics illicites. Les trafiquants utilisent chaque jour de nouvelles méthodes. Nous devons être à la hauteur, afin de pouvoir à notre tour mettre au point des moyens créatifs pour les contrer », dit le responsable du ministère des Antiquités, ‘Alî Ahmad.

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« Cela vient dans le cadre de la protection de l’histoire d’une partie de l’humanité », déclare l’ambassadeur de France. « Cette rencontre devra être suivie de plusieurs autres, afin d’encourager les travaux francoégyptiens dans les domaines d’égyptologie, d’archéologie et de muséologie », promet-il. (Nasma Réda, « Protéger un patrimoine convoité », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 19 novembre 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Rencontre franco-égyptienne pour examiner les moyens de protection du patrimoine », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 11 novembre ; MENA, « Rencontre franco-égyptienne pour examiner les moyens de protection du patrimoine », alShurûq, 11 novembre).

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nous avons la photo des blocs volés de Saqqâra, nous pouvons les intégrer à la base de données de Treima et ensuite à celle d’Interpol avec qui nous collaborons. Ce qui veut dire que cet objet ne pourra plus circuler ou être vendu dans d’autres pays. Les photos apparaîtront immédiatement sur les écrans, c’est une méthode déjà expérimentée et elle fonctionne très bien. — Comment allez-vous partager ce système et former les personnes l’utilisant ? — Nous en sommes vraiment au début. Nous espérons accueillir des policiers égyptiens qui nous aideront et partageront avec nous leurs expériences. Je souhaite que ces officiers puissent venir en France et nous montrer leurs compétences et savoir, parce qu’à Paris, nous n’avons pas de grand nombre d’égyptologues pouvant distinguer les vraies pièces des répliques. — Mais ce rapprochement avec l’Égypte pour maîtriser les trafics de ces pièces antiques dans le reste du monde est-il suffisant ?

3 questions à Ludovic EHRHAT, colonel de gendarmerie, chef de l’office central de lutte contre le trafic des biens culturels, et membre de la direction centrale de la police judiciaire en France.

Al-Ahram Hebdo : Comment, selon vous, est-il possible de mettre fin au pillage des biens culturels en Égypte ? Ludovic EHRHAT : Nous souhaitons que les autorités égyptiennes partagent les meilleures méthodes appliquées actuellement, pour trouver les meilleures solutions. Nous utilisons depuis des années en France un logiciel nommé Treima. Grâce à lui, la police peut identifier n’importe quelle pièce antique volée en la comparant à des milliers d’autres similaires. Treima est un vrai cauchemar pour les marchands d’arts et les trafiquants de biens culturels. C’est le seul logiciel permettant la comparaison d’un objet volé avec des milliers d’images enregistrées partout dans le monde. Créé en 1995 et développé en 2005, Treima est considéré comme une nouvelle arme informatique validée par Interpol pouvant mettre un frein aux trafics illicites. Par exemple, si

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— Avant ce colloque, l’Égypte a conclu avec d’autres pays des partenariats dans le domaine de la protection des monuments et des biens culturels égyptiens. Il y a une véritable volonté de la part des autorités égyptiennes de récupérer leurs trésors et de nouer de nombreux partenariats non seulement en Europe, mais aussi en Amérique, afin de pouvoir protéger leur patrimoine. (Nasma Réda, « Ludovic EHRHAT : Treima est un vrai cauchemar pour les trafiquants de biens culturels », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 19 novembre 2014).

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Jeudi 20 novembre 2014 Late last week, former minister of antiquities Zâhî Hawwâs came under fire in accusations that he had helped German archaeologists steal materials from the Pyramid of the pharaoh Khufu on the Gîza Plateau. He vigorously denied the charges.

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Last year, two German archaeologists from Dresden University, Dominique GOERLITZ and Stefan ERDMANN, stole samples of a cartouche of Khufu from a room above the king’s burial chamber inside the Great Pyramid, the oldest and largest in Egypt and the only surviving monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The men stole the samples and took them to Germany in order to support their claims that the Pyramid was not the resting place of Khufu but was a monument from an even older empire. They then published their research on the Internet.

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and Heritage imposed penalties on both German archaeologists and took legal action against them on charges of robbery. Following an international outcry, the samples were returned, and the men were put on trial in absentia along with five Egyptian officials accused of helping the Germans illegally enter the Pyramid. The seven defendants were convicted on 10 November this year. However, during the trial it was claimed that Hawwâs had facilitated the theft of the samples, and the judge summoned Hawwâs for questioning. In an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Hawwâs denied all the accusations levelled against him, saying they were groundless. “I have just been to the prosecutor myself in order to prove that what happened in 2010 was done in accordance with the law,” he said. In a telephone interview, Hawwâs said that he had left his job as minister in mid2011, two years before the crime took place in April 2013. He said that as antiquities minister he had given the go-ahead for a documentary about the Great Pyramid filmed in 2010. “But during the filming no one touched the

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cartouche and no one even put their hand near it,” he said. Since leaving his post in the aftermath of the 25 January Revolution, Hawwâs has been accused by former colleagues of neglecting Egypt’s heritage sites and sending unique artefacts abroad, such as during two Tutankhamun exhibitions in 2008. Further complaints have accused Hawwâs of making illicit gains as a result of his position. After two years of investigations into the complaints, the Public Funds Prosecution Service dismissed the allegations and cleared Hawwâs of all the charges against him. The investigations showed that all Egyptian antiquities displayed abroad had been done through legal means and had been secured against any damage. All the revenues from such international exhibitions had been placed in government coffers, investigators said. Hawwâs has gained prominence in the international media throughout his career, appearing in documentaries and television series including “Chasing Mummies: The Amazing Adventures of Zahi Hawass,” which was aired on the History Channel in 2010. Awarded a doctorate in Egyptology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987, Hawwâs is the author or co-author of several books, his latest being Ancient African Kingdoms on the Nile: Nubia, released in 2012. He was profiled as one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2006. (“Groundless charges”, Al-Ahram Weekly, November 20, 2014. Voir également Muhsin al-Bidaywî, « Le directeur de la Police des antiquités : Zâhî Hawwâs est impliqué dans le vol du cartouche de Chéops », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1er décembre).

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Samedi 22 novembre 2014 Un glissement de terrain sur la route al-‘Agûz/aéroport dans l’oasis de Bahariyya a conduit à la découverte d’une tombe d’époque romaine. Les mesures de sécurité ont été renforcées autour de cette tombe qui renferme un grand nombre de pièces archéologiques. Une commission du ministère de l’Archéologie a commencé l’examen de la tombe et

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l’inventaire de son contenu. (Mahmûd al-Gârhî, « Un glissement de terrain dévoile la présence d’une tombe antique », al-Watan, 22 novembre).

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Lors de sa visite à Louqsor, le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a annoncé le déblocage d’une partie des sommes nécessaires pour la poursuite des travaux du dromos long de 2 700 m et qui relie les temples de Louqsor et de Karnak. Les travaux ont été arrêtés au lendemain de la révolution du 25 janvier 2011. Dr al-Damâtî a pointé plusieurs obstacles qui entravent la poursuite du projet, notamment parvenir à un compromis satisfaisant pour le transfert des bâtiments religieux et de service installés le long du parcours. (Shirîn Tal‘at, « Déblocage d’une partie des sommes nécessaires à la poursuite des travaux du dromos », al-Bashâyyir, 22 novembre 2014).

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Dimanche 23 novembre 2014 Sharîf Mukhtâr, étudiant âgé de 16 ans, a trouvé la mort au cours de fouilles archéologiques clandestines qu’il effectuait sous la maison de son oncle dans le gouvernorat de Minyâ. Il a été écrasé par un rocher alors qu’il se tenait au fond d’un trou de 5 mètres. Au lieu de sortir son cadavre, son oncle a préféré l’enterrer secrètement in situ par crainte des poursuites judiciaires. Toutefois, la mère de l’étudiant a alerté la police. (« Mort d’un étudiant lors de fouilles illicites à Minyâ », alBashâyyir, 23 novembre 2014).

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and consolidation works carried out at the temple’s foundations.

‘Alî al-Asfar, head of the Central Administration of Upper Egypt, told Ahram Online that the head is carved in sandstone and in very bad condition. The face is totally damaged but a part of the crown still exists. The head is now under restoration at the gallery of the IFAO in Luxor. He continued that last year the mission unearthed five heads of royal priests within the temple. The heads are carved in limestone and each one has the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt on top. Each head is 50 centimetres high and could date back to the Middle Kingdom. (Nevine El-Aref, “Amenhotep III head unearthed in Luxor”, Ahram Online, November 24, 2014).

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Mercredi 26 novembre 2014

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Lundi 24 novembre 2014 A new discovery has been made at Armant Temple, 25 kilometres south of Luxor. A mission from the French Institute for Oriental Studies (IFAO) unearthed a limestone head of the 18th dynasty king Amenhotep III, grandfather of king Tutankhamen. Antiquities Minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the head was accidentally found during restoration

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Yasmina BOUDHAR, muséologue et muséographe chez Aubry & Guiguet et diplômée de l'École du Louvre à Paris, présente sa vision sur la programmation du

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nouveau musée du Canal à Ismâ‘îliyya. Al-Ahram Hebdo : Quel est le domaine d’activité du cabinet Aubry & Guiguet Programmation ? Yasmina BOUDHAR : C’est un cabinet de conseils et d’études spécialisé dans le positionnement, la programmation, les équipements des centres culturels, pédagogiques ou didactiques... Créé en 1987, il fournit à ses clients un éventail complet de conseils et d’études leur permettant de préciser le contenu des projets envisagés. Pour nous, le musée est un lieu pédagogique et populaire qui doit participer à l’épanouissement des villes. Notre cabinet a réalisé 500 musées. J’ai moimême participé à la création de 25 musées. — Pouvez-vous du musée.

expliquer

votre

vision

— L’enjeu international du musée c’est de communiquer avec tous les publics, de créer un message autour d’une œuvre qui est peut-être incompréhensible. En deux mots, c’est un traducteur. — Comment cette notion sera-t-elle appliquée au musée du Canal à Ismâ‘îliyya ? — Le musée d’Ismâ‘îliyya interroge la biodiversité, la science, la technique, l’art, l’histoire, le tourisme. Pour ce faire, il faut créer un comité scientifique pour chaque domaine. Ensuite, il y aura un filtrage pour écrire la programmation du musée afin de la transmettre au grand public. Il faut donner la parole à tous : chercheurs, comités, associations, individus, sociétés civiles... C’est indispensable pour que le musée soit un lien de débat où la critique de l’histoire est possible. — Comment critiquée ?

l’histoire

est-elle

— Pour ce musée, on a besoin des anciens comme des jeunes universitaires pour comparer les expériences des uns et des autres. Nous voulons connaître les réflexions justes sur la corvée des Égyptiens et la glorification de DE LESSEPS oubliant les fellahs qui ont creusé le Canal. La vision de l’histoire doit être changée. Il faut s’attacher plus à la

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masse, aux anonymes de l’histoire. Le musée est l’arbitre de toutes ces visions. — Où en est-on dans la construction du musée ? — Aujourd’hui, c’est la pose de la première pierre. On entre dans le noyau dur : un travail de collecte d’objets et de témoignages, afin de pouvoir créer un circuit de visite dans le musée, mais aussi en dehors du musée. — Des circuits hors du musée ? — On va créer une application qui connectera le musée aux terrains, aux jardins, au parc al-Mahalla, aux plantes... on montre la diversité. Concernant les témoignages, on va chercher un partenaire pour effectuer des micros-trottoirs et demander aux citoyens de tous les âges ce qu’ils aimeraient trouver dans le musée. On est à la démocratisation de la culture à travers la science, la recherche et la diffusion. L’histoire est un motif de fierté ! — Le musée sera-t-il économiquement rentable ? — La culture crée de la valeur, forme le citoyen, lui offre une ouverture d’esprit et un développement humain. La culture est un investissement à long terme. Ce qu’on doit faire c’est valoriser le patrimoine, créer un programme d’échange et de bonnes pratiques. Il faut aussi sensibiliser les écoles et les quartiers et valoriser l’ensemble des villes du Canal. — Comment le musée va-t-il s’adapter au projet du nouveau Canal ? — C’est une question qui bouleverse la démographie et la géographie de cette région. Raison pour laquelle seront établies des connexions entre les anciennes villes et les nouvelles. Le musée prendra cela en compte dans sa programmation. — Qu’espérez-vous pour ce musée ? — Je souhaite un musée participatif, dans le sens d’un lien de ressources, d’une voie évolutive qui permettra d’actualiser les données pour les Égyptiens et les futurs touristes. Il faut créer une nouveauté qui ouvre

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une zone pionnière, avec au centre la notion du partage et de diffusion. (Doaa Elhami, « Yasmina BOUDHAR : Le musée doit être un traducteur », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 26 novembre 2014).

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During cleaning works at a Middle Kingdom burial site found within the ruins of the temple of New Kingdom King Thutmose III in al-Qurna area on Luxor’s west bank, a Spanish mission archaeological mission led by Myriam SECO unearthed a mummy of a woman wearing gold jewellery. The mummy is in poor conservation condition as this burial site, along with others near, were subject to looting before. ‘Alî al-Asfar, head of the Central Administration of Upper Egypt Antiquities, told Ahram Online that jewellery was found on top of the mummy and includes a gold necklace ornamented with semi-precious stones and gold plates, with a finely wrought golden shell pendant in its middle. The pendant weighs over 20 grams. Two gold bangles attached to silver bracelets were also found on her arms, as well as two silver ankle bracelets.

Unearthed Jewelleries

SECO said that the pendant and the bangles are in perfect condition, but the ankle bracelets are damaged. She explained that early study on the mummy reveal that the woman died in her 30s and was wealthy. “This spectacular finding confirms that an elite necropolis is located under the mortuary temple of Thutmosis III. Wealthy and important individuals of the Middle Kingdom and their families were buried there,” SECO said. Excavation, restoration, conservation and site management of the Mortuary Temple of Thutmose III started in 2008 — a collaborative project between the Egyptian

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Ministry of Antiquities and the Academy of Fine Arts of Seville, Spain. (Nevine El-Aref, “Mummy wearing gold jewellery unearthed in Egypt’s Luxor”, Ahram Online, November 26, 2014. Voir également Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Découverte d’un collier en or dans le temple de Thoutmosis III », al-Ahrâm, 19 novembre).

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Jeudi 27 novembre 2014 The neo-Mameluke building of the old Port Said Museum once stood on the southeastern side of Port Said City overlooking the Suez Canal, its collections bearing witness not only to the ancient history of the region but also to the building of the canal itself. The building was demolished in 2009 and the site is now empty. However, this week it was announced that a new museum was being built on the site, opening to the public within the next 18 months. Ahmad Sharaf, head of the museums sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, told AlAhram Weekly that the original building had become dangerous and could not be restored. Cracks had spread throughout the walls, and its foundations had been eaten away by underground water. The museum was originally built in 1963, displaying a collection of nearly 5,000 artefacts from the ancient Egyptian period through to modern times. Most of the pieces had been found near Port Said, while some had been carefully selected from Cairo’s main museums, such as the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr Square, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Coptic Museum. In 2008, the museum was closed for restoration. Architect al-Ghazâlî Kesseiba drew up a restoration plan and the project was put out for tendering. However, exaggerated estimates were presented by the contractors, and in 2009 the project was handed over to the National Defence Council, which agreed to the budget approved by the Ministry of Antiquities of some LE11 million. The museum’s architectural features and equipment were removed and placed in

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storage until the completion of the construction work. However, the building was then demolished since it was found to be in a very poor state of conservation and unstable architecturally. “It was not a safe building to host one of the country’s treasured collections,” commented Sharaf, adding that a decision had been made to build a better building more suited for the Museum’s mission.

renovated and joined together,” al-Damâtî said, explaining that the statue and base would now be erected in front of the museum. Next to the statue would be statues of an Egyptian farmer, symbolising one of those who actually dug the canal, and late president Gamâl ‘Abd al-Nâsir who nationalised it in July 1956.

In 2010, consultants were hired to identify the best construction style and materials for the new building, bearing in mind the particularities of the soil and location. However, shortly after this the project was stopped as a result of budgetary problems following the 25 January Revolution. But earlier this week Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî embarked on an inspection tour of the site and gave the goahead to the project. al-Damâtî announced that the construction of the new museum would be completed within 18 months in order to put Port Said back firmly on Egypt’s tourist map. al-Damâtî said that the construction came within the framework of plans to connect the archaeological sites and monuments located around the Suez Canal in an attempt to spruce up development projects along the planned New Canal. The new building will be a twostorey structure, the collections being presented chronologically. Among the most important objects on display will be a marble head of the Pharaoh Menkawre, a wooden sarcophagus of a New Kingdom priest, clay and decorated glass vessels from the Graeco-Roman era, and a collection of kohl containers and linen and wool clothes from the Coptic period. A collection of Ottoman tiles ornamented with foliage decorations will also be on show, along with a relief of a former local ruler, ‘Abd al‘Azîz Ben al-Garou, and a collection of gold and silver coins from the Fatimid era. Objects associated with the former monarchy will also be on display, including the khedive Ismâ‘îl’s carriage. During his visit, al-Damâtî announced that the ministry would also be restoring the bronze statue of French diplomat Ferdinand DE LESSEPS who developed the Suez Canal that once stood at its entrance. “For the first time since 1956, the statue and its base will be

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de Lesseps’ statue in Port Said in November 1899

The ten-metre tall bronze statue of DE LESSEPS was originally erected on a concrete base at the entrance to the Suez Canal, in honour of the French diplomat and developer. The statue’s right hand welcomes visitors entering the Suez Canal, and its left holds a map of it. It was sculpted by the French sculptor Emmanuel EREMITE and erected on November 17, 1899. Many would have preferred to see a statue of a pharaoh, perhaps Ramses II, or even an obelisk, but the salty humidity of the area would have destroyed the latter. There has long been a wish to have an Egyptian figure standing at the head of the canal, since it was built by hundreds of thousands of Egyptians, many thousands of whom lost their lives during its construction. The statue was damaged during the 1956 Suez Crisis by Yahiya al-Shâ‘ir, a member of the Egyptian resistance. It was then restored by the Parisbased Association des Amis du Canal de Suez and is now located in a shipyard in Port Fu’âd. During the minister’s visit to the site of the new museum plans were also announced to restore the Port Said lighthouse. Built in 1869 and one of the first such structures to use reinforced concrete, this stands 56 metres high and is one of the only original buildings still standing in Port Said. (Nevine El-Aref, “New Port Said Museum”, Al-Ahram Weekly, November 27, 2014).

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60 tons of stones above sarcophagus, investigated.

The Egyptian press has reported that the Step Pyramid of Djoser is in danger. The foreign media has taken this unsubstantiated information, published in the Egyptian press, and run with it under the wrong assumption that they were quoting credible sources. However, it is a fact that this information was taken from people who had never worked on a restoration project. The Egyptian reporter responsible gave them titles such as PhD and Dr, when in reality some of them had not even graduated from university. The truth about the Step Pyramid is that it has been saved. This pyramid is the oldest in Egypt, dating back almost 5,000 years and built by the magnificent architect Imhotep, the first architect in history to make columns and ceilings from stone. Imhotep was recognised as a god in the Late Period and was worshipped like Asclepius, the god of medicine in ancient Greece. The false media stories stated that no project plans or studies had been written before the beginning of the restoration of the Step Pyramid. But this is completely untrue. In fact, Hasan Fahmî, a rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering specialist from Cairo University, designed a solid project in order to save the pyramid that earlier had been falling down. The project was written over 20 years ago, but no one was able to see the plan realised until 2002 when I wanted to save the pyramid. After a full examination of the project, during which all those who saw it approved it, we decided to take action, knowing that the pyramid was in danger. The restoration work started in 2006 with the clearance of sand from around the pyramid, revealing gaps in the structure. Stone was inserted into these gaps and the burial chamber, 29 m long with over

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the

pharaoh’s

A British company built metal scaffolding to be used to restore the ceiling of the chamber. All this work was carried out under suitable conditions. It is a pity that the reporter who wrote the story about the pyramid interviewed non-scientific people, giving them false doctorates in a bid to convince readers of their lies. I accompanied the famous TV presenter Muna al-Shâzlî on a visit to the pyramid, and together we entered it to demonstrate to viewers that it was safe. Prime Minister Ibrâhîm Mihlib also visited the site to find out the truth. Himself an engineer by training, he is well-known in the field of restoration and earlier supervised the restoration of the Serapium. Mihlib did not just stand in front of the pyramid and listen to the opinion of experts, but insisted on entering the structure, going down to see the sarcophagus that consists of 32 pieces of granite. He also went to see the restoration work on the ceiling, later announcing that all the work was being carried out according to the highest international standards. A UNESCO team also visited Saqqâra to inspect the work last week, declaring that it was happy with the restoration. Today I can tell the world that the Step Pyramid of Djoser is safe. (Zâhî Hawwâs, “Pyramid truth revealed”, Al-Ahram Weekly, November 27, 2014. Voir également Muna Yâsîn, « Le rapport intégral rédigé par la commission de l’Unesco sur la pyramide de Saqqâra », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 1er novembre ; Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : La pyramide de Saqqâra est en bon état », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 3 novembre ; MENA, « Le syndicat des architectes rédige un rapport sur l’état de la pyramide de Djoser », al-Shurûq, 5 novembre ; Khalaf ‘Alî, « La commission de la pyramide de Saqqâra met en garde : la restauration ou l’effondrement », al-Masrî alYawm, 8 novembre ; MENA, « Le gouverneur de Gîza : Les restaurations de Djoser se déroulent sous la supervision du Premier ministre et du ministre de l’Archéologie », al-Shurûq, 15 novembre).

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Mardi 2 décembre 2014

After three years of restoration, the tomb of Huy, Nubia Viceroy during the reign of King Tutankhamun, is to be opened to the public for the first time. The tomb is located at Qurnat Mar’î on Luxor’s west bank, and it includes a court and a burial chamber. “Although it is a small tomb it has very distinguished wall paintings,” ‘Alî al-Asfar, head of the central administration of Upper Egypt, told Ahram Online. He explains that the images depict figures painted in Nubian attire walking behind a chariot driven by a light brown figure, a black rider painted in traditional Nubian garb, and pulled by a cow. Walking before the chariot are more Nubian figures. Hunting scenes similar to those found in Tutankhamun’s tomb are also depicted on walls as well as scenes showing Huy being greeted by high priests and among his family. (Nevine El-Aref, “Huy tomb open to public soon”, Ahram Online, December 2, 2014).

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Today the Egyptian museum is to start its three days of celebrations to mark International Day of People with Disability. Mahmûd al-Halwagî, director general of the museum, told Ahram Online that the celebration aims to increase cultural awareness among children through organising workshops about the importance and magnitude of ancient Egyptian civilization. Workshops for blind, deaf and mute children will be held, as well as tours of the museum. On Thursday, which is International Day of People with Disability, the museum will welcome children free of charge. (Nevine ElAref, “Egyptian museum celebrates international disability day”, Ahram Online, December 2, 2014. Voir également Ahmad Mansûr, « Le Musée Égyptien célèbre la Journée internationale des personnes handicapées », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 novembre).

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Mercredi 3 décembre 2014 Au siège de l’ambassade d’Égypte en France, un grand nombre de pièces antiques datant de différentes époques ont été remises aux responsables égyptiens. « Il s’agit en tout de 302 pièces saisies par les douaniers de l’aéroport Charles de Gaulle, cachées parmi des répliques d’antiquités égyptiennes », déclare le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh al-Damâtî. Il ajoute que selon le rapport du musée du Louvre, 239 pièces sont authentiques et le reste (63) est faux. « Nous sommes en train de déployer des efforts pour récupérer les 63 autres pièces gardées par les Français, afin de les analyser en Égypte, pour s’assurer si elles sont authentiques ou non », souligne-t-il. Ces pièces récupérées sont composées d’une dizaine d’amulettes en or, d’ouchebtis, de statuettes en bois de marins qui étaient sur un bateau funéraire et d’ustensiles en poterie. « Outre une plaque en calcaire d’un noble non

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identifié qui décrit une scène de présentation d’offrandes par cet homme aux dieux Isis et Osiris », dit ‘Alî Ahmad, chef du département des objets restitués au ministère des Antiquités. Selon lui, cette dernière pièce pourrait dévoiler un nouveau tombeau, dont le propriétaire, inconnu jusque-là, y est gravé clairement. En effet, ces objets restitués ont été saisis à l’aéroport français en 2010 où ils ont été stockés près de quatre ans. « Non seulement ces objets datent de l’époque pharaonique, mais on a trouvé aussi des pièces de monnaie qui datent des époques byzantine et romaine. Ces pièces proviennent de plusieurs fouilles illicites dans différentes régions, principalement de la nécropole de Saqqâra », précise Ahmad. Mais il faudra, selon lui, attendre les résultats des analyses pour pouvoir trancher. Il est à noter que ce retard est dû aux longues procédures judiciaires en France. « Il faut lutter contre ces trafiquants qui ont des moyens lourds et qui gagnent beaucoup d’argent grâce à ce trafic. On doit aider l’Égypte à retrouver tout son patrimoine volé », confirme le colonel Ludovic EHRHART, de la gendarmerie française, chef de l’Office central de lutte contre le trafic des biens culturels, lors de sa visite récemment au Caire. Une visite dont le but est de renforcer les relations égypto-françaises pour affronter toutes sortes de trafics illicites et restituer les antiquités volées, notamment en France et en Europe, qui sont un grand marché pour ces pièces. « Ces objets volés appartiennent à l’Égypte et font partie de son patrimoine. Les récupérer est une question urgente », conclut Ahmad. (Nasma Réda, « L’Égypte récupère ses pièces », AlAhram Hebdo du 3 décembre 2014. Voir également, MENA, « La France restitue 233 pièces antiques », al-Shurûq, 27 novembre).

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Le ministère de l’Archéologie, en coopération avec la mairie du Caire, organise samedi prochain une célébration intitulée Iqdî yawmak fi-l-Khalîfa (Passe ta journée à alKhalîfa). Cette célébration s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’initiative intitulée al-‘Athar lanâ (le patrimoine nous appartient) lancée en juin 2012 dans le but d’étudier et de renforcer les liens entre les monuments et les habitants.

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Le directeur général du projet du Caire historique, Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azîz, a expliqué que cette célébration est organisée sous les auspices du ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî. Elle vise à rehausser la conscience historique et archéologique de la population. À cette occasion, un atelier de graffiti sera organisé en face de la mosquée al-Sayyida Ruqayya, ainsi que des balades dans la rue al-Khalîfa guidées par des inspecteurs archéologiques. La mosquée Ahmad Ibn Tûlûn accueillera quelques activités pour les enfants. À cela s’ajoutent des manifestations artistiques, une exposition des produits artisanaux fabriqués justement dans les ateliers d’alKhalîfa. (Ahmad Muhammad, « Passe ta journée à al-Khalîfa », al-Watan, 3 décembre 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Passe ta journée à al-Khalîfa », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 4 décembre).

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Jeudi 4 décembre 2014

The southern side of Khufu’s Great Pyramid on the Gîza Plateau is a hive of activity these days. Dozens of workers, Egyptologists and restorers are removing piece by piece the wooden beams of the pharaoh’s second solar boat, which has remained in situ for 4,500 years after it was buried to ferry him to eternity. Restorers are cleaning the timber, oars and beams, while Egyptologists are busy documenting them in the laboratory recently established at the site to rescue the different parts of the boat. The boat was discovered along with the first one inside two pits neighbouring each other in 1954, when Egyptian archaeologists Kamâl al-Mallâkh and Zakî Nûr were carrying out routine cleaning on the southern side of

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the Great Pyramid. The first pit was found under a roof of 41 limestone slabs, each weighing almost 20 tons, with the three westernmost slabs being much smaller than the others leading them to be interpreted as keystones. On removing one of the slabs, alMallâkh and Nûr saw a cedar boat, completely dismantled but arranged in the semblance of its finished form, inside the pit. Also inside were layers of mats, ropes, instruments made of flint, and some small pieces of white plaster, along with 12 oars, 58 poles, three cylindrical columns and five doors. The boat was removed piece by piece under the supervision of restorer Ahmad Yûsuf, who spent more than 20 years restoring and reassembling the boat. The task resembled the fitting together of a giant jigsaw puzzle, and the completed boat is now on display at Khufu’s Solar Boat Museum on the Gîza Plateau. The cedar timbers of its curved hull are lashed together with hemp rope in a technique used until recent times by traditional shipbuilders on the shores of the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. The boat’s prow and stern are in the form of papyrus stalks, with the one on the stern bent over. It is essentially a replica of a type of papyrus reed boat, perhaps dating back to the predynastic period in Egypt. It is not difficult to find many objects of a similar style made in the Old Kingdom in more durable material. The boat has a cabin, or inner shrine, which is enclosed within a reed-mat structure with poles of the same papyrus type. It also has a small forward cabin that was probably for the captain.

of piety connected with the establishment of the local divine cult of his father and founder of the royal necropolis in Gîza. However, if the boats were used at the funeral of Khufu, it would have been natural for Djedefre to bury them with his cartouches. In the neighbouring pit, the second boat remained sealed up until 1987 when it was examined by the American National Geographic Society in association with the Egyptian Office for Historical Monuments. They bored a hole into the limestone beams covering it and inserted a micro-camera and measuring equipment. The void space over the boat was photographed and air measurements made, after which the pit was sealed again. It was thought that the pit had been so well-sealed that the air inside would be as it had been since ancient Egyptian times, but sadly this has not been the case, as natural air leaked into the pit and mixed with the air inside. This has allowed insects to thrive and affect some parts of the wooden beams. Yûsuf wrote in his diary at the time that several parts of the second boat had been lost in the sand and its wooden beams were drastically deteriorated and it was too risky to remove them from its original pit. This, Yûsuf wrote, was the reason that led the American team to cancel their rescue project for the second boat. Regretfully, water also leaked from the nearby museum housing the first solar boat and affected a small part of the wood, making it necessary quickly to finish the studies and restore the wood.

Propulsion was by means of 10 oars, and it was steered using two large oar rudders located in the stern. There was no mast and therefore no sail, and the general design of the boat would have not allowed it to be used other than for river travel. On the walls of the pit were several builders’ marks and inscriptions, including some 18 cartouches containing the name of Khufu’s son, Djedefre. This suggested to many Egyptologists that some parts of his tomb complex were not completed until after Khufu’s death. One scholar has theorised that the two boat pits were built by Djedefre as a gesture

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In 2009, a Japanese scientific and archaeological team from Waseda University headed by Sakuji YOSHIMURA offered to remove the boat from the pit, restore and reassemble it and put it on show to the public. The team cleaned the pit of insects and inserted a

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camera through a hole in the chamber’s limestone ceiling in order to examine the boat’s condition and determine appropriate methods to restore it. Images were obtained showing layers of wooden beams and timbers of cedar and acacia, as well as ropes, mats and the remains of limestone blocks and small pieces of white plaster. YOSHIMURA, Cairo bureau chief from the Institute of Egyptology at Waseda University, told Al-Ahram Weekly that a large hanger had been constructed over the area surrounding the second boat pit, with a smaller hanger inside to cover the top of the boat itself. The hangers were designed to protect the wooden remains during analysis and treatment. A temporary magazine and laboratory has also been established inside the hanger to use during the restoration process. State-of-the-art equipment such as a device to adjust the temperature and humidity vital to the preservation of the wooden boat’s remains has been installed. A laser scanning survey has documented the area and the wall between the Great Pyramid and the boat pit. A solar electricity system has been installed at the site to save energy during chemical treatments. According to YOSHIMURA, while the filling around the sides of the covering stone was being cleaned, the team uncovered the cartouche of Khufu inscribed on one of the blocks and beside it the name of Djedefre. This, he argued, meant that this boat has been constructed during the reign of Khufu and not, like the first boat, during the reign of Djedefre. “In 2011, the Japanese-Egyptian team lifted aside the first stone block, weighing 16 tons, to start uncovering Khufu’s second boat and began concrete restoration work,” YOSHIMURA told the Weekly. He continued that the on-site team had developed a new technique to lift the blocks. They had first inserted a chemically-treated piece of wood beneath the cover stone and then lifted it. Restoration work supervisor ‘Îsa Zaydân said the beams, timbers, ropes and oars of the boat were buried in sand on 13 levels that housed approximately 1,200 pieces of the boat. 250 pieces had been removed from the pit, he said, and 50 of them restored. Fifteen had been removed to the Grand Egyptian Museum

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(GEM) and another 30 transferred later this week.

pieces

would

be

“When we first started the restoration work, we realised that the boat’s wooden beams were in a very bad conservation condition,” Zaydân said, adding that some of the beams had turned into powder. The high rate of humidity due to the leakage of water from the neighbouring museum had had a negative impact on some beams, transforming them into powder.

Restorers had removed the beams from the pit piece by piece and covered them in situ with a special chemical solution in order to protect them from the atmosphere outside the pit. In the laboratory, restorers had first reduced the rate of humidity of the beams until it had reached 55 per cent and then subjected them to treatment and consolidation. 3D documentation of every piece of the boat was also carried out in order to document all the pieces, helping in the reconstruction of the boat. Zaydân said that 12 oars had been removed from the pit, only one of them complete. YOSHIMURA said that the project would last until 2018 in order to complete the restoration and start the reconstruction of the boat. He said that the recent restoration work has been carried out as “first aid” and the complete restoration would be done when the boat was reconstructed. The team had removed 200 pieces and restored them in situ. “When they are restored and transferred to the GEM, the team will remove another 200 pieces from the pit and so on,” YOSHIMURA said, adding that studies were taking place in order to select the best method to reconstruct the boat.

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One way would be to reconstruct the boat on a polymer structure in order to protect it and give viewers a complete view of the boat even with the missing parts. Archaeological supervisor of the project ‘Afîfî Ruhayyim told the Weekly that each piece of the boat had been documented to assist in the restoration being carried out on it. Each piece had been given a number and accurately documented, photographed and drawn before and after restoration in order to help in the reconstruction. “A comparative study between the first and second boat is also being carried out in an attempt to identify the shape of the second boat and if it is similar to the first one or not,” Ruhayyim said. He said that if 80 per cent of the piece of the boat were in a very good preservation condition, after restoration the boat would be reconstructed like the first one. But if only 70 per cent of the boat was in good condition, it would be reconstructed on a polymer fibreglass structure. The two pits are not the only ones to have been found, since five boat pits have been discovered in total, three boat-shaped pits with narrow prows and sterns on the east side of the pyramid, and the other two on the southern side that are rectangular in shape and were cut to house full-size wooden boats that had been dismantled. Two of the boat pits on the east side are now empty. Their walls were probably surfaced with limestone slabs, which reduced their width and simplified construction of a roof to cover them. The British archaeologist Flinders PETRIE found some roofing blocks covering the end of the southern trench some time ago, but some scholars think that they were never covered, since pillars would have been needed to help span their width. The third boat pit, also empty, is located on the upper north edge of the causeway, and therefore at the very threshold of the mortuary temple. It has a convex floor and is accessible by way of an ancient staircase with 18 steps. Though these pits probably did at one time hold boats, some scholars have speculated that they could themselves have simulated boats, rather than containing real ones. However, cordage and pieces of gilded wood have been found inside

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the third pit along the causeway, indicating that a boat had once been present. According to archaeologist Mark LEHNER, the boat pits on the southern side of the complex differ from the others since they are long, narrow and rectangular, rather than boatshaped, and they contained the disassembled parts of real boats. The fact that the pits were built no later than the end of the Fourth Dynasty is demonstrated by the observation that they lie partially under the pyramid’s southern enclosure wall, which is dated to the end of the dynasty. According to Egyptologist John DARNELL of Yale University in the US, new research into the second boat could fill in some blanks about the significance of the vessels and help determine whether they ever actually plied the River Nile or were of purely spiritual importance. “In ancient Egypt, almost everything real had its counterpart meaning or significance in the spiritual world. But there’s a lot of debate as to whether these vessels were ever used or not,” DARNELL said. There are three schools of thought concerning the function of the pits and the boats they contained. The first, propounded by archaeologist Jaroslav CERNY, is that four of them were ritual boats for carrying the king to the four cardinal points and the fifth was the boat in which the body of the king was transported to Gîza. The second school, originally expressed by archaeologist Walter EMERY in reference to the First Dynasty mastaba at Saqqâra and then adopted by Egyptologist Silîm Hasan, holds that they were solar boats and thus carried the king to visit the sun god Re, or accompanied him in his voyage across the sky. The third concept, expounded principally by Egyptian Egyptologist ‘Abd alMun‘im Abû Bakr, suggests that all the boats were originally used in the king’s lifetime for pilgrimages and other ceremonies. Some Egyptologists argue that the boats may have touched water, pointing to rope marks on the wood that could have been caused by the rope becoming wet and then shrinking as it dried. However, former minister of antiquities Zâhî Hawwâs believes that these were symbolic

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vessels, not funerary boats, and were not used to bring Khufu’s embalmed remains up the Nile from the ancient capital of Memphis for burial in the Great Pyramid. He said that solar symbols found inside the second pit offered more evidence that those who disassembled and buried the boats believed Khufu’s soul would travel from his tomb in the pyramid through a connecting air shaft to the boat chambers, and that he would then use the boats to circle the heavens, like the sun god, taking one boat by day and the other by night. (Nevine El-Aref, “Saving Khufu’s second boat”, Al-Ahram Weekly, December 4, 2014. Voir également MENA, « Transfert de 15 fragments de la seconde barque de Chéops vers le GEM », al-Shurûq, 12 novembre).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a sanctionné le directeur général du Sud Sinaï, l’archéologue Muhammad Sa‘îd et le directeur de l’administration du Sud Sinaï, Mustafa Rizq, de trois jours de retenue sur salaire. En plus, ce dernier a été traduit devant le Conseil disciplinaire. Lors de sa visite d’inspection dans la zone de ‘Uyûn Mûsa, le ministre a découvert que ces deux hauts responsables n’avaient alerté l’administration de la découverte archéologique qu’ils avaient réalisée il y a trois semaines déjà ! (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Deux responsables archéologiques du Sud Sinaï interrogés pour ne pas avoir signalé une découverte », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 4 décembre 2014).

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Dimanche 7 décembre 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a approuvé le projet d’assemblage et de reconstruction de la chapelle de Thoutmosis III située dans le musée de plein air dans le temple de Karnak. Les travaux devront s’achever dans deux mois. Par ailleurs, al-Damâtî a également approuvé le désherbage de la zone Est des temples de Karnak, afin de les prévenir contre les incendies qui se déclenchaient de temps à autre. (Rânyâ ‘Abd al-‘Âtî, « Projet de reconstruction de la chapelle de Thoutmosis

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III », al-Ahrâm 7 décembre 2014).

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Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, et l’ambassadeur de Géorgie au Caire, S.E.M. Archil DZULIASHVILI, ont assisté aujourd’hui à la signature d’un protocole de coopération entre trois musées égyptiens et le Musée national géorgien. Ce protocole porte sur la mise en place de projets communs : organisation d’expositions archéologiques, gestion de recherches et de programmes éducatifs entre les deux pays. La coopération s’étend également à la restauration des collections archéologiques et des pièces sorties des fouilles, octroi de bourses d’études, accueil sur les chantiers archéologiques et stages de formation pour les étudiants géorgiens et égyptiens, échange d’expertise en matière de muséologie, etc. Ce protocole a été signé par le directeur général du Musée Égyptien, Mahmûd al-Halwagî ; le superviseur général du projet du Grand Musée Égyptien, Dr Târiq Sayyid ; le superviseur général du musée de la Civilisation égyptienne, Dr Khâlid al-‘Inânî. Du côté géorgien, le protocole a été signé par le directeur général du Musée national géorgien dirigé, le Professeur David LORDKIPANIDZE. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Signature d’un protocole de coopération entre 3 musées égyptiens et le Musée national géorgien », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 7 décembre 2014).

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Cinq personnes ont trouvé la mort au fond d’un trou qu’elles avaient creusé illicitement à la recherche d’antiquités. Ce drame, qui a fait également deux blessés, s’est produit à ‘Izbat Gudayn à Tâmiya. (Ahmad Tal‘at, « 5 morts lors de fouilles clandestines dans le Fayyûm », al-Ahrâm, 7 décembre 2014).

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Lundi 8 décembre 2014

décembre ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Louqsor révèle les secrets de la chanteuse d’Amon », al-Ahrâm, 9 décembre ; Maysir Yâsîn, « Des savants ouvrent pour la première fois un sarcophage vieux de 2 500 ans », al-Watan, 10 décembre ; Rânyâ ‘Abd al-‘Âtî, « Ouverture du sarcophage de la chanteuse d’Amon », alAhrâm 15 décembre).

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During restoration work at Amenhotep Huy tomb, at Qurnat Mar‘î at al-‘Assâsîf area on Luxor’s west bank, a Spanish Egyptian archaeological mission stumbled upon what is believed to be the sarcophagus of god Amun’s singer. Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the sarcophagus is wellpreserved condition and houses the mummy of the deceased. He continued that until now the name of the sarcophagus owner has not been revealed yet but the sarcophagus is dated to the Third Intermediate Period (100-900 BC). “It has a unique style that was common during the reign of the 21th dynasty,” al-Damâtî told Ahram Online. ‘Abd al-Hakîm Karâr antiquities director general in Upper Egypt explains that the sarcophagus is carved in wood and covered with plaster decorated with scenes depicting different ancient Egyptian gods, among them Thoth, Anubis, Osiris, Isis and the four sons of Horus. Hieroglyphic text is engraved on the sarcophagus, which is currently being studied for information regarding the identity of the deceased. Karâr continued that the mummy of the deceased is found inside the sarcophagus but wrapped with linen and its face is covered with a mask. A religious necklace was found on his chest and a wig decorated with a flower crown on his head. (Nevine El-Aref, “The sarcophagus of god Amun’s singer unearthed”, Ahram Online, December 8, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Mise au jour à al-‘Assâsîf du sarcophage de la chanteuse d’Amon », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 décembre ; MENA, « Découverte d’un sarcophage de la chanteuse d’Amon à Louqsor », al-Shurûq, 8

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Authorities at Cairo’s international airport foiled two smuggling attempts, a collection of mostly Ottoman-era coins and a Roman map of Palestine, an antiquities official told Ahram Online. The coins were held by an Egyptian passenger travelling to the Greek capital of Athens, said Ahmad al-Râwî, head of the antiquities unit at the airport. al-Râwî told Ahram Online that the collection includes 48 coins, among them three from the Ptolemaic era and engraved on one side with the face of King Ptolemy III. Another coin is from the Islamic period and engraved with Kufic writing, while the rest of the coins are dated from the Ottoman period and the reigns of Sultan Husayn Kamâl, Sultan Fu’âd I and kings Fu’âd and Fârûq. The coins have been given to the antiquities ministry. The same unit at the airport also succeeded in catching an American passenger trying to smuggle a Roman-era map of Palestine from the year 1750, al-Râwî said. The map was inspected by an archaeological committee, which approved its authenticity and agreed that it had been stolen from Egypt’s

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Scientific Institute, which was set on fire in the aftermath of the January 2011 uprising.

al-Râwî said the map is in very good condition and was detached from a still undetermined book. The map depicts a large part of Palestine during the Roman Empire and includes the old names of several cities and towns. (Nevine El-Aref, “Ottoman coins, Roman map of Palestine recovered from smugglers at Cairo airport”, Ahram Online, December 8, 2014. Voir également Reuters, « Saisie d’une carte de la Palestine sous l’empire romain », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 8 décembre).

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Situé dans la grande enceinte consacrée à Amon-Rê à Karnak, le petit temple du dieu Ptah a été construit par le cinquième roi de la XVIIIe dynastie, Thoutmosis III, au début du Nouvel Empire et a ensuite été élargi au cours de la période ptolémaïque (323 à 30 av. J.-C.). Les archéologues du CFEETK ont commencé leurs recherches au temple de Ptah en 2008. En mars 2012, ils ont découvert une porte en calcaire gravée au nom d’un pharaon appelé Sénakht-en-Rê, de la XVIIe dynastie, qui a lancé une grande campagne militaire contre les envahisseurs, les Hyksos. (Nasma Réda, « Un sphinx de 60 centimètres de haut mis au jour à Louqsor », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 10 décembre 2014. Voir également Rânyâ ‘Abd al‘Âtî, « Découverte d’une cachette à Karnak », al-Ahrâm 11 décembre ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie annonce la découverte de 10 pièces archéologiques à Karnak », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 15 décembre).

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Vendredi 12 décembre 2014

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Mercredi 10 décembre 2014 Au cours des fouilles au nord du temple de Karnak, en Haute-Égypte, les archéologues de la mission du Centre FrancoÉgyptien d’Études des Temples de Karnak (CFEETK) opérant dans le site ont découvert une statuette en calcaire d’un sphinx. « Cette statuette de 60 cm de hauteur a été trouvée à l’est du sanctuaire du temple du dieu Ptah, l’une des quatre enceintes principales composant l’immense complexe du fameux temple de Karnak », déclare ‘Abd al-Hakîm Karâr, directeur des antiquités de la HauteÉgypte. « La statuette est en bon état. Elle représente le corps d’un lion et le visage aux caractéristiques royales d’un pharaon », ajoutet-il. Les archéologues effectuent actuellement des travaux de nettoyage et d’études pour plus de détails sur la période où a été sculptée

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Karomama’s shaft tomb

Two important discoveries in Luxor by French archaeological missions were announced by the Egyptian antiquities ministry on Friday. The first was at the Ramesseum temple on Luxor’s west bank, where the tomb of a divine royal wife called Karomama was accidently discovered within the walls of temple. The ministry’s head of Ancient Egyptian antiquities,

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Yûsuf Khalîfa, told Ahram Online that the tomb includes a five metre-deep shaft leading to a burial chamber with a stone door. Inside the tomb excavators unearthed a collection of 20 ushabti funerary figurines of Karomama, and the remains of offerings. According to Khalîfa the discovery is important because it sheds more light on the queen, about whom little is known. The only previous funerary collection of Karomama includes 12 ushabti figurines, two canopic jars and a bronze statue now on display at the Louvre in Paris. Until now, he said, the king she was married to has not been identified, but this information will be revealed after further studies of the tomb.

décembre ; Doaa Elhami, « Trésors de Louqsor », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 24 décembre).

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Dimanche 14 décembre 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a annoncé la découverte dans la région d’al-Shuna à Aswân d’un mur enceinte qui faisait probablement partie d’une chapelle ptolémaïque. Ce mur porte de nombreuses décorations et cartouches ptolémaïques. Des travaux sont entrepris actuellement afin de pouvoir le dater plus précisément. De son côté, le directeur général des zones archéologiques d’Aswân et de Nubie, Nasr Salâma, a précisé que ce mur de grès est en bon état de conservation. La portion exhumée fait 3 m x 2 m. Cette découverte fait suite aux fouilles clandestines effectuées dans ce lieu par des pilleurs. (Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Mise au jour à Aswân d’un mur d’époque ptolémaïque », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 14 décembre 2014. Voir également MENA, « Une dénonciation conduit la police d’Aswân à la découverte d’un mur ptolémaïque », al-Shurûq, 14 décembre).

Osiris statue at Karnak

The second discovery was at Karnak temple, where the French mission unearthed a collection of Late Period artefacts, including three small bronze statuettes and a pot containing the remains of blue glue. The ministry’s director-general of Upper Egyptian antiquities, ‘Abd al-Hakîm Karâr, told Ahram Online that the statues were offerings to gods presented at the temple. Two of these statuettes are carved in bronze and depict the god Osiris sitting wearing a wig and the double crown on his head. The third statuette depicts an as-yet unidentified god in a standing position, decorated with hieroglyphic text. Excavators are cleaning the statuette in order to reveal the god’s name. (Nevine El-Aref, “Recent Luxor discoveries include tomb inside Ramesseum”, Ahram Online, December 12, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Découverte de la tombe de Karomama et de 3 statues à Karnak », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 11

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Mercredi 17 décembre 2014 Les quatre salles du Musée Égyptien consacrées au jeune roi Toutankhamon ont été inaugurées cette semaine lors d’une grande manifestation culturelle. De multiples responsables étaient présents pendant l’inauguration avec, à leur tête, le premier ministre, Ibrâhîm Mihlib et le chef de la chancellerie de l’Union européenne, James MORRON. Était aussi présent le prince ‘Abbâs Hilmî, descendant du khédive ‘Abbâs Hilmî dont le règne a vu l’inauguration du Musée Égyptien. « Rendre au Musée Égyptien son état d’origine et faire réapparaître les décors et les ornements qui couvraient ses murs, détériorés au cours des années », c’est l’objectif annoncé par Mamdûh al-Damâtî, ministre des Antiquités. « Le bâtiment est devenu lui-même un

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monument historique. La première étape du réaménagement est financée par le ministère allemand de la Coopération internationale et l’Union européenne. Les salles rénovées renferment les trésors de Toutankhamon », précise Mahmûd al-Halwagî, directeur du Musée. Elles comprennent un trône en or et un autre en ébène incrusté d’ivoire, des récipients en albâtre et des statuettes de différentes divinités en bois. « Il n’était pas envisageable de fermer toutes les salles en même temps, surtout que les travaux ont duré 9 mois », explique encore le directeur. Les rénovations consistaient à enlever plusieurs couches d’enduits qui cachaient des motifs décoratifs inspirés de l’époque pharaonique et celle islamique et qui ornaient les murs. Les décors redécouverts sont identiques aux esquisses de l’architecte du musée, Marcel DOURGNON, et sont de style Renaissance, un style en vogue à la fin du XIXe siècle et au début du XXe siècle. Le sol d’origine était aussi caché sous des revêtements plus récents. Quant aux vitres, elles ont été remplacées par du verre opaque, afin d’éviter l’infiltration des rayons de soleil. « Nous en avons profité pour modifier le scénario muséologique des salles. Nous avons changé les fiches explicatives, ajoutant des informations plus précises en arabe et en anglais », poursuit le directeur. Le système d’éclairage a aussi été complètement refait. Prochainement, la deuxième étape des travaux devrait être lancée. Elle concerne les salles 15, 20 et 25. Mais pour le moment, le financement semble faire défaut. (Doaa Elhami, « Nouveaux écrins pour l’enfant-pharaon », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 17 décembre 2014. Voir également Mansûr Kâmil, « Le Premier ministre inaugure le réaménagement du Musée Égyptien », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 16 décembre).

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À l’occasion du 110e anniversaire de la découverte de la tombe de Néfertari, le Musée Égyptien organise une exposition itinérante retraçant l’histoire de cette tombe exceptionnelle de la Vallée des reines. 37 pièces, panneaux, colonnes, photos, ouchebtis et statues forment cette exposition baptisée Néfertari 1904-2014. Se trouvant actuellement dans la salle 44 au rez-de-chaussée du Musée Égyptien, l’exposition se rendra ensuite à

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Alexandrie puis à Louqsor. Organisée par l’ambassade d’Italie, le Centre culturel italien du Caire et les ministères des Antiquités et du Tourisme en collaboration avec l’Université de Toscane, elle retrace 110 ans de travail dans la tombe de Néfertari, de sa découverte par l’égyptologue italien Ernesto SCHIAPARELLI en 1904 à son inauguration dans les années 1990 en passant par les différentes étapes de sa restauration et sa conservation.

L’exposition présente au public, pour la première fois, des photos prises pendant l’exploration du site par la mission italienne. Celui-ci, connu avant 1904 sous le nom de Ta Set Néférou, qui signifie « le siège de la beauté », a été rebaptisé par SCHIAPARELLI la vallée des Reines. Le visiteur peut admirer une vue générale du chantier en 1904, la localisation de la tombe de Néfertari, en plus des ouvriers qui opéraient sur le site. « Parmi les plus belles photos exposées figurent celles qui décrivent la tombe de l’intérieur. Le visiteur peut y voir l’entrée de la tombe ainsi que les salles qui comprenaient le mobilier funéraire qui était dans un état de désordre absolu », explique l’égyptologue Roberto BUONGARZONE, organisateur de l’exposition. « Bien que la photographie en 1904 ait été un art récent, les photos prises montrent les détails les plus fins », reprend BUONGARZONE. L’exposition ne présente pas seulement des photos anciennes, le visiteur peut faire aussi la comparaison entre ces photos et celles prises après la restauration de la tombe en 1994 par l’Institut Paul Getty, soit 90 ans après sa découverte. « Les photos sont reproduites dans un format proche de l’original, permettant ainsi de voir des images identiques à la réalité. C’est le photographe Sandro VANNINI qui a pris ces photos mettant en évidence la coopération italienne au service du patrimoine culturel égyptien », renchérit BUONGARZONE.

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À travers l’exposition, le visiteur suit la vie de Néfertari, d’abord en tant que reine et épouse royale, puis dans l’au-delà. Le nom Néfertari est inextricablement attaché à celui de son conjoint royal Ramsès II, le plus célèbre des pharaons égyptiens. On ignore ses origines, mais l’on suppose qu’elle descendait de la famille Aï, successeur du roi-enfant Toutankhamon, de la XVIIIe dynastie, d’après ce qu’indique la poignée d’un coffret recouverte d’émail bleu et portant le cartouche du roi Aï. La reine Néfertari pourrait donc avoir été une fille ou une nièce de ce souverain. À la silhouette fine et élégante, Néfertari était la préférée de Ramsès II. Bien qu’il ait eu d’autres épouses et un grand nombre de concubines, elle apparaissait toujours à ses côtés comme « la Grande épouse royale » lors des cérémonies officielles et religieuses. Néfertari, dont le nom signifie « La belle des belles, la dame de charme, la grande et douce dans l’amour », était vénérée en tant que déesse à côté de son conjoint. Le temple mineur d’Abû Simbil, dont la photo côtoie celle du grand temple de Ramsès II à l’exposition, était dédié à Néfertari. L’édification de ce temple a été complétée après le décès de la reine, reflétant l’ultime importance de Néfertari pour son époux, Ramsès II. « Les scènes de ce temple reflètent l’amour de la reine pour la musique et les chansons. Elle avait une voix douce », explique Mahmûd al-Halwagî, directeur du Musée Égyptien. L’exposition éclaire certains aspects de la vie de la reine Néfertari et de sa tombe. La tombe est d’une grande importance sur le plan touristique. al-Halwagî s’attend à ce que de nombreux visiteurs de différentes nationalités se rendent à l’exposition pour admirer « la belle des belles » comme on l’appelle. Beaucoup souhaiteraient visiter sa tombe à Louqsor. Mais faute de moyens et de temps, ils n’y parviennent pas. L’exposition est alors une bonne occasion pour rendre visite à Néfertari au Caire. L’exposition doit durer un mois. Néfertari partira ensuite à Alexandrie et terminera son parcours à Louqsor. (Doaa Elhami, « La belle des belles fait le tour de l’Égypte », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 17 décembre 2014. Voir également Rabâb Fathî, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie et l’ambassadeur d’Italie inaugurent l’exposition sur la reine Néfertari », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 30 novembre ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Célébration

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internationale à l’occasion du 110e anniversaire de la découverte de la tombe de Néfertari », al-Ahrâm, 8 décembre).

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Vendredi 19 décembre 2014

The Egyptian antiquities ministry has decided to halt its cooperation with an American mission working near Fayyûm after accusing the mission of making false statements about the discovery of a necropolis. According to a ministry statement, the decision comes after the Brigham Young University mission gave false information to a British newspaper about its excavations in Fag alGâmûs village in Upper Egypt. The BYU mission announced that its excavators were working in an ancient necropolis dating back some 2,000 years, which contains an estimated one million burials. Press reports described the burials as mummies. The mission has been working on the site for 28 years. Head of the ministry's ancient Egyptian antiquities department, Yûsuf Khalîfa, told Ahram Online that the statement made by the American mission is “unfounded.” He said that only one mummy has been unearthed at the site, in 1980, and it is now on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. What the mission has discovered, he continued, are thousands of human skeletons and remains of human bones, which are very poorly conserved. Khalîfa also stated that the mission had failed to respect the ministry’s regulations and had broken the law, which stipulates that no foreign mission is allowed to announce a discovery without the approval of the ministry’s permanent committee. (Nevine El-Aref, “Egypt antiquity ministry slams US mission after 'million mummy' controversy”, Ahram Online,

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December 19, 2014. Voir également MENA, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie suspend la coopération avec une mission américaine », alYawm al-Sâbi‘, 18 décembre ; Amânî Abû alNagâ, « Suspension des travaux d’une mission américaine à cause de fausses déclarations », al-Shurûq, 19 décembre).

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A local antiquities official told Ahram Online that news reports about "a million mummies" discovered by an American archaeological mission working close to Fayyûm were false. Ahmad ‘Abd al-‘Âl, the head of the Fayyûm antiquities authority, told Ahram Online that the million figure is an estimate, presented in research presented to an academic colloquium in Toronto last month by mission head Kerry MUHLESTEIN, and not a concrete number. ‘Abd al-‘Âl said that the mission had been based in the Fag al-Gâmûs area for 34 years, and during that time had stumbled upon torn textiles, and late period and Roman remains of human skeletons. “No mummies were found except one discovered in 1988 inside a wooden anthropoid coffin with a gilded mummy mask," he said. Archaeologist ‘Afîfî Ruhayyim told Ahram Online that this kind of burial was common during the Roman period. “I think the burials found in Fag al-Gâmûs is one of those necropolis, but the mission does not know much about it,” he added. The Egyptian antiquities ministry said earlier on Friday that it had decided to halt cooperation with the Brigham Young University mission because it had "published false news" and had broken the law by speaking directly to the press about a discovery without first getting ministry clearance. (Nevine El-Aref, “Fayyûm antiquities official denies ‘million mummies’ reports”, Ahram Online, December 19, 2014).

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Mardi 23 décembre 2014

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At the southern tip of Rawda Island stands Manyal Palace, an exquisite example of early 20th century architecture. Built in 1901 by Prince Muhammad ‘Alî, the son of Khedive Tawfîq, it was an attempt to revive the Islamic architectural style in opposition to the European style commonly adopted for the royal family’s palaces. Some 50 labourers, archaeologists and cultivation experts are hard at work to meet the deadline. The official reopening is in mid-February after ten years of restoration.

In 2005, the Ministry of Antiquities started restoration work on the palace, which includes removing of the encroachments made on the palace gardens since early 1960s by the Egyptian General Organisation for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), which transformed the palace garden into a hotel. It also includes the consolidation and re-erection of the gypsum false ceiling, constructed in 1945 to reduce the weighting load of the large copper chandelier on the original ceiling of the throne hall. This ceiling collapsed in 2004. Fine restoration work to all decorative elements at the palace has been also executed as well as the development of the palace’s galleries, laboratories and garden. Today, Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî embarked on an inspection tour around the palace to check upon the work being achieved and to solve any problems that could stand against the palace official opening. During the tour al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that the palace regained its original look and it would be open in mid-February, which coincide with the centennial of Khedive ‘Abbâs Hilmî II’s leaving Egypt’s throne. During the opening ceremony, said alDamâtî, a lecture is to be held about Khedive ‘Abbâs Hilmî II in an attempt to honour his efforts to develop Egypt because during his

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reign he ordered the construction of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrîr, the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria and the Museum of Islamic Arts in Bâb al-Khalq in downtown Cairo. Manyal Palace is a huge palace with a rare botanical garden, exquisite halls and several detached buildings, all bearing a blend of Fatimid and Mameluke styles tinged with Ottoman elements, and drawing also on Persian, Andalusian, Syrian, and Moroccan taste. (Nevine El-Aref, “Manyal Palace to reopen in mid-February”, Ahram Online, December 23, 2014).

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Mercredi 24 décembre 2014

Un projet expérimental de son et lumière à l’intérieur du Musée Égyptien a été lancé cette semaine. Des problèmes techniques doivent cependant être résolus avant la généralisation de l’expérience. 45 minutes, c’est la durée d’une tournée dans 4 salles du Musée Égyptien pour vivre la nouvelle expérience de son et lumière dans un espace couvert. « C’est la première fois qu’une telle projection ait lieu dans un musée », explique Mahmûd al-Halwagî, directeur du Musée Égyptien. Selon lui, cette nouvelle initiative est dans la phase d’expérimentation pendant seulement quatre jours après les heures de fermeture du musée, afin de savoir les réactions des visiteurs. Sur fond de musique, ceux-ci suivent les rayons de projecteurs pour écouter les explications archéologiques. L’idée appartient à la directrice du département des musées nationaux, Ilhâm Salâh, qui a voulu trouver des moyens originaux de promotion touristique en expliquant la civilisation égyptienne de manière attirante. Elle a alors inventé un conte, dont la

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protagoniste s’appelle Samrâ’ (brune), un surnom donné à l’Égypte. Des aspects de la civilisation égyptienne sont mis en valeur au fil de rencontres avec les personnages les plus emblématiques de l’Égypte ancienne. « Ce conte est basé sur des informations préparées par de jeunes archéologues ainsi que des experts en sons et lumières », explique Salâh. Le spectacle s’ouvre avec une musique inspirée du répertoire nubien. Le prologue commence avec une présentation du musée, de l’histoire de sa construction depuis l’époque de Muhammad ‘Alî, de son transfert à Bûlâq, puis à Gîza, avant l’inauguration en 1902, sous le règne de ‘Abbâs Hilmî II, de ses locaux actuels à la place à Tahrîr, au cœur du Caire. À la fin du prologue, les portes du musée s’ouvrent devant les spectateurs pour une visite guidée à travers ses diverses salles. Une aura rouge éclaire le colosse de Ramsès II pendant que Samrâ’ présente « ses fils ». Celui-ci prend ensuite la parole pour relater ses victoires militaires et décrire la beauté de son épouse Néfertari. Soudainement, une lumière blanche se pose sur le double colosse d’Amenhotep III et son épouse la reine Tyi, qui domine la première salle du musée. Le roi explique l’état de prospérité que le pays a vécu sous son règne qui a duré plus de 30 ans. Les visiteurs sont invités ensuite à admirer quelques statues illustrant le quotidien des pharaons, accompagnés toujours par les explications de Samrâ’. Passant à la troisième salle, c’est le tour de Chéops de louer le génie de Hémiounou, architecte de la grande pyramide. La tournée se termine avec le chef de l’armée égyptienne de l’Ancien Empire, Rahotep, et son épouse Nefret. Rahotep parle de l’importance de l’armée pour la sécurité et la stabilité de l’État, alors que la musique prend des airs militaires dignes du chef des armées. Aussi intéressante et originale qu’elle soit, l’idée a encore besoin d’être étudiée sur les plans logistique et technique. Beaucoup de visiteurs n’ont pas réussi à respecter le parcours de la visite, ou ont traîné pour prendre des photos. Raison pour laquelle la direction du musée a interdit l’entrée des appareils photographiques et des téléphones portables. Pour sa part, la directrice reconnaît avoir rencontré plusieurs difficultés, notamment

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celle des échos qui rendent le son parfois indéchiffrable. « Les techniciens du son ont voulu faire quelques modifications dans les salles d’exposition, mais la direction du musée a refusé, puisque le bâtiment est lui-même un monument à préserver », commente la directrice. Plusieurs problèmes doivent donc être résolus pour que l’expérience puisse être généralisée. En attendant, il a été décidé de la reproduire, mais cette fois-ci dans les jardins du musée. (Doaa Elhami, « L’Égypte se raconte au Musée du Caire », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 24 décembre 2014. Voir également Deutsche Presse-Agentur, « Son et lumière au Musée Égyptien », al-Masrî al-Yawm, 17 décembre ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Son et lumière au Musée Égyptien», al-Ahrâm, 17 décembre ; MENA, « Le spectacle son et lumière au Musée Égyptien vise à attirer les touristes et les visiteurs », al-Shurûq, 17 décembre).

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Deux colosses d’Aménophis III ont retrouvé leur place à l’entrée nord du temple dédié au pharaon à Louqsor. « Il s’agit jusqu’à ce jour des plus hautes statues connues d’un roi égyptien représenté en position debout. Elles devancent l’entrée nord du temple, donnant l’impression de garder le temple », précise l’archéologue allemande Hourig SOUROUZIAN, à la tête de la mission chargée de la restauration et des fouilles du temple. Chaque statue pèse près de 100 tonnes pour 13 m de hauteur, sans compter le piédestal de 4 m où figurent les titres du pharaon. « C’est la première exposition de ces statues depuis l’écroulement du temple il y a plus de 3 200 ans qui a eu lieu à cause d’un séisme vers 1 200 av. J.-C. », indique ‘Abd alHakîm Karâr, chef de la région de Louqsor au ministère des Antiquités.

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Ces deux statues colossales d’Aménophis III, sculptées en quartzite rouge, ont été retrouvées il y a deux ans dans le temple qui lui est dédié à Thèbes, sur la rive ouest de Louqsor, sur un terrain inondé d’eau de drainage agricole. Une d’entre elles était morcelée en quatre blocs et plus de 500 petites pièces, alors que l’autre se composait de 7 grands blocs. La première est coiffée de la couronne rouge, symbole du pouvoir du roi sur la Basse-Égypte, alors que la seconde porte la couronne blanche, symbole du pouvoir du souverain sur la Haute-Égypte. Le « géant » Aménophis III tient dans chaque main un rouleau de papyrus où est inscrit son nom. Le nom du roi est également visible sur la boucle rectangulaire de la ceinture qu’il porte à la taille, et à laquelle est accroché un poignard à manche orné d’une tête de faucon. SOUROUZIAN précise que « les deux colosses sont sculptées de la même manière. Elles étaient brisées en plusieurs morceaux et ont subi pendant des siècles des facteurs destructeurs tels que l’eau d’irrigation, le sel du sol, parfois le feu, en plus du vandalisme ». « Les archéologues ont commencé les travaux de réassemblage d’une d’entre elles au début de l’année. En novembre, ils ont commencé à regrouper les blocs de pierre et la multitude de fragments qui composent la deuxième statue », explique le ministre des Antiquités, Mamdûh alDamâtî. Si la restauration des deux statues est terminée, les fouilles continuent à l’intérieur du temple. « Je rêve que ce temple retrouve un jour son état d’origine. Mais il me manque au moins 20 ans pour accomplir un tel travail », reprend l’archéologue allemande. En effet, le temple d’Aménophis III est 10 fois plus grand que la plupart des autres temples funéraires de la rive ouest. Tous ses murs ont été détruits, mais l’intérieur est toujours là. « Notre travail est de sauver le temple qui était autrefois prestigieux. Mais malheureusement, il a été très gravement endommagé », poursuit SOUROUZIAN. al-Damâtî a, quant à lui, demandé la construction d’un mur autour de l’enceinte du temple, afin de le protéger du vandalisme et des pillages. (Nasma Réda, « Les géants d’Aménophis III redeviennent gardiens du temple », Al-Ahram Hebdo du 24 décembre 2014. Voir également MENA, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie assiste au

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lancement de l’érection du colosse d’Amenhotep III dans son temple de Louqsor », al-Shurûq, 22 novembre ; Rânyâ ‘Abd al-‘Âtî, « Ré-érection à Louqsor de la plus grande statue d’Amenhotep III », al-Ahrâm 23 novembre ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le colosse d’Amenhotep III accueille ses visiteurs pour la première fois depuis 3 000 ans », al-Yawm alSâbi‘, 10 décembre ; Shirîn Tal‘at, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie et le gouverneur de Louqsor célèbrent l’érection du colosse d’Amenhotep III », al-Bashâyyir, 14 décembre).

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Jeudi 25 décembre 2014

An Egyptian official denied on Thursday widespread reports claiming that Baron Empain’s palace in Heliopolis has been sold. On Wednesday, many Egyptian newspapers said that Nâsir Social Bank bought the palace, a report that created a lot of controversy. The news turned out to be unfounded, with Mustafa Amîn, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities assuring Ahram Online that the reports were media-created rumours. Amîn explained that what was actually sold is a house in Heliopolis on al-Thawra street, and that the cause for confusion was that it was originally owned by Baron Empain’s family. “The palace cannot be put on sale because it is on Egypt’s Antiquities List which is protected by law 117 passed in 1983 and its 2010 amendments,” asserted Amîn. He went on to say that the palace was under the possession of the housing ministry but that in 2009 it was transferred to the antiquities ministry as it was on Egypt’s antiquities list for Islamic and Coptic monuments according to a 1993 ministerial decree.

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

On Thursday, Antiquities Minister Mamdûh al-Damâtî embarked on an inspection tour around the palace to visit different halls and give the go-ahead to continue its 2010 restoration project planned in collaboration with a Belgium mission; the project came to a halt after it lost its budget following the 2011 revolution. During the tour, al-Damâtî told Ahram Online that a month ago the ministry carried out a minor restoration and consolidation of a number of the palace’s decorative elements and sections facing architectural challenges. He went on to say that the ministry is reviewing the Belgian restoration plan and studying the palace’s architectural aspects in an attempt to provide a complete restoration project that will allow for future use. al-Damâtî also announced that revenues from ceremonies held at the palace’s garden would be allocated to the restoration budget.

Baron Empain’s palace was built in 1906 as the residence of Belgian industrialist Edouard EMPAIN who came to Egypt in 1904 to construct a railway line linking the Nile Delta city of Mansûra to Matariyya on the far side of Lake Manzala. French architect Alexandre MARCEL built him the palace in the Avenue of Palaces (now al-‘Urûba) and he was inspired by the Cambodian palace of Angkor Wat and the Hindu temple of Orissa. MARCEL designed a variety of human busts, statues of Indian dancers, elephants, snakes, Buddhas, Shivas and Krishnas in the palace. MARCEL’s colleague, Georges-Louis CLAUDE, designed the palace’s interior. (Nevine El-Aref, “Sale of Baron Empain’s palace is a rumour: Egyptian Government”, Ahram Online, December 25, 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministère de l’Archéologie nie officiellement la vente du palais du baron EMPAIN », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 24 décembre ; Ahmad al-Gamal, « Toute la vérité sur la vente du palais EMPAIN », al-Shurûq, 24 décembre ; Muhammad ‘Abd al-Mu‘tî, « Les revenus du palais EMPAIN seront consacrées à sa restauration », al-Ahrâm, 28 décembre).

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L’ancien ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Ahmad ‘Îsa, est décédé ce matin à l’hôpital ‘Ayn Shams. Il sera enterré dans son village natal à Suhâg. Né en 1960, ‘Îsa est diplômé de la faculté de Lettres de l’université d’Asyût en 1982. Il a obtenu un magistère dans les études islamiques à l’université du Caire, puis un doctorat de l’université d’Asyût. (Alâ’ ‘Uthmân, « Décès du Dr Ahmad ‘Îsa, ex-ministre de l’Archéologie », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 25 décembre 2014).

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dater de la prochaine rentrée scolaire. Quant aux élèves de l’enseignement privé, ils bénéficieront d’une réduction de 50 %. Cette mesure vise à encourager les jeunes à visiter les monuments afin de mieux connaître l’histoire et la civilisation de leur pays. (MENA, « Accès gratuit aux sites archéologiques pour les élèves des écoles gouvernementales », alShurûq, 29 décembre 2014. Voir également Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie décide la gratuité d’accès aux sites archéologiques pour les élèves », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 29 décembre).

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Lundi 29 décembre 2014 Le ministre de l’Archéologie, Dr Mamdûh al-Damâtî, a décidé d’autoriser les élèves de l’enseignement public d’accéder gratuitement à tous les sites archéologiques à

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

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133

IX - INDEX

A   Académies   Russian  Academy  of  Sciences  ..............................  13   ADN  ..................................................  90,  93,  96,  103,  104   Aéroports   Aéroport du Caire  ................  22,  23,  70,  71,  125   Agences   Japan  International  Cooperation  Agency  (JICA)  ......................................................................................  57   Agences  de  presse  .........................................................  37   Agence  France  Presse  (AFP)  .........................  27,  54   Deutsche  Presse-­‐Agentur  (dpa)  ..................  9,  131   Middle  East  News  Agency  (MENA)  ...  12,  16,  17,   21,  23,  25,  29,  37,  38,  41,  42,  51,  70,  73,  79,   87,  93,  110,  111,  117,  119,  123,  124,  126,   129,  131,  133   Reuters  ..................................  27,  33,  45,  82,  83,  125   al-­‐Azhar  ..............................................................  47,  52,  53   Amulette  ..........................................................  81,  94,  118   Anatomie humaine   Pénis  ...............................................................................  95   Squelette  ..........................................  43,  94,  128,  129   Arbres   Acacia  ...................................................................  98,  121   Armée  ..............................................  34,  36,  46,  102,  130   Armes   Canon  .............................................................................  13   Char  ................................................................................  44   Fusil  ................................................................................  13   Lance  .......................................................................  18,  27   Poignard  .....................................................................  131   Artères historiques   Rue al-Mu‘izz l-Dîn Allâh al-Fâtimî  .....  11,  39,   49,  50,  55,  63,  86   Autoroute  ...................................................................  36,  61   B   Bâb-­‐s   Bâb al-Nasr  ........................................................  67,  88   Bâb al-Tawfîq  ...........................................................  67   Bâb al-Wazîr  .............................................................  53   Bains  ..............................................  14,  35,  47,  60,  61,  62   Barques  ............  11,  97,  98,  119,  120,  121,  122,  123   Barque  de  Chéops  ...........................................  98,  123   Barque solaire  ............  11,  97,  98,  119,  120,  122   Barrages  ............................................................................  99   BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Bassin  ..................................................................................  73   Bateau  .......................................................  16,  73,  99,  118   Bibliothèques  ...........................................................  18,  68   Bibliotheca  Alexandrina  ..........................  12,  65,  73   Bijoux  ...  25,  28,  33,  41,  42,  71,  85,  86,  87,  88,  102,   104,  105,  115   Bague  .............................................................................  21   Bracelet  ........................................................  28,  41,  115   Collier  ..........................................................................  115   Bustes  ..............................  81,  105,  106,  108,  124,  132   Buste de Néfertiti  ..................................................  12   C   Cairo Opera House  ..........................................  79,  84   Canneaux   Canal  al-­‐Mahmûdiyya  ..............................................  65   Canal  al-­‐Salâm  .............................................  35,  36,  37   Canal  de  Suez34,  36,  37,  44,  57,  73,  74,  84,  115,   116   Caravansérail  ...................................................................  88   Carrière  ....................................................................  72,  107   Cartographie  ....  14,  34,  36,  51,  52,  60,  68,  73,  116,   124,  125   Cartonnage  .......................................................................  81   Cartouche  .....  30,  31,  32,  36,  37,  96,  112,  120,  121,   126,  128   Catacombes  ......................................................................  19   Catalogue  .................................................................  45,  68   Centres de recherches   American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE)  .........................................................  40,  60,  62   Centre Franco-Égyptien d’Études des Temples de Karnak (CFEETK)  ................  125   Centro Italo-Egiziano per il Restauro e l’Archeologia  .......................................................  101   National Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT)  ..............................................................  63   Céramique  ........................................................  20,  32,  38   Cercueil  ..............................................................................  28   Chaînes  de  télévision  .......  93,  94,  96,  98,  101,  102,   106,  107,  112,  117   BBC  ....................................................  25,  64,  90,  91,  93   History  Channel  ......................................................  112   Chambre  funéraire  .......  49,  61,  105,  110,  112,  117,   118,  126  

134

INDEX

Chandelier  .....................................................................  129   Chapelles  ........................................................  9,  123,  126   Cimetière  ...................................................................  43,  61   Citadelles  ............................................  36,  38,  40,  74,  75   Citadelle  de  Qâytbây  .........................................  13,  63   Citadelle  de  Tharo  ....................................................  36   Citadelle  du  Caire  ......................................................  47   Citernes  ............................................................................  61   Collectionneur  ................................................................  21   Colloque  ...................................................................  12,  111   Colonnes  .  19,  37,  38,  40,  41,  60,  61,  62,  66,  80,  88,   117,  120,  127   Colosses  .......................................................  88,  130,  132   Colosse  de  Ramsès  II  .............................................  130   Commerce  .......................................................................  73   Congrès  ....................................................................  12,  101   Conseil  Suprême  des  Antiquités  .  9,  10,  18,  25,  29,   34,  35,  37,  39,  42,  48,  49,  52,  67,  72,  75,  132   Conservation  .  20,  50,  62,  67,  100,  101,  105,  115,   116,  121,  126,  127   Coopération  .  12,  13,  23,  31,  33,  34,  46,  65,  93,  96,   100,  110,  119,  123,  127,  129   Cosmétique  ....................................................................  87   Coton  ...............................................................................  105   Couleurs   blanc  ................  59,  60,  87,  98,  120,  121,  130,  131   bleu  ....................................................................  126,  128   noir  .................................................................  58,  76,  118   rose  .................................................................................  76   rouge  ...................................................  28,  31,  130,  131   vert  ..................................................................................  18   Couronne  ................................................................  28,  131   D   Danse  ...........................................................................  25,  63   Demeures  bourgeoises   Bayt  al-­‐Suhaymî  ........................................................  63   Démotique  .......................................................................  99   Derviche  ...............................................................  100,  101   Description  de  l’Égypte  .................................................  9   Déserts  ..............................................................................  67   Disque  solaire  .......................................................  28,  102   Divinités   Amon  ..........................................................  26,  102,  124   Amon-­‐Rê  ...................................................  26,  107,  125   Anubis  ..................................................................  33,  124   Aphrodite  .....................................................................  60   Astarté  ...........................................................................  36   Aton  .........................................................................  91,  94   Harpocrate  .................................................................  62   Hathor  .....................................................................  26,  28   Horus  ......................................  33,  34,  35,  36,  81,  124   Isis  ...............................................................  99,  119,  124   Maât  ...............................................................................  10   Min  ...........................................................................  96,  97  

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Osiris  ............................  9,  33,  35,  96,  119,  124,  126   Ptah  ...............................................................................  125   Thot  .......................................................................  53,  124   Dôme  ...................................................................................  66   Dromos  ............................................................................  113   E   Eau souterraine  ....................................  9,  40,  75,  115   Écurie  ..................................................................................  97   Églises  ............................  36,  39,  40,  41,  61,  74,  75,  99   Église al-Mu‘allaqa  ...........  38,  39,  74,  75,  79,  86   Église Saint-Serge  ..........................................  39,  41   Enchères  ................  15,  16,  17,  41,  42,  54,  71,  72,  81   Entreprises   BESIX Group  ..............................................................  56   Orascom Construction Industries  48,  56,  75   The Arab Contractors Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.  ...............................................  48,  75   Épave  ...................................................................................  13   Époques   byzantine  ..........................................  36,  99,  100,  119   copte  ..  20,  29,  38,  39,  40,  41,  52,  53,  74,  75,  80,   100,  115,  116,  132   gréco-­‐romaine  12,  18,  19,  23,  35,  45,  73,  80,  81,   82,  99,  100,  116,  130   grecque  ................................................  60,  83,  87,  124   hellénistique  .................................................  13,  14,  62   islamique  ..  20,  21,  25,  29,  32,  33,  58,  74,  83,  85,   100,  127   abbasside  ..................................................................  47   ayyoubide  .........................................................  47,  66   fatimide  ...........  39,  46,  52,  66,  80,  81,  116,  130   mamelouke  .............  16,  40,  45,  46,  88,  89,  130   ottomane  ...  15,  42,  51,  70,  71,  82,  84,  85,  116,   124,  125,  130   Moyen-Âge  ..................................................................  40   pharaonique   Ancien Empire  ..........................  54,  72,  120,  130   dynasties   Ie dynastie  ................................................  80,  122   Ve dynastie  ........................................................  59   XIIe dynastie  ......................................................  73   XIXe  dynastie  .............................................  36,  100   XVIIe dynastie  .........................................  73,  125   XVIIIe dynastie  .  21,  44,  45,  90,  94,  97,  100,   108,  113,  125,  128   XXVIe  dynastie  ....................................................  50   Moyen  Empire  ........  9,  36,  73,  80,  81,  113,  115   Nouvel  Empire  ......  36,  45,  50,  81,  88,  94,  115,   116,  125   Ramesside  ................................................................  36   Troisième  Période  Intermédiaire  ...............  124   prédynastique  .................................................  80,  120   préhistoire  .........................................................  29,  100  

135

INDEX

ptolémaïque  ...................  19,  23,  33,  124,  125,  126   ramesside  ....................................................................  99   romaine  .....  13,  14,  19,  21,  34,  38,  39,  40,  41,  48,   50,  60,  62,  74,  112,  119,  124,  125,  129   Érosion  .....................................................................  50,  108   Exposition archéologique  12,  16,  18,  19,  21,  22,   23,  24,  25,  27,  28,  29,  31,  33,  38,  40,  43,  44,  45,   52,  56,  57,  72,  73,  78,  79,  80,  81,  86,  108,  110,   112,  119,  127,  128,  131   F   Famille royale   Ankhesenamon  ......................................  94,  103,  104   Néfertari  ...............................  12,  100,  127,  128,  130   Néfertiti  ..............................................  12,  24,  103,  104   Nefret  ...................................................................  97,  130   Tiy  ................................................................  26,  103,  104   Fausse porte  .................................................................  73   Fertilité  ..............................................................................  28   Figurine  ...................................................................  19,  126   Fleurs  ........................................................................  24,  124   Fœtus  ....................................................................  103,  104   Fonds   Nubian  Antiquities  Salvage  Fund  .  26,  65,  70,  71   Fontaine  ...........................................................................  40   Forteresses  .......................................................  34,  35,  36   Forteresse de Babylone  ..............  38,  39,  40,  74   Fouilles  .....  9,  13,  14,  24,  25,  29,  35,  36,  37,  48,  58,   60,  61,  67,  69,  72,  76,  88,  97,  99,  100,  102,  108,   110,  113,  119,  123,  125,  126,  128,  131   Fouilles  sous-­‐marines  .................................................  13   G   Genizah  .............................................................................  40   Graffiti  ......................................................................  65,  119   Guerre  ..........................................................  35,  52,  73,  99   H   Hiéroglyphes  ....................................  9,  70,  81,  88,  126   Hittites  ...............................................................................  35   Humidité  ...............  20,  39,  66,  75,  92,  101,  116,  121   Hyksôs  ......................................................................  35,  125   I   Icône  ............................................................................  39,  75   Îles   Chypre  ...........................................................................  61   Pharos  ............................................................................  13   Incendie  ...........................  9,  41,  52,  86,  111,  123,  125   Infiltration  ......................................................................  127   Insectes  ............................................................  97,  98,  120   Scarabée  ............................................  21,  35,  81,  102   Instituts   Deutsches  Archäologisches  Institut  Kairo   (DAIK)  ................................................................  31,  79   Institut  d’Égypte  ....................................................  9,  63   BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Institut  du  Monde  Arabe  (IMA)  ...........................  73   Institut français d’archéologie orientale (Ifao)  ................................  67,  68,  69,  70,  110,  113   Nederlands-Vlaams Instituut in Cairo (NVIC)  .........................................................................  19   International  Council  of  Museums  (ICOM)  12,  15,   32,  33,  38,  49,  50,  51,  56,  78   International  Council  on  Monuments  and  Sites   (Icomos)  ...................................................  51,  109,  110   Internet  ............................................................  21,  78,  112   Irrigation  .................................................................  80,  131   Ivoire  .................................................................  16,  20,  127   Iwân  .....................................................................................  40   J   Jardins  29,  40,  63,  70,  81,  114,  129,  130,  131,  132   Jarre  ................................................................  36,  102,  126   Juif  ................................................................................  37,  40   K   Khôl  ...................................................................................  116   Kom-­‐s   Kom Abû Billû  ..........................................................  67   Kom  al-­‐Ahmar  .....................................................  13,  14   Kom  al-­‐Dikka  .......................................................  19,  48   Kom  al-­‐Hîtân  ...............................................................  81   L   Lacs  .......................................................................  65,  84,  99   Lac  al-­‐Bardawîl  ...........................................................  37   Lac  Manzala  ..............................................................  132   Lac Maryût  .................................................................  60   Lac  Nâsir  ................................................................  65,  80   Lampe  ................................................................................  61   Le  Caire  fatimide  .  47,  49,  51,  53,  66,  88,  109,  110,   119   Lin  ...........................................  27,  94,  95,  105,  116,  124   Livre  des  Morts  ............................................................  108   Loculi  ..................................................................................  61   M   Madrasa-­‐s  ..........................................................................  47   Mairies   Mairie  du  Caire  ...........................................................  83   Maladies   Symptômes de Marfan  ....................................  104   Malédiction  des  pharaons  ..........................................  17   Mammifères  ..........  21,  25,  27,  29,  85,  94,  101,  106   Âne  .................................................................  36,  99,  102   Cerf  ..................................................................................  94   Chameau  ...................................................................  108   Cheval  ................................................  20,  36,  105,  108   Éléphant  .....................................................................  132   Lion  ................................................................  20,  85,  125   Vache  ............................................................  28,  43,  118  

136

INDEX

Manuscrit  .......................................................................  100   Mashrabiyya  ....................................................  40,  52,  89   Masque  .  24,  88,  90,  94,  95,  96,  105,  106,  124,  129   Mastabas  ........................................................................  122   Matériaux de construction   Béton  ..............................  36,  79,  109,  116,  121,  129   Bois  ......  16,  20,  28,  33,  37,  38,  39,  40,  45,  52,  61,   66,  73,  86,  90,  94,  97,  98,  108,  116,  118,  119,   120,  121,  122,  124,  127,  129   Cèdre  ......................................................  98,  120,  121   Ébène  .......................................................................  127   Brique  ............................................................................  32   Ciment  .....................................................................  50,  92   Gypse  ....................................................  19,  50,  66,  129   Plâtre  ..................  19,  38,  62,  92,  98,  120,  121,  124   Mausolées  ..................................................................  66,  78   Médecine  .........................................................  53,  80,  117   Mers   Mer  Méditerranée  .......................  35,  36,  61,  73,  79   Marsa Matrûh  .......................................................  61   Mer  Rouge  .............  26,  35,  36,  73,  74,  85,  99,  120   Hurghada  .................................................................  65   Sharm  al-­‐Shaykh  .............................  28,  29,  31,  65   Métaux  .......................................  37,  38,  45,  81,  95,  117   Argent  .  14,  18,  23,  31,  33,  38,  45,  74,  85,  87,  95,   115,  116,  119   Bronze  .................................................  35,  62,  116,  126   Cuivre  ...................................................  21,  81,  95,  129   Or  ..  10,  23,  24,  41,  42,  47,  85,  87,  90,  93,  94,  95,   96,  101,  102,  105,  106,  115,  116,  118,  127   Plomb  .............................................................................  70   Microfilm  ...........................................................................  65   Miel  ......................................................................................  35   Mihrâb  ................................................................................  20   Minaret  ....................................................................  52,  101   Minbar  ................................................................................  20   Miroir  ..........................................................................  13,  28   Mobilier  ...................................................................  13,  127   Moine  .................................................................................  20   Momies  ...  19,  24,  27,  33,  53,  61,  73,  78,  80,  89,  90,   91,  93,  94,  95,  96,  101,  102,  103,  104,  105,  106,   115,  124,  128,  129   Momie  de  Toutankhamon  94,  96,  101,  103,  105   Momification  ....................................................  27,  90,  95   Monastères  .....................................................................  20   Dayr al-Suryân  ........................................................  19   Monnaie  .  21,  22,  23,  35,  42,  61,  70,  71,  82,  85,  99,   116,  119,  124,  125   Mosaïque  ...........................................................................  83   Mosquées  ..........................................  40,  41,  47,  52,  66   Mosquée Hâtim al-Bahlawân  .........................  16   Musée  de  plein  air  ........................................  29,  76,  123   Musées   British  Museum  ...........................  24,  43,  54,  80,  98   Grand Musée Égyptien (GEM)  .  10,  18,  29,  34,   BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

50,  55,  63,  77,  97,  121,  123   Martin-­‐Gropius-­‐Bau  .................................................  73   Musée  archéologique  d’al-­‐‘Arîsh  ........................  92   Musée  archéologique  de  la  Bibliotheca   Alexandrina  .............................................................  12   Musée archéologique de Louqsor  ......  80,  96   Musée  archéologique  de  Mallawî  ........  12,  23,  51   Musée  archéologique  de  Sharm  al-­‐Shaykh  ....  29   Musée  archéologique  de  Suez  ..............................  74   Musée Copte  .............  38,  39,  40,  52,  75,  80,  115   Musée d’Art islamique  .  20,  22,  29,  32,  33,  37,   38,  45,  51,  115,  130   Musée  de  la  Nubie  .............................................  51,  70   Musée de Port-Saïd  .................................  115,  116   Musée  des  Bijoux  royaux  .........  41,  42,  85,  86,  87   Musée du Louvre  .............  80,  81,  113,  118,  126   Musée  Égyptien  9,  15,  17,  18,  22,  29,  33,  63,  72,   73,  118,  123,  126,  127,  128,  130,  131   Musée  gréco-­‐romain  ..  12,  18,  19,  45,  73,  82,  99,   130   Musée  national  d’Alexandrie  ........................  73,  80   Musée national de la Civilisation égyptienne  .  23,  41,  50,  51,  67,  76,  78,  79,  81,   86,  123   The  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art  24,  27,  28,  45,   71,  72   The  Petrie  Museum  of  Egyptian  Archaeology  .......................................................................................  71   Muséologie  ..........................  70,  73,  79,  111,  123,  127   Musique  ................................  25,  52,  63,  100,  128,  130   N   Nappe  phréatique  ..........................................................  92   National  Geographic  Society  ...........................  98,  120   National  Organisation  for  Urban  Harmony   (NOUH)  ..........................................................................  83   Naufrage  ............................................................................  13   Navigation  .........................................................................  73   Navire  .................................................................................  13   Nécropoles  ...  11,  19,  21,  26,  48,  58,  60,  61,  62,  96,   103,  109,  110,  115,  119,  120,  128,  129   Nécropole  de  Saqqâra  ..........................................  119   Nécropole  thébaine  ..................................................  96   Niche  ...........................................................................  61,  66   Nil  ...  13,  14,  35,  37,  41,  43,  73,  74,  80,  91,  97,  100,   102,  112,  122,  123,  132   Noms  de  lieux   Allemagne  10,  11,  21,  30,  31,  32,  33,  37,  44,  46,   52,  55,  90,  108,  112   Berlin  .............................  10,  21,  31,  32,  34,  72,  73   Bonn  ....................................................................  21,  55   Francfort  ......................................................................  9   Arabie  Saoudite  ..................................................  51,  85   La  Mecque  ................................................................  74   Australie   Canberra  ...................................................................  52   Autriche  .........................................................................  84  

137

INDEX

Belgique  ...............................................  12,  34,  56,  132   Canada  ...........................................................................  85   Toronto  ...................................................................  129   Chine  ........................................................................  28,  30   Confédération  suisse  .......  16,  44,  55,  76,  78,  110   Danemark  .....................................................................  16   Égypte   Abû  Mînâ  ..................................................................  51   Alexandrie  ...  11,  12,  13,  18,  19,  20,  35,  41,  42,   45,  48,  51,  60,  63,  73,  80,  82,  85,  86,  88,   99,  127,  128,  130   Burg  al-­‐‘Arab  ......................................................  48   Mârînâ  al-­‐‘Alamayn  ..................................  60,  62   Sîdî  Gâbir  .............................................................  86   Delta  ...................................  11,  13,  36,  37,  69,  132   Buhayra  ................................................................  13   Damiette  ...............................................................  37   Mansûra  .....................................................  25,  132   Rosette  ...........................................................  13,  73   Sharqiyya  .............................................................  69   Tantâ  ............................................................  25,  101   Gîza  ..  10,  11,  18,  30,  48,  50,  55,  56,  58,  59,  77,   80,  86,  88,  94,  96,  97,  99,  107,  108,  109,   111,  117,  119,  120,  122,  130   Abûsîr  .....................................................  48,  60,  94   Memphis  ...................................  94,  99,  106,  123   Saqqâra  .....  12,  16,  40,  48,  49,  54,  80,  81,  88,   94,  98,  99,  100,  103,  109,  110,  111,  117,   119,  122   Haute-­‐Égypte  .........  27,  76,  113,  115,  118,  124,   126,  128   Abîdus  ...............................................................  9,  96   Aswân  .............  11,  26,  27,  51,  65,  70,  99,  126   Abû  Simbil  .............................................  26,  128   Philae  ......................................................  99,  100   Asyût  ............................................................  60,  133   Dayr  al-­‐Baharî  .................................................  107   Dayr  al-­‐Madîna  ........................................  67,  100   Isnâ  .........................................................................  52   Louqsor  ....  11,  21,  24,  26,  57,  67,  80,  81,  89,   93,  96,  101,  102,  103,  105,  113,  115,   118,  124,  125,  126,  127,  128,  131,  132   al-­‐‘Assâsîf  ......................................................  124   al-­‐Qurna  ..........................................  96,  97,  115   Karnak  ......................  36,  113,  123,  125,  126   Madînat  Hâbû  ................................................  93   Thèbes  ...................................  96,  97,  100,  131   Nubie  ........  43,  51,  70,  78,  99,  100,  103,  112,   118,  126   Suhâg  ..............................................................  9,  133   Le  Caire  .......................................  60,  83,  84,  85,  99   al-­‐Darb  al-­‐Ahmar  ......................................  16,  53   al-­‐Gamâliyya  ........................................  53,  84,  88   Fustât  ...............................................  23,  51,  58,  67   Héliopolis  ...........................................................  132   Hilwân  ...................................................................  76   Ma‘âdî  ....................................................................  79   Matariyya  ...........................................................  132  

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Vieux-­‐Caire  ....................  38,  40,  41,  63,  79,  86   Moyenne-­‐Égypte   Banî  Swayf  ...................................................  59,  76   Fayyûm  ....  11,  19,  61,  71,  98,  108,  123,  128,   129   Madînat  Mâdî  .................................................  98   Maydûm  ....................................................  59,  76   Hérakléopolis  Magna  ......................................  76   Minyâ  ...................................................  21,  69,  113   al-­‐Bahnasâ  .......................................................  19   Port-­‐Saïd  ...............................  36,  37,  45,  115,  116   Sinaï  .....................  29,  34,  35,  37,  52,  73,  92,  123   Nord-­‐Sinaï  ....................................................  52,  92   Sud-­‐Sinaï  ............................................................  123   Suez  ........  34,  36,  37,  42,  44,  57,  73,  74,  84,  86,   115,  116   Taposiris  Magna  ....................................................  60   Wâdî  al-­‐Natrûn  ......................................................  19   Émirats  arabes  unis  ..................................................  38   Espagne  ................................................  12,  85,  93,  115   États-­‐Unis  .....  16,  28,  35,  37,  44,  46,  66,  93,  122,   128   New  York  ............................  24,  26,  27,  28,  45,  71   Washington  ...........................................  71,  72,  107   France  .  12,  16,  33,  35,  44,  55,  69,  76,  78,  84,  98,   100,  110,  111,  118,  119   Marseille  ...................................................................  79   Paris  16,  63,  72,  73,  80,  83,  99,  109,  111,  113,   126   Géorgie  ........................................................................  123   Grèce  .............................................................  19,  82,  117   Athènes  ............................................................  68,  124   Hongrie  .......................................................................  110   Budapest  ................................................................  110   Iran  ..................................................................................  87   Israël  ................................................................  29,  35,  37   Italie  ....  12,  23,  33,  37,  45,  46,  51,  55,  61,  78,  82,   99,  127,  128   Rome  ............................................................  23,  68,  72   Turin  ..........................................  33,  34,  45,  98,  100   Japon  ................................................................  28,  44,  45   Osaka  ..........................................................................  44   Tokyo  ...................................................  28,  43,  44,  45   Koweït  ...............................................................................  9   Malte  ...............................................................................  55   Palestine  ....................................  34,  35,  36,  124,  125   Gaza  .............................................................................  36   Pays-­‐Bas  ........................................................................  20   Royaume-­‐Uni  ..  15,  16,  17,  44,  52,  53,  54,  55,  59,   64,  78,  93,  94,  95   Londres   15,  16,  17,  43,  51,  52,  59,  64,  71,  72,   73,  80,  81,  96,  106,  110   Singapour  ......................................................................  79   Soudan  ...........................................................................  26   Syrie  .................................................................  34,  35,  41   Turquie  .................................................  52,  61,  84,  100   Constantinople  .......................................................  85   Yémen  .............................................................................  85  

138

INDEX

Noms  de  personnes   ‘Abd  al-­‐‘Alîm  (Fahmî)  ..............................................  25   ‘Abd  al-­‐Fattâh  (Ahmad)  .........................................  18   ‘Abd  al-­‐Maqsûd  (Muhammad)  .....................  35,  60   ‘Afîfî  (Mahmûd)  .........................................................  18   al-­‐‘Attâr  (‘Abdallah)  ..................................  25,  40,  41   al-­‐Asfar  (‘Alî)  ....................  9,  18,  31,  113,  115,  118   al-­‐Damâtî  (Mamdûh)  ....  9,  10,  11,  12,  14,  15,  17,   18,  21,  23,  26,  28,  29,  30,  31,  32,  34,  35,  37,   38,  39,  41,  42,  44,  45,  46,  47,  48,  49,  51,  52,   53,  54,  55,  56,  58,  60,  62,  63,  65,  66,  70,  72,   73,  74,  75,  76,  77,  82,  83,  85,  86,  88,  93,  107,   108,  109,  113,  116,  118,  119,  123,  124,  126,   129,  131,  132,  133   al-­‐Halwagî  (Mahmûd)  ....  72,  118,  123,  127,  128,   130   al-­‐Kahlâwî  (Muhammad)  ......................................  32   al-­‐Nabrâwî  (Ra’fat)  ...................................................  25   AL-­‐QADI  (Galila)  .........................................................  84   al-­‐Shammâ‘  (Bassâm)  .............................................  21   Amîn  (Mustafa)  .................................  25,  29,  52,  132   BARICH  (Barbara)  ....................................................  100   BELOVA  (Galina  A.)  ...................................................  13   BELZONI  (Giovanni)  ................................................  104   BOKOVA  (Irina)  ...........................................................  51   BONAPARTE  (Napoléon)  .........................................  13   BRECCIA  (Evaristo)  ...................................................  99   Burayk  (Mansûr)  .......................................................  18   CAPASSO  (Mario)  .....................................................  100   CARTER  (Howard)  .............  24,  25,  57,  89,  94,  102   CERNY  (Jaroslav)  .....................................................  122   CHAMPOLLION  (Jean-­‐François)  ............................  99   DARNELL  (John)  .......................................................  122   Darwîsh  (Ibrâhîm)  ...................................................  86   DASZEWSKI  (Victor-­‐André)  ...................................  60   DAVOLI  (Paola)  .........................................................  100   DE  LESSEPS  (Ferdinand)  ............................  114,  116   DOURGNON  (Marcel)  ..............................................  127   ERDMANN  (Stefan)  ..........................................  30,  112   FANFONI  (Giuseppe)  ...................................  100,  101   Gâballâh  (Gâballâh  ‘Alî)  ..................................  10,  12   GODDIO  (Franck)  .......................................................  72   GOERLITZ  (Dominique)  .................................  30,  112   Habashî  (Labîb)  .........................................................  99   HAMPIKIAN  (Nairy)  .................................................  101   Hasan  (Fikrî)  ...............................................................  43   Hasan  (Silîm)  ............................................................  122   Hawwâs  (Zâhî)  ......  10,  12,  17,  49,  58,  90,  91,  96,   106,  111,  112,  117,  122   Husnî  (Fârûq)  .............................................................  79   Ibrâhîm  (Haggâgî)  ..................................................  101   Ibrâhîm  (Muhammad)  .............................  18,  24,  31   INNEMÉE  (Karel)  .................................................  19,  20   LEHNER  (Mark)  ................................................  67,  122   Mabrûk  (Mahmûd)  ............................................  92,  93   Mahgûb  (Muhammad)  ............................................  40   Mahrûs  (‘Alâ’)  .............................................................  80   MIDANT-­‐REYNES  (Béatrix)  ..............................  67,  69  

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Mubârak  (Husnî)  .......................................................  86   Mukhtâr  (Gamâl)  .......................................................  99   Nûr  al-­‐Dîn  (‘Abd  al-­‐Halîm)  ....................................  44   PETRIE  (William  Matthew  Flinders)  .......  71,  122   PINTAUDI  (Rosario)  ................................................  100   Rayhân  (‘Abd  al-­‐Rahîm)  .........................................  45   ROSELLINI  (Ippolito)  .......................................  99,  100   Sâlih  (Ahmad)  ......................................  26,  65,  70,  91   Sâlih  (Fathî)  .........................................................  62,  63   SCHIAPARELLI  (Ernesto)  ............................  100,  127   Sharaf  (Ahmad)  ....  23,  32,  33,  44,  46,  52,  73,  82,   86,  92,  115   SOUROUZIAN  (Hourig)  ...........................................  131   Tawfîq  (Sayyid)  ..........................................................  29   TIRADRITTI  (Francesco)  .......................................  100   Yoshimura  (Sakuji)  ..............................  98,  120,  121   Zakî  (Salâh)  ..................................................................  83   ZIVIE  (Alain)  .................................................................  94   Nourrice  ..........................................................................  103   O   Oasis   Bahariyya  .........................................................  102,  112   Dâkhla  ............................................................................  69   Obélisques  ...............................................................  80,  116   Offrande  ...................................................................  73,  119   Oiseaux  ................................................................  20,  34,  79   Faucon  .........................................................................  131   Organisations  internationales   ONU  .................................................................................  32   United  Nations  Educational,  Scientific  and   Cultural  Organisation  (UNESCO)  ...  21,  23,  30,   31,  32,  33,  46,  48,  49,  50,  51,  54,  55,  56,  63,   65,  71,  78,  79,  85,  99,  109,  110,  117   United  States  Agency  for  International   Development  (USAID)  ........................................  32   Ossements  ...........................  35,  36,  83,  90,  105,  128   Ouchebti  ......................................................  118,  126,  127   P   Palais  ............  47,  84,  86,  94,  97,  101,  129,  130,  132   Palais  du  baron  Empain  .......................................  132   Papyrus  ........................................  15,  33,  108,  120,  131   Particuliers   Hémiounou  ................................................................  130   Imhotep  ......................................................................  117   Touya  ...............................................  44,  101,  103,  104   Youya  ...............................................  44,  101,  103,  104   Peinture  ..............................................................  19,  20,  83   Pèlerinage  .................................................................  36,  74   Perle  .....................................................................................  21   Perruque  ............................................................................  28   Phare  .................................................................  13,  60,  116   Pierres  ....  21,  26,  36,  39,  41,  50,  61,  75,  80,  81,  86,   92,  102,  105,  107,  114,  115,  117,  121,  126,  131   Calcaire  ......................................  28,  43,  92,  118,  125   Grès  ...............................................................................  126   Lapis-­‐lazuli  ...................................................................  71  

139

INDEX

Turquoise  ....................................................  74,  95,  104   Place  Tahrîr  .............................  11,  56,  57,  79,  80,  115   Plateau  de  Gîza  10,  11,  50,  55,  77,  80,  86,  97,  107,   108,  111,  119,  120   Polémique  ...........................................  49,  106,  128,  132   Polices  .......  9,  16,  30,  31,  37,  38,  42,  71,  80,  86,  88,   108,  110,  111,  113,  126   Federal  Bureau  of  Investigation  (FBI)  ...........  104   Organisation  INTERnationale  de  POLice   criminelle  (INTERPOL)  .....................  30,  31,  111   Police  du  Tourisme  et  des  Antiquités  21,  27,  41   Pollution  ......................................................  39,  50,  75,  92   Porcelaine  .........................................................................  87   Ports  ......................................................  13,  36,  37,  60,  85   Poterie  ......................................  23,  35,  61,  73,  102,  118   Pount  ..................................................................................  73   Presse   Ahram  Online  ...  9,  16,  17,  21,  22,  23,  27,  29,  30,   37,  38,  42,  47,  49,  52,  53,  54,  59,  62,  63,  64,   66,  70,  71,  72,  75,  76,  79,  81,  82,  83,  85,  88,   89,  96,  97,  98,  108,  109,  113,  115,  118,  124,   125,  126,  128,  129,  130,  132   al-­‐‘Arabî  al-­‐Gadîd  ...............................................  91,  96   al-­‐Ahrâm  ......  9,  16,  21,  22,  26,  27,  32,  37,  41,  42,   45,  47,  50,  52,  56,  64,  65,  71,  72,  74,  82,  87,   93,  98,  110,  115,  123,  124,  125,  128,  131,   132   Al-­‐Ahram  Hebdo  .....  9,  13,  14,  17,  19,  22,  28,  32,   33,  34,  42,  43,  49,  52,  55,  60,  67,  68,  69,  70,   74,  75,  85,  88,  92,  93,  97,  99,  100,  101,  108,   111,  114,  115,  119,  125,  126,  127,  128,  131   Al-­‐Ahram  Weekly  .  10,  12,  15,  16,  20,  25,  26,  34,   37,  39,  41,  42,  45,  46,  49,  50,  51,  58,  62,  75,   79,  81,  87,  91,  96,  106,  107,  108,  112,  115,   116,  117,  121,  123   al-­‐Bashâyyir  ......  16,  17,  24,  50,  63,  96,  108,  113,   132   al-­‐Dustûr  ....  16,  18,  23,  27,  29,  38,  42,  48,  49,  63   al-­‐Masrî  al-­‐Yawm  ....  9,  12,  14,  17,  23,  24,  27,  31,   32,  38,  42,  47,  49,  54,  58,  67,  72,  75,  91,  96,   117,  127,  131   al-­‐Qâhira  .......................................................................  47   al-­‐Sharq  al-­‐Awsat  ............................................  17,  106   al-­‐Shurûq  ..  16,  22,  33,  41,  45,  49,  54,  64,  70,  73,   75,  82,  83,  93,  111,  117,  119,  123,  124,  126,   129,  131,  132,  133   al-­‐Tahrîr  ..................................................  21,  27,  63,  65   al-­‐Watan   16,  17,  21,  24,  29,  49,  72,  92,  96,  110,   113,  119,  124   al-­‐Yawm  al-­‐Sâbi‘  ......  9,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,   21,  23,  26,  29,  31,  33,  38,  41,  42,  45,  46,  47,   50,  51,  52,  53,  54,  58,  62,  63,  67,  70,  72,  73,   74,  75,  76,  79,  81,  82,  87,  89,  92,  98,  108,   110,  111,  112,  117,  118,  119,  123,  124,  125,   126,  128,  129,  132,  133   The  Independent  .......................................................  90   Prêtres  ...............................  21,  26,  102,  113,  116,  118   Puits  .............................................................................  96,  97  

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Pyramides  ....  16,  30,  31,  48,  49,  54,  56,  58,  59,  76,   96,  108,  109,  110,  117,  122,  123,  130   Pyramide  de  Chéops  .......  30,  31,  96,  97,  98,  112,   119,  120,  121,  123   Pyramide  de  Chéphren  ...........................................  31   Pyramide  de  Djoser  ....  48,  49,  54,  109,  110,  117   Pyramide  de  Maydûm  .............................................  59   Pyramide  de  Mykérinos  ......................................  108   R   Radiations   Rayons  laser  .............................................................  121   Rayons  X  ......................................................  94,  95,  105   Radiocarbone  ........................................................  67,  69   Réaménagement  ............  12,  23,  60,  70,  76,  83,  127   Relique  ........................................................................  19,  71   Réplique  archéologique  .....  10,  24,  30,  40,  57,  111,   118,  120   Reptiles   Cobra  .....................................................................  81,  102   Serpent  ........................................................................  132   Restauration  ..  9,  11,  13,  14,  16,  18,  20,  21,  22,  23,   25,  26,  32,  33,  34,  37,  38,  39,  40,  41,  42,  44,  45,   46,  47,  48,  49,  50,  51,  54,  56,  57,  58,  60,  61,  62,   66,  67,  70,  71,  74,  75,  76,  78,  81,  82,  83,  84,  86,   87,  88,  92,  93,  97,  98,  100,  101,  107,  108,  109,   113,  115,  117,  118,  121,  122,  123,  124,  127,   129,  131,  132   Restitution  .....................................................................  110   Roches   Albâtre  .........................................................................  127   Granit  ..........................................  24,  28,  81,  108,  117   Grès  ...............................................................................  126   Marbre  ............................  40,  60,  62,  79,  82,  88,  116   Quartzite  ....................................................................  131   S   Sabîl-­‐s  ..................................................................................  80   Salle  hypostyle  ........................................................  36,  97   Salles  d’enchères   Bonhams  .......................................................................  71   Christie’s  Inc  ..........................  15,  16,  17,  59,  64,  81   Sarcophage  .......  16,  19,  26,  33,  61,  73,  94,  95,  104,   105,  116,  117,  124,  129   Sauvetage  .........................................  24,  43,  47,  99,  100   Scribe  ...........................................................  15,  16,  17,  59   Sérapeum  ..........................................................................  19   Silo  ........................................................................................  35   Son  et  lumière  .....................................  76,  77,  130,  131   Souveraines   Cléopâtre  ...............................................................  44,  45   Hatchepsout  ...............................................  28,  73,  107   Souverains   Ahmosis  .........................................................................  35   Akhenaton  26,  89,  90,  91,  94,  99,  102,  103,  104,   106,  107   Alexandre  le  Grand  ....................................  34,  82,  83   Amenemhat  II  .............................................................  12  

140

INDEX

Amenhotep  1er  ....  26,  81,  97,  101,  103,  104,  107,   108,  113,  130,  132   Amenhotep  II  ......  26,  81,  97,  101,  103,  104,  107,   108,  113,  130,  131   Amenhotep  III  ..  26,  81,  103,  104,  113,  130,  131   Ay  ...................................................................................  102   Cambyse  ........................................................................  34   Chéops  11,  30,  31,  32,  96,  97,  98,  108,  111,  112,   119,  120,  121,  123,  130   Chéphren  .....................................................  31,  94,  108   Djoser  ........................  48,  49,  54,  80,  109,  110,  117   Justinien  ........................................................................  99   Montouhotep  II  .............................................................  9   Mykérinos  ..................................................................  108   Ptolémée  Évergète  1er  ...................................  74,  124   Ptolémée  Évergète  II  .....................................  74,  124   Rahotep  .......................................................................  130   Ramsès  1er  ..  34,  35,  36,  37,  50,  57,  80,  102,  108,   116,  128,  130   Ramsès  II  ....  34,  35,  36,  37,  50,  57,  80,  102,  108,   116,  128,  130   Séthi  1er  ......................................................  9,  35,  36,  37   Smenkhkarê  ............................................  36,  103,  104   Souverains  musulmans   ‘Alî  (Muhammad)  ....  22,  29,  37,  41,  42,  70,  71,   84,  85,  86,  87,  129,  130   al-­‐Rashîd  (Hârûn)  ................................................  75   Ibn  Tûlûn  (Ahmad)  ............................................  119   khédive  Ismâ‘îl  ................................................  74,  83   khédive  Tawfîq  ....................................................  129   Qâytbây  .......................................  13,  16,  63,  88,  89   sultan  Hasan  ...........................................................  22   Thoutmosis  1er  ..........................................  36,  50,  115   Thoutmosis  II  ................  34,  93,  97,  115,  123,  125   Thoutmosis  III  34,  36,  88,  93,  97,  115,  123,  125   Thoutmosis  IV  ..............................  50,  106,  107,  108   Toutankhamon  .....  21,  24,  25,  26,  36,  43,  44,  45,   56,  57,  88,  89,  90,  91,  93,  94,  95,  96,  101,   102,  103,  104,  105,  106,  107,  112,  113,  118,   126,  127,  128   Sphinx  ...  26,  50,  83,  86,  92,  93,  106,  107,  108,  125   Statue  .......  12,  15,  17,  24,  26,  28,  35,  53,  54,  57,  59,   60,  61,  64,  74,  81,  82,  84,  90,  91,  92,  93,  94,  99,   107,  116,  126,  127,  130,  131,  132   Statuette  .....................  16,  17,  21,  118,  125,  126,  127   Stèles  ..........................................................  21,  37,  99,  108   Survey  ......................................................................  60,  121   Symposium  ......................................................................  50   Synagogues  .......................................................  40,  75,  79   Ben  Ezra  .................................................................  75,  79   T   Table  d’offrande  .............................................................  73   Talisman  ............................................................................  21   Tell-­‐s   Tell  al-­‐‘Amârna  ....................  58,  91,  103,  104,  105   Tell  al-­‐Burg  ..................................................................  36   Tell  al-­‐Makhzan  .........................................................  35  

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Tell  al-­‐Maskhûta  ........................................................  35   Temples   Ramesseum  .............................................  93,  125,  126   Temple  d’Abû  Simbil  ................................................  26   Temple  d’Isis  ...............................................................  99   Temple  de  Karnak  ..............................  123,  125,  126   Temple  de  Louqsor  ................................................  132   Textile  ........................................................  29,  38,  85,  129   Tombes  ...............................  44,  54,  60,  61,  62,  80,  101   KV35  .............................................................................  104   KV55  ..........................................  44,  94,  101,  103,  104   Tombe  d’Amenhotep  1er  ......................................  103   Tombe  d’Amenhotep  II  ........................................  103   Tombe  de  Néfertari  .............................  12,  127,  128   Tombe  de  Toutankhamon  (KV62)  .....  24,  44,  57,   102   Tomographie  ..............  89,  90,  94,  96,  104,  105,  106   Tourisme  ..  9,  11,  26,  29,  30,  34,  35,  38,  41,  44,  46,   47,  49,  51,  56,  57,  58,  59,  60,  63,  66,  73,  76,  77,   78,  88,  93,  101,  107,  108,  114,  116,  128,  129,   130   Transfert  .......................................................  98,  113,  130   Tremblement  de  terre  ................  39,  40,  61,  75,  131   Trône  .............................................  91,  97,  107,  127,  129   U   Unesco  World  Heritage  List  ..............................  30,  51   Universités   Brigham  Young  University  (BYU)  .........  128,  129   Liverpool  University  ................................................  95   Pennsylvania  State  University  ..........................  112   Trinity  University  ......................................................  35   Université  d’Hilwân  ..................................................  76   Université  de  la  Sorbonne  .............................  35,  36   Université  de  Tantâ  ...............................................  101   Université  du  Caire  ........  10,  55,  84,  91,  103,  117   University  of  Cambridge  ........................................  40   Uniwersytet  Warszawski  .......................................  60   Waseda  University  ...............................  98,  120,  121   Yale  University  ........................................................  122   V   Vallées   Vallée  des  momies  dorées  ..................................  102   Vallée  des  Reines  ....................................................  127   Vallée  des  Rois  ....................  24,  26,  89,  93,  94,  102   Vandalisme  ....................................................................  131   Vases  ....................................................................  28,  71,  73   Vase  canope  ...............................................  28,  73,  126   Verre  ...........................................................  20,  32,  67,  127   Vierge  Marie  .....................................................................  19   Vin  ........................................................................................  35   Vol  .  9,  10,  21,  22,  23,  30,  31,  37,  42,  70,  71,  72,  96,   102,  110,  112,  124   W   Wakâla-­‐s   Wakâlat  Qâytbây  ................................................  88,  89  

141

INDEX

Z  

BIA L — Juillet/Décembre 2014

Zone  piétonne  .........................................................  39,  84  

142