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Egyptian News Roundup
Antiquity Developments
This month there have been several major news items on Egypt,
particularly including exploration of the ancient underwater city
of Herakleion and a discovery that ancient Egypt is not known for,
that of gigantic dinosaur remains. Though not a major discovery,
it is also important to point out that the Pyramid of Menkaure has
been closed for conservation.
Herakleion
Giant statues, a well-preserved stela, gold and more have been
uncovered by Franck Goddio, also well known for his exploration of
the Alexandria harbor. 1,200 years ago, an earthquake sent this
important pharaonic harbor and the nearby cities of Canopus and
Menouthis to the bottom of the Mediterranean. Houses, temples,
giant statues, a coliseum and other structures remain below the
sea's surface. Herakleion was a flourishing customs port until the
founding of Alexandria.
Dinosaurs in Egypt
Egypt has never been known as a hotbed for the discovery of
dinosaur remains, but through the efforts of the Egyptian Geologic
Survey and the US’s Pennsylvania University mission, one of the
largest dinosaurs ever discovered has been unearthed. Measuring 30
meters and weighing in at 75 tons, this new discovery is adding to
the fame of the Bahariya Oasis in the western desert. There are 13
other dinosaur sites in the Oasis, which has already garnered
additional notoriety for the recently discovered valley of the
Golden Mummies.
Pyramid of Menkaure
The smallest of the great Giza pyramids has been closed due to
high humidity levels inside the tomb chamber. This is often the
result of increased visitors, leading to salt deposits on the
inner walls, which must be removed mechanically. The work on the
Menkaure pyramid should be finished by the end of this year, at
which time the Great Pyramid of Khufu is scheduled for closing for
a similar treatment. (More information about this closing will be
provided as it is made available.)
Other Antiquity News
Provided things go as planned, the Red Gallery in Hatshepsut's
temple on the west bank at Luxor will be open for viewing in
November. This project involved the assembly of 300 archaeological
pieces of stone.
A new museum, the National Museum of Alexandria, will be
established in the Bassili Pasha Palace in Alexandria. It will
present different eras of Egyptian civilization particularly from
the Alexandria era.
Another new cultural museum will be built from the luxurious
palace that once belonged to Princess Fatima. Displays will
include rare paintings of the Royal family of Egypt, along with
works of art created by some of Egypt's most famous artists.
The pharaonic village of Athar Al-Bwayb has been discovered in
the hills of the Dakahlia governate. Finds include a rare statue
of the child Horus. However, the surprise in this year's dig was a
second village found beneath the first, dating some 400 years
older then the upper village. It to appears to be in remarkable
condition, retaining wear marks on the doors from continuous
opening and closing.
Many of the monuments in Old Cairo are being restored, and a
few additions, such as a tourist market in Al-Fustat are being
created. While this project has been underway for some time,
restoration is nearing completion, which includes churches,
mosques and even storefronts.
The ever-intriguing Cleopatra remained in the news this month,
mostly surrounded by arguments concerning her beauty. Well,
actually there has been little argument, as the original story
questioning her form by the British museum has not been much
repeated. But there sure seem to be a lot of sources interested in
arguing the point.
Travel News
Almost constantly in the news this month has been the opening
of the Bibliotheca Alexandria. Every effort seems to be taking
place to identify this beautiful facility with the ancient Library
of Alexandria, which was a world-renowned center of
intellectualism and learning. Indeed, the new library is expected
to house a vast digital catalog and act as a center for dialogue
between peoples, cultures and civilizations.
A crackdown has been ordered, by the Egyptian government, on
‘noisy mosques’. This is not to say that the melodic prayer
call has been changed, but rather that other speeches made from
mosque loud speakers are to be abated. How well the crackdown will
be received is yet to be determined.
While other travel news primarily revolved around the Eastern
and Western deserts with new attractions to promote tourism, this
is not to say that classical Egyptian travel is out of vogue. In
fact, due to increasing traffic and pier shortages, the Egyptian
government is scheduled to build 170 new docks for floating hotels
between Luxor and Aswan.
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