Plan Set for The Egyptology Department
By Dr. Mohamed El Saghir
The Egyptology Department main responsibilities concentrate on the preservation and conservation of all Ancient Egyptian Monuments. How to get the utmost benefit of the restored building is another worry to be added to Egyptologists working in a department that covers all the archaeological sites in Egypt whether in Lower Egypt, Cairo and Giza or Upper Egypt.
Dr. El Saghir is leading his team efficiently towards the constant preservation of the actual sites or the newly discovered ones, some restorations last years, as precision is always required, but priority is given to urgent requirements. Dr. El Saghir, head of the department is leading these projects efficiently as he always is. He spares no efforts for the accomplishment of his responsibilities that range from encouraging his employees to the termination of the work in due time.
Horr Moheb Temple, Gabal El Silsila in Kom Ombo
This project started in 1997 and will
terminate in December 1999. The SCA restorers executed a great work in this temple
including the chapels that spread over 1km of the Silsila mountain located at the West
Bank of the Nile. Routes leading to the temple were properly paved and the course of the
Nile deepened in order to facilitate the sail of the ships in the area. A quay is to be
built in this purpose. The site will be opened for visitors as from January 2000.
The Red Compartment, El Karnak
This is a co-operative project
between SCA and the Franco-Egyptian Centre for Preservation and Reservation at El Karnak
aiming to the rebuilt of the Red Chapel of Queen Hatchepsut. An open-air Museum is already
set for visitors as the project started in 1997. Termination is expected to be in
December99.
Ninth Pylon, El Karnak
This project started in 1975 and
mainly consists of dismantling the western tower of the pylon. 15 000 blocks with
inscriptions dating from Akhnaten reign are to be extracted from the tower that shall be
rebuilt. All possible measures for preservations were taken by a well competent team.
Remains only a small area in the upper part to be covered and the pylon is ready by
December 1999, as the project had started in 1975.
Seti I Temple, El Korna
The German Institute is undertaking the
responsibility of this project together with the SCA archaeologists as from 1996.
Restoration of the main building and the annexes as well as the walls is part of the
project. The floor and alleys are paved and the sacred lake preserved. Completion is due
in December 1999.
Abou Sir, North Saqqara
The SCA employees started in 1997 to
restore Abou Sir the area north Saqqara. They restored Ptah Shepses tomb and Sahure
funerary Temple. Many other tombs were included in the project. Routes were paved and a
special building was erected for the personnel. Completion is due in December 1999.
Tombs and Temples, Bahareya Oasis
The SCA started to preserve the area tombs
and temples as from 1996. These monuments refer to various periods. Termination is due in
December 1999.
El Badary, Assiut
Restoration and preservation of Hamamieh
tombs and Ezbet Youssef are part of the general plan set by the SCA. The project started
in 1998 and developed monuments are to be delivered in December 1999.
North Sinai, Sinai
SCA started in 1995 restoration of forts,
citadels, and churches in Pelusium, El Farama and Tell Habwa. A training center is
established and completion is due in December 1999.
Mariam Tree, El Matareya
Reputed businessmen subsidize this project
that mainly consists of planning and enlarging the site. The well is to be cleaned, it is
known that the area is part of the holy family's route.
Tombs in West Bank, Luxor
SCA is undertaking the project of
preserving and restoring completely Meren Ptah tomb and Senemut tomb located in the west
bank of Luxor. These tombs are to be ready for visitors in December 1999.
Isis Temple, Aswan
The SCA within the framework of the
general restoration plan is preserving the temple to receive visitors in December. The
unfinished obelisk in Aswan is also subject to the same interest granted to the major
monuments in the area. Completion is due in December 1999.
Happy New Year All
Naglaa Habib El Zahlawi