Egyptian monuments - World heritage sites in peril

video egypt monumentsAncient Egyptians believed in a natural order so supreme that even the gods had to act according to it. Maat, as this moral source of authority was known, was represented as a female divinity, similar to our metaphor of Mother Nature. The Sun God Re rose every morning because Maat had ordained it so. The Nile flooded and receded because of Maat.

Ancient Egyptians were not capable of altering this divine order, but modern Egyptians can and we are already seeing its negative consequences. Pollution and the spreading of villages and agricultural land closer to ancient historical sites are threatening this world heritage. The building of the Aswan Dam now allows agricultural irrigation throughout the year, keeping the soil permanently wet. Groundwater level is constantly rising and seeping into the foundations of the ancient monuments, putting these "eternal" structures in peril and irretrievable doom.

Eons ago, the Mediterranean Sea covered much of present day Egypt. That's why Egypt has so much limestone, formed by fossilized marine fauna. It also explains the presence of salt minerals in the river water. Limestone and sandstone were used to build the ancient monuments we cherish so much today. But salt has a disastrous effect on these rocks. As more land is robbed from the desert and put to use as agricultural land to feed an ever growing population of 80 million Egyptians, the water table under the ancient monuments rises. Salt gets deposited and reacts chemically with the stone, turning into a crystal compound that cracks the rock and crumbles it into dust. The process is most damaging to the surface of the walls and columns, where the reliefs are slowly erased and the paint peels off. In only ten more years we could lose this ancient heritage, unless remedial steps are immediately taken.

In the meantime, the Epigraphic Survey of the Oriental Institute continues its effort to produce photographs and precise line drawings of the inscriptions and relief scenes on major temples and tombs at Luxor, so a permanent record can be kept for future generations. Drainage systems are being installed to lower the ground water levels closer to the temples and tombs.

Water is not the only factor that threatens the preservation of Egypt's cultural legacy. Not long ago, tourism in Egypt was a pastime for the wealthy. Now, it is estimated that 8 million people visit Egypt yearly. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism aims to double that figure by 2016. Egyptologists claim that the fragile monuments are not capable of sustaining such level of visitors.

If people weren't fascinated by ancient Egypt and tourism were not a significant contributor to the economy of modern Egypt, these monuments might not have survived careless abandonment or destruction by religious fanatics. To solve this conundrum, this website promotes responsible tourism, by raising consciousness of the invaluable importance of ancient Egyptian monuments, art, history and culture as a legacy of Egypt to all humanity. The Ministry of Tourism is enforcing regulations and building the necessary infrastructure to handle the increasing number of visitors from all over the world. We as travelers must exercise the proper conduct and respect as we get in contact with these invaluable treasures, as well as support all the efforts conducted by egyptologists, scholars and the scientific community to preserve the universal legacy of ancient Egyptian culture.

Sustainable Tourism Pledge


logo world monuments fund

Grateful acknowlegment to World Monuments Fund
for providing us with this reprint of their pledge.

To sign the pledge, please visit:
http://www.wmf.org/action/sustainable-tourism-pledge

1. Before you travel, read up on the history and culture of your destination. Use the internet to get leads on local specialties and off-the-beaten-path sites from locals and other travelers. Learn a few basic phrases in your destination’s local language.

2. Walking/biking/trekking or exploring one place in depth is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint (and more rewarding than if-this-is-Tuesday-it-must-be-Belgium tours). At urban destinations, walk or take public transit whenever possible. You’ll see more and avoid getting stuck in rush-hour traffic!

3. Conservation should always be on a traveler’s mind: whatever helps the environment, such as recycling or staying in an eco-friendly hotel, also protects heritage.

4. Show respect for and interest in the local culture. At sacred sites, dress modestly, speak softly, and be mindful of people who are there to worship. Seek out local celebrations and festivals – they can provide a unique glimpse into local culture and are a fun way to meet locals, sample traditional foods, and learn about your destination’s heritage.

5. Visit lesser-known places—they may be far more rewarding (not to mention less crowded) than tourist hotspots. The Taj Mahal may be a must-see, but India has more than 25 other spectacular World Heritage Sites.

6. Be mindful of visitor wear and tear. Visiting crowded sites at off-peak hours or popular destinations in the off- or shoulder-seasons will reduce your impact. Stick to marked paths. Wear sensible footwear such as sneakers; heels can damage fragile sites. Don’t climb on monuments or touch rock carvings, as it can damage them.

7. Take only photographs, and make sure that a flash is permitted. Be aware of local traditions when photographing people and when in doubt, ask permission before snapping a picture. Never remove anything from a site: you may think one stone won’t be missed, but if every one of Pompeii’s two million annual visitors took something home, soon there’d be nothing left.

8. Support the local economy by buying crafts from local artisans as souvenirs. Be wary of “antiquities” as these could be looted or forgeries. Patronize smaller hotels and local restaurants rather than mega-resorts and chains – that way the money you spend boosts the local economy and helps preserve heritage.

9. Help threatened sites, either through donations to organizations like the World Monuments Fund or by volunteering—either in your community or on a “voluntourism” trip. There are many opportunities to combine travel and volunteerism, and ways to help range from building houses to participating in archeological digs.

10. Educate friends and family about responsible heritage tourism. Raise awareness by sharing your experiences on Facebook, Flickr, or your own travel blog.

Subscribe now and keep updated on this and other popular topics about Egypt

Hotel icon restaurant icon activities icon flight icon


ADVERTISE HERE


MULTIMEDIA




ADVERTISE HERE



EGYPT WORLD HERITAGE SITES

• Abu Mena (1979)
• Cultural site Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (1979)
• Cultural site Historic Cairo (1979)
• Cultural site Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (1979)
• Cultural site Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (1979)
• Cultural site Saint Catherine Area (2002)
• Natural site Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (2005)

Source: UNESCO

tourists