Egypt has always had to contend with grave robbers – but the problem has become even worse since the revolution: Robbers are not only clearing out burial chambers, but also plundering museums, as the archaeological treasures are no longer adequately guarded. In August of this year, intruders stormed the archaeological museum of Mallawi in the southern province of Al-Minia. They overturned display cases and destroyed statues that were too heavy to carry away. Almost the entire collection disappeared. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo had already been looted in January 2011, where rioters also destroyed many exhibits. Furthermore, illegal excavations have unfortunately become part of everyday life since the revolution, as the theft of antiquities is a very profitable business. According to Unesco, religious buildings in several cities have also been destroyed. – The destruction of cultural assets has reached a new level with the current wave of looting.
The reason for this is the lack of monitoring of historical sites: After the uprisings, the security apparatus had withdrawn. Today, although the police are back on the streets, they are mainly occupied with the recurring protests. There are various motivations behind these attacks on cultural heritage: On the one hand, fanatical Islamists want to get rid of the remnants of the “pagan pharaohs”. On the other hand, the general anger towards the state is also being discharged in acts of violence against state institutions. Above all, however, ancient art objects can be turned into money.
UNESCO is very concerned about the country’s cultural heritage. The Director-General of the UN Educational and Cultural Organization, Irina Bokova, spoke of “irreparable damage to the history and identity of the Egyptian people”. The Unesco Director-General called for museums, historical sites and monuments to be protected. The authorities in Egypt should also stop the trade in stolen cultural assets. Let’s hope that conditions in Egypt improve quickly, because “Egypt’s unique cultural heritage is not only a legacy of the past with its eventful history, but also a legacy for future generations,” said Unesco Director-General Bokova.