Egypt's archaeologists threaten to strike

Hurriyet Daily News ^ | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

A group of Egyptian archaeologists has threatened to strike on Sunday unless a minister is appointed to deal with archaeology-related affairs, according to reports.

The threat came in light of the repeated thefts and lootings of Egyptian artifacts and relics, daily Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

The archaeologists sent a letter to Prime Minister Essam Sharaf in which they demanded the appointment of either a minister or a head of an independent body affiliated to the Cabinet.

In the letter, Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, the director of the Central Administration for Antiquities in Alexandria and Lower Egypt warned of the seriousness of the situation, saying that it "has resulted in the total paralysis in the decision-making process needed for the continuance of archaeological work."

Maqsoud also said the current lack of any responsible official had hindered the work of the permanent committees of Egyptian antiquities, which are responsible for granting approval to foreign missions to work at archaeological sites.

They have also been hindered in making other decisions related to work at archaeological sites that require the approval of the appropriate official or his representative, he said.

[SunkenCiv]

This file photo from Feb. 10, 2011, shows Luxor's deserted Karnak temple in Upper Egypt, home to the country's most famous archaeological sites, which have seen less tourists since the uprising against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak. AFP photo.

(sure, but they've also had fewer time to consider the ramifications)

[SunkenCiv]

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[hal ogen]

Thank goodness we visited Egypt a couple years ago for a couple weeks. The archeological sites throughout the country were stunning and wonderful. We only hope the Egyptians come to their senses and join the civilized world rather than deteriorating into a pile of shiite.

[MHGinTN]

The mooselimbs ruined Egypt. Only a small percventage of the population is now Egyptian heritage, the rest are Arab mogrels who invaded under the ‘flag’ of the moon goddess al allah.

[myheroesareDeadandRegistered]

He thinks things are bad now...I`d lay odds that the Muslim Brotherhood will be doming the top of the Great Pyramid inside of 10 years.

[ladyvet]

I've been following a group of archaeologists that have been reporting on Egypt since the uprising. The looting that is going on all over the country is just awful. I fear it will only get worse.

[Tennessee Nana]

You do and I’ll tell my Mummy...

[JoeProBono]

[TheOldLady]

LOL! The Grammarian strikes again. ;-D

I have to admit that I was distracted by that too.

[onedoug]

I´m surprised the muslim maniacs haven´t tried to tear it down yet.

[colorado tanker]

LOL! The difference between less and fewer is a pet peeve of mine too.

[SunkenCiv]

I’d post a longer response, but I wanna wrap this up.

[SunkenCiv]

It's only fair that I throw this at myself for a change:

[TheOldLady]

Sometimes ya just get dang tired of bitin’ yer tongue.