Aswan & the Upper Nile

As of 30th January, Aswan museums reported to be untouched.  This has been confirmed by Dr Mike Jenkins in a comment on this page on 31st January.

Got a phone call through to Aswan. Army is said to have secured the Nubian Museum. The Aswan Museum on Elephantine was approached by looters but report says that they were turned back by locals. Streets said to be quiet with army visible but no police.

On 2nd February, Dr Hawass reported that all monuments and sites in the Aswan area are safe but the situation remains fluid.

On the night of 23rd (22nd?) February, thieves raided the south quarry to try to steal a 160 ton statue of Ramses II as Osisris.  Fortunately archaeologists and locals rallied to prevent the raid and the looters were arrested; however as the picture (courtesy SCA) shows, not before the statue suffered some deep gouges.

El Kom Al Ahmer

Luxor Times reports that would-be looters were arrested at El Kom Al Ahmer near Edfu in early March 2011.

Last modified: March 3rd, 2011

9 responses to “Aswan & the Upper Nile”

  1. Daniel Jackson

    The rock graffiti in Wadi Abu Subeira are under huge threat from mining activities. More details are linked:

    http://per-storemyr.net/2012/04/06/wadi-abu-subeira-egypt-palaeolithic-rock-art-on-the-verge-of-destruction/#

  2. Daniel Jackson

    More information concearning the looting attempt at the aswan south quarry:

    “He [Hawass] added that thieves equipped with drilling tools had tried to carve the statue out from the quarry (…)”
    http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/329120

    Which raises the question if there is any damage to the statue.

  3. Daniel Jackson

    Some people have been arrested when they tried to break into Al Kom Al Ahmar near Edfu.

    More Information here:
    http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-ministry-of-antiquities.html

  4. Dr Mike Jenkins & Ms Patricia Kempa
    1. kate

      Sorry, I should have added this myself. Done now. Thanks for the prompt.

  5. pam cressey

    Some years back an individual came to visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and stayed several weeks to study our methods. He was returning to Aswan to begin the museum there. While I can’t recall his full name, we knew him as Ossama–I believe he has continued there over the years. Is anyone in contact with him?

  6. Lauren

    Aswan is still calm with no damage done according to Dr Salima Ikram

  7. Dr Mike Jenkins

    11.15 local time 31 Jan – Got a phone call through to Aswan. Army is said to have secured the Nubian Museum. The Aswan Museum on Elephantine was approached by looters but report says that they were turned back by locals. Streets said to be quiet with army visible but no police.
    No word on monuments to the south of Aswan nor the fate of the Nobles Tombs on the West Bank.

    1. kate

      Thanks Mike, it is good to have some news from Aswan
      Kate

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