Egyptian Pyramids and Museums Under Guard After Looters Destroy Mummies
Egypt's National Treasures, Including Mummies and Pyramids, Are at Risk
According to an ABC World News Report, after 50 Egyptian looters broke into Cairo's most famous museum, they smashed showcases and relics and broke the heads off of two mummies, though Zahi Hawass, the director of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, has reassured reporters that nothing of great value was damaged or taken.
Now, however, armed soldiers both patrol the inside of the Egyptian museum and ring the outside, protecting over 120,000 national treasures, including the majority of the famed King Tutankhamen collection.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has made an appeal to Egypt, asking the country to protect its national heritage. The UNESCO statement urged Egypt to safeguard its treasures, saying that the value of the Egyptian museum's artifacts "is inestimable, not only in scientific or financial terms, but because they represent the Egyptian people's cultural identity." The report added that in response to the looters' attack on the county's cultural gem, "hundreds of citizens spontaneously formed a chain around the museum to protect it."
The Giza Pyramids have also experienced some looting, according to a report on Allvoices, though reports conflict on the extent of the damage. Dr. Gerry Scott, director of the American Research Center in Egypt, also reports that looters attempted to break into the Karnak temple, but were held off by locals, who realize the importance of protecting not only their cultural heritage but a main source of tourism, which pumps revenue into their ailing economy.
Egyptian soldiers now guard the pyramids as well.
Since the Egyptian government has cut off Internet access and cell phones across the country, it will now be hard for those interested in the future of Egypt's mummies, pyramids, and cultural heritage to keep up-to-date on the status of those treasures.
If the Egyptian protesters succeed in overthrowing their government and ousting President Mubarak, they will be the second Arab nation in a very short period of time to do so, following Tunisia's successful protests last month.
Sources: Ned Potter, "Egypt: Pyramids, King Tut, and Museums Caught in Crisis," ABC News
"UN Agency Appeals for Protection of Egypt Treasures," Reuters
Medeshi, "Egypt: Giza Pyramids Damaged by Looters," Allvoices
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