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Aftermath of the Attack
Photograph by Roger Anis, El Shorouk/AP
Amid the deadly chaos that has erupted in Egypt, the country's cultural heritage took a hit last week when looters ransacked the archaeological museum in the town of Mallawi.
Located about 190 miles (300 kilometers) south of Cairo, the museum was opened in 1963 to showcase the finds from excavations at nearby sites.
"The museum contained irreplaceable artifacts, many not yet studied," says Salima Ikram, a professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo. "The looting leaves enormous gaps in our understanding of ancient Egyptian religious and funerary rites."
Housed in a modest, two-story building, the museum's galleries displayed a wide range of objects—animal mummies, votive statues, religious offerings, brightly painted wooden coffins, necklaces of stone beads, a ritual rattle known as a sistrum, funerary masks, amulets, statues from tombs, stone trays for sacred oils, jars that once held the internal organs of an Egyptian now long dead—all of which had survived in remarkably good condition for more than 2,000 years.
According to local news reports, looters—as yet unidentified—broke into the museum while supporters of recently deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi were holding a sit-in protest in the museum's garden. From the 1,089 artifacts on exhibit, an estimated 1,050 were stolen.
After the looters had departed, gangs of what one source calls "local bad boys" entered the building and began to burn and smash what was left.
In the photo shown here, debris from the rampage surrounds large artifacts that were too bulky to haul off.
This incident is just the latest of countless attacks on Egypt's archaeological riches since the 2011 revolution.
During the protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square that ended the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak, looters broke into the Egyptian Museum—home of one of the world's foremost archaeological collections—and made off with about 50 artifacts. Many are still missing.
The country's continuing turmoil has led to lax security at archaeological sites and storerooms throughout the country, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Reports of looting have surfaced everywhere from Abu Rawash and Abusir to El Hibeh and Luxor.
Looting is certainly not a new phenomenon in Egypt. It was as lucrative in antiquity as it is today. Almost as soon as the paint was dry in the tombs of the rich and powerful, robbers would break in and grab what wealth they could. Even the tomb of King Tut was a target. Experts believe looters got in twice, stuffed their pockets, and left jewelry strewn along the exit passage as they fled from guards.
What's different today is the scale—selling antiquities is a global business, and it's booming.
To help warn dealers and collectors away from the Mallawi loot, Egyptologists are turning to social media to publicize the objects as quickly as possible. A group on Facebook called Egypt's Heritage Task Force is leading the effort. Their page includes a growing collection of artifact photos sent in by people who visited the museum in recent years. As of this morning it showed almost 900 images.
Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have catalogued what has been lost and sent the list to UNESCO for publication in Arabic and English on its website. They are now salvaging what they can from the ruined galleries and encouraging looters to return priceless treasures that testify to the glory of ancient Egypt and the infinite possibilities of human creativity.
—A.R. Williams
Published August 23, 2013
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Flash of Gold
Photograph from Rouge/Demotix
A wooden sarcophagus with a gilded face, likely from the Ptolemaic period (305 to 30 B.C.), was toppled in the melee but seems to have suffered little damage.
Published August 23, 2013
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Grave Words
Photograph by Roger Anis, El Shorouk/AP
Hieroglyphic texts cover the side of a wooden coffin left behind by the looters. This artifact likely was excavated at Tuna el-Gebel, an ancient pilgrimage site that includes a private cemetery from the Greco-Roman period (305 B.C. to A.D. 300). Guards have reportedly been posted there to prevent looting of the tombs.
Published August 23, 2013
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Utter Ruin
Photograph from Rouge/Demotix
This ravaged gallery once held statues and mummies of baboons. In the ancient Egyptian pantheon, those creatures represented Thoth, the god of writing and knowledge.
Published August 23, 2013
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The Way Things Were
Photograph courtesy Francois Tonic
Before the attack, antique display cases of polished wood and glass filled this spacious gallery.
Published August 23, 2013
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Abducted Princess
Photograph by Alain Guilleux
A small stone statue of King Akhenaten's daughter (18th dynasty, 1352-1336 B.C.) was among the stolen artifacts.
Published August 23, 2013
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Sacred Statue
Photograph by Richard Barnes, National Geographic
This graceful, gilded ibis of wood and bronze stood in a display case before the looting. Dating from the Greco-Roman era (300 B.C. to A.D. 300), it was a votive object that a pilgrim probably left reverently at Tuna el-Gebel. Like baboons, ibises symbolized the god Thoth.
Published August 23, 2013
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Votive Objects
Photograph by Alain Guilleux
Intricately wrapped in linen, these mummies of sacred birds came from the catacombs of Tuna el-Gebel. Millions of ibises and their eggs, mostly from the Greco-Roman period (305 B.C. to 300 A.D.), once filled walls of niches in the underground galleries that stretch for more than a mile and a half (three kilometers).
Published August 23, 2013
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Portrait of the Dead
Photograph by Salina Ikram, the American University in Cairo
A mask of painted plaster once lay atop a mummy from the Roman period (first or second century A.D.)
Published August 23, 2013
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Face Vase
Photograph by Salima Ikram, the American University in Cairo
A ceramic vessel from Tuna el-Gebel bears the grotesque features of the god Bes, often considered a protector of families. Ibis eggs were discovered inside the vase, which dates to the dynasty of Cleopatra's family (305 to 30 B.C.).
Published August 23, 2013
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Religious Relics
Photograph by Salina Ikram, the American University in Cairo
Eggs from sacred ibises nestle in a basket made of papyrus reeds. The ibises were likely bred at Tuna el-Gebel to be mummified and sold to pilgrims as votive offerings.
Published August 23, 2013
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Devoted Couple
Photograph by Salina Ikram, the American University in Cairo
A stone statue from the time of the great Egyptian pyramids (fifth dynasty, 2494-2345 B.C.) shows a man and his wife. It was likely placed in their tomb at the cemetery of Tehna as a focal point for the family, friends, and neighbors who visited to perform rituals of devotion.
Published August 23, 2013
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Broken Marriage
Photograph from Rouge/Demotix
Marauding teenagers smashed this statue of the married couple from Tehna. "It was fine for almost 5,000 years until that moment," says Salima Ikram, a former National Geographic research grantee. Looters probably left it behind because it was too heavy to carry.
Published August 23, 2013
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The Cleanup
Photograph by Monica Hanna
Volunteers and personnel from the Ministry of Antiquities hurry to move heavy objects from the Mallawi Museum before protests begin to roil in the streets once again.
Archaeological officials have offered a small reward for the return of looted artifacts, no questions asked. So far about 15 pieces have surfaced. Three pieces of papyrus bearing Demotic texts were left at the museum door just this morning.
Everything is now being sent to a secure storehouse in nearby al-Ashmounein. There, conservators are beginning to assess the damage before they undertake the long, painstaking process of restoration.
Published August 23, 2013
34 comments
It only takes a few bad apples. I'm sure the vast majority of Egyptians fully appreciate their great heritage. Now, the Bamiyan Buddha statues which were willfully destroyed in Afghanistan in 2001, that's was beyond words.
This, and other similar incidents just sicken me. I once served in Intelligence on a US Army -Arts, Monuments & Archives team. In a reorganization (80's) funds were cut back. Remember when we came into Iraq, and shortly there after the Museum was looted. I felt we'd fallen short in or responsibility there. Intelligence about what is there, and what needs to be secured is essential in maintaining the culture for the future, regardless of the current situation. History will tell you that it's a classic tactic of war not only to cut off food, water and shelter, but to destroy or rape that which is enduring to the people.
ce sont des créatures nuisibles qui ne s'attaquent aux musées et aux intellectuels que parce qu'ils représentent ce qu'ils ne seront et n'auront jamais !
On the bright side, most of the loot will wind up in Russia, well cared for in the collections of mafia oligarchs. At least it will be safer than it was in Egypt.
The tip of the iceberg. If these religious-inspired and sanctioned animals get control of a city or country that is not of their belief, they will obliterate it in the name of THEIR deity. Don't excuse because of ancient grave robbers -- different time, different Twitter account.
Let me hear again how the Egyptian authorities are demanding the return from Great Britain of ancient treasures like the Rosetta Stone because it is "their heritage". For years the Stone sat in a case open to be touched in London with the belief that no one in a civilized world would damage such an artifact. It would last fifteen minutes in the New Egypt because it predates the Prophet by 700 years. Maybe Egyptian authorities ought to cool it until civilization returns to their land -- one of the places that invented civilization millennia ago.
And in the meantime point to the burning of Christian churches that stood for 1600 years as clear evidence animals roam the streets unchecked!
Egypt’s Coptic Christians face unprecedented reprisals from the Muslim Brotherhood
The Evangelical Church of Malawi was ransacked, looted and burned Thursday as supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi took out their anger at Coptic Christians. (Associated Press)
why would people do this, this is the saddest thing i have ever seen, i've always wanted to go and visit thee items, was about to go before the major riots and then had to wait, now, i wont ever get to, I am completely broken hearted
non è stato riportato correttamente ciò che ho scritto prima es:di avere ONU valore (era di avere un valore e erano e sono ONU invece è un )
Quello che anno fatto i saccheggiatori nel museo è una vera vergogna ,non sanno (sono ,scusate ,dei poveri ignoranti !!!!!! )di avere un valore e una testimonianza del loro passato inestimabili .Erano e sono un patrimonio di tutta l'umanità e quindi esigono rispetto .Se tutto ciò piano piano viene distrutto ,i nostri figli non avranno niente,avranno solo qualche testimonianza su libri o filmati ,ritengo doveroso continuare a proteggere le cose meravigliose che ci sono state tramandate!!!!!!!!!!!!
Their actions are the real legacy of humanity, not the artifacts that were stolen. Most people aren't noble, they are just theives laying in wait for an opportunity. It makes no difference if it is a mob, a mugger, or a Wall Street fat cat preying on the Middle Class. They are all just thieves.
Espero que recuperen los tesoros, que el Museo del Cairo este resguardado y que respeten todos sus templos y edificaciones son un testimonio de la cultura invaluable,
a curse on anyone involved in this! selfish, greedy, thoughtless, bastards; all of them.
To begin with who looted the pyramids.. on whose permission you brought these artifacts from the pyramids to the Museum...who gave you the authority...taking these out from the pyramids is no different from the Taliban destroying the Buddha...shame on you the bigot modern world...You leave a Will.. just because you are dead..and the government changes the law and says "we no longer honor dead peoples Will"......how would you feel.. this is similar.. they built the pyramid to stay there.....it was their Will and the modern world did not honor it...
This is simply barbaric. Such beautiful works of art, rich with history, pillaged and ruined by the cowardice acts of vandals. Although this is in Egypt, we should all feel robbed. These ancient relics are a part of our world history. Such deeply saddening news.
This is why all museums need to be created bearing in mind potential problems - i.e. bombing, natural disasters, capricious national politics, wars etc. If I had my way they'd all be in fallout shelters. There's no point in digging things up to be destroyed or abused before we have fully understood them - or to deprive future generations of them. It is an enormous responsibility and should be fully treated as such.
Let's also not forget that in some parts of the world, current religions despise the old ones and have despoiled some sites of world importance.
I hope our possession of the Elgin Marbles (more correctly the Parthenon Marbles) will prove to be for the greater good. So far, quite possibly..
What a tragedy. I hope at least some of the items are returned...but I'm not getting my hopes up. The destruction of knowledge and culture is beyond criminal. The theft of it, even more so.
These are the very people who claim to be religious followers. They refuse an education to their women. Believe what their mullahs tell them to believe. And are so backward, they have no place in the world of civilized beings. Sadly, we have them all over the world, but the Near East and North Africa seems to have more than their fair share.
that was just a disgrace what they did to their national treasures. now future generations won't have a chance to enjoy the fine things from the past too.
How do we as humans bring into this world, worthless idiots with no common sense or decency and no respect for anything.
This just breaks my heart to see what brainless people do. How do we as humans bring into this world, worthless idiots with no common sense or decency and no respect for anything.
This and earlier looting in Iraq convincingly refutes arguments for repatriating such objects from safer countries and indeed allowing them to be held where governments cannot or will not protect them securely over the long term. The only claim Egypt has to these artifacts is territorial. Politically, religiously, culturally, and even genetically present day Egypt has little in common with ancient Egyptian civilization. Surely the interests of the overwhelming majority of people in the world trumps the "national pride" of Egypt or any country.
@Crystal Skelly don't be sad. actually it's know locally that the Egyptian relics are so much that if you dig a little u'll find something interesting & valuable, & Still remains the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, & the ever standing Pyramids, Sphinx & Luxor & Aswan numerous temples.. I believe this country is never destined to die :)
@Crystal Skelly The sadest thing you have ever seen? Did you not see the media coverage of Syria last week ?
@the one raises an excellent point. Scientists and historians/archaeologist routinely dig up the dead (most commonly from cultures other than their own), all in the so-called "interest of science/history". Perhaps their activities "safeguard" the artifacts/remains, perhaps they only desecrate someone's last resting place. Is the fact that the desecration occurred to increase the prestige of some academic researcher any better than when it is done by some poor local person attempting to feed his family? The answer to this question is like the answer to the old comment about one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. It all depends upon your perspective.
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