CAIRO - Many archaeologists have stressed the importance of putting an end to foreign missions' monopoly of the restoration and excavation of antiquities, in addition to maintenance work, archaeological discoveries and the establishment of a specialised school in archaeological restoration processes. During a seminar at el-Senary House, el-Gamaliya district, Islamic Cairo on 'The Future of Archaeology in Egypt', participants called for the necessity of ridding the archaeological sector of corruption, otherwise a union for archaeologists would need to be created to look after their concerns and interests. They also tackled the current conditions in Egypt's archaeological work, from archaeologists' problems to their role as heritage protectors and preservers, in addition to developing the Egyptian archaeological institution and raising the national income with revenues from the monuments. The participants revealed that members of the toppled regime, such as Zakaria Azmi, Fathi Sorour and Safwat el-Sherif, had asked senior officials of the antiquities' sector to doctor the financial reports of the Supreme Antiquities' Council before handing them in to the Ministry. Many crimes of corruption were committed in archaeological institutions; those responsible had to leave their posts after the revolution. The seminar participants criticised the haphazard selection of archaeological acquisitions that went on display in museums, stressing that it makes no sense to exhibit monuments from Luxor in the coastal city of Alexandria. The archaeologists stressed how important it was that they set personal differences aside, particularly in the light of offences and robberies that hit archaeological sites all over Egypt. According to the Manager General of Islamic Antiquities, the development of archaeology is the main goal, especially in the forthcoming period. While Ali el-Asfar, the General Manager of Pyramids' Antiquities, noted that the number of stolen artefacts was limited, considering that there had been no security since January 28, according to UNESCO experts who inspected the archaeological sites in Egypt. They praised the human shields protecting archaeological treasures from theft and destruction during the revolution. “The security forces need to resume their duties and protect our archaeological monuments. “The performance of archaeologists also needs to be improved on many levels,” according to el-Asfar. Professor of Egyptology Khaled Azab criticised the concentration of Egyptology on foreign archaeologists, who provoked their Egyptian counterparts by refusing to share their scientific research. Azab criticised the removal of Egyptian archaeologists from the new Grand Egyptian Museum Project, which favoured those with no connection to Egyptology. He stressed that archaeologists' wage structure needed amending and adequately qualified people appointed. Azab called for the improvement of scientific publicity and use of the most up-to-date technology in archaeological science. A bigger role should be played by archaeological lesser-known research centres. He told Al-Massa'iya newspaper that Egypt's income from antiquities was still low and there was no sense in importing replicas while neglecting the traditional crafts. The archaeological institution should include the crafts into their remit and by doing so contribute to preserving the national heritage. Azab called for a number of museums, such as agricultural and geological museums, to become the responsibility of the archaeological institution. He called for a feasibility study about some archaeological projects, criticising the failure of dealing appropriately with some old buildings and historical villas. Archaeologist Mohamed Abdul Aziz, the Director General of Islamic Antiquities in Cairo and Giza, noted that there were several problems in the archaeological institution that needed solutions. The Ministry of Archaeology need restructuring. It also requires better maintenance and security. The seminar participants asked Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass to abolish 'the technical bureau' where corruption was rife, reflecting negatively on the whole archaeological sector.
