From Excavation to Restoration: How Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities Became a Cultural Locomotive

Egyptian antiquities form the backbone of national identity and the primary source of inspiration for global tourism.

 The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) bears the colossal responsibility of preserving and developing this unique heritage for future generations.

With the appointment of Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled as the Secretary-General of the SCA in March 2024, the Egyptian archaeological sector entered a new phase, marked by the launch of a comprehensive strategy based on three main pillars: deepening scientific research through archaeological discoveries, conserving heritage through restoration, and developing the infrastructure and services for sites and museums.

This phase comes amid major challenges, notably the necessity of balancing the meticulous preservation of archaeological sites with presenting them as a sophisticated and sustainable global tourist destination. During this period, the Council has successfully achieved qualitative leaps in various domains, confirming that Egyptian antiquities are not merely remnants of the past, but a locomotive for cultural and economic development, and an authentic document of human civilization.

Key Strategic Pillars

I. Preservation and Development of Egyptian Antiquities as a Civilizational Heritage

1. Archaeological Discoveries: Illuminating New Pages of History

Qualitative Finds: 

Significant discoveries were announced, most notably a Ptolemaic Temple in the Kom Shiqaw area (Sohag Governorate), shedding light on important periods of cultural interaction during the Greco-Roman era.

 Site Diversity: 

Discoveries were not limited to classic sites (Luxor/Giza) but included new regions, such as parts of a residential complex from the Third Intermediate Period in Tell Habua (Tjaru) in North Sinai, highlighting the area's historical military and commercial importance.

Deepened Scientific Research:

 Dr. Khaled himself heads the Egyptian-German mission at the Pyramid of King Sahure in Abusir, reflecting the commitment of the top leadership to integrate direct scientific expertise into archaeological management.

2. Restoration of Antiquities: Reviving Architectural and Historical Details

 Ongoing Major Projects:

 Work continues on high-priority projects, including the restoration and development of the Great Hypostyle Hall in Karnak Temple (Luxor) to re-establish the original colours and perform necessary structural treatments.

Completed Restorations:

The restoration of the Birth House (Mammisi of Nectanebo) and the Nout Sanctuary at Dendera Temple (Qena) was completed, bringing back much of the temple's original splendour.

 Historic Cairo:

 A special focus on Historic Cairo (a World Heritage Site), including the completion of restoration for several Islamic, Coptic, and historical structures, such as parts of the Eastern Wall of Cairo, aiming to transform the area into an integrated open-air museum.

II. Documentation and Cultural Development

3. Heritage (International Affairs and Recovery)

Antiquities Recovery:

 The period witnessed continuous success in retrieving smuggled artifacts, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international security agencies. 67 important artifacts were recovered from European countries, including two masks and two murals from the tomb of the Vizier "Baq-en-ranef" in Saqqara (retrieved from Germany).

Foreign Exhibitions:

 Exhibitions serve as a window for Egyptian civilization to the world. A plan was adopted for exhibitions to achieve wider global reach, notably the success of the "Summit of the Pyramid: Ancient Egyptian Civilization" exhibition in Shanghai, China, and the ongoing international tour of the "Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs" exhibition.

Digitalization and Documentation:

 Protocols were signed to launch major projects like the "Digital Egypt Heritage Gateway", a project aimed at digitally documenting all Egyptian monuments and sites with the latest technologies to create a unified database for protection and scientific research.

III. Foreign Missions and Facility Development

4. Facilitating Work for Foreign Missions and Their Egyptian Counterparts

Simplified Procedures: 

Procedures for obtaining permits for foreign missions have been simplified to encourage longer working seasons and exploration in new areas.

Role of Egyptian Counterparts:

 Emphasis on the vital role of Egyptian counterparts (archaeological and restoration inspectors), with policies to ensure their maximum benefit from foreign expertise and knowledge exchange. They are viewed as essential partners, with a focus on continuous training to qualify Egyptian cadres to lead future archaeological teams.

Successful Partnerships:

 Efforts to increase the number of joint missions (combining Egyptian and foreign expertise) to enhance scientific outcomes and deepen mutual understanding of the sites' history.

In light of the multiple achievements in discoveries, restoration, recovery, and partnership activation, it is clear that the Supreme Council of Antiquities is moving steadily towards realizing a comprehensive vision for preserving Egyptian antiquities. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled's strategy extends beyond the physical protection of artifacts to maximizing their role as an economic and cultural force, through developing tourist services and facilitating global scientific research, ensuring that Egyptian heritage remains a source of inspiration, pride, and sustainable development throughout the ages.