As part of the ongoing field follow-up of projects at various archaeological sites, Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, conducted an inspection tour of several archaeological sites on the East Bank of the Nile in Aswan. The visit aimed to review the latest developments in ongoing restoration and development projects, ensuring they align with the sites' historical and archaeological significance.
Bigeh Island: Preservation Challenges
The Secretary General began his tour at Bigeh Island, a vital site housing a stone temple dating back to King Ptolemy XII and Emperor Augustus. Located between the High Dam and the Aswan Reservoir, the temple remains in its original location as it was not relocated during the Nubian salvage campaign of the 1960s. The island also features a mud-brick monastery and numerous rock inscriptions, including royal decrees from the Late Period (Kings Amasis and Psamtik II) and inscriptions by the Viceroys of Kush.
Discussions focused on technical proposals to protect the island from the Nile's fluctuating water levels. A comprehensive project is being drafted to raise the temple's remains to mitigate the impact of the Aswan Reservoir's water cycles.
Enhancing Visitor Experience: Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk
The tour included the development of services at Philae Temple, featuring:
Expansion of the entrance ticket windows and the establishment of a new Visitor Center.
Installation of surveillance cameras and electronic gates.
Upgrading the visiting paths and lighting systems to enhance the tourist experience.
At the Unfinished Obelisk site, Dr. El-Leithy reviewed upgrades to visitor facilities, including shading, restrooms, and instructional signage. He discussed a proposal to transform the surrounding quarry area into an open-air museum showcasing ancient Egyptian masonry techniques. Additionally, he directed the immediate preparation of a bilingual (Arabic-English) introductory booklet about the Obelisk.
Storage and Conservation
The Secretary General visited a pottery storehouse established by the Swiss Mission in the Barakat al-Damas area. He urged the acceleration of the handover process to utilize the facility for storing artifacts discovered during excavations in New Aswan, adhering to international scientific standards.
Qubbet el-Hawa: Development and Innovation
At Qubbet el-Hawa (Tombs of the Nobles), a major development project is underway, funded by the European Union via the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), in collaboration with German and Spanish missions. Key works include:
Upgrading the tourist pier and the path leading to the ticket office.
Creating a replica of the "User" tomb (New Kingdom) to allow visitors to experience its vibrant inscriptions without damaging the small, fragile original structure.
Constructing a road to link the northern and southern tomb sectors discovered since 2011.
Implementing climate-proofing measures to protect tombs from heavy rain and rising temperatures.
Museums and Monasteries
The tour covered the Aswan National Museum on Elephantine Island, housed in the historic villa of British engineer William Willcocks. The building is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area.
In the sector of Islamic and Coptic antiquities, the Secretary General visited the Monastery of St. Simeon (Anba Hadra). He praised the German Archaeological Institute’s efforts in documenting Coptic and Arabic inscriptions and restoring the church’s northern and southern vaults. The monastery, a two-level structure featuring rock-cut caves and residential quarters for monks, is undergoing a comprehensive development study to better accommodate visitors.
Supporting the Workforce
Dr. El-Leithy concluded his tour at the Nubia Museum, meeting with inspectors and curators. He emphasized that all departments of the Council function as a single entity and listened to staff demands, promising to address them within legal frameworks to ensure job stability and performance excellence.
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