BIA

FÉVRIER 2015
There is also a fine relief showing queen
Ahmose Nefertari, whose lifelong aim was to
liberate Egypt from the Hyksos, and images of
ancient Egyptian deities like Sekhmet and Osiris
who protected the ruler in wartime.
5 février 2015).
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The Graeco-Roman section has a collection
of gilded war masks, statues of black bulls and
statuettes of warriors. The Coptic section
contains icons and reliefs featuring the Holy
Family on its journey through Egypt and the
Virgin Mary cradling the child Jesus. Ivory and
textile items can also be seen.
al-‘Arîsh was on the ancient pilgrimage road
from Egypt to Mecca, and the Islamic section
displays a black cover for the Kaaba
embroidered with gold and silver thread and
sent by Egypt to Mecca during the reign of
King Fu’âd. Pieces of mashrabiyya (latticed
woodwork), coloured glass lamps and silver and
copper swords are also exhibited.
The second floor is devoted to Sinai trade
and handicrafts and a number of pots and
coins. The pottery collection features various
stages in the manufacture of clay pots and
pans in Egypt, as well as similar items imported
from Syria and Palestine. A library and a 50-
seat cinema are located on the second floor
of the museum. (Nevine El-Aref, “Museums
under attack”, Al-Ahram Weekly, February 5,
2015. Voir également Muna Yâsîn, « Le
ministère de l’Archéologie dresse l’inventaire
des dégâts du musée d’al-‘Arîsh ravagé », al-
Masrî al-Yawm, 1 er février ; Muhammad Abû
Dayf, « Le terrorisme ravage le musée d’al-
‘Arîsh », al-Watan, 1 er février ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-
‘Alîm, « Le ministre de l’Archéologie : La
collection du musée d’al-‘Arîsh est intacte », al-
Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 1 er février ; Dînâ ‘Abd al-‘Alîm,
« Les dégâts du musée d’al-‘Arîsh s’élèvent à
20 millions L.E. », al-Yawm al-Sâbi‘, 13 février).
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La police espagnole a annoncé cette
semaine l’arrestation d’un gang de trafiquants
archéologiques composé de quatre Égyptiens et
d’un Espagnol. Ce gang a réussi à exporter
vers Madrid des antiquités égyptiennes d’une
valeur de plus 300 000 euros. Un container
renfermant plus de 30 pièces antiques a été
saisi dans le port de Valence. (Fâtima Zaydân,
« Arrestation en Espagne d’un gang de
trafiquants archéologiques », al-Masrî al-Yawm,
Christian Eckmann examining Tutankhamun’s mask
Once the brouhaha over the improper
restoration of Tutankhamun’s gold funerary
mask had died down, Al-Ahram Weekly sat
down with German restorer Christian ECKMANN
for an interview. The subject: how best to
repair the mask.
“I have not been appointed to restore the
mask and return its blue-and gold beard to its
former condition,” ECKMANN said. He added that
Minister of Antiquities Mamdûh al-Damâtî had
only asked him to examine the mask and give
an opinion regarding the use of resin to
reattach the beard.
“It was only a preliminary inspection,” he
said. But as soon as he saw the mask, he
knew that glue had been improperly used and
had created a gap between the beard and the
chin.
“It was definitely not the optimal way of
executing such a restoration,” ECKMANN said,
adding that the mask is not now in danger.
However, it should be properly restored, he
said, since its current condition is not
satisfactory.
“But this will be a second step,” he said.
Before it takes place, careful examination of
the mask needs to be carried out to fully
understand the structure of the mask and the
materials used.
It is also necessary to have a proper
understanding of the construction of the beard
and how it was originally attached to the mask
in antiquity. Once that has been attained, it will
be possible to restore the priceless item.
BIA LI — Janvier/Juin 2015 36