CAIRO — The current crisis in Egypt in regard to the damage to King Tutankhamun’s mask, which is a one of a kind golden mask from the ancient pharaonic monuments, in a botched restoration at the Egyptian Museum brings to mind the series of incidents of negligence and laxity in protecting Egyptian artifacts. The mask has been visibly marred and the beard crooked as it was glued back on using epoxy, leaving the mask looking fake. The beard fell off the golden mask during an attempt to adjust the lighting in its case.
In addition to incidents of damage, the residents of the areas with archaeological sites are regularly digging up the pharaohs’ graves, stealing and smuggling their belongings. This has become more common since the January 25 Revolution, when the security situation in the country deteriorated.
