Extreme heat takes toll on Egypt's archaeological heritage
Extreme heat, in addition to rising sea levels, is having an impact on antiquities and cities overlooking the Mediterranean in Egypt.
Egyptian archaeologists are sounding the alarm over the threat climate change and pollution are posing to the country's unique ancient heritage, with an increasing number of wildfires and rising sea levels presenting a risk to preservation efforts.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced Aug. 14 that a fire broke out behind the archaeological area of Mit Rahinah in Giza governorate.
Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the fire was brought under control without causing any casualties or losses to any antiquities. Ashmawy laid the blame for the blaze on the very hot weather — which had dried out vegetation in the area making it more susceptible to catching fire.
“The burning of weeds due to hot weather is not new. It has happened regularly in the area of various archaeological sites in recent years, especially in summer due to the rising temperature over the years,” Mamdouh Ouda, director of Risk and Disaster Management at the Ministry of Antiquities, told Al-Monitor.
