The first Research Co-ordination Meeting on Development and Implementation of Cultural Heritage Preservation Using Ionising Radiation Technology started in Cairo on May 8.
Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) chief Amr Haggag said the international event, which ends on May 12, is sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The event, he added, provides an opportunity for the exchange of scientific expertise, research and studies in this field among participants from all over the world.
“That Egypt is hosting this important international event in archaeology confirms its international reputation for peaceful uses of atomic energy, notably to preserve cultural heritage and antiquities,” Haggag added.
The EAEA authority as the national coordinator for technical cooperation projects with the IAEA, is seeking with the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and other Egyptian bodies to introduce and participate in new projects in this field, based on the Egyptian and international experiences of many participating countries using radiation to preserve Egyptian antiquities and cultural heritage.
SCA Secretary General Mostafa Waziry said preserving national heritage is one of the most important tasks of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
He reviewed the successes by the SCA in this field through the best restoration laboratories for organic and inorganic antiquities, which use the latest scientific methods at the Grand Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Fustat.
He referred to the experience of restoring Khufu’s first boat, which is regarded as the largest organic monument in the world. The boat is currently on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
“Egypt has a great balance of cultural heritage and archaeological discoveries are still happening,” Waziry said.
“Two years ago the largest animal cemetery with more than 500 mummies of cats was one of the most important discoveries to date,” he added.
“This meeting will serve to activate radiation technology to preserve many of the unearthed antiquities, such as mummies, woodwork, textiles, and others,” he said.
He went on to say the SCA is ready to cooperate fully with EAEA in benefiting from the developments of atomic energy science and its contribution to the field of archaeological studies and treatments, and employ them in a manner commensurate with the sensitivity and nature of the materials of ancient Egyptian antiquities, especially organic materials that are affected by biological factors.
The event will include a series of technical meetings, scientific workshops, field visits to some different museums, in addition to holding a series of panel discussions and exchanging research and studies.
