Thursday, March 17, 2016

Egypt Places Its Pyramids Under Military Protection

Students from the Egyptian Military Academy hold up Egyptian flags at the opening of the Egyptian International Parachuting Championship, which is organized by the Egyptian Parachuting and Air Sports Federation (EPAF), in front of the great pyramids of Giza, Egypt, March 2, 2016. (photo by REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Al-Monitor: Why Egypt is placing its pyramids under military protection

CAIRO — Following years of disorder and neglect at Cairo’s great pyramids, Egypt is launching a renovation program to make the area safer, cleaner and easier to navigate for tourists, and more secure for its archaeological treasures.

Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh al-Damaty has called on Queen, a national service company affiliated with the armed forces, to develop and renovate the site. A ministry official said the company has already visited the site numerous times in preparation and plans to begin work this month.

The source said the ministry has yet to declare the cost of the project, noting that the contract will be renewed annually.

Tourists have complained about vandalism and say they face harassment from persistent vendors peddling souvenirs. Videos posted online in early February show undercover footage of people stealing stones from the plateau to sell.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: For anyone who has visited the pyramids .... these measures are long overdue.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Back in the day you could just walk right up to them and locals would offer/force themselves as tour guides.