How the Council on Library and Information Resources Is Helping Save Cultural Heritage in Egypt

By Peter Herdrich
Vice Chair, The Antiquities Coalition

Minister Mohamed Ibrahim and Antiquities Coalition Chairman Deborah
Lehr sign the MoU as Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Tawfik looks on.
Credit: The Antiquities Coalition 

When Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, came to the United States in March of this year and signed the Ministry’s first ever public/private partnership agreement with the Antiquities Coalition (AC), it included six initiatives to serve as the organizational backbone for the effort to fight cultural racketeering. Dr. Ibrahim would choose his number one priority.(And just for fun, what would you choose? Tweet your answers to us @CombatLooting or comment below!)

• Cultural Heritage Inventories: conducting the first nationwide inventory for all excavated antiquities- led by Egyptian archeologists and the Ministry of Antiquities- and made widely available through publications on the web.
• Physical Site Protection: training officials at the sites and supporting programs to better protect sites physically where necessary.
• Ancient Records Digitization: scanning ancient records to protect the objects and ensure accessibility on the Internet.
• Aerial Mapping: conducting nationwide mapping of all key archeological sites to serve as a benchmark for tracking looting and urban encroachment.
• Cultural Heritage Education Campaigns: designing and implementing cultural heritage education programs around major archaeological sites.
• Small Business Initiatives:  promoting the development of small businesses around tourist sites to create economic incentive for their protection.

He chose Cultural Heritage Inventories.

Egypt has a vast resource of materials in museums and storage facilities around the country, but the only registry they have is of the materials in the Cairo Museum. That project was created in 2009, using grants from the Mellon Foundation and USAID and was administered by the American Research Center in Egypt. But these collections make up a fraction of the material found in Egypt since organized archaeology began back in the 18th century with Napoleon’s expedition.  Ministry officials estimate that there are hundreds of thousands of objects in museums and storage facilities around the country. And no list of what they are, where they come from, or where they are now.  With attacks on the rise, it is critical that Egypt know have a digital record to assist with any potential recovery.

It’s probably best to not think too much about how daunting a task it would be to try to organize this Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). CLIR is the leading institution on academic information and knowledge strategy in the United States. Chuck Henry is a longtime colleague and friend, who looks at these challenges through the lens of his engagement as a university librarian, information strategies thinker, and practical problem-solver. And now Chuck is lending a hand officially as an advisor to the Antiquities Coalition, http://www.theantiquitiescoalition.org/charles-henry/.

Cases of the Mallawi Museum in Minya, Egypt stand empty
after being looted by extremists - this museum did not
have an inventory of its artifacts.  With worries of instability
and further looting, it is important to emphasize the
need for inventories sooner rather than later.
Credit: Egypt's Heritage Task Force 

material. What the AC did think about though, after consulting with our Egyptian partners, was to get some expert advice. That led me to Dr. Charles Henry, the President of the

The Antiquities Coalition has already benefitted from Chuck’s advice as we move this project forward, particularly from his insights derived from CLIR’s Cataloguing Hidden Special Collections and Archives program. We are also discussing with the collections management software company EMu, the firm that provides the Cairo Museum with the platform on which they have built their registry and accession records, what it would take to launch a broader inventory. We believe the way to start is with a pilot program at another museum in Egypt and at one or two storage facilities, with a focused training program attached. Other goals include a possible online presence for these records, which would be a boon for the scholarly community, for K-12 educational opportunities, and for ways to present the material that would encourage travel and tourism to Egypt and help with economic development. We are approaching foundation and corporate supporters about funding, in order to raise $5,000,000 to create the capacity for this task, which we expect will be undertaken by Egyptian professionals. And we have stayed in close touch with Egyptian authorities, always keeping in mind that they have the ultimate responsibility for Egypt’s cultural patrimony.

Dr. Henry says the creation of this inventory and database is something that information and library professionals, scholars and educators, funders, and those with an interest in the history and culture of Egypt will celebrate and encourage. We think its creation is a task worthy of the daunting effort.

Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Repatriated: American family returns personal collection to Egypt

Some of the ushabtis returned to Egypt 

by Ms. Croasdaile. 

Credit: The Antiquities Coalition

The Antiquities Coalition (AC) had the proud honor early this week on Tuesday, June 17th of repatriating a collection of 26^th dynasty ushabtis to the Egyptian government on behalf of Ms. Cynthia Croasdaile, a successful writer and editor.  After reading about the efforts of the Egyptian government to combat looting in a March 2014 story in the New York Times, Ms. Croasdaile was inspired to return her family’s collection of antiquities, which dates back over 3000 years.  She reached out to the Antiquities Coalition to help support her efforts.

Ms. Croasdaile’s connection to Egypt dates to her childhood.  As a young girl, her father served as   These items reminded the family of their happy years spent in Egypt. 
head of exploration for Phillips Petroleum in the Western desert of Egypt. At the end of his tenure, his staff presented him with this collection of ushabtis – small gods that were buried in the tomb with the deceased to serve as the servants in the afterlife.

Left to Right: Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed 

Tawfik; Antiquities Coalition Advisor, Mary 

Ellen Lane; and Antiquities Coalition Chairman, 

Deborah Lehr examine the artifacts being returned 

by Ms. Croasdaile. 

Credit: The Antiquities Coalition

It is this connection to Egypt, however, that also inspired her to return the ancient artifacts.  As the New York Times story chronicled, Egypt has been subject to mass looting – or cultural racketeering – at every major archaeological site in the country.  Egyptian antiquities are now flooding global markets.  Looting is up over 1000 percent at several sites. And Egyptian antiquities are now flooding Western markets.

After reading about the plight of the country of her childhood, Ms. Croasdaile was moved to show her support.  She called Deborah Lehr, Chairman of the Antiquities Coalition, which was mentioned in the article, to explore how best to repatriate her family’s collection to Egypt.  Ms. Lehr, on her behalf, presented to antiquities to Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Tawfik on June 16 at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, DC.  Mr. Croasdaile’s collection of ushabtis will be returned to their homeland where they will be part of a growing exhibition of repatriated Egyptian antiquities.

Deborah Lehr addressed the deeper importance regarding the return of the artifacts during her presentation of the antiquities to the Egyptian Government, “Today, we are celebrating one of the most important bonds that connects us– and that is the personal one.  Cynthia was inspired by her memories of her connection with Egypt to help – even in some small way.  Her action reminds us that one person can indeed make a difference.” 

Antiquities Coalition Chairman, Deborah Lehr, remarks
on the return of the antiquities to Egypt, welcoming them
back home. Credit: The Antiquities Coalition 

The Ambassador noted the importance of actions such as Ms. Croasdaile to the overall effort to fight against looting.

The AC was also delighted to have Ed Liebow, President of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), Dr. Brian Daniels, Director of Research and Programs, Penn Cultural Heritage Center as well as several of our esteemed members from The Antiquities Coalition including Mary Ellen Lane, Executive Director of the Council of American Overseas Research Center (CAORC); and Dr. Alexander Nagel, Smithsonian attending the ceremony. 

Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) hearing on Egypt's MoU request for US import restrictions to combat the looting of Egyptian antiquities

The Antiquities Coalition strongly supports the request of the Egyptian government for the United States to provide additional protections against the import of illicit Egyptian antiquities.  We urge the Cultural Property Advisory Committee to the State Department to make a swift determination based on the clear evidence that Egypt meets the necessary criteria for accepting such a request, as well as the dire situation Egypt is facing in protecting its antiquities during its time of political transition.

Photo Credit: AP

On June 2, The Cultural Property Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department held a public hearing to consider the Egyptian government’s request for a bilateral Cultural Heritage memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Egyptian government requested this MOU to help in its battle against the rise of cultural racketeering – the systematic looting of antiquities by organized crime - since the January 2011.  If the Advisory Committee recommends that State accept Egypt’s request, State can direct the US Customs to halt the import of Egyptian antiquities without the proper documentation.

Monica Hanna, founder of the Egypt’s Heritage Task Force, traveled from Cairo to voice her support for this important initiative.  Her photos and personal account of the rapid and significant looting of sites across Egypt tell a tale of immense crisis.  Sarah Parcak, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alabama/Birmingham, shared that looting has increased at major archaeological sites by 500-1000% based on her analysis of satellite imagery done in association with the Antiquities   And Brian Daniels, Director of Research and Programs at the University of Pennsylvania’s Cultural Heritage Center, commented on the work of the Egyptian government in fighting against cultural racketeering.  Dr. Daniels addressed the fact that the 12,000 guards hired to protect sites by the Egyptian government is not an insignificant number and emphasized that event during the periods of turmoil Egypt the Egyptian government has sent guards and police resources to protect sites.

Speakers in favor of MoU for import restrictions on illicit
antiquities. Left to Right: Douglas Boin; Sarah Parcak;
Elizabeth Varner; Monica Hanna; Brian Daniels
(Photo Credit: Katie Paul, The Antiquities Coalition)

Coalition.

Opposition to the MOU came primarily from Numismatists.  Representatives of the industry did not disagree with the basic requests of the Egyptian government, but strongly opposed the including of coins as part of the MOU. They allege that it is difficult to ensure that “small antiquities” including coins have the appropriate paperwork to ensure that they were obtained legitimately.  Lack of paperwork complicates or even blocks the import of these antiquities.

We look to Secretary Kerry to be a modern day “Monuments Men” in taking seriously the crime of cultural racketeering, starting with the rapid conclusion of a strong and meaningful cultural heritage MOU with Egypt.  Conclusion of this agreement will provide a foundation for cooperation in protecting our common heritage. But more important, it signifies that the United States is prepared to take a leadership role in actively supporting countries across the globe – Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Peru, Guatemala, China, Cambodia and many more – in their fight to protect our common heritage.  Cultural racketeering is a global crisis that requires a global solution. It provides an opportunity to build on the United States’ legacy from WWII and continue fight against those attempting to erase our past to eradicate our future.

The Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) of the US Department of State is chaired by Prof. Patty Gerstenblith of the DePaul College of Law, and consists of members representing museums, archaeology, the international sale of cultural property, and the general public.


Full list of Speakers at Egypt MoU Public Hearing on June 2, 2014 

In favor of MoU: 

Dr. David O’Connor, Lila Acheson Wallace Professor of Ancient Egyptian Art, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University – at hearing to represent American Research Centre in Egypt (ARCE)

Dr. Laurel Bestock, Vartan Gregorian Assistant Professor of Archaeology and the Ancient World and Egyptology and Ancient Western Asian Studies - at hearing to represent American Research Centre in Egypt (ARCE)

Dr. Douglas Boin, Assistant Professor, St. Louis University Art History Department

Elizabeth Varner, President-Elect, Board of Directors, Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation, Executive Director, National Art Museum of Sport - at hearing to represent Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation (LCCHP)

Dr. Carmen Arnold-Biucchi, Ancient Coins Curator, Harvard Art Museums

Dr. Monica Hanna, Egyptologist, American University of Cairo; Founder of Egypt’s Heritage Task Force
**NOTE: Dr. Hanna was the only Egyptian on the panel during the public hearing and provided a significant amount of on the ground photo evidence (much of this can be found online at Egypt’s Heritage Task Force) 

Dr. Sarah Parcak, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Society for American Archaeology; The Antiquities Coalition and International Coalition to Protect Egyptian Antiquities ‘ICPEA’ – at hearing to represent Society for American Archaeology (SAA) and The Antiquities Coalition

Dr. Brian Daniels, Director of Research and Programs, Penn Cultural Heritage Center and Society for American Archaeology – at hearing to represent Penn Cultural Heritage Center and Society for American Archeology (SAA)

Opposed to MoU: 

Alan Safani, Art Dealer, International Association of Dealers in Ancient Art (IADAA)
**NOTE: Mr. Safani publicly supports the MoU but only in the case of newly surfaced illicit materials from Egypt 

Peter Tompa, Lobbyist, International Association of Professional Numismatists (“IAPN”) and the Professional Numismatists Guild - at hearing to represent International Association of Professional Numismatists (“IAPN”)

Mr. Wayne Sayles, Founder, Ancient Coin Collectors Guild – at hearing to represent Ancient Coin Collectors Guild