Luxor Threat Identification and Risk Analysis
In 2004, EAIS started a project of risk assessment and analysis in Luxor. Apart from the pyramids at Giza, Luxor is probably the most famous archaeological site in Egypt, with a landscape dotted with temples and tombs. Despite being on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1979, the archaeological remains at Luxor are suffering from a large number of threats and are rapidly disappearing. High population pressure, expanding agriculture, irresponsible tourism, along with severe environmental problems mean that the future preservation of these sites no longer is guaranteed.
A particular problem – common to most sites in Egypt – is the rise of the groundwater as a result of the Aswan High Dam and the subsequent increase of salts in the soil. This seeps into the stone, crystallizes, and effectively destroys the monuments. Measures have already been taken to protect parts of monuments in Luxor, but the effects of salt are still all too visible on several structures on the east and west banks.
A team from EAIS spent several days in Luxor, filling out datasheets, taking GPS points and photographs, illustrating the general condition and threats of several archaeological sites in the area, including the perimeter of the Karnak temple, the sphinx avenue between Karnak and Luxor, the Ramesseum, and the Malqatah area on the west bank.
As a result of this work, EAIS has created several maps outlining the main threats to the archaeological remains on the east and west banks, creating such risk categories as high water table, destructive vibrations, garbage and visual pollution. The study was divided into two parts; one, the extended macro-level of analysis and two, the micro-level when a site or part of a site is examined in more detail. This allows for flexibility in handling the data which can be manipulated in a number of ways.
During the development of the case study, it became clear that it would not be possible to use the official maps as backgrounds for the risk assessment. The official maps are outdated, most of them without updates since the 1950's, and they certainly do not reflect the current urban and agricultural expansion in the area. Eventually it was decided to use Quickbird Satellite images from 2005, chosen for its high level of detail. The layering of various levels of threats creates a simple yet effective way of showing the dangers that these sites are facing. The maps created by EAIS have been exported as wall maps in order to disseminate the results to various stakeholders and the SCA.
In addition to improving protective measures of the monuments in Luxor, a main objective of the case study was to develop a methodology of risk assessment to be used on other sites in Egypt. It is hoped that the work done by the project serves to highlight the threats to the sites and that this pilot project can stimulate further work in Egypt oriented towards site risk management and protection.
For a sample of some pictures of Luxor taken by EAIS, click here
For a sample of a Macro-Level Risk Map of Luxor created by EAIS, click here
For a sample of a Micro-Level Risk Map of Luxor created by EAIS, click here
