2008 marked by landmark archaeological restorations in Egypt

Cairo, Dec 29 (ANI): A report in Daily News has said that the year 2008 was marked by landmark archaeological restorations in Egypt.

On top of the restorations list stands Islamic architecture which targeted Al-Moez li Din illah Street that is the first phase of a major plan aimed at reviving Islamic Cairo, which started with refurbishing 62 Islamic monuments including Cairo's 1,000-year-old walls and gates.

The area, which is emerging as the biggest Islamic open museum in the world, was inaugurated in November by Culture Minister Farouk Hosni.

The street, which extends between Al Footuh and Zuweila gates, runs through Al Nahasin area, Khan El Khalili, the Gold Market, the Madaq Alley as well as Suqaria Alley.

Al-Moez Street comprises some of Egypt's most outstanding mosques, Islamic schools, palaces, cemeteries and hospitals, all of which date back to the Fatimid, Ayyubbid, Mamluk and Ottoman dynasties that ruled Egypt for over eight centuries.

The second phase of the restorations will take place over the next two years.

Restoration efforts also included Sabil Aboul Abass and Shaikhoun Mosque, two Islamic buildings located in Al Khalifa area close to Ahmed bin Toulon Mosque.

Both were restored and opened to the public in September 2008.

The year 2008 also saw the construction of new museums or the start of projects to build them, the most significant of which is the one allocated to the underwater archaeology in Alexandria.

According to Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, the year 2008/9 will mark Egypt's golden year in terms of major archaeological discoveries.

Significant archaeological discoveries in 2008 include the intact statue of Queen Tiy, a powerful Pharaonic queen from ancient Egypt's 18th dynasty and wife of King Amenhotep III.

Also in November 2008, a 4300-year-old pyramid that dates back to the 6th dynasty was unearthed at the Sakkara area. The pyramid was the tomb of king Titi's mother, the first of the 6th dynasty's royals. (ANI)