Southampton group tries to save Ancient Egyptian historic site
A GROUP of aficionados to all things ancient Egypt are raising money for the cradle of some of its most iconic landmarks.
The Southampton Ancient Egypt Society will be hosting a fundraising weekend to help preserve Gebel el-Silsila, one of the largest archaeological sites in the country and home to ancient sandstone quarries used by pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Ramesses II and Akhenaten to build their most famous monuments.
Hilary Wilson, Chair of the Southampton Ancient Egypt Society, said: "As our society reaches its 25th anniversary we are thrilled to host this fundraising event.
"We anticipate an informative and entertaining weekend with something of interest for all lovers of ancient Egypt."
Gebel el-Silsila came to prominence during the eighteenth dynasty - between 1550 and 1292 BC - considered the peak of Ancient Egypt's power, but represents 10,000 years of human activity.
During the eighteenth dynasty, when Tutankhamun ruled, architects moved from working in limestone to sandstone so the site was mined for the material, which was then used to build temples including those at Karnak and Luxor - the modern day site of the ancient city of Thebes - which still attract millions of visitors today.
The study weekend on July 15 and 16 will consist of 13 talks delivered virtually by members of the Gebel el-Silsila conservation team, hosted by project leaders Dr Maria Nilsson and John Ward.
Each talk will last for 25 minutes with subjects including shrines, looters and the cult of the crocodile-headed god Sobek, which was believed to control the waters of Egypt and was the quarry's principal deity.
The money will go to Friends of Silsila, led by Maria and John.
He said: "Friends of Silsila is proud to present this weekend of study dedicated to one of the most fascinating sites in the whole of Egypt. Gebel el-Silsila was home to the people who built ancient Egypt and we can learn so much about this incredible civilisation through this site.
"We are grateful to the Southampton Ancient Egypt Society for hosting this study weekend, which is raising vital funds for our charity. This unique site requires immediate action as the risk of collapse and complete erosion is imminent due to water damage of the sandstone structures."
Maria and John are familiar faces having appeared on many National Geographic and Travel Channel documentaries.
Together they lead an international team of more than 100 people and each dig season they are joined on site by their young children Freja and Jonathan.
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