Cultural season of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities resumes after a 2-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic

CAIRO – 27 March 2022: On March 28, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities will resume the activities of the cultural season of the Supreme Council of Antiquities at Ahmed Pasha Kamal Hall at the ministry’s headquarters in Zamalek, after a 2-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Taposiris Magna Temple in Alexandria - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Taposiris Magna Temple in Alexandria - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Head of the Central Administration for the Registration of Egyptian Antiquities Hisham el-Leithi explained that the cultural season includes a series of scientific lectures set to be held monthly throughout the year to review the results of the excavations of Egyptian and foreign missions working in archaeological sites nationwide.

He added that the cultural season is scheduled to begin this year with lectures on the work and results of the Dominican mission working in the Taposiris Magna Temple in Alexandria. The mission is headed by Kathleen Martinez, who was able to uncover a network of tunnels extending from Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean Sea.

Kathleen Martinez - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Additionally, a workshop on the photogrammetry that was carried out at the site will be presented, with the display of 34 ancient maps, manuscripts and texts.

It should be noted that according to written sources, the Egyptian coast was hit by at least 23 earthquakes between 320 AD and 1303 AD, which led to the collapse of part of the Taposiris Magna Temple and its sinking under the waves.

The expedition is currently working for the first time to explore a submerged part of the underwater temple.