There are few reports of attempted looting in Middle Egypt: Missions in Amarna, Aswan and Antinoe all reported early on that their sites are undisturbed. I have received a report on 2nd February by email indicating that attempts were made over the weekend of 29th/30th January by a large group of men to rob the open air museum at Ashmunein, and also an attempt was made to open the magazine at Bahnasa. Both attempts were foiled by local security personnel. Similarly, the magazines at Amarna are currently secure. They remain under guard. The general practice being adopted is to build additional stone and concrete walls to protect magazines.
On 2nd February, the Minister for Antiquities Dr Hawass reported that, “The temples of Dendera, Abydos, the sites in Akhmim, and all sites in Middle Egypt, such as Tuna el-Gebel, Amarna, and Beni Hasan, are safe.” But see below for a revised report of a break in at Tuna el-Gebel and the separate page for an update on Abydos. Also, in March 2012, the police seized 68 allegedly stolen Greek and Roman artefacts from a house in Minya.
Amarna
On 2nd June unverified reports surfaced that a boundary stella was destroyed. Confirmation either way is awaited and the reliability of the report is doubtful.
Encroachment remains an ongoing problem and Inspectors successfully halted encroachment near Al-Hagg Qandi (for now) in spring 2013.
Antinoupolis (Sheikh Abada)
Monica Hanna is reported by the Egyptian Independent documenting significant destruction of the site at Antinoupolis, saying in March 2013, “Hanna said that some of the damages occurred to the site, saying that the area near the Ramses II temple has been bulldozed and leveled. She added that the northwestern corner of the walled city has been bulldozed and for agricultural use.”
Beni Suef
As of 1st February, the Beni Suef Museum is believed safe. On 10th April six men were arrested “in a village called Beni Suef, part of 6th of October City, where soldiers noticed them digging. ” An unverified comment on this site (April 2012) suggests that Abusir Almalaq has been looted and that looting continues with fragments of bone and coffins on the surface.
Ehnasya
Early reports that Ehnasya (Herakleopolis Magna) was looted were hopefully wrong as on 17th February Maria Carmen Pérez Die. Director of Spanish Archaeological Mission reported cofirmation from the SCA that the site had not been looted and that the magazine was intact.
Herakonpolis
The site remains secure (3rd February) and the archaeological team are intending to remain on site for now.
Sohag
Dr Salima Ikram has reported on FaceBook Sohag is secure and Nathan fine.
Tuna el-Gebel
On 11th February, Dr Hawass reported the theft of two mummies from the storage magazine at Tuna el Gebel.
I received a report from the chief of the tourist police that criminals had entered the storage magazine in Tuna el Gebel. This report indicated that two mummies, dating to the Roman Period, were missing. However, the curator has also sent me a report saying that nothing actually happened at the magazine. I hope to receive further information on this matter very soon.
By Kate Phizackerley
I would like to refer that Abusir Almalaq in Bani Sweif had been looted also, and looting is still happening nowdays, all the site had been dug by the robbers and the site now is full with the human bones and the wooden coffins fragments.
Not good news at all. Thanks for the note. I have edited it into the page.
Does anyone have any news on Amarna or Dayr al-Bersha?
Hi Zoe,
Andie Byrnes reported a circular email from Barry Kemp on Egyptology news:
I have heard nothing from Dayr al-Bersha.
Kate
Barry should therefore be back in Amarna by now/
SCA has reported to me the absence of any damage within the area of the Spanish archaeological concession at Ehnasya el Medina, neither on the monuments and sites (First and Third Intermediate Period cemeteries and Heryshef Temple) nor in the Spanish magazine.
Maria Carmen Pérez Die. Director of Spanish Archaeological Mission at Ehnasya el Medina ( Heraklepolis Magna)
You must be relieved – thanks for the update
Does anybody know anything about Hermopolis, Antinöopolis or Tuna el Gebel?
I learnt yesterday (at the department of Egyptology in Montpellier) that the site of Ehnasya (Herakleopolis Magna) was severly looted… The Spanish, with Maria Carmen Perez-Die are digging there.
El Hibeh in northern Middle Egypt has been looted (I have this from two different sources, one of whom is the head of the local taftish). Extent of looting is unclear. I’ve also heard that there was some looting in Ihnasya el-Medina (from one source). The Beni Suef Museum is evidently okay.