Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011, 7:00pm

Chapter: Illinois

Speaker: John Shearman, Associate Director - Luxor; and Dr. Mansour Buriak, Director General of Luxor Antiquities, Supreme Council of Antiquities

Location: La Salle Bank Room, The Oriental Institute

This free lecture is held at the Oriental Institute, LaSalle Bank Room. 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago, 60637.

For more information call 773-702-1062.

Description:

Luxor is one of the most iconic antiquities sites in Egypt and the world. ARCE supports not only excavation but, just as importantly, the conservation of the antiquities that have already been discovered.

The vast and unique temple complex of Karnak has been in existence for over 4,000 years. Like so many other antiquity sites in Egypt, the conditions have changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Without intervention, it and many other sites would continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate. ARCE, with funding from the American people through USAID, is a major player in the conservation of these sites.

The Ground Water Lowering Response Project is a complex series of programs that ARCE administers in the Luxor area. John Shearman, who directs ARCE’s work in Luxor, will discuss these programs during his presentation. These projects include the conservation of damaged pylons, walls and columns in Luxor and Karnak Temples; conservation of a side chapel and installation of walkways in Khonsu Temple; the preservation and documentation of Talatat blocks from the reign of Akhenaten; the cleaning and maintenance of sacred lakes; and the training of Egyptian conservators. These projects are bringing to light new knowledge that will impact our understanding of these iconic sites.

John Shearman, who directs ARCE’s work in Luxor, will discuss projects including the conservation of damaged pylons, walls and columns in Luxor and Karnak Temples; conservation of a side chapel and installation of walkways in Khonsu Temple; the preservation and documentation of Talatat blocks from the reign of Akhenaten; the cleaning and maintenance of sacred lakes; and the training of Egyptian conservators.