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Red Sea Museum Showcases Centuries of Islamic Maritime Navigation Heritage
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

Red Sea Museum Showcases Centuries of Islamic Maritime Navigation Heritage

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth From a news agency Context piece
  • Archaeologists in eastern Libya are working to protect the ancient ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia from looting and damage caused by militant groups and Storm Daniel.
  • These UNESCO-listed sites, once centers of Greek civilization, faced threats after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, leading locals to hide artifacts and guard the ruins.
  • Despite challenges like "outdated equipment" and "lack of resources," efforts are underway to clear debris, salvage objects, and rebuild structures, with hopes of reopening to visitors soon.

In eastern Libya, a dedicated group of archaeologists is racing against time to safeguard the ancient ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia. These historically significant sites, once vibrant centers of Greek colonies in North Africa and now UNESCO-listed, have faced dual threats: looting by militant groups and devastation from Storm Daniel.

Breathtaking.

— Hamdi Al-KailaniA tour guide described the view of the Temple of Zeus at Cyrene.

Following the fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the descent into chaos left state institutions largely absent, creating a vacuum that allowed groups like ISIS to target the ruins. "We were so afraid," recalled Smail Dakhil, who oversees the dilapidated Museum of Cyrene. He described how local experts and enthusiasts improvised, hiding smaller artifacts, gold coins, and archives in their homes. Larger sculptures, including a rare female sphinx, were protected by volunteers who "stood watch over the sites around the clock so no thefts were recorded."

Cyrene, founded in 631 BC by settlers from the Greek island of Thera, flourished with a population of up to 100,000 inhabitants, developing a rich intellectual life. Earthquakes and wars gradually reduced the cities to ruins, only to be rediscovered in the 18th century. The more recent catastrophe, Storm Daniel in 2023, brought catastrophic floods to Derna, approximately 100 kilometers east of Cyrene, causing thousands of deaths and further impacting the region.

We were so afraid.

— Smail DakhilAn individual overseeing the Museum of Cyrene recounted the fear experienced by locals during periods of chaos and looting.

Despite the immense challenges, including what Younes described as "outdated equipment" and "a lack of resources," teams are actively engaged in clearing fallen blocks and rubble. They are salvaging valuable objects and rebuilding sections of ancient structures, such as a sanctuary and nearly 60 meters of an antique wall. Younes expressed hope that the area would reopen to visitors in September.

stood watch over the sites around the clock so no thefts were recorded.

— Smail DakhilSmail Dakhil described the efforts by volunteers to protect the ancient sites from theft.

Storm Daniel's destructive path, however, has also led to unexpected discoveries. Engravings and funerary offerings have been unearthed among thousands of Green and Roman tombs. Meanwhile, experts are increasingly concerned about Apollonia, Cyrene's former port, a third of which has already been submerged by the sea over the centuries.

The day after, everyone who loves this site came by.

— Anis Hamid YounesAnis Hamid Younes described the community response following Storm Daniel's impact on the region.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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