thank you all so my work initially started with using
so my work initially started with using
so my work initially started with using satellite imagery to map ancient
satellite imagery to map ancient
satellite imagery to map ancient landscapes I’ve been working in Egypt
landscapes I’ve been working in Egypt
landscapes I’ve been working in Egypt for 15 years and I have to say that I
for 15 years and I have to say that I
for 15 years and I have to say that I never expected to be doing looting
never expected to be doing looting
never expected to be doing looting mapping but I got started almost almost
mapping but I got started almost almost
mapping but I got started almost almost at the beginning of my PhD work the site
at the beginning of my PhD work the site
at the beginning of my PhD work the site you see in the lower left hand corner
you see in the lower left hand corner
you see in the lower left hand corner that’s called tell to Billa it’s located
that’s called tell to Billa it’s located
that’s called tell to Billa it’s located in the northeast Egyptian Delta about
in the northeast Egyptian Delta about
in the northeast Egyptian Delta about two hours to the northeast of Cairo it’s
two hours to the northeast of Cairo it’s
two hours to the northeast of Cairo it’s a multi period archaeological site dates
a multi period archaeological site dates
a multi period archaeological site dates to primarily to the late period so
to primarily to the late period so
to primarily to the late period so roughly 600 BC and when the Napoleonic
roughly 600 BC and when the Napoleonic
roughly 600 BC and when the Napoleonic expedition visited Egypt in the 1800s
expedition visited Egypt in the 1800s
expedition visited Egypt in the 1800s the site was fairly large over 1,000 by
the site was fairly large over 1,000 by
the site was fairly large over 1,000 by 1,000 meters in size over time due to
1,000 meters in size over time due to
1,000 meters in size over time due to agricultural growth and encroachment the
agricultural growth and encroachment the
agricultural growth and encroachment the site has been decreasing and decreasing
site has been decreasing and decreasing
site has been decreasing and decreasing in size and you can actually see just
in size and you can actually see just
in size and you can actually see just how much the site has shrunk in the last
how much the site has shrunk in the last
how much the site has shrunk in the last 200 years this is one site in Egypt and
200 years this is one site in Egypt and
200 years this is one site in Egypt and we’ll look at the number of square
we’ll look at the number of square
we’ll look at the number of square meters it’s shrunk we’ve been able to
meters it’s shrunk we’ve been able to
meters it’s shrunk we’ve been able to track this using old maps old spy
track this using old maps old spy
track this using old maps old spy photographs from the 1960s Declassified
photographs from the 1960s Declassified
photographs from the 1960s Declassified an information aerial photographs as
an information aerial photographs as
an information aerial photographs as well as satellite imagery and as I
well as satellite imagery and as I
well as satellite imagery and as I continued with my thesis research I
continued with my thesis research I
continued with my thesis research I realized that this was not just the
realized that this was not just the
realized that this was not just the story at Tel tabouleh
story at Tel tabouleh
story at Tel tabouleh this is the story of many if not all of
this is the story of many if not all of
this is the story of many if not all of Egypt’s archaeological sites and this is
Egypt’s archaeological sites and this is
Egypt’s archaeological sites and this is not just the story of Egypt this is
not just the story of Egypt this is
not just the story of Egypt this is something that’s going on all over the
something that’s going on all over the
something that’s going on all over the world of course my work focuses in Egypt
world of course my work focuses in Egypt
world of course my work focuses in Egypt but we’re beginning to do work in other
but we’re beginning to do work in other
but we’re beginning to do work in other countries and this is a global problem
countries and this is a global problem
countries and this is a global problem so that’s the takeaway I want you to
so that’s the takeaway I want you to
so that’s the takeaway I want you to have today is that that this is
have today is that that this is
have today is that that this is something that is going on all over the
something that is going on all over the
something that is going on all over the world and we now have the technology
world and we now have the technology
world and we now have the technology tools and resources to map
tools and resources to map
tools and resources to map the problem and begin to strategize
the problem and begin to strategize
the problem and begin to strategize about ways of stopping it because ours
about ways of stopping it because ours
about ways of stopping it because ours is truly the last generation that will
is truly the last generation that will
is truly the last generation that will be able to do something about it before
be able to do something about it before
be able to do something about it before these sites are gone forever now we
these sites are gone forever now we
these sites are gone forever now we think of Egypt of course we always think
think of Egypt of course we always think
think of Egypt of course we always think of Egypt’s greatest discovery that of
of Egypt’s greatest discovery that of
of Egypt’s greatest discovery that of the tomb of King Tut but what’s
the tomb of King Tut but what’s
the tomb of King Tut but what’s interesting and no one really knows this
interesting and no one really knows this
interesting and no one really knows this is that the tomb of King Tut was not
is that the tomb of King Tut was not
is that the tomb of King Tut was not totally intact it had actually been
totally intact it had actually been
totally intact it had actually been looted in antiquity so that’s something
looted in antiquity so that’s something
looted in antiquity so that’s something else that we need to bring up that a lot
else that we need to bring up that a lot
else that we need to bring up that a lot of looting that goes on on
of looting that goes on on
of looting that goes on on archaeological sites this is not a
archaeological sites this is not a
archaeological sites this is not a modern phenomenon this is something
modern phenomenon this is something
modern phenomenon this is something that’s been going on this is a very very
that’s been going on this is a very very
that’s been going on this is a very very human trait and when Howard Carter
human trait and when Howard Carter
human trait and when Howard Carter opened King Tut’s tomb and looked at the
opened King Tut’s tomb and looked at the
opened King Tut’s tomb and looked at the vessels that contained unguent so
vessels that contained unguent so
vessels that contained unguent so ancient perfumes and creams there were
ancient perfumes and creams there were
ancient perfumes and creams there were actually finger marks you have to think
actually finger marks you have to think
actually finger marks you have to think if you’re going to take something from
if you’re going to take something from
if you’re going to take something from King Tut’s tomb when you walk into the
King Tut’s tomb when you walk into the
King Tut’s tomb when you walk into the market with a gold scarab with King
market with a gold scarab with King
market with a gold scarab with King Tut’s name on it people are going to
Tut’s name on it people are going to
Tut’s name on it people are going to wonder where it came from versus a
wonder where it came from versus a
wonder where it came from versus a handful of an unguent that you can
handful of an unguent that you can
handful of an unguent that you can easily sell on so I’m just bringing that
easily sell on so I’m just bringing that
easily sell on so I’m just bringing that up as an example to show that there’s a
up as an example to show that there’s a
up as an example to show that there’s a great history of this going on in Egypt
great history of this going on in Egypt
great history of this going on in Egypt so in January of 2011 my career changed
so in January of 2011 my career changed
so in January of 2011 my career changed quite a bit
quite a bit
quite a bit following the Egyptian revolution we
following the Egyptian revolution we
following the Egyptian revolution we started hearing rumors of archaeological
started hearing rumors of archaeological
started hearing rumors of archaeological sites being looted we didn’t know what
sites being looted we didn’t know what
sites being looted we didn’t know what was rumor and what was truth and of
was rumor and what was truth and of
was rumor and what was truth and of course everyone here knows about the
course everyone here knows about the
course everyone here knows about the Cairo Museum with objects being taken
Cairo Museum with objects being taken
Cairo Museum with objects being taken the Egyptian government has done an
the Egyptian government has done an
the Egyptian government has done an incredible job in tracking these objects
incredible job in tracking these objects
incredible job in tracking these objects down they’ve they’ve managed to find
down they’ve they’ve managed to find
down they’ve they’ve managed to find many of the objects that were taken and
many of the objects that were taken and
many of the objects that were taken and they’re actually going on display at the
they’re actually going on display at the
they’re actually going on display at the Cairo Museum and with support from
Cairo Museum and with support from
Cairo Museum and with support from National Geographic as well as digital
National Geographic as well as digital
National Geographic as well as digital globe they’re very large provider of
globe they’re very large provider of
globe they’re very large provider of high-resolution satellite data we were
high-resolution satellite data we were
high-resolution satellite data we were able to get a hold of satellite images
able to get a hold of satellite images
able to get a hold of satellite images showing that there was looting going on
showing that there was looting going on
showing that there was looting going on so the question that we started asking
so the question that we started asking
so the question that we started asking is what’s the scale where is it
is what’s the scale where is it
is what’s the scale where is it happening and why is it happening
happening and why is it happening
happening and why is it happening and as I’ve been doing this research
and as I’ve been doing this research
and as I’ve been doing this research I’ve learned this is not a
I’ve learned this is not a
I’ve learned this is not a straightforward black or white issue
straightforward black or white issue
straightforward black or white issue what would we do if we were villagers
what would we do if we were villagers
what would we do if we were villagers and times were hard what would we do to
and times were hard what would we do to
and times were hard what would we do to feed our families so this is an issue
feed our families so this is an issue
feed our families so this is an issue that’s tied in very deeply with economic
that’s tied in very deeply with economic
that’s tied in very deeply with economic development with local opportunities for
development with local opportunities for
development with local opportunities for individuals education we can’t really
individuals education we can’t really
individuals education we can’t really point the finger at any one individual
point the finger at any one individual
point the finger at any one individual or any one entity this is something that
or any one entity this is something that
or any one entity this is something that is much more complicated than that
is much more complicated than that
is much more complicated than that my work started off being focused on two
my work started off being focused on two
my work started off being focused on two main sites one area being a pyramid
main sites one area being a pyramid
main sites one area being a pyramid fields just south of Cairo and an area
fields just south of Cairo and an area
fields just south of Cairo and an area called El list which is about two hours
called El list which is about two hours
called El list which is about two hours south of Cairo to verne well-known zone
south of Cairo to verne well-known zone
south of Cairo to verne well-known zone for the Middle Kingdom roughly 1800 BC
for the Middle Kingdom roughly 1800 BC
for the Middle Kingdom roughly 1800 BC but since then it’s expanded I’ll talk
but since then it’s expanded I’ll talk
but since then it’s expanded I’ll talk more about that shortly and here you see
more about that shortly and here you see
more about that shortly and here you see before-and-after imagery so we have to
before-and-after imagery so we have to
before-and-after imagery so we have to be very careful when we’re doing this
be very careful when we’re doing this
be very careful when we’re doing this mapping and recognizing when looting has
mapping and recognizing when looting has
mapping and recognizing when looting has happened when it has taken place and
happened when it has taken place and
happened when it has taken place and acknowledging that a lot of looting
acknowledging that a lot of looting
acknowledging that a lot of looting that’s gone on in Egypt and elsewhere of
that’s gone on in Egypt and elsewhere of
that’s gone on in Egypt and elsewhere of course has been going on for a long time
course has been going on for a long time
course has been going on for a long time fortunately I had really good satellite
fortunately I had really good satellite
fortunately I had really good satellite imagery coverage for most of the main
imagery coverage for most of the main
imagery coverage for most of the main areas of Egypt and also there’s there’s
areas of Egypt and also there’s there’s
areas of Egypt and also there’s there’s wonderful open-source online access to
wonderful open-source online access to
wonderful open-source online access to satellite data with resources like
satellite data with resources like
satellite data with resources like Google Earth and NASA’s visible Earth
Google Earth and NASA’s visible Earth
Google Earth and NASA’s visible Earth program this data is available to
program this data is available to
program this data is available to everyone all over the world but you can
everyone all over the world but you can
everyone all over the world but you can see comparing this image this is from
see comparing this image this is from
see comparing this image this is from south aboo-seer just a little bit south
south aboo-seer just a little bit south
south aboo-seer just a little bit south of Cairo this is an image from 2009 the
of Cairo this is an image from 2009 the
of Cairo this is an image from 2009 the image on the right is an image from
image on the right is an image from
image on the right is an image from February 15 2011 and you can see there
February 15 2011 and you can see there
February 15 2011 and you can see there are about 220 looting pits it’s pretty
are about 220 looting pits it’s pretty
are about 220 looting pits it’s pretty easy to see it you see a black rectangle
easy to see it you see a black rectangle
easy to see it you see a black rectangle surrounded by a doughnut of Earth and we
surrounded by a doughnut of Earth and we
surrounded by a doughnut of Earth and we go in we actually use it use a tool draw
go in we actually use it use a tool draw
go in we actually use it use a tool draw the number of looting pits you can
the number of looting pits you can
the number of looting pits you can actually see in the upper right hand
actually see in the upper right hand
actually see in the upper right hand corner bulldozing marks which which is
corner bulldozing marks which which is
corner bulldozing marks which which is again a sign of more organized activity
again a sign of more organized activity
again a sign of more organized activity so this is another thing
so this is another thing
so this is another thing tracking who is doing the looting if the
tracking who is doing the looting if the
tracking who is doing the looting if the gangs of youths going in digging up a
gangs of youths going in digging up a
gangs of youths going in digging up a few looting pits trying to find treasure
few looting pits trying to find treasure
few looting pits trying to find treasure versus organized criminal activity and
versus organized criminal activity and
versus organized criminal activity and what we’re seeing in Egypt and indeed in
what we’re seeing in Egypt and indeed in
what we’re seeing in Egypt and indeed in many parts of the world is that this
many parts of the world is that this
many parts of the world is that this blue ting is changing it is a global
blue ting is changing it is a global
blue ting is changing it is a global problem and it is something that has
problem and it is something that has
problem and it is something that has deep connections with global criminal
deep connections with global criminal
deep connections with global criminal activities so with the support of of
activities so with the support of of
activities so with the support of of Deborah at the capital archaeological
Deborah at the capital archaeological
Deborah at the capital archaeological Institute and the International
Institute and the International
Institute and the International Coalition for the protection of Egyptian
Coalition for the protection of Egyptian
Coalition for the protection of Egyptian antiquities at the very kind invitation
antiquities at the very kind invitation
antiquities at the very kind invitation of egypt’s foreign ministry in May of
of egypt’s foreign ministry in May of
of egypt’s foreign ministry in May of 2011 we went to Egypt to meet with a
2011 we went to Egypt to meet with a
2011 we went to Egypt to meet with a number of officials and also to visit
number of officials and also to visit
number of officials and also to visit some of these looting pits on the ground
some of these looting pits on the ground
some of these looting pits on the ground a really critical part of satellite
a really critical part of satellite
a really critical part of satellite imagery of course is ground truthing you
imagery of course is ground truthing you
imagery of course is ground truthing you go and you examine for yourself to see
go and you examine for yourself to see
go and you examine for yourself to see is what the satellite imagery is showing
is what the satellite imagery is showing
is what the satellite imagery is showing what you think it is what people might
what you think it is what people might
what you think it is what people might not know is the incredible deep
not know is the incredible deep
not know is the incredible deep knowledge that local people in Egypt
knowledge that local people in Egypt
knowledge that local people in Egypt have of their history and many
have of their history and many
have of their history and many individuals as it turns out who were
individuals as it turns out who were
individuals as it turns out who were involved with the looting or at least we
involved with the looting or at least we
involved with the looting or at least we think we’re involved with the looting
think we’re involved with the looting
think we’re involved with the looting had experience with archaeological
had experience with archaeological
had experience with archaeological excavations they knew where to look for
excavations they knew where to look for
excavations they knew where to look for tombs you can see us standing in front
tombs you can see us standing in front
tombs you can see us standing in front of it that’s definitely my my unhappy
of it that’s definitely my my unhappy
of it that’s definitely my my unhappy face I prefer to be digging and you can
face I prefer to be digging and you can
face I prefer to be digging and you can see it’s fairly deep they know exactly
see it’s fairly deep they know exactly
see it’s fairly deep they know exactly where to go and so the big question then
where to go and so the big question then
where to go and so the big question then is were these tombs intact how can we
is were these tombs intact how can we
is were these tombs intact how can we really know if when we get there they’re
really know if when we get there they’re
really know if when we get there they’re empty where you can see where I’m
empty where you can see where I’m
empty where you can see where I’m standing on the left hand side you can
standing on the left hand side you can
standing on the left hand side you can see bits of human bone little bits from
see bits of human bone little bits from
see bits of human bone little bits from sarcophagi broken pottery by the way you
sarcophagi broken pottery by the way you
sarcophagi broken pottery by the way you can’t see it from from from this picture
can’t see it from from from this picture
can’t see it from from from this picture but they had fresh breaks so I think
but they had fresh breaks so I think
but they had fresh breaks so I think many of these tombs that have been
many of these tombs that have been
many of these tombs that have been looted on actually were partially –
looted on actually were partially –
looted on actually were partially – almost fully intact so this gets at at a
almost fully intact so this gets at at a
almost fully intact so this gets at at a really crucial issue for mapping
really crucial issue for mapping
really crucial issue for mapping archaeological site looting all over the
archaeological site looting all over the
archaeological site looting all over the world the most important thing that we
world the most important thing that we
world the most important thing that we need is an inventory not just of the
need is an inventory not just of the
need is an inventory not just of the objects which is absolutely crucial but
objects which is absolutely crucial but
objects which is absolutely crucial but in an inventory of the number of
in an inventory of the number of
in an inventory of the number of archaeological sites in that
archaeological sites in that
archaeological sites in that and what may be shocking to hear is that
and what may be shocking to hear is that
and what may be shocking to hear is that there is no single country in the entire
there is no single country in the entire
there is no single country in the entire world that has a comprehensive database
world that has a comprehensive database
world that has a comprehensive database of every single known archaeological
of every single known archaeological
of every single known archaeological site this is the 21st century this this
site this is the 21st century this this
site this is the 21st century this this so information should be open it should
so information should be open it should
so information should be open it should be online and we simply don’t have this
be online and we simply don’t have this
be online and we simply don’t have this information so I want to show you a
information so I want to show you a
information so I want to show you a little bit about how much things have
little bit about how much things have
little bit about how much things have changed in the last three years at one
changed in the last three years at one
changed in the last three years at one particular site and then talk to you
particular site and then talk to you
particular site and then talk to you about what we’re doing about this right
about what we’re doing about this right
about what we’re doing about this right now and how we’re hoping that this work
now and how we’re hoping that this work
now and how we’re hoping that this work will change public perceptions and and
will change public perceptions and and
will change public perceptions and and hopefully in working in conjunction with
hopefully in working in conjunction with
hopefully in working in conjunction with the Egyptian government begin to protect
the Egyptian government begin to protect
the Egyptian government begin to protect some of these sites that are under
some of these sites that are under
some of these sites that are under threat this is an image of a very well
threat this is an image of a very well
threat this is an image of a very well known archaeological zone – or their
known archaeological zone – or their
known archaeological zone – or their series of Middle Kingdom pyramids again
series of Middle Kingdom pyramids again
series of Middle Kingdom pyramids again these are from roughly 1800 BC the top
these are from roughly 1800 BC the top
these are from roughly 1800 BC the top image is from 2009 you can see the tip
image is from 2009 you can see the tip
image is from 2009 you can see the tip of a pyramid just the black edge just to
of a pyramid just the black edge just to
of a pyramid just the black edge just to the south of the image you see what look
the south of the image you see what look
the south of the image you see what look like looting pit those aren’t those were
like looting pit those aren’t those were
like looting pit those aren’t those were actually exposed to muffs and things
actually exposed to muffs and things
actually exposed to muffs and things look okay you don’t see much looting
look okay you don’t see much looting
look okay you don’t see much looting flash ahead to May of 2011 we’re
flash ahead to May of 2011 we’re
flash ahead to May of 2011 we’re starting to see some looting pits not
starting to see some looting pits not
starting to see some looting pits not maybe maybe 15 or 20 not too bad 2012
maybe maybe 15 or 20 not too bad 2012
maybe maybe 15 or 20 not too bad 2012 maybe 100 to 150 pits but 2013 things
maybe 100 to 150 pits but 2013 things
maybe 100 to 150 pits but 2013 things start getting really bad we see about
start getting really bad we see about
start getting really bad we see about 450 to 500 looting pits and even more
450 to 500 looting pits and even more
450 to 500 looting pits and even more concerning it’s a significant extension
concerning it’s a significant extension
concerning it’s a significant extension of the cemetery this is an illegal
of the cemetery this is an illegal
of the cemetery this is an illegal cemetery and this is a big problem in
cemetery and this is a big problem in
cemetery and this is a big problem in Egypt into many parts of the world there
Egypt into many parts of the world there
Egypt into many parts of the world there simply aren’t enough places for the
simply aren’t enough places for the
simply aren’t enough places for the Egyptians to bury their dead and so
Egyptians to bury their dead and so
Egyptians to bury their dead and so there’s a lot of illegal encroachment on
there’s a lot of illegal encroachment on
there’s a lot of illegal encroachment on archaeological sites what do we do about
archaeological sites what do we do about
archaeological sites what do we do about this and how do we begin to map this
this and how do we begin to map this
this and how do we begin to map this problem with generous funding from
problem with generous funding from
problem with generous funding from National Geographic we are in the midst
National Geographic we are in the midst
National Geographic we are in the midst of the first comprehensive looting
of the first comprehensive looting
of the first comprehensive looting mapping project for an entire country
mapping project for an entire country
mapping project for an entire country we’re using satellite imagery that’s
we’re using satellite imagery that’s
we’re using satellite imagery that’s openly available and online using Google
openly available and online using Google
openly available and online using Google Earth as well as additional sources and
Earth as well as additional sources and
Earth as well as additional sources and we’re going back to
we’re going back to
we’re going back to years in time from 2002 to the present
years in time from 2002 to the present
years in time from 2002 to the present and we’re looking at every known
and we’re looking at every known
and we’re looking at every known archaeological site in Egypt plus many
archaeological site in Egypt plus many
archaeological site in Egypt plus many thousands of others that I’ve been able
thousands of others that I’ve been able
thousands of others that I’ve been able to find through my research and looking
to find through my research and looking
to find through my research and looking at the history of site looting all over
at the history of site looting all over
at the history of site looting all over Egypt and what’s fascinating right now
Egypt and what’s fascinating right now
Egypt and what’s fascinating right now if you don’t know the time period of a
if you don’t know the time period of a
if you don’t know the time period of a looted site
looted site
looted site you simply can’t begin to think about
you simply can’t begin to think about
you simply can’t begin to think about what objects might be looted from it and
what objects might be looted from it and
what objects might be looted from it and you can’t you can’t inform Interpol in
you can’t you can’t inform Interpol in
you can’t you can’t inform Interpol in the Carabinieri and u.s. customs and
the Carabinieri and u.s. customs and
the Carabinieri and u.s. customs and international authorities as to what
international authorities as to what
international authorities as to what might be taken what we do know from all
might be taken what we do know from all
might be taken what we do know from all of these thousands of known sites is
of these thousands of known sites is
of these thousands of known sites is their time period so we can go to
their time period so we can go to
their time period so we can go to international entities and say we have
international entities and say we have
international entities and say we have 57 sites from 600 BC that have extensive
57 sites from 600 BC that have extensive
57 sites from 600 BC that have extensive site looting here is a typical tomb
site looting here is a typical tomb
site looting here is a typical tomb group from the late period you know it
group from the late period you know it
group from the late period you know it would have a stone sarcophagus here the
would have a stone sarcophagus here the
would have a stone sarcophagus here the types of pottery that come from that
types of pottery that come from that
types of pottery that come from that particular site here are the shop tees
particular site here are the shop tees
particular site here are the shop tees here’s the here other objects and
here’s the here other objects and
here’s the here other objects and artifacts from that time period so we
artifacts from that time period so we
artifacts from that time period so we can begin from space even though we
can begin from space even though we
can begin from space even though we can’t zoom in and see a single pot based
can’t zoom in and see a single pot based
can’t zoom in and see a single pot based on the time period known from that site
on the time period known from that site
on the time period known from that site we can begin to come up with inventories
we can begin to come up with inventories
we can begin to come up with inventories for international authorities to look
for international authorities to look
for international authorities to look for what about more broadly well with
for what about more broadly well with
for what about more broadly well with generous funding from the National
generous funding from the National
generous funding from the National Science Foundation I will be working
Science Foundation I will be working
Science Foundation I will be working directly with the Egyptian Ministry of
directly with the Egyptian Ministry of
directly with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities to set up training programs
Antiquities to set up training programs
Antiquities to set up training programs for young Egyptians these are the men
for young Egyptians these are the men
for young Egyptians these are the men and the women that are really the true
and the women that are really the true
and the women that are really the true unsung culture heroes of post and
unsung culture heroes of post and
unsung culture heroes of post and pre-revolution Egypt there’s a gentleman
pre-revolution Egypt there’s a gentleman
pre-revolution Egypt there’s a gentleman named Omar Farouk was a very dear friend
named Omar Farouk was a very dear friend
named Omar Farouk was a very dear friend of mine he’s our head fixer in Luxor
of mine he’s our head fixer in Luxor
of mine he’s our head fixer in Luxor he’s been his family’s been doing
he’s been his family’s been doing
he’s been his family’s been doing archaeological work in Egypt for 150
archaeological work in Egypt for 150
archaeological work in Egypt for 150 years this great grandfather was
years this great grandfather was
years this great grandfather was Petrie’s rice so the the chief boss
Petrie’s rice so the the chief boss
Petrie’s rice so the the chief boss egyptian who worked with with with
egyptian who worked with with with
egyptian who worked with with with Petrie one of the great the grandfather
Petrie one of the great the grandfather
Petrie one of the great the grandfather of Egyptian archaeology and Omer and a
of Egyptian archaeology and Omer and a
of Egyptian archaeology and Omer and a group of young men just after the
group of young men just after the
group of young men just after the Revolution started were under gunfire an
Revolution started were under gunfire an
Revolution started were under gunfire an attack
attack
attack at karnak temple in luxor and they
at karnak temple in luxor and they
at karnak temple in luxor and they actually managed to fight off a gang of
actually managed to fight off a gang of
actually managed to fight off a gang of looters risking their own lives to
looters risking their own lives to
looters risking their own lives to protect this this site there are so many
protect this this site there are so many
protect this this site there are so many dozens of stores like that all over
dozens of stores like that all over
dozens of stores like that all over egypt so we’re hoping through
egypt so we’re hoping through
egypt so we’re hoping through educational initiatives to work with
educational initiatives to work with
educational initiatives to work with young Egyptian men and women to provide
young Egyptian men and women to provide
young Egyptian men and women to provide them tools and resources like Google
them tools and resources like Google
them tools and resources like Google Earth and other resources for them to be
Earth and other resources for them to be
Earth and other resources for them to be able to take part in protecting their
able to take part in protecting their
able to take part in protecting their sites so more broadly what do we do
sites so more broadly what do we do
sites so more broadly what do we do we’re hoping that this is just the first
we’re hoping that this is just the first
we’re hoping that this is just the first step what we want to do is we want to
step what we want to do is we want to
step what we want to do is we want to create crowdsourcing opportunities for
create crowdsourcing opportunities for
create crowdsourcing opportunities for the world
the world
the world so it’s not just me and my and my
so it’s not just me and my and my
so it’s not just me and my and my students doing this work in my lab but
students doing this work in my lab but
students doing this work in my lab but actually students and individuals from
actually students and individuals from
actually students and individuals from all over the world can help in the look
all over the world can help in the look
all over the world can help in the look in the search for for looting everywhere
in the search for for looting everywhere
in the search for for looting everywhere we also want to emphasize just how
we also want to emphasize just how
we also want to emphasize just how important it is for countries all over
important it is for countries all over
important it is for countries all over the world to have good site inventories
the world to have good site inventories
the world to have good site inventories because if you don’t know where your
because if you don’t know where your
because if you don’t know where your sites are how in the world can you begin
sites are how in the world can you begin
sites are how in the world can you begin to protect them so well I would love to
to protect them so well I would love to
to protect them so well I would love to get back to my search for settlements
get back to my search for settlements
get back to my search for settlements and pyramids this is this is very
and pyramids this is this is very
and pyramids this is this is very important for me and certainly something
important for me and certainly something
important for me and certainly something that I know I will be devoting the rest
that I know I will be devoting the rest
that I know I will be devoting the rest of my life to doing and with new
of my life to doing and with new
of my life to doing and with new technologies and new advancements on
technologies and new advancements on
technologies and new advancements on this is something that simply would not
this is something that simply would not
this is something that simply would not have been possible 15 to 20 years ago so
have been possible 15 to 20 years ago so
have been possible 15 to 20 years ago so I think the urgency is here it’s it’s
I think the urgency is here it’s it’s
I think the urgency is here it’s it’s it’s time for our generation to do
it’s time for our generation to do
it’s time for our generation to do something about this because as we’ve
something about this because as we’ve
something about this because as we’ve been able to map you know every day
been able to map you know every day
been able to map you know every day we’re mapping thousands of looting pits
we’re mapping thousands of looting pits
we’re mapping thousands of looting pits we’re seeing an over 1000% increase in
we’re seeing an over 1000% increase in
we’re seeing an over 1000% increase in site looting since the start of the
site looting since the start of the
site looting since the start of the Revolution and billions of dollars in
Revolution and billions of dollars in
Revolution and billions of dollars in antiquities that we’ve estimated to date
antiquities that we’ve estimated to date
antiquities that we’ve estimated to date that have been stolen and if we think
that have been stolen and if we think
that have been stolen and if we think this is Egypt alone and you begin to
this is Egypt alone and you begin to
this is Egypt alone and you begin to scale that all over the world I give a
scale that all over the world I give a
scale that all over the world I give a number right now off the top of my head
number right now off the top of my head
number right now off the top of my head but it would be very large so this is a
but it would be very large so this is a
but it would be very large so this is a global issue this is then it’s and the
global issue this is then it’s and the
global issue this is then it’s and the time is now to do something about it
time is now to do something about it
time is now to do something about it thank you very much
”
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