Mons Claudianus to Become Open-Air Museum

[Winged Isis]

Egypt's Mons Claudianus to become open-air museum

The Ministry of Antiquities approved the development of the Mons Claudianus archaeological site into an open air museum to exhibit the quarrying process used in Egypt during the Roman era. The Mons Claudianus archaeological site that stretches from the Red Sea to Qena province is to be restored with the view of developing it into an open air museum of Roman era quarrying in Egypt [Credit: Wikimapia] Mons Claudianus is an area for granite quarries and houses a garrison, a quarrying site, a complete workers settlement with a horse stable and a granite water container. Fragments of granite items have also been found, along with broken columns and a number of engraved ostraca (broken pottery). Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Eldamaty told Ahram Online that during the Roman era, the area was called Granodiorite and it was used as a mine to collect construction materials. Author: Nevine El-Aref | Source: Ahram Online [July 02, 2015]

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[BBLUX]

I hope they don't over do the development of the site. It is the most fascinating place to visit.

It is about 22 km off the main Qena-Safaga road. When you leave the tarmac road you have to drive about 2 km across soft desert tracks and up twisting wadi's (4x4 essential). When you arrive the place is already an open air museum of sorts. There are some useful publications about the site by the most recent recent mission to work there but that was some years ago back in 1997. The mission was headed by Professor David Peacock from Southampton Uni. who he died in March this year. He is well known for work at many sites in the Eastern Desert.
There are still remains of structures used by the mission and it looks as if they only just left, such is the way the desert preserves things there. The Roman work town is still in existence as are a number of unfinished granite columns and other pieces.

A good access road and some interpretation boards is all they need. The silence and isolation is stunning so I hope it is able to retain that.

[Brian Yare]

I hope they don't over do the development of the site. It is the most fascinating place to visit.

It is about 22 km off the main Qena-Safaga road. When you leave the tarmac road you have to drive about 2 km across soft desert tracks and up twisting wadi's (4x4 essential). When you arrive the place is already an open air museum of sorts. There are some useful publications about the site by the most recent recent mission to work there but that was some years ago back in 1997. The mission was headed by Professor David Peacock from Southampton Uni. who he died in March this year. He is well known for work at many sites in the Eastern Desert.
There are still remains of structures used by the mission and it looks as if they only just left, such is the way the desert preserves things there. The Roman work town is still in existence as are a number of unfinished granite columns and other pieces.

A good access road and some interpretation boards is all they need. The silence and isolation is stunning so I hope it is able to retain that.

Alexander Nubia http://www.alexandernubia.com/ is surveying in this area. I met up with their Exploration Manager when she took a holiday in Luxor (West Bank of course) earlier this year. A delightful lady!