Effects Of Pollution On The

Monuments Of Egypt

The air pollution nowadays is a matter of serious concern. Various marks of our glorious past is being hampered due to the different polluting agents in our society. Acid rain, Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming are destroying many monuments which reflect the culture and heritage of our past

Acid Rain

 One of the more destructive forms of pollution is acid rain. Acid rain occurs when fossil fuel emissions containing sulfur dioxide combine with moisture in the air to form acidic precipitation. When acid rain falls on historical monuments of limestone or marble, a chemical reaction takes place which has a corrosive effect on these structures. The reaction dissolves the material, leading to permanent damage.     

Corrosion on limestone due to acid rain

Surfaces made up of limestone and marble are greatly corroded because of acid rain. Many of the structure and surface of the pyramids of Egypt has been altered due to this destructive polluting agent. The pyramid Of Giza, Abusir Pyramids and many more have been the victims of this polluting agent.

Global Warming and greenhouse effect

  According to the National Climatic Data Center, global temperatures have risen during the past century at a rate of 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. The concern with historical monuments lies in the temperature impacts on the chemistry. Heat acts as a catalyst, speeding the rate of chemical reactions. The fate of historical monuments becomes more uncertain, and the urgency to take action increases. Global warming occurs when greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide trap radiant heat at the earth's surface, which causes temperatures to rise.

Other factors leading to destruction of monuments

Smog Effect of wind

Effect of moisture

Human Damage

Effects of Acid Rain On The Monuments

Pyramid of Giza

Abusir Pyramids

EFFECT OF WIND ONMONUMENTS

STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE MONUMENTS OF

EGYPT

Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA)With the intention of promoting "the cultural heritage of Egypt," the Supreme Council of Antiquities operates under the direction of Egypt's Ministry of Culture. It is

the organization charged with the primary responsibility of both conserving and restoring Egypt's ancient monuments, such as the Karnak Temple, the

Pyramids of Giza, Abu Simbel, and myriad ancient monuments located throughout the country. SCA also works with the Getty Conservation Institute to protect the ancient monuments in the Valley of the Queens.

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THE SCA Foreign archaeologists working in Egypt were required to report all discoveries and finds to the SCA before publication, a somewhat controversial rule that led to the expulsion of some archaeologists from Egypt. The SCA also oversaw the recovery of antiquities either stolen or illegally exported from Egypt, and between 2002 and 2008 retrieved 3,000 artifacts. It is currently embroiled in a dispute with the Berlin Museum over the bust of Nefertiti, which it claims was removed from the country by deceit.Previously it has asked for the return of the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum and the Dendara Zodiac from the Louvre.The SCA was governed by an Administrative Council, headed by the Minister of Culture, and a Secretary General.The SCA headquarters were located in the Zamalek neighborhood of Cairo.

We give thanks to ELGEEL ELMUSLIM PRIMARY GIRLS SCHOOL for providing us with information regarding causes of pollution and its effects on Egyptian monuments……………. The information provided by them made us complete our research work and make this presentation…………..

THIS PRESENTATION IS MADE BY*PROSHAKHA MAITRA*MAYURY SAMANTA