Egypt’s Christian Heritage: Cultural Heritage Management and Egypt’s Coptic Monuments

Description

The Christian cultural heritage of north Africa is ancient and rich, but at risk after recent political events. The Christian, Coptic heritage of Egypt remains poorly studied from the perspective of heritage management and is also at risk from a number of factors. Using first-hand study and analysis based upon original fieldwork, Egypt’s Christian Heritage offers an assessment to the risks facing Coptic monuments in Egypt today. It does this by situating Egyptian heritage policy within the English framework, and it establishes theoretical approaches to value, significance, meaning, and interpretation in Egyptian heritage within a wider global framework. The research is based on the analysis of three markedly different Egyptian Christian Coptic sites, each with their own unique management issues. This book offers a series of solutions and ideas to preserve, manage and interpret this unique material culture and to emphasise community solutions as being the most viable and sustainable approaches, whilst taking into account the varied levels of significance of these monuments. Egypt’s Christian Heritage: Cultural Heritage Management and Egypt’s Coptic Monuments Contents List of figures List of tables 1. The Copts in context The Copts of Egypt: a brief historical context The Copts and the rise of orientalism in Egypt The Copts in modern Egypt Conclusion Aims, scope and methods of the study Structure of the study 2. The theoretical context: significance, value and meanings Assessing significance: the experience from English heritage practice The global vs local heritage debate Conclusion 3. The practice of conservation and management Restricted intervention and the retention of authenticity Compatibility and reversibility Reconstructing historic buildings Conclusion 4. Heritage management and tourism in Egypt Heritage tourism Egyptian tourism Management, protection and interpretation at Christian heritage sites in Egypt Conclusion 5. The heritage policy context: England, Egypt and the world Heritage legislation in England: The Ancient Monuments Act to Historic England The current state of English archaeology and heritage management: Weaknesses and strengths UNESCO and its role in world heritage protection Conclusion Current issues in Egyptian heritage policy development The way forward for Egyptian heritage discourse 6. A case study of Coptic monuments in urban Cairo: The churches of al Adra and Abu Sefain (Haret Zuwaila omplex) Introduction Historical background and environmental issues Description of the church of Al Adra and Abu Sefein Condition survey of both churches Walls Walls of Abu Sefain Entrance to Abu Sefein Floor Pillars Ambon Well Significance Discussion Visitation to the church Conclusion 7. The Monastery of St Paul Historical background Description of the Monastery of St Paul, its churches and ancillary buildings Cistern and spring of St Paul The Mill Reception rooms Church of St Michael Pharmacy/bakery Old stables Keep Refectory Church of St Mercurius and The Cave Church of St Paul. Assessment of significance Previous conservative work Discussion Conclusion 8. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abu Mina Location Historical background to the site and description of the church complex Description of the site of Abu Mina Great Basilica Modern church within the Great Basilica Martyr Church Baptistery Central gathering square The Roman town Assessment of significance Assessment of current conservation and management measures at the site Previous conservation plans Discussion Tourism impacts Conclusion 9. Conclusion Glossary of Coptic architectural terms Bibliography