Sustainable solutions towards heritage preservation in the Asyut region (Middle Egypt)

目前的建议旨在通过在多层次遗址上研究广泛的历史--直到今天--来实施一种新的实地工作方法，包括努力保护遗产而不仅仅是研究遗产。该项目将以埃及中部的阿苏特地区，特别是Shutb村为案例研究，着手制定一项考古遗址可持续保护政策。该项目不只是将考古遗址视为抢救任务或狭隘的学术追求，而是支持当地利益，改善当地社区的生活，使他们能够在保护遗址方面发挥工作伙伴的作用。所采用的方法促进（1）更好地将保护和遗产管理方法和专家融入考古实地工作项目，（2）与文物保护有关的不同机构和部门之间的协调和合作，（3）通过培训和能力建设，通过实践经验和项目的实施，与当地社区、当地文物专业人员和其他利益相关者进行接触。为实现这些目标，大英博物馆将与一个由驻开罗的顾问、剑桥大学工作人员和当地利益攸关方组成的跨学科小组合作，制定一套保护措施，以维护Shutb的考古价值，防止历史结构进一步腐烂，并改善居民的社会经济（生活）条件。在Shutb的两个季节的实地考察将包括一系列的调查和会议，以评估村庄对考古遗迹的影响和感知，并确定和优先考虑有意义的干预方式。进一步促进当地社区参与的努力将侧重于通过与实际成果挂钩的文献和培训进行能力建设-力求使下一代策展人具备自己提供此类文献的技能。这种参与将有助于教育当地社区了解其地下考古学的价值。许多已确定的遗产威胁也对人们的健康产生负面影响，例如靠近垃圾处理站以及地面和水污染。收集的调查数据将用于确定减少和改变垃圾倾倒方向的方案，并改善住宅单元的废物和水管理系统，以减少地面污染，增进个人健康。根据社区会议和访谈的结果，该项目将为社区最紧迫的需求制定解决方案。这种全面包容的方法从未在埃及进行过测试，在埃及，实地工作传统上在身体和智力上与周围环境和社区分离。然而，这是一个发展更可持续方法的好时机，因为古代的故事正面临自然力量和社会，政治和经济变化的影响。通过与文物部的合作，如果在其他地点实施或更根本地纳入政府战略，则可以加快既定方法的影响。

The current proposal aims to implement a new approach to fieldwork in Egypt by looking at the broad spectrum of history - up until the present day - at multi-layered sites, including efforts to preserve heritage rather than only researching it. The project will undertake and develop a sustainable conservation policy for archaeological sites using the Asyut region in Middle Egypt, and the village of Shutb in particular, as a case-study. Rather than merely looking upon archaeological sites as salvage missions or narrow-eyed academic pursuits, the project supports local interests to better the lives of local communities so that they can function as working partners in preserving the site.The employed methodology promotes (1) better integration of preservation and heritage management methodologies and specialists into archaeological fieldwork projects, (2) coordination and collaboration amongst different institutions and agencies concerned with heritage preservation, (3) engaging with local communities, local heritage professionals and other stakeholders through training and capacity building by hands-on experience and implementation of projects. To achieve these goals, the British Museum will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of Cairo-based consultants, staff of Cambridge University and local stake holders to develop a set of protection measures in order to uphold Shutb's archaeological value, to prevent further decay of the historic fabric and to enhance the socio-economic (living) conditions of the inhabitants. Two seasons of fieldwork in Shutb will include a series of surveys and meetings to assess the impact and perception of the village's presence on the archaeological remains and identify and prioritise meaningful ways of intervention. Further efforts to engaged local communities will focus on capacity building through documentation and training linked to tangible results - seeking to enable the next generation of curators to have skills to deliver such documentation themselves. Such engagement will facilitate the education of local communities about the value of the archaeology beneath them.Many of the defined threats to heritage also negatively affect people's health, such as proximity to garbage disposal and ground and water pollution. The gathered survey data will be used to define programmes to reduce and redirect garbage dumping and improve waste and water management systems of residential units to reduce ground pollution and increase personal health. Depending on the outcome of the community meetings and interviews; the project will develop solutions to the community's most pressing needs. Such an all-inclusive approach has never been tested in Egypt, where fieldwork has traditionally been physically and intellectually separated from the surrounding environment and communities. It is, however, an opportune moment to develop more sustainable methodologies as ancient tells are at risk from the forces of nature and the impact of social, political, and economic change. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Antiquities, the impact of the established methodology can be accelerated if implemented at other sites or -even more fundamentally- incorporated into governmental strategies.