UNESCO Backs Plan to Build Underwater Museum in Alexandria, Egypt
The United Nations cultural agency announced today it will help Egypt build an innovative underwater museum in the Bay
of Alexandria on the site of archaeological remains thousands of years old.
The idea for a museum, located by Cleopatra’s Palace and the mythical 3rd Century B.C. Alexandria Lighthouse, also known
as Pharos, comes amid the growing recognition of the importance of underwater cultural heritage.
The first-of-its kind museum will be partly above water and partly submerged where visitors will be able to see
archaeological artefacts on the seabed, according to a press release from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization UNESCO.
“This project will certainly enhance the appreciation of underwater cultural heritage and raise awareness of the urgent
need to protect it from looting,” said the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura.
“Until UNESCO’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention enters into force, there is no specific international law that
can protect it against treasure hunters,” Mr. Matsuura added.
The museum represents a major advance in underwater cultural heritage exhibitions and UNESCO has established an
International Scientific Advisory Committee to help with the construction of the project, expected to begin later this
year.
UNESCO have also produced a documentary film focusing on its Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural
Heritage and the importance of saving submerged cultural property, increasingly vulnerable to pillaging with the
development of more sophisticated and affordable diving equipment.
ENDS