Sharjah: A virtual seminar organised by Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) will host experts from the UAE, Italy and Egypt to tackle the significant role of archeology and archeologists in the progress of human history. 

Held via Zoom platform, the ‘Deir el-Medina: Stories Uncovered’ seminar will take place on the morning of December 13, as part of “Deir El-Medina, Pharaohs Artists Village”, the children’s interactive exhibition organised by Sharjah Archaeology Museum until August 31, 2022 in collaboration with the Egyptian Museum in Turin. 

Over the course of the seminar’s three discussions, experts will highlight the discovery of Deir el-Medina site, the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation as well as the role of Egyptology in the areas of museums and education. 

“This webinar highlights the importance of archaeology not only as a science that helps us gain deeper insights into the past, but also offers a gateway to the future; teaches us about human societies; who we are and where we come from, and gives us a better understanding of our human nature,” said Manal Ataya, Director-General of SMA. 

“Archaeology has the ability to bring communities together because archaeological finds provide insight and understanding to preserve one’s national and cultural identity. The remarkable finds in Deir el Medina, for instance, are of significance to us all as they reshape our overall understanding of human existence and the evolution of humankind throughout the ages” she said. 

Ataya added that archaeological discoveries provide invaluable information about ancient societies of which there are no written records.

“These discoveries give us perspective on life between past and present, and the challenges that ancient peoples may have faced, so we realize that the technologies we take for granted today, were hard-earned by our ancestors."

The seminar’s first session “Egyptology in Museums and Education Today” targets students and specialists in the field of antiquities, the preservation of cultural heritage in the Emirates, Egypt, Italy and the world.

Moderated by Alya Burhaima, Learning Department Manager, SMA, the session will see the participation of Alessia Fassone, Curator, Museo Egizio – Turin; and Dr. Emily Cole, Visiting Lecturer, NYU Abu Dhabi.

Speakers will highlight the change to museums role and how their focus shifted to creating accessible spaces that offer learning opportunities and information for their audiences by working closely with educational institutions.

They will also shed light on the efforts and projects that contribute in communicating Egyptology to today's young learners.

During the second session, titled ‘The Importance of Protecting Cultural Heritage’, which will be moderated by Nasir Al Darmaki, Museums Strategic Planning Dep. Manager at SMA, Dr. Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM-Sharjah, will address efforts by individual and countries to preserve cultural properties from decay, loss or destruction while also highlighting best practices that help better preserve it for future generations. 

Dr. Cedric Gobeil, Curator, Museo Egizio, Turin; and Dr. Ikram Ghabriel, Expert of Egyptian Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology at the UCL, will talk about the Italian excavation expeditions in Egypt and bring attention to the role Italy has played in searching for, preserving, and displaying discoveries to local and international audiences, during the last discussion titled “Turin Museums and the Archaeological Experience”.

The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Mansour Boraik, Principle Archaeology Specialist, Architectural Heritage and Antiquities, Dubai Municipality.

Interested individuals can attend and participate in the seminar by registering through the link http://https://bit.ly/3ELn6SS.