Egypt’s Sacred Place for Pilgrims, Abydos Under Threat
posted in Archaeology |The rapid development taking place close to Abydos, an archaeological site in Egypt is damaging the sacred place of gathering for pilgrims according to experts.
Several Egyptians crossed the desert surrounding Abydos somewhere between 664 B.C. to A.D. 395 in order to pay homage to the God of Dead, Osiris. Quite a few of the earliest pharaohs are buried on this site.
Development of new farms as well as buildings has affected the site in many ways, which is also known as the Mecca of Egypt. The temples and tombs in this area were more of a home for the Egyptian hieroglyphics.
International archaeologists are also trying to protect Abydos from such deterioration. It is from this site that we come to know a lot about the origin of Egyptian pharaohs and their culture.
The site has also be nicknamed as Omm El Qaab, which in Arabic is termed as Mother of Pots. The pharaohs built the desert in order to avoid damage from the farming practices and annual floods from the Nile.
Local farmers have started reclaiming the land in the Abydos desert. Rapid growth in population has led to constructions around the monuments located on the site, thus damaging some of them.
Special importance in preserving the site has to be given as it throws light on the cultural history of the pharaohs and the richness of the Egyptian culture.