Egyptian Cultural experts arrive in St. Vincent to assist with relocation of Argyle Petroglyph

A team of Egyptian Cultural Experts has arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to assist the National Trust and the International Airport Development Company in assessing whether the Argyle Petroglyph at Yambou can be relocated.{{more}}

The team arrived on Monday, January 10, 2011 and comprises four men with scientific and archeological expertise. The team includes head of the mission Abueldaraa Abuzaid, as well as Khaled Saad, Ashraf Nageh Iskros Hanna and Mostafa Rezk Ibrahim Elattar.

The team was nominated by the High Council of Antiquities in Egypt and will remain in the country until January 20, 2011.

Speaking at a brief press conference to welcome the team, Louise Mitchell Joseph of the SVG National Trust stated that a few years ago it became obvious that the petroglyph at Yambou was in danger due to the construction of the International Airport. She said that the rock must be moved to another location, so that it would not be destroyed forever.

Mitchell- Joseph stated that the Government of Egypt was asked to assist the National Trust in their efforts to examine the Petroglyph; they agreed to partner with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“It is testimony to the importance of this Petroglyph that the Government of Egypt decided that it was fitting, not only to support what we are doing, but actually finance this delegation coming all the way to St. Vincent,” Mitchell-Joseph said.

Also making remarks, Minister of Culture Frederick Stephenson welcomed the delegation of experts, stating that he was delighted to have the team here. Stephenson said that the Ministry of Culture will continue to support the National Trust in its efforts to preserve cultural and historical artifacts.

Jennifer Richards of the International Airport Development Company also gave brief remarks on the work of the organization and their assistance to the National Trust with the implementation of a Cultural Heritage Action Plan.

Richards explained that plan includes the retrieval of artifacts, the recovery of derelict sugar mills at Escape and Argyle Gardens and a book to document the discoveries at Argyle.

Head of the Egyptian mission Abueldaraa Abuzaid expressed his delight at being in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the first time and said he is looking forward to assisting in assessing the Petroglyph, to determine whether or not it can be relocated.

During their visit, the team will host a workshop on Monday, January 17, on inventory-taking and other aspects of recording history. On January 18, they will also make two presentations for Primary and Secondary school students, at the National Insurance Services Conference room and at 7 pm, the Annual Kirby Lecture will be held at the Heritage Hall in the Carnegie Building, with the guest speaker being a member of the Egyptian delegation.(OS)