Museum Collection and Moving Objects:
Current Situation and Approach
Maher A .Eissa & Louay M. Saied
(Fayoum University&Monufiya University)
1. Abstract:
What is a museum? And what are its tasks, duties and responsibilities? How do we
define a collection? What is an institution? What does the term ‘heritage’
encompass? Museum experts have inevitably developed answers to such questions,
which are fundamental to their work. The expression ‘museum object’ could almost
be a pleonasm, as the museum is not only the place which shelters objects, but also
a place with the principal mission of transforming things into objects(A. Desvallees
&F. Mairesse, 2010: 15).
But it seems that these questions are still not considered by the authority of the
Antiquities and Museums in Egypt (Supreme council of Antiquities "SCA" or lately the
state Ministry of Antiquities affairs). One example to be highlighted here which is
moving objects. In Egyptian museums, there are no common rules and regulations
for moving objects. For example, in the 1980s a group of Coptic Papyri were moved
from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the Coptic Museum in Cairo. This movement
itself could be considered as a logical decision, but without any reason one object
from this group was transferred again from the Coptic museum in Cairo (P. Coptic
4063) to the Port Said Museum (P. Port Said 3955). Again without any need, it was
transferred to the Ismailia Museum (P. Ismailia 2241). (Maher Eissa, 2008: 45). The
only given explanation of the Papyrus transfer was establishing these new museums.
Moving this object from one museum to another four times caused a severe damage
of a large part of the papyrus. This single example emphasizes the need to
reconsider a common regulations or "a collection policy of both moving of museum
objects and establishing new museums in Egypt.
In the past few decades, the Authority of Antiquities has established several
museums, without a clear and definite thinking or policy of the role and aim of these
museums. For example, two scientific committees of the National Museum of
Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) have chosen
almost the same objects for these two museums. This simply happened because
there is no common "collection policy". Moreover, there was no vision of the real
requirement of building new museums, specifically the regional museums.
The main museum functions, such as collecting, preservation and social
communication, are the tools to enlighten and educate the common people.
(Christian Waltl, 2006: 2) So, moving objects or establishing a new museum without
thinking about all these aspects, will minimize the effect of museum.
2. An introduction:
Before dealing with the problem of collecting and moving objects, it should be
necessary to mention briefly, the history of the Egyptian museums. The first Egyptian
Museum was built in Boulaq. In 18581, it was moved to Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha"
which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the present building in Tahrir
square. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened
on November 15, 1902. (Zahi Hawas, 2002: xxviii – xxix). Afterwards, the Egyptian
government started to build other and different specialized museums. In general,
Egypt has now more than 200 museums, only 50 of them are archaeological
museums which follow the authority of Antiquities. It can be divided into six types of
museums:
A. The main museums: such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Greco-Roman
Museum in Alexandria, Coptic Museum and Islamic Art Museum.
B. Regional Museums: Port Said Museum, Ismalia Museum, Luxor Museum and
etc…..
C. Location Museums: Museum of the properties of Mohamed Ali's Family, it
usually locates in the historical palaces.
D. Archaeological site Museums: it locates in archaeological sites, to show
some monuments which they have been discovered in situ. Such as Tell Basta
or San El- Hagar museums.
E. Museums of special nature: such as Nubia Museum, military Museum and
Maritime museum in Alexandria.
F. Educational Museums: they exist at Universities and institutes. (M.A. Nur elDin, 2005: 264 ff)
It could be understood the reasons of establishment of the main museums, it is also
considerable how they did collect the objects of these old museums. They selected
all objects relating to prehistory and Ancient Egypt for the Egyptian Museum in
Cairo. They also collected the objects relating to Greco- Roman period for the GrecoRoman Museum in Alexandria. They collected the objects relating to Arabic and
Islamic periods for the Museum of Islamic Art. But most of other old or new
museums have no clear or common policy and regulations for collecting objects.
Generally, the objects were transferred from main Museums (especially Egyptian
museum in Cairo, from which most of the transferred objects were taken) to the
other museums, without considering both: the loss of the context of the source
museum or the real added value for the end museum scenario as well.
Egyptian Museums are supposed to be established as the most important scientific
centers for The Egyptian civilization from the historical, archaeological and
ethnological point of view. They exist to collect, record, conserve, exhibit and
interpret for the purpose of study, education and enjoyment material evidence of
people and their environment. (Prabhas Kumar Singh, 1997:70).
1
Mohamed Ali established in 1835 "the Service des Antiques de l'Egypte: mainly to stop the
plundering of archeological sites and to arrange the exhibition of the collected artifacts owned
by the government. The Azbakian garden in Cairo was first site used as a storage place for
these artifacts. The collection was later on transferred to another building in the citadel.
The problem:
In the past few decades, the Authority of Antiquities has established several
museums, without a clear and definite thinking or policy of why they will
establish new museums, what is role and aim of these museums? And from
where they will collect the objects?
For example, in 1990s the Authority of Antiquities and Museums decided to
establish a museum in Alexandria, it was called: the "National Museum of
Alexandria". It may come to mind that they will collect all objects relating to the
history and the heritage of Alexandria, and mostly, they will collect these
objects from magazines, stores and archaeological sites found in Alexandria
(Zahi Hawass, 2010). But actually nothing like that had happened. They had
chosen most of objects from the Egyptian museum in Cairo with no relation to
Alexandria, Objects had been just selected because they look nice!! This is
definitely "a random "NON-POLICY" situation.
A first look at the catalogue of the National Museum in Alexandria may be
disappointing. It gives a feeling that the Egyptian museum in Cairo had been
evacuated from its famous master pieces which were transferred to the
Alexandrian museum. (Mohamed Saleh, 1987) Not less than 2/3 of objects'
pictures of this catalogue don't belong to it. They simply belong to the Egyptian
Museum in Cairo and have not ever been transferred to any other place. The
only given reason for that is to surprise the reader of that catalogue!!
The second example is that concerning two scientific committees responsible of
objects selection: the first of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
(NMEC), (http://www.nmec.gov.eg/English/index.htm) and the second is that of
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), (http://www.gem.gov.eg/). Surprisingly, both
have chosen almost the same objects for their museums from other main
museums (Egyptian museum in Cairo, Greco-Roman Museum and the Coptic
Museum). This simply happened because there is no clear national "collection
policy" and they did not realize the different supposed roles of these two
different newly establishing museums within the same city i.e. Cairo.
Museum object can be defined as any kind of reality in general; it could be also
a pleonasm in so far as the museum is not only the place which shelters objects,
but also a place with the principal mission of transforming things into objects (A.
Desvallees &F. Mairesse , 2010: 61). The Egyptian authority of antiquities is
dealing with museum collection or museum object as "a thing": they can move
it from place to another without any regulations. They don't think that the
museum object is an abstract and dead, closed on itself, as evidenced by that
series of objects which is a collection (A. Desvallees &F. Mairesse , 2010: 61).
There are many cases and examples of moving objects among the Egyptian
museums; mainly the Egyptian museum in Cairo was the center point of that moving.
If anybody wants to find a reason for moving these objects from Egyptian museum in
Cairo to other museums, he will figure out that the only policy which could be found
is "a random policy" except in few accurate and successful cases in which objects
were moved meaningfully to Luxor and Nubia museums. Most of the objects in the
new museum's collection of Egyptian antiquities were / are collected without any
scientific purpose (Hans D.Schneider, 1995:12).
One of the most astonishing and disappointing cases of moving object which
occurred in the store room basement of the Egyptian museum in Cairo. This
basement used to contain either most of the outcome objects of most expeditions
working in Archeological sites during at least the last century, or archaeological
seizures. It was supposed to house tens of thousands of pieces (Zahi Hawass, 2002).
Unfortunately, we don't have an accurate statistics of those objects, simply because
all of them were not registered in the Egyptian museum archives. With no convincing
archaeological requirement, the ex-authorities decided to move away all the
basement content (which is estimated approximately from 60 to 80 thousand pieces)
to Dahshur magazines, which still there till now.
During the renewal of the Islamic art museum (Bernard O'kane, 2006), all the
content was transferred, either to the basement of the same building, or away to
other magazines (M.Abbas &I.Abdulfattah, 2012). During construction process, the
bad unsuitable storage conditions resulted in severe damage and deterioration of
some valuable Islamic carpets.
The Greco-roman museum in Alexandria suffered few years ago from some severe
construction problems. So, the authorities decided to evacuate all its contents,
exhibited or stored. They transferred the objects away to different magazines in
Alexandria. They had to even dismantle the Fayoum temple which used to be in the
museum garden since about 100 years (Jean-Yves Empereur, 2000, 25). The plan was
to keep them stored about only two years, but the period extended up to five years
and still counting.
Theoretically, the scientific background of the Egyptian curators or restorators
concerning the concept of and restrictions of moving objects is very poor. This is
mainly due to the lack of the interest of teaching Museology topics at the Egyptian
archaeological institutions. For example, Faculties of Archaeology just teach one
topic in four years called "Museology and Excavation"(Catalogue of Faculty of
Archaeology, Cairo University, 2012: 140)
3. Collection Policy (The Approach):
On January 2011, amid the chaos resulted from the Egyptian revolution, the Egyptian
Museum in Cairo was broken into for the first time in its history. Many showcases
were broken and objects were scattered throughout the museum and others were
stolen. (http://www.arce.org/main/revolution-egyptian-museum). This case showed us
the importance of a collection policy (ICOM Code of Ethics, 2013:3), and how it deals
with the disaster plans, Disaster Plans should be prepared to identify the risks
associated with each of the buildings, and the procedures to be used in each case.
Museums have played a fundamental role in making Egyptian antiquities accessible
to the largest possible public (Geoffrey Lewis, 2004: 1), although, there is no
collections' management in the Egyptian museums. So, The Museum administration
should examine current strength and weaknesses of the collections, and set out
priorities for both active and passive collecting. (Nicola Ladkin, 2004:17).
Each Egyptian museum should categorize its contents into three main types upon
which it can build up its collection policy:
- Pieces which are essential to the main scenario of the museum and are prohibited
to be moved under any circumstances.
- Objects with lesser importance to the scenario which can be loaned temporarily
(either to external or internal exhibitions).
- Objects with low importance to the scenario (repeated or not directly connected to
it), which can be loaned or even moved away to another museum.
The Egyptian authority has to establish a general "collection policy" for the Egyptian
museums. Each museum has to follow this general policy within which it can
establish special "collection policy" for its own objects. This will maintain, develop,
research and conserve museum collections held in trust for future generations.
(Bradford Museums, 2005 – 2010).The museums' sector or authorities should
develop policies consistent with academic standards, applicable national and
international laws and treaty obligations and the local requirements of the regional
museums and society (ICOM Code of Ethics, 2013).
The "collection policy" of the museum should only be undertaken with respect and
consideration for the views of local communities, their environmental resources and
cultural practices as well as efforts to enhance the cultural heritage. The governing
body for each museum should adopt and publish a written "collection policy" that
addresses the acquisition, care and use of collections. The policy should clarify the
position of any of its collections (ICOM Code of Ethics, 2013). The Egyptian museums
have to accept and take in consideration when establishing a national "collection
policy" that the international conventions prohibit the illicit, import, export and
transfer of ownership of culture propriety (UNESCO, 1970). This policy should also
consider that loan or move any objects or work of art is not accepted unless it is
done under valid legal process (OSAMA, 1996: 2).
The Egyptian Museum's collection policy has to have at least the following
considerations:
●
Conditions of Collecting objects (Acquiring Collections) .
● Circumstances of Disposal objects (Removing Collections)
● Care of Collections.(loans and conservation)
● Registration and Documentation.
● Archive records and library.
3.1. Collecting Objects
In developing the collections, there is a common emphasis on the importance of
recording provenance, to place objects in the context of their unique or distinctive
histories of production, ownership and usage (Bradford Museums, 2005 – 2010). To
collect objects, each museum should think of presenting a complete display of main
purpose and type of the museum. The collection museum should be based upon the
objects which were discovered in the surrounding area which was rich in
archaeology and ethnography materials or at least objects from other precinct or
museums with a historical connection with the newly establishing museum. To
achieve an appropriate national "collection policy" in Egypt, two main procedures
should be started with:
-The importance of establishing a national data base and record of all objects housed
in all museums, magazines and stores. This will highly facilitate the selection process
"national register".
- The "collection policy" of collecting objects (acquiring collections) for museums
must be followed centrally and not be left to the individual museums.
3.2. Circumstances of Disposal Objects
Each museum has to figure out the conditions of "disposals policy", this policy should
be followed restrictedly against disposal of any of its object collection, and it
recognizes that only under certain conditions such disposal may occur. So, the
disposals from the museum collections should only take place in rare cases when
object is too badly damaged or deteriorated and has no need to be exhibited.
(OSAMA, 1996:3)
In the case of establishing new museums, the objects should be selected from the
source museums, magazines and archaeological sites, only if they have a great value
serving the scenario, in a good condition, and fit with the nature and the aims of the
museums. Otherwise, there will be no reason to move or disposal of that objects.
3.3. Care of objects (Collections):
3.3.1. Loan:
Loans from any collection have to be carried out according to the national collection
policy and considering to the following points:
- According to Egyptian Antiquities law: “It is allowed to exchange some of the
movable objects of similar characteristic or designs, only by presidential decision
according to suggestion made by the Minister of Culture...” (The antiquities law
117-2010. Article 10).
- Any loaned object must be insured, packed and transported according to the
standards of the International museums loan conditions (based upon Governmental
Indemnity standards)
- Loans should not occur if they do not have a valid educational, scientific or
academic requirement.
- The security of the object transfer should be satisfactory.(ICOM Ethics code for
Museums, 2013)
3.3.2. Handling and transport:
Objects should be handled as little as possible very carefully. Needless to say
that objects should be lifted and moved in padded containers (trays, baskets,
trolleys, etc) by means of specialized professional experts. In some cases, Egyptian
curators have carried and transferred objects by taxi from the Egyptian Museum in
Cairo to the National museum in Alexandria. It is supposed that Packing and
object transportation should be supervised by the professional conservators, and
preferably carried out by trained a staff who is experienced in objects handling and
packaging.
3.4. Documentation:
The documentation and registration are essential processes to run museum
collections. They are important to establish the identity of objects in the collection;
record essential information relating to them; to allow rapid search and retrieval
without physical handling; and as essential aspects of security and audit. (Bradford
Museums, 2005 – 2010). The Egyptian museums should follow one numbering
system "Code" To facilitate recognizing museum objects when moved from museum
to another (Andrew Roberts, 2004: 31)
3.5. Library and Archive:
The Library/Archives provides interlibrary loan access to its collections through
cooperating libraries and institutions to those researchers who cannot obtain
the material or information elsewhere. The library and Archive aim to acquire
and preserve publications and documentation concerning the museum
collections and to make the material available to researchers and interested
public. The museum should only collect archive material if it is directly related
to collections.
Each museum has to keep rules and regulation of Requests for loan of
Library/Archives materials, which are placed using the Interlibrary Loan Form
and in accord with the international Loan Code except for legal or curatorial
considerations. The Original manuscripts, maps, state archives records and rare
books should not be loaned for research purposes.
4. Conclusion:
After the Egyptian Revolution of 25th January 2011 and the deep political and social
changes that occurred after replacing the ruling regime, the authority of the Egyptian
Antiquities was supposed to change as well. The old traditional system of operating
and managing the Egyptian antiquities has to change. They have, at least, to start
developing new concepts which could follow the international rules and regulations
concerning the Egyptian Museums. They were supposed to start establishing a new
"Egyptian Collection policy", to be fit with the international standard rejecting the
old random policy. It seems that the time has come for the young Egyptian
researchers, Egyptologists and archaeologists to take a step forward and develop the
work of the Egyptian Antiquities. They have to establish a sustainable new policy
consistent with the international standards arranging with the experienced
institutions and organizations for planning better future for the Egyptian Antiquities.
The authority of Egyptian Museums, i. e. Museums Sector, should examine current
strengths and weaknesses of the Museum's policies, and specifically planning of
building new museums and its related "collection policy. So, they have to establish a
general standard "collection policy" for the Egyptian museums. This will help
minimizing random decisions concerning objects transfer from museum or magazine
to another. This will allow also decision maker to have a clear idea about the current
situation of the "objects stock", and the actual necessities of building new museums,
and the priority of such museums to be built up.
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