MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
An Arabic Papyrus Collection
Ref N° 2006-01
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1
SUMMARY
The Arabic papyrus collection of the National Library of Egypt (also known as Dar al Kotob),
inscribed in Arabic, Coptic and Greek, dates back to the early days of the Arab conquest of Egypt and
contains records and registers up to the 15th century. The collection comprises 3500 folios, mostly
written on both sides, preserving within them a range of information that describes important
transactions which took place during this obscure period. The content of the folios sheds light on, the
interaction between the various strata of society (Greek, Copts and Arabs) as well as on the
correspondence within the Umayyad Caliphate (8th c. ), thus revealing important aspects of the culture
and the society of Egypt, otherwise unrecorded in other sources. Papyri, the material on which these
important documents are recorded are in crucial condition, fragile and difficult to safeguard. The
collection covers tax receipts, marriage contracts, shopping lists, personal letters and literary works,
magic spells, deeds and religious text. It will certainly shed a strong light on Islamic Mediterranean
culture. Despite its importance, the collection is particularly underused, has not grown over the past
half century despite the on going excavations taking place in Egypt.
2
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
2.1
Name (person or organisation)
Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage, CULTNAT
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
Project partners – The project aims at digitizing the Arabic Papyrus collection at Dar al Kotob
to ensure the maximum means of information diffusion to various target groups.
2.3
Contact person (s)
Dr. Fathi Saleh, Director of Cultnat
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
3
Smart Village: Cairo-Alexandria Road, Km 28, Giza, Egypt
Tel: + (202) 5343222 – fax: +(202) 5392929
cultnat@mcit.gov.eg
www.cultnat.org
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
3.1
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
The Arabic Papyrus Collection at the National Library of Egypt
Arabic Papyrus Unit, National Library Sector, Nile Corniche, Bulaq, Cairo.
3.2
Description
The collection of Arabic papyrus lacks neither a proper inventory nor a catalogue/ guide, a manual
card catalogue style identifies the collection, and acts as the main guide to the unpublished folios. 800
folios out of the 3500 had been properly edited, catalogued and published by and under the
supervision of Dr. Grohman. Dr. Grohman, who in 1930 came to Cairo to lecture on Arabic papyrus,
accepted an invitation by the Royal Society of the Old Papyrus Science in 1934, to study and publish
the collection at the national library. The outcome of such research yielded in 10 publications titled
“Arabic Papyrus in the Egyptian Library”, the first came out in 1934 to reveal 70 folios. Following
this academic work, he prepared nine volumes, six of which have since been published and four
presumably at the press.
The collection started to emerge when few Arabic Papyri folios were found near Sakara Pyramid in
1824. But it was not until the conscious collection of Dr. B. Moritz, the head of the Egyptian National
Library from 1896 -1911, that the National Library’s collection materialized as an important source of
knowledge. Dr. Moritz strived to reveal the importance of such folios and started the purchasing and
collection of such folios from Fostat, Bahnasa, Fayoum, Kom Askaw and Edfu. The advent of the
20th century witnessed the purchase of two important collections from Mr. Michel Casira and Ali elGabri, while Dr. Moritz negotiated with the Egyptian museum to house their Arabic papyrus folios at
the national library. Since the mid of the 20th century the collection ceased to grow.
Beside research students (MA and PhDs unpublished dissertations), national and foreign scholars, few
attempts to publish, document or index the collection has taken place. Dr. Said Maghawri, a specialist
researcher in the field of Arabic Papyrus, attempted the First Part of the complete index of Arabic
Papyrus (not in the market yet). The 2005/06 Cultnat project attempts to document: scan, digitize and
publish (CD, catalogue) as well as make the collection available in a format that can be accessible via
the internet. A few sporadic recent publications are recorded in different journals as the Ain Shams
Arabic Papyrus unit’s publication as well as in the foreign scholarly bulletins. International efforts to
use and make the existence of such folios known to the public surfaced with the establishment of the
International Society of Arabic Papyrology.
The collection traces the development of specific topics such as marriage certificates through several
centuries, giving precise names, dates, witnesses, and dowry money. It documents the marriage
between Arabs and natives, tracing an important socio-culture change.
Today the collection is kept in envelopes, between plastic folios and is very poorly stored. No acidfree-paper envelopes are used, nor are they kept at proper temperature / humidity levels. Little is
being done to preserve the collection and the restoration process is elementary and slow.
4
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
4.1
Authenticity
The collection is authentic. Most of the Papyri folios have been discovered through a scientific
process of excavation done through organized institutions and under the supervision of the
government. The provenance of most of the purchased papyri is known and dated and the sites where
they were unearthed documented. Through stylistic analysis, experts in linguistics have identified the
early script styles and the use of dictum as corresponding to the given dates. Furthermore, the
collection which is neither decorative, nor easy to keep, has not grown due to the bringing together of
folios from unknown sources. Accordingly the authenticity of the collection is well established.
4.2
World significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability
The collection is indeed of world significance because it covers a very important period in the lives of
the Arab/Muslim communities from the beginning of the Arab conquests 8th / 9th c. to the 15th century.
It exemplifies the relationship between the different ethnic groups within a society which was
conquered by a new religious/political power. An era in history that involves world powers and
civilizations: Byzantine, Coptic, Egyptian, and Arabs (from the Arabian Peninsula as well as from the
Sham and Mosel areas).The range of information available within this collection is unique and would
contribute in the unveiling of a great deal of information pertaining to the rise of a socio-religious
phenomena in the middle east at a crucial period. With its wealth of information, the collection
contributes to and compensates for the lack of any other documentary evidence on this period. The
information available would be of great use and interest to those who work in Papyrology, late
antiquity, Byzantine history, Eastern Christianity, early Islamic history , Middle east history,
Theologians, Greek, Coptic and Arab linguistics, language and literature, Islamic art historians.
Furthermore, the information available within the collection has not yet been brought out to the
academic world, therefore if lost, it would clearly mean than part of the history of this era would be
totally lost to humanity.
Its distinctiveness comes from the fact that it is the only collection of Arabic Papyrus that has been
excavated in Egypt and remained un-tampered with in Egypt.
4.3
Criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e) form and style
Time: the collection dates from the 8th century till the 13th century.
Place: The collection was excavated in Egypt and the collection reveals the old names of towns,
villages and alleys, giving in the process information on trade centres, agriculture municipalities and
traditional products of regions. The papyrus folios reveal the names of areas since vanished, and
allocate others on the map today.
People: The collection reveals a great deal about Egyptians, Arabs, Copts, and Greeks, through the
study of folios related to (for example) the taxes paid by the different groups, in different localities at
different times. It also reflects the different races, habits and languages used by the different ethnic
groups.
Subject and themes: Through careful analysis of the subject matters available within the collection,
many fallacies regarding Arab conquest, and native reaction, the early use of the Arabic language and
monetary interactions maybe corrected. Accordingly the themes touched within the collection provide
information to vital to medieval history.
Form and style: The papyrus folios are in many cases bilingual. Some of the information provided is
in two languages, makes the study of the linguistics and stylistic analysis of languages of great
importance. It also documents the use and availability of papyrus as a key carrier, although paper was
already in the market.
4.3
Issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management
The collection is rare in the sense that the information available has never been revealed to the
scholarly world, and it would reveal important information regarding Egypt’s early Islamic history.
The collection stands as an integral part of the national library. The material on which the collection is
made of – Papyrus- is very fragile, and is not receiving the proper handling care it requires,
accordingly it is in some danger, yet efforts to safe guard it is being attempted. No plan is currently
available, except of the CULTNAT project.
5
LEGAL INFORMATION
5.1.
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
The National Library Sector- Dar al Kotob
The National Library and the National Archives of Egypt
5.2
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner)
5.3
Legal status:
(a) Category of ownership: National Treasure
(b) Accessibility: Needs permit to access, access is limited to researcher with authorized letter
from their affiliated institutions
(c) Copyright status – Copyright to Dar al Kotob, National Library Sector, Egypt
(d) Responsible administration: - Dar al Kotob, National Library Sector, Egypt
(e) Other factors-
6
MANAGEMENT PLAN
6.1
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage? YES/NO
A project is currently taking place:
7
CONSULTATION
7.1
Provide details of consultation about this nomination with (a) the owner of the heritage (b) the
custodian (c) your national or regional Memory of the World committee
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
8.1
Detail the nature and scope of threats to this documentary heritage (see 5.5)
The collection is at risk, especially in the long run.
9
ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
9.1
Detail the preservation context of the documentary heritage (see 3.3)
View photos
PART C - LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name)……Dr. Fathi Saleh…………...
(Signature)………………………………… (Date)…March, 25th 2006…