A Preliminary Perspective of Industrial Heritage and Geo-Tourism in the Quarry Site of Bir Hammamat

Document Type : Original Research

Author

Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy

Abstract

Abstract
Bir Hammamat (Persou I) was an important stone quarry for the extraction of greywacke (Bekhn stone) in the Egyptian Eastern Desert that represents a comprehensive image of the stone quarrying process, extraction activities and the life of a quarrymen community. In addition to the archaeological findings, quarrying activities have culturally created a memory of the industrial society.
The paper investigates some historical and cultural aspects related to the technical and industrial heritage of Bir Hammamat ranging from the pre-dynastic period until the Roman period. A long quarrying history that left behind a series of tools, settlements, paths, forts and inscriptions.
These relics can promote certain types of sustainable tourism where the ancient quarrying industry and technology become a tourist attraction and consequently enhance the preservation of the ancient quarry site heritage and landscape through innovative projects and new itineraries, a step that was started by the author himself during a site survey as a part of a research program in the university of Padua, Italy between 2014 – 2015.

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