Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities has succeeded in removing all encroachments made since 2011 on the Dahshur Necropolis south of Cairo, where both pyramids of King Senefru are located.

Mahmoud Afifi, head of Ancient Egyptian Antiquities at the mInistry, told Ahram Online that the ministry worked in collaboration with the Tourism and Antiquities Police, Cairo Governorate and General Security, to restore the archaeological site and its safe zone.

Afifi said the encroachments were made during the period of low security Egypt witnessed in the aftermath of January 2011 revolution. Dahshur inhabitants had begun to use the area neighbouring the pyramids of King Senefru (the Bent Pyramid) and king Amnemhat III as a burial ground.

Adel Okasha, director-general of the Dahshour archaeological site, said the security forces who cleared the area were led by Major General Mustafa Enany, Assistant Giza Security Director for the South, who completed the operation in two days.

Okasha said the Dahshour inhabitants would be compensated with an area of land far away from the site, once the Ministry of Antiquities has inspected and ensured it is free of archaeological evidence.

Sherif Abdul Moneim, assistant to the minister of antiquities, said that Dahshur Necropolis is a very important archaeological site because it includes the first attempts to construct a complete pyramid. The necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Short link:

