INTEGRATING PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN EGYPTIAN MUSEUMS

Abstract

Egypt is renowned country for its vast, unique cultural heritage which testifies its long, diverse history and serves as a source of national pride. The preservation of this treasure in the face of the escalating climate change crisis is challenging and requires a multifaceted strategy that integrates heritage preservation practices with climate change adaptation measures. In Egypt, artefacts are housed in newly built museums, historical museum buildings and older museums, each differing in nature and infrastructure capabilities. This paper selects key Egyptian museums representing these categories and analyses the strategies employed in the selected museums for mitigating the risks posed by climate change-related threats, including rising temperature, increased humidity, and frequent extreme weather events. By surveying the preventive conservation practices implemented during the last years, and exploring the decision-making process for the artefact protection, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and identify the critical gaps needing further improvement. It offers practical recommendations for policymakers, conservation scientists, and museum professionals based on the challenges encountered in these museums. The findings of this paper not only guide the decision makers but also actively contribute to the global discourse on preserving cultural heritage in the face of climate crisis.