Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hanno inspects unauthorized excavation in Luxor, suspected to be linked to antiquities digging. Photos courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture
Hanno was visiting the Child Culture Palace in Luxor — part of a wider tour of Upper Egypt — when he found evidence of excavation several metres deep beneath one of the building’s annexes.
The digging had allegedly been carried out without authorization by a contracting company hired to restore and upgrade the site.
The incident prompted the ministry to refer several officials to the Public Prosecution for investigation.
Those under scrutiny include the former and current heads of the South Upper Egypt Cultural Region, the director of the Luxor branch, engineers and technicians, the directors of both Luxor Culture Palace and the Child Culture Palace, and the site’s security officer.
According to a Sunday culture ministry statement, the excavation was carried out without oversight from responsible authorities and in conditions that raised concerns about negligence and possible misconduct.
Hanno’s inspection of the site revealed not only the unapproved digging but also what he described as the poor condition of both the Child Culture Palace and the Luxor Culture Palace — conditions that appeared inconsistent with the ongoing restoration work reportedly underway.
The ministry warned that such practices undermine national cultural development initiatives and risk the misuse of public funds.
The statement made it clear the ministry will not tolerate negligence, adding that it would increase on-site monitoring to ensure discipline and integrity across cultural projects.
The incident is now under formal investigation by the Public Prosecution in Luxor, the statement said,
Luxor, located in southern Egypt, is one of the country's most historically significant cities. It is known for its temples, royal tombs, and archaeological wealth.
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