The Egyptian Cultural Heritage Organisation

General information

The Objectives of ECHO are to promote and advance education in the study and understanding of Egyptian cultural heritage, in particular but not exclusively by:
1. Developing themes, programmes and strategies for cultural heritage research projects;
2. The development of programmes in public and community archaeology that both enhance the dissemination of scholarly knowledge amongst Egyptians and the world community, and promote public interest in and enjoyment of ancient and historic monuments and sites;
3. The promotion of education in cultural heritage management, conservation and archaeology;
4. The contribution of efforts aimed at establishing facilities for and design of research programmes in conservation, management and display of Egypt's cultural heritage and the promotion of new methodological and technical developments.

ECHO is also engaged in:
• Helping to train Egyptians in cultural heritage management, conservation, and archaeological methods, theory and practice.
• Developing and contributing to cultural heritage management programmes in Egypt, including site management, conservation and restoration, environmental protection and rescue surveys and excavations.
• Prevention of looting, vandalism and the illicit trade in Egyptian antiquities.
• Encouraging sustainable and responsible cultural- and eco-tourism programmes as a means of enhancing the appreciation of the world heritage of Egypt.
• Aiding in the restitution of stolen antiquities to their legal caretakers.

There are an incredible number of sites and monuments everywhere in Egypt, as well as the countless artefacts in museums and storerooms, requiring constant monitoring, protection and maintenance. This is a task beyond the resources of any one nation. Through ECHO you can make a difference.

ECHO has recently published a fieldguide of archaeological methodology entitled 'Standards of Archaeological Excavation' as well as the proceeds of the first conference on 'Managing Egypt’s Cultural Heritage.' ECHO is currently engaged in organising a second conference, a 'Workshop on Cultural Heritage Management in Revolutionary Times' to be held in Cairo in September 2012 and a fieldschool to be held in Egypt in December 2011. For those wishing to deliver a paper at the ECHO Workshop or to learn more about ECHO please go to the website at: www.e-c-h-o.org