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Race Against Time to Save Sudan's Heritage
29 Nov
Summary
- Sudanese archaeologist digitizes artifacts to combat looting.
- Two museums destroyed, Khartoum National Museum ransacked.
- International response limited due to lack of media coverage.
Sudanese archaeologist Shadia Abdrabo is working tirelessly in Paris to create a digital archive of Sudan's rich cultural heritage, a critical effort as war devastates the nation. Since April 2023, conflict has led to the looting and destruction of museums, including two regional museums and the ransacking of Khartoum's National Museum, a repository of around 100,000 objects.
Abdrabo's mission is urgent, aiming to document archaeological sites, museum collections, and historical archives before more is lost. Despite efforts by institutions like UNESCO to raise alarms and train officials, Sudan's cultural emergency has received limited international media coverage, hindering a robust global response. This lack of visibility exacerbates the threat to millennia-old artifacts.
With funding until April 2026, Abdrabo faces a monumental task, having completed only 20% of the database. The work is deeply personal, driven by the desire to preserve a history that rivals ancient Egypt. Her efforts, alongside a small team in Khartoum restoring damaged items, underscore the precarious state of Sudan's heritage and the global responsibility to protect it.
