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In the eight years of its existence the Centre d'Etudes Alexandrines has firmly inserted itself into the scientific and social life of the city. By responding to the requests of the Egyptian antiquities service and collaborating with its personnel, the Centre has helped to bring a new impetus to the local study of Alexandria's rich heritage and has provided a valuable framework for the training of young archaeologists in modern methodology. Visits to schools, and conferences given to social and business institutions have also helped in exposing the value and wonder of the city's past, while the success of the underwater exploration of the Pharos ruins has attracted international interest. Alexandria, once the greatest city of the Hellenistic world and the only centre to rival Rome, is now a sprawling town of some 4 million inhabitants with all the concomitant problems of the modern conurbation in a developing country. As such, there is inevitably a delicate balance to be made between providing for the everyday material needs of the citizens and preserving what is seen as valuable from the past. The Centre is well aware of this dilemma and the pratice and refinement of salvage excavation techniques are an attempt to respond to the problem. The city must develop and regenerate and yet it should not lose its memory. There is, indeed, much to be done. Modern Alexandria is built directly on top of its ancient self, hence the poverty of exposed archaeological remains. Although ancient written sources on the city are plentiful, physical evidence to stand in corroboration is still slight. Over the coming years the Centre hopes to be at the heart of a renewed interest in and exploration of the city of the Mouseion and the Library, of Euclid and Eratosthenes, of the Septuagint and the Fathers of the Christian Church, not forgetting, of course, Antony and Cleopatra. Jean-YvesEmpereur |