Climate change, water availability, and cultural heritage in Egypt

Physical and chemical weathering represents a major treat for ancient archaeological sites in Egypt and require a detailed knowledge of present and future deterioration factors of environmental origin in order to identify the more suitable and effective conservation and management strategies of the sites. Heavy rainfall episodes are among the most risky hazard for fragile monuments and for unique archaeological areas. In recent past heavy thunderstorms and rain swept major cities and archeological sites in Egypt in several occasions, and forgotten wadis have been converted into fierce streams devasting areas of paramount importance from an historical and archeological point of view. Results from a study on the current weather regimes inducing severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall affecting areas rich in history and art is presented, with a discussion on the subsequent impacts on monuments.