Jan 30, 2011
Defending ancient treasure in the face of looters
-- PHOTO: AP
Protesters marching in front of an army tank, past the Egyptian Museum in Cairo yesterday.
The Egyptian army secured the famed antiquities museum early yesterday, protecting thousands of priceless artefacts, including the gold mask of King Tutankhamun, from looters.
The greatest threat first came from the fire engulfing the ruling party headquarters next door on Friday night. Then dozens of would-be thieves started entering the grounds surrounding the museum.
Suddenly, other young men - some armed - formed a human chain outside the main entrance in an attempt to protect the collection inside.
Eventually, four armoured vehicles took up posts outside the massive building in downtown Cairo and soldiers moved inside to protect the artefacts.
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