February 19, 2015 – On 21 January 2015 His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Museums, signed a contract with the German Archaeological Institute. Sheikh Hassan invited the German Archaeological Institute to join the Qatari Mission for the Pyramids of Sudan. Thus, in 2015 a large project is going to start which aims at preserving Sudan’s archaeological heritage.
Meroë’s famous pyramids are severely endangered by the environmental impact. In 2011 the pyramids were incorporated into the UNESCO’s cultural heritage list. Internationally renowned experts will participate in the 3 million US$ project.
With the Qatar Sudan Archaeological Project Qatar Museums and Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities & Museums have set a framework for international cooperation related to Sudan. One of the projects is, in fact, the pyramid project, but the German Archaeological Institute is also involved in projects regarding the royal baths in Meroë and the city of Hamadab.
This is the official website of the German Archaeological Institute.
Here you can find the website of Qatar Museums.
CoinsWeekly reported on the famous collector al-Thani who purchased also antiquities, particularly coins, for Qatar Museums.