Sites at risk from climate change to see before you die

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caryatid

An example of what urban environment is doing is the Erechtheion Caryatids on the Acropolis in Athens. The originals were already far dissolved to lumps when I saw them years ago. This is not Climate Change at all but air pollution dissolving the marble.

Coming as I do from Ireland where the state body, Duchas, really looks after our precious historic sites, I found it amazing that people could climb all over the Pyramids if they wished and, in fact, at most of the famous Egyptian sights including some of the Tombs in the Valley of the Kings, there were no restrictions on numbers and you could actually finger the paintings on the walls if you wanted to...Better security & management of the monuments are issues that should be easier to address than the effects of climate change on these same monuments but it's also a huge task given the state of Egypt and the corruption at all levels.

Ali. G has contributed a photo to this story.

So disheartening!  I think I'd rather have more positive motivations behind any travel plans, even if that means I'm being a bit ignorant about the issues.  I'd love to see these places but not because they're at risk, you know?  It's almost morbid.

 "this is where the pyramids used to be" - that would suck

When i took this image, the closer you get to the Pyraminds the more damage you can see... the rocks are crumbling all around them at a fast rate now.. they really need to seal them now to protect the surfaces before any more damage is done. i'd like my kids in 50 years to visit them and not see just a pile of crumbled rocks in a heap!

RexyInc has contributed a photo to this story.

The urban sprawl in Cairo is undeniable, but the other hand, Tourism is Egypt's number one industry, and when I was there, it sure seemed that the "Supreme Council of Antiquities" had a lot of power. In places like Karnak, they're actually demolishing houses that had been built over an ancient "Avenue of Sphinxes".

You can see the development around the Pyramids in a few of the more distant photos posted here, but I don't think they'd allow it to encroach too much. IIRC, the Sphinx is (almost) looking out at a KFC, but it's really there for tourists, not because of urban sprawl, or climate change.

If I was looking for a climate change / urbanization story in Egypt, I'd look at some of the excavations they're doing near the Aswan Dam. Because of the rise in water table in land surrounding the dam, our guide told us they're now striking water in some of the ancient tombs they're still excavating.  Some (Abu Simbel / Aswan Island) were moved before they were actually flooded, but other ones nearby are also subtley affected. The dam also basically prevents the Nile from flooding in Egypt, and that's going to have a huge long term effect.

Interesting article.

Indeed, with over 2 million tourists daily, the Egyptian pyramids (including the Sphinx) are affected irreversible.

I was very surprised that you are allowed to walk at the base of the pyramids, even climb on the blocks.

Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmarescu/2907320931/) is an image where you can see clearly the pollution (smog) that affects the city and the site. That's sad.

rmarescu has contributed a photo to this story.

One of three pyramids in Giza, near Cairo. Harsh weather has destroyed its apex.

vandasari has contributed a photo to this story.

Great Sphinx Of Giza & Khafre's Pyramid

Badger. has contributed a photo to this story.

The pyramid of Khufu in the forefront and the pyramid of Khafre in the distance. These pyramids are so large that most tourists, including myself, spend the first few minutes staring, jaw agape.

jodikurtz02 has contributed a photo to this story.

humans are a non-virtuous feedback loop. we exponentially multiply the damage we visit upon our surroundings every day. once we get past the sentimentality of the "us in our world" kind of thing, and get cozy with the fact we're just bugs on a rock spinning in circles.. well, it really stops mattering so much then doesn't it?

these things were all very cool. they'll all be gone some day. and so will we.

go cockroaches!

Egypt was amazing. I highly recommend anyone that has the opportunity to visit not to miss the chance of a lifetime. I have never visited a place so overwhelming with beauty, history, art and a true sense of the past before.
Due to normal wear and tear from the sand and wind, the Great Pyramid of Khufu has lost approximately 13 feet in height over a few thousand years (debated exactly many - 5,000 seems to be the most agreed upon). Only time will tell if erosion increases due to climate change. But don't go to see the pyramids and temples of Egypt because they may be damaged, go because it will be one of the most wonderful experiences of you lifetime! I cannot imagine any person who would not stand there in awe while looking at them. Go because you can!

goyanks34 has contributed a photo to this story.

Pyramids at Giza

Shan0867 has contributed a photo to this story.

Thanks for reminding us about this issue. I think Dr Zahi Hawass has done a lot to help protect the pyramids of Giza and other important Egyptian sites by bringing in tough regulations. He's not always very popular because of this! I know that a fence has been erected around the Giza monuments to stop the locals from getting in and harrassing the tourists. This is patrolled by guards. The number of people allowed into the pyramid of Khufu after 9am is restricted to 200. Once that number has been reached, no more are able to go in until the afternoon. Hopefully this helps to protect the monument and prevents over-crowding. There are signs in place around the pyramids asking people not to climb on the stones and I think this should be respected (just as people are not permitted to climb on the stones at Stonehenge in England).

The urban sprawl of Cairo has made the pyramids especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of pollution. They truly are treasures of humanity and we should do all in our power to preserve them.

LBS Images has contributed a photo to this story.

The ancient pyramids of Giza, like many other historic sites around the world face challenging times from climate change. This picture shows the blocks from the base of the pyramid dislodged and scattered around the site. Whilst this particular act may be down to vandalism and tourist damage from over the centuries, it illustrates clearly the delicate balance in which these ancient wonders exist.

Zamblast has contributed a photo to this story.

In 1977, I had the opportunity to visit the Pyramids of Giza and enter the chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Today, access to the chamber has been limited requiring special permission. Also, the Great Pyramid was roped completely acround the base to prevent people from touching the limestone. Also noted, what seems like trash protruding from the sand, was pieces of eroded limestone from the pyramids like a snake shedding it's skin due to the many sand storms...

Lee_Ramos has contributed a photo to this story.

Wind erosion was mentioned as one of the main problems faced by many of the ancient monuments in Egypt. Changing weather patterns are likelty to increase the impact of natural environmental processes and hasten the destruction of these spectacular structures.

inail1972 has contributed a photo to this story.

I am glad I could see them and would like to see them again, however, increased tourism would accelerate there destruction be on the environmental changes and pollution that do already cause great stress here. I suppose our children and theirs will never be able to enjoy all we did and still do and this is in large part our Parents and our own making or fault. Our grand parents could be blamed as well, however they knew little of the impact of their actions yet we do do and so did our Parents.