The Centre for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (Cultnat) is working on building a documentation centre for the heritage of Sinai, as well as a visitors’ centre at Sarabeet El-Khadem in South Sinai. The goal is to protect and preserve the cultural and natural aspects of Sarabeet El-Khadem. In addition, the project will be part of the development of the area for local and international tourism.
The preparation for the project began in 2007, and it was funded by the European Union under the supervision of the Program for Regional Development of South Sinai and the management of Cultnat. The centre has been named after Hathor, the area’s primary goddess during Ancient Egyptian times. The centre aims to provide a model for the management of cultural resources for cultural heritage in South Sinai. The goal will be achieved through geographically surveying the area and documenting the survey’s findings with the help of locals.
The centre is located by the Red Sea, close to the city of Abu Zneima on the Cairo-Sharm El-Sheikh road. It will include display halls for ancient artifacts found in the area. The centre will also house documentaries on the area and cultural brochures, as well as comprehensive references to the cultural, social and archeological aspects of the area. In addition it will include a small shop selling Bedouin-produced goods.
Visitors to the centre will be able to get to know the history of the area, which houses a temple for the goddess Hathor, the only Ancient Egyptian temple in South Sinai and also one of the oldest temples in Sinai. The centre will hold a three-dimensional model of the temple. It will also offer information and guidance for tourists and researchers in Sarabeet El-Khadem and neighbouring areas.
