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Kuwaiti, foreign archeologists search for historic treasures |
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Tuesday, 19 October 2010 00:51 |
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KUWAIT: A new national campaign for searching for relics and ancient treasures was launched yesterday in coordination with foreign archeological expeditions.
The campaign was inaugurated by Badr Al-Rifai, the Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature, for surveying locations on national territories and islands where ancient relics have been hidden for many years.
Speaking at a news conference, Al-Rifai said Dutch and French archeologists are taking part in excavations on Failaka and Meskan Islands. He indicated that Polish and British teams are also taking part in the wide-scale operation, sifting through rocky locations in the region of Al-Sabbiah, north of Kuwait city, and the nearby region of Kathma.
Georgian experts, taking part in such operations for the first time in Kuwait, will examine spots at Alwazem location on Failaka island for hidden treasures dating back to BC times. The work by the foreign teams is due to end by April.
According to Wikipedia, in the 3rd century BC, the Ancient Greeks colonized Failaka under Alexander the Great and named it "Ikaros". Some believe the name came from an island off the Greek coast, where it is believed that the mythical Icarus was buried, which resembled Failaka. Others however believe it was named so due to its heat and the belief that it was close to the sun. - Kuwait Times
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