Egyptian Temple Defaced!

[RedFlower26]

Netizen outrage after Chinese tourist defaces Egyptian temple

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/27/travel/china-egypt/index.html?hpt=hp_t5

[Rev. Ma'atnofret]

The 15 year old was an idiot. Not sure if its the parent's fault or the kid's. Hopefully he was punished fairly.

[MiMafdet]

This makes me absolutely sick... x.x

[Tanebet]

The graffiti was removed

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/experts-restore-ancient-egyptian-relic-after-vandalism-1.288549

[Linda]

Unbelievable! I'm so glad the graffiti was removed.  

[Rev. Shefyt]

Nekhtet!

[Rev. Neferuhethert]

I'm glad to hear that it was possible to remove the graffiti and restore the image.

[Arefsenu]

It never fails to amaze me what some people will do x.x

[Seta]

I just learned of this; it's absolutely horrible.

I wonder how he got away with it?

[Bestekeni]

I mean, yeah, it's bad to deface monuments... but if you look at it in a longer perspective, how is it any different than the 19th century "explorers" whose graffiti is now a protected part of the monuments on which they are carved?  Hell, what about ancient graffiti?  The monuments and their importance haven't changed -- only our view of what behavior is acceptable.  

This is especially relevant given the importance of graffiti to the Arab spring, but that's another conversation entirely.

[Rayashi]

I agree with what Tek is saying here. Even famous paintigs were painted over or signed by each owner. Signing or stamping was/is very common in Eastern art. I hate to see this happen, but in the long run, it is what makes history. It is what it is.

[AnkaRa]

This is very regrettable. Some immature, disrespectful child thought he would be 'cool' by scratching his name onto this sacred monument.

I can value the point that Tek brings up, but I personally do not like the fact that people several hundred to several thousand years  ago did the same thing and now it is considered 'protected'. I do not like that Greek names are carved into some of the tombs and older structures around Thebes and I do not like that Templar and Christian Crosses are still carved into the walls of temples up and down the sacred river. And while it is quiet not the same thing I am strongly against the mosque/church which sits in one of the temples in Karnak. It truly saddens me to see such disrespect for another faith, even if that faith was very old an most likely long forgotten when the structure was built.

Anyways, this is sad   and judging by the tone of the article and the comments, this kid did not get punished enough. In the end, I am sure Ma'at prevailed.    

[Bestekeni]

Actually, the ancient Egyptians themselves carved graffiti.  It may offend your modern sensibilities, but it's history.