VIDEO CNN's Ben Wedeman says Egyptologists convening in Cairo are concerned over the impact that tourism is having on the ancient sites and monuments in Egypt. QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

Experts sound alarm on Egyptian tourists

April 1, 2000
Web posted at: 4:52 p.m. EST (2152 GMT)

CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Egypt each year to gawk at the pyramids. For some, merely looking is not enough: They leave marks permanently on the monuments, or take home pieces as souvenirs.

It's that type of vandalism that could ruin the ruins, experts on ancient Egypt say. Nearly 1,500 of them are meeting in Cairo at the Eighth International Congress of Egyptologists to discuss the problem.

CNN's Cairo Bureau Chief Ben Wedeman listened to their concerns.

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