Hundreds of books and other documents, considered essential research materials, were damaged by a water leak in the Egyptian antiquities department of the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The Louvre’s deputy director, Francis Steinbock, said that one of the three rooms in the library was damaged by the flood, and work is currently underway to dry out the books. Some of the books are centuries old, and their preservation requires special efforts to remove moisture page by page.
Unfortunately, this has not been a priority for the Louvre in recent months. About two months ago, a theft occurred. The French royal jewels, valued at about 88 million euros, were stolen from the Louvre. The investigation is ongoing; some suspects have been arrested, and charges have been filed.
The incident once again highlights how delicate the preservation of cultural heritage is, even in the world’s most visited museums.
