Valorizing the ordinary – documenting the vernacular heritage of Shutb village

Abstract

• 'The British Museum Asyut Region Project' aims at reconstructing and preserving the deep history of the Asyut region in Middle Egypt through survey and documentation of its pharaonic and post-pharaonic heritage, including the varied responses of local communities living atop the layers of history below. The village of Shutb, 5 km south of Asyut city, offers an excellent window into the micro-history of a rural community living on an ancient site. The village perches atop the remains of ancient Shashotep; a regional centre and capital of the 11th Upper Egyptian province (nome) from ca. 2000 BC onwards. Its unique geographic setting has contributed to preserving the village’s historic landscape, traditional urban fabric and many of its vernacular buildings. Moreover, the village is privileged with a rich intangible heritage through its social and economic ties with the larger Asyut region. However, this tangible and intangible heritage is at risk of eventual loss due to urban pressures, deteriorated physical and socioeconomic conditions, and most importantly, lack of appreciation of such heritage among different stakeholders.