China, Egypt collaborate to secure world heritage status for ancient hydrological sites

In Chongqing, China, a stone ridge about 1,600 meters long and an average of 15 meters wide lies submerged in the Yangtze River. Known as Baiheliang, this ridge holds inscriptions that document over a thousand years of low-water hydrological data from the Fuling section of the Yangtze River, which ancient people used to guide agricultural production. Meanwhile, on Roda Island in the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt, the Nilometer, an ancient gauge for measuring the Nile's water levels during flood season, has been used for thousands of years to predict annual crop yields. Despite being thousands of miles apart, the Baiheliang Inscriptions and the Nilometer share a common purpose as hydrological heritage sites of great rivers, demonstrating the water level measurement wisdom of different civilizations.

Currently, relevant parties from China and Egypt are working together to prepare a joint nomination of the Baiheliang Inscriptions and the Roda Island Nilometer for UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status. Since the feasibility study for this joint nomination began in 2021, teams from China and Egypt have conducted mutual visits, actively exploring strategies and methods for the joint nomination. If successful, this nomination could fill a gap in the World Heritage List for underwater heritage and further promote cultural exchanges between China and Egypt.

The Baiheliang Ancient Hydrological Inscription in Southwest China's Chongqing (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

Witnesses to two ancient civilizations

Baiheliang, named after the white cranes that used to gather there, is submerged underwater for most of the year. Carved into the ridge are two stone fish, which ancient people observed to determine that a year following the fish becoming visible above water would be a year of good harvest. This led to the saying, "Stonefish out of the water foretell a good harvest."

Using the changes in water levels relative to the stone fish, ancient people inscribed a series of hydrological observations on the ridge, documenting low-water levels from 72 different years over more than 1,200 years, starting from the Tang dynasty's Guangde era (764 AD). Baiheliang has since been called "the ancient hydrological station."

After the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, Baiheliang was permanently submerged beneath the river. To better preserve this historical relic, a museum was built underwater at Baiheliang, where visitors can take an elevator down to the bottom of the Yangtze River to view the stone fish and inscriptions.

In North Africa, the ancient Egyptians used the Nilometer to measure the flood levels of the Nile River, a practice with a history of over 5,000 years. Recorded measurements span over 1,300 years, with continuous data available for 662 years.

The data collected by the Nilometer was used to predict annual agricultural yields and serve as a reference for taxation rates. The existing forms of the Nilometer include vertical columns, riverbank steps, and tunnel-like deep wells.

Jiang Rui, director of the Chongqing Baiheliang Underwater Museum, said, "The Baiheliang Inscriptions in China and the Roda Island Nilometer in Egypt are both testimonies to the wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the great river basins of the world, reflecting the heritage of ancient civilizations. Both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations with rich historical and cultural heritage. The joint nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status will strengthen cultural exchanges between our two nations, deepen our understanding of each other's traditional cultures, and promote the diversity of world civilizations."

In November 2023, the Baiheliang International Symposium was held in Fuling District, Chongqing. Hydrological heritage experts from seven countries engaged in in-depth discussions on the joint nomination from a global perspective, further enhancing confidence and determination in the joint nomination effort. On May 16, a delegation from Chongqing traveled to Cairo, where they held detailed discussions with experts from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Egypt-China Friendship Association, Cairo University, and other institutions on the joint nomination.

Egyptian underwater archaeologist Ahmad Rehmat recalls visiting the Baiheliang Underwater Museum last November. After descending a 90-meter-long tunnel escalator into the depths, he walked through a 146-meter horizontal corridor to reach a viewing passage about 40 meters below the Yangtze River. Through the glass windows on either side of the passage, he saw the inscriptions left by the ancient Chinese over 1,000 years ago and the vividly carved stone fish.

"The Baiheliang Inscriptions and the Nilometer are witnesses to two great ancient civilizations," said Rehmat. "The development of Egyptian and Chinese civilizations is inseparable from their great rivers. The Egyptian side attaches great importance to the joint nomination with China, which will significantly impact the preservation of human civilization."

Heritage preservation cooperation

At least 20 Nilometers once stood along the Nile River, mainly concentrated in the southern Aswan region and the northern Nile Delta. The one being jointly nominated with China is the Nilometer on Roda Island in Cairo, which was built in 715 AD.

The Roda Island Nilometer site consists of two main parts: a stone well and a marble column. The well is rectangular at the top and round at the bottom, with an octagonal marble column standing in the center, marked with water level indicators. On one side of the well are three holes connected to the Nile River through a narrow tunnel.

"The integrity and authenticity of the Roda Island Nilometer, along with its continuous 1,000-year record of Nile River water levels, left a deep impression on me," said Jiang Rui after examining the Roda Island Nilometer site. "Their similarities will aid in the nomination process and promote further exchanges and cooperation between China and Egypt in heritage preservation, academic research, and archaeological excavations."

Jamal Mustafa, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities for Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Affairs, noted that China has rich experience in underwater cultural heritage preservation and a mature team of experts in heritage nomination. "The joint nomination will be a good beginning for heritage preservation cooperation between our two countries."

China's cultural relic protection authorities have employed a "non-pressurized vessel" method to protect the Baiheliang Inscriptions. In addition, the Baiheliang Underwater Museum has established a monitoring and early warning system for the relics, enabling real-time online monitoring of the preservation environment.

Rehmat explained that Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities has established a special department for underwater archaeology to protect marine and hydrological heritage, as well as underwater relics. This department, through the Central Restoration and Conservation Administration, conducts regular inspections and repairs. "The construction of the Baiheliang Underwater Museum and China's cultural relic preservation technology and concepts have provided valuable experience for Egypt's management of underwater cultural heritage," said Rehmat.

Strengthening bonds

The joint application is progressing steadily, with professional institutions commissioned to draft the necessary documents. Jiang Bo, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, said, "Both the Baiheliang Inscriptions and the Nilometer are precious records of ancient hydrology. Our joint endeavor will set a new paradigm for global cultural heritage preservation."

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, said, "China and Egypt both possess significant ancient civilizations. This joint application is a shared dream, and we hope both sides will work together towards its successful realization."

In a gesture of cultural exchange, a restored model of the Egyptian Nilometer was unveiled in Chongqing's Fuling District in October of the previous year. This exhibit allowed residents to appreciate the hydrological wisdom of ancient Egyptians, highlighting the universalities in water management across cultures.

Ali el-Hefny, Vice-Chairman of the Egypt-China Friendship Association, encapsulated the spirit of the collaboration: "The joint application reflects the strong friendship between Egypt and China and will further enhance mutual understanding between our peoples."