EGYPT: I'm following the situation as closely as I can while needing to do other things. This AP article sums up just about everything I've been able to find about the status of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Briefly: a major government building across the street from the museum was torched and, last I heard, was still burning. The museum itself has not, as far as I can find out, been damaged by the fire. Last night some young men among the protesters blocked the Museum entrance with a human chain until army forces could arrive and secure the building, which it seems they have now done. There was nevertheless some looting: at least two mummies were destroyed—no word on which ones. An AP reporter heard one of the protesters protecting the museum shout to the crowd "We are not like Baghdad." (The article has been updated and I can't find a link right now.) Those are some brave and praiseworthy young men.
I visited the Egyptian Museum in 1985. (Website currently down, courtesy of the Mubarak government.) The Tutankhamun treasures are the best known artifacts there, but there is much much more. For example, I recall seeing the Merneptah Stele and some Amarna letters.
The best source for up-to-date information on the situation in Egypt seems to be Al Jazeera, whose English website is live-streaming events from the scene as they happen.
I send the Egyptian people every good wish for success in their struggle for a free society.
UPDATE: This Flikr photostream has a photo of the human shields with arms linked surrounding the Museum. Click on the "Newer" button above the photo on the right for several pictures of the damage inside the museum. (Via Chuck Jones on Facebook.)
UPDATE (30 January): The latest report is that the heads of two mummies (again, no word on which ones) were torn off and ten small items were damaged, this by nine looters who were caught and arrested. The earlier report also said that the gift shop of the Museum was looted. Bad, but would have been much worse if not for the regular people who, at considerable risk to themselves, protected the museum.
UPDATE: Those ten damaged artifacts are starting to sound more important. (HT reader Joe Slater).
UPDATE: Continuously updated news on the fate of Egyptian museums and antiquities can be found at the Egyptology News blog. Via a supplement to this week's Explorator.
