On Monday, December 1st, the PCMA UW Cairo Seminars continue at the PCMA Research Centre in Cairo. Dr Abdelrahman Medhat (Egyptian Museum in Cairo) will deliver a lecture: “Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change: Advancing Insight into the Risks Facing Egyptian Cultural Heritage Sites”.
Abstract: Egypt’s cultural heritage stands among the most extraordinary legacies of human civilisation—yet it is increasingly at risk due to the impacts of climate change. Sea-level rise, temperature shifts, desertification, flash flooding, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation and carbon emissions are all accelerating the deterioration of archaeological materials and historic landscapes. This presentation draws on findings from an on-site field survey conducted at selected heritage locations in Egypt’s Nile Delta and Western Desert—areas already showing visible signs of climate induced stress. Crucially, this study goes beyond theory: it explores how Artificial Intelligence is not only offering new ways to understand these risks but is also being actively applied in the field to support conservation efforts.
From AI-powered environmental monitoring to real-time data modeling, and from structural vulnerability assessment to digital documentation, we examine tangible case studies where AI tools are currently in use. These applications demonstrate how AI can enhance the capacity of heritage professionals to make timely, informed decisions under growing climate pressures.
The talk will highlight AI’s role across five core areas:
• Environmental monitoring and predictive analysis
• Structural vulnerability assessment and damage forecasting
• Conservation and restoration enhancement
• Digital documentation and virtual preservation
• Integrated data platforms for heritage decision-making
The integration of AI with field-based research represents a critical shift towards a more holistic, evidence-driven approach to cultural heritage preservation. By applying these tools directly to vulnerable sites, we are not only deepening our understanding of climate impacts, but also pioneering practical, scalable solutions for safeguarding Egypt’s ancient legacy.
The seminar will be held on Monday, December 1st at 7 pm (Cairo time) at the PCMA UW Research Centre in Cairo, 11 Mahalla St., Heliopolis.
Dr. Abdelrahman Medhat is a multilingual heritage scientist and Scientific Advisor specializing in sustainable heritage protection with a focus on climate-resilient conservation strategies and the integration of emerging technologies in heritage management. His work strongly aligns with UNESCO’s core mandates, including safeguarding cultural heritage, fostering intercultural dialogue, advancing climate action, and promoting digital innovation. Currently, Dr. Medhat serves as an Archaeometrist and Conservator at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where he applies scientific inquiry and field expertise to preserve heritage assets threatened by environmental and human-induced challenges. He earned his PhD with distinction for his research on the chemical degradation of 18th-century wooden icons and their appropriate conservation treatments.
As a 2024–2025 Postdoctoral Fellow with the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, Dr. Medhat leads a pioneering project investigating the impact of climate change on archaeological earthen structures in the Nile Delta. This work promotes sustainable, eco-friendly conservation practices responsive to the region’s unique environmental challenges.
Beyond his conservation research, Dr. Medhat develops ethical AI frameworks to assess and mitigate climate change impacts on Egypt’s cultural heritage, guided by UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. His interdisciplinary approach aims to enhance heritage documentation, risk prediction, and resilience planning, emphasizing human-centered, transparent, and culturally respectful AI development.
The lectures showcase projects carried out by expeditions of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, as well as teams collaborating with the PCMA. The series also features distinguished scholars from other academic institutions whose work significantly contributes to our understanding of Egypt and the region’s past.
This lecture series presents the latest research on Egypt’s heritage — from Antiquity to the modern period — and, in selected cases, on the heritage of neighboring countries. The topics cover the broadest possible spectrum, ranging from archaeological and historical studies to research on material culture, art, religion, and society.
The series is coordinated by Dr. Anastasiia Stupko-Lubczynska (Head of the Department of Egyptian Archaeology) and Tomasz Kania (Head of PCMA Research Centre in Cairo).