In Mubarak's Egypt, archaeology served the state. Perhaps then, it should not be surprising that a mob
has destroyed a historic mansion slated to become a center for archaeology. This follows last year's burning of a historic library. For archaeology to survive and prosper, it must stay relevant to the people and not just serve as a nationalistic tool for the state. Hopefully, Egypt's new government will disassociate archaeology from state power and instead encourage appreciation for the past as an end in itself.