Diana Tarunina, 1-07-07 Pyramids at risk The great pyramids have given plentiful imagination to the writer, poet,

artist and architect. It also gives the materials scientist a lot to think about. Throughout the history of mankind , concern for longevity of buildings and structures is evident. Nevertheless, the thousands of surviving ancient buildings and monuments told a lot about their extraordinary stability and durability, which are far beyond legend, but they still require preservation and rebuilding. The article that sheds light on this problem more is Pyramids at risk written by an author of numerous books on European history, culture and travel, a writer of television series on historical conservation, Russell Chamberlin, published in the Time Magazine. The article touches upon recently worldwide general concern expressed about the state of these wonders of the world. The deterioration of pyramids has been accelerated during this century. The rising water table which is full of salt contacts the stone monuments, causing a salt crystallization which reduces it to powder. The action of man with the resulting pollution and tourism also plays a very important role. It goes without saying, that all these factors combined have weakened these incredible monuments. It is clear, however, that further action is needed, and that if we do not do something soon, there might be little left for visitors to enjoy within just a few decades. That is the authors message. The target audience the journalist keeps in mind is of considerable scope as not anyone would be interested to read the material on history and culture. He appeals to: -to people who are obsessed with travel or to those who have already had that brilliant experience visiting these pyramids and those who are just on the way to go; -people who are interested in history as well as in culture; - to well-educated people; Some words as: solemn academic treatise, on an arbitrary basis, may have some difficulty in understanding and need a competent man to grasp it. The article is a fine specimen of publicistic writing, the sub style is an essay which is aimed at convincing and informing people with an appalling fact of national treasures demolition. It makes use of a great number of expressive means to arouse and keep the public's interest. They are: stylistic devices, emotionally colored vocabulary, gravity of expression, at the same time, the article is full of feedbacks and comments of the author who has a rather clearly stated point of view on that subject. The text is clearly divided into paragraphs, each of them conveying a particular idea. Anaphora Nothing prepares you for the sheer inhumanity of the titanic abstract shapes. Nothing prepares you for their impact creates to some extent a driving rhythm at the beginning of the article; it intensifies the authors feelings. Alliteration pressure of population, pollution and perhaps makes this particular sentence catchy, draws attention to the subject involved, particularly here - causes of deterioration of massive figures. The metaphor structures that have so far managed to survive 4,500 years of sun, sand, wind and war adds colour, vivid imagery of that despondent situation and perhaps emotion to a sentence. Epithets sheer inhumanity, titanic abstract shapes, accelerated deterioration, appreciable expansion, hostile environment make the article more dynamic, reveal the real state of historical landmarks. Stylistic device of suspense in the sentence The causes of the accelerated deterioration that have so far managed, are depressingly familiar:, The continuing fascination held by Egypt the only country to have a complete science named after it does nothing to improve the

situation helps to hold the readers attention and their interest is kept up, as they are in the state of uncertainty and expectation. A simile shapes as familiar as that of your local place of worship is directed at showing that Egyptian monuments one knows like the palm of his hand. The author makes use of a great number of infinitives and gerunds releasing more land,providing more water,leaving damaging deposits, to improve, to sell to make the article more easy for perception. The sentences in the article are mostly extended. Russell Chamberlin does it to give a clear picture of monuments rapidly turning into ruins. Negative connotative vocabulary accelerated deterioration, devastating effects, damaging deposits, problems to be exacerbated by, cultural free-for-all, are the exact words of the lie of the matters in the passage. The depressing tone of narration is established from the very first lines and is sustained up to the end of the text. The mood prevalent in the article is gloom and desperate. Ask your friends what they think of when you mention Egypt and they'll probably say "the pyramids," or "Tutankhamun," or perhaps "Cleopatra." Egypt's great historical treasures - the artifacts of its early civilization need restoration. The value of the colossal national treasure is inestimable, not only in scientific or financial terms, but because they represent the Egyptian people's cultural identity. If this cultural heritage is safe, Egypt is safe, as we all know the country depends heavily on the tourists who crowd here in calmer times, marveling at the mummies and their tombs. They all require care and conservation. Destructive elements - time, pollution, overpopulation, ignorance, vandalism, and the antiquities trade - are oblivious to the government and to the leading member of the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation, Zahi Hawass. The Egypts hope is for a gradual return to stability and protection for the vast open-air museum which is Egypt. The international community, for its part, might refrain from lecturing the Egyptians on what to do with their heritage, and instead offer assistance in those areas not already covered by native know-how. If they work together, it should be possible to safeguard the monuments, their undeniable grandeur ['grndj] and serve the needs of tourism at the same time. A worn-out proverb saying Man fears time, yet time fears the pyramids is as old as the hills. It is no longer like this and as pyramids fear time now and oldster Spinx undergoing middle-age crisis, it is crucial moment to mend the situation.