False Door from Vizier's Tomb Discovered

Originally published March 29, 2010 | Yahoo! News and AP | An announcement about the very recent uncovering of a false door near the Temple of Karnak at Luxor of a royal 15th century B.C.E vizier. As with many ancient Egyptian artifacts, particularly those that are brick-like, it was reused for another building project during the Graeco-Roman Era. Although there is a picture of the find, I'd like to see a bigger one that showcases the inscriptions. It would be great practice for those, like me, who are currently studying ancient Egyptian. Should I find a great photograph of the false door, I shall post it here for the benefit of scholars and enthusiasts alike. For now, here is a decent picture where you can kind of make out the hieroglyphic signs, which is the typical offering formula you find on many funerary scenes:

New Statues Found at Kom el-Hettan

Originally published March 21, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass | Press release announcement from Zahi Hawass about the unearthing of two red granite statues of King Amenhotep III and of the god Thoth near the Pharaoh’s funerary temple at Kom el-Hettan on Luxor’s west bank by an Egyptian team. Includes a photo and related links.

Unraveling the DNA Behind the Mask

Originally published February 24, 2010 | Yale Daily News | by Erin Vanderhoof |

After 3,400 years, one of history’s oldest cold cases has finally been solved.

In addition to finding evidence that the legendary Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun (better known as King Tut) died of malaria and suffered from a club foot, DNA analysis unveiled last week has identified a previously anonymous excavated mummy, KV55, as Tutankhamun’s father: Akhenaten, the rebellious pharaoh of Egypt’s Amarna period whose legacy disappeared for thousands of years. The DNA supports the theory of two Yale professors, who suggested that the androgynous figures of the period’s art reflect religious beliefs rather than representations of Akhenaten’s family.

This theory was presented by Yale Egyptology professors John Darnell and Colleen Manassa ’01 GRD ’05 in their 2007 book, "Tutankhamun’s Armies," which details the military and diplomatic technique of Egypt’s late 18th Dynasty, which ruled the country from 1550 B.C. to 1292 B.C.

Battle of the Louvre

Originally published October 14, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

In his own words, Dr. Hawass gives more details on the process to regain five fragments discovered in the hands of the Louvre illegally. Among the legal stuff, he describes how these fragments fit into Egyptian history (Dynasty 18, to be exact).

Picture - Dr. Hawass Examines the KV55 Mummy

Originally published September 23, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog | picture credited to Maggie Bryson

Zahi Hawass to Announce Results of DNA Tests this Fall

Originally published September 20, 2009 | Em Hotep | by Keith Payne

I've been on the edge of my seat for months to hear more news (and results) about this DNA testing procedure on the Dynasty 18 mummies Zahi Hawass had announced a while ago. I'm overzealous to learn the findings are on their merry why to the public this fall. I'm praying that the results have identified more unknown mummies than lost them, as had happened in 2007 with Djehuti-mes I (you know him as Tuthmosis I). What was thought to have been he was a much younger man. Rats! (or is it "Scarabs!"?) Salima Akram will certainly have something to say about this.

Luxor Monuments and Archaeological Sites Undergo Major Developments

Originally published August 25 - September 2, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref

Below is an excerpt from Al-Ahram Weekly Online; click the above link to read the full story:

Last Week Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), and Samir Farag, head of Luxor City Supreme Council (LCSC) celebrated the completion of several development projects at archaeological sites on both the east and west banks of the Nile. They also visited other ongoing projects for which the total budget was LE127 million. These projects include the restoration of Howard Carter's rest-house with a view to developing it as a museum, the first phase of the installation of a new lighting system in the Valley of the Kings, a new visitor centre at Deir Al-Bahari, and the reopening of the Youssef Abul-Haggag mosque after restoration.

News on the Gurob Harem Palace Project

Originally published July 2, 2009 | Bloomsbury Academy

Ian Shaw gives an update on his latest project at Medinet el-Gurob. His and Jan Picton's email addresses are provided for further information and interest in the project. Also, there is a mini conference planned in September. That information is listed at the above link and in a downloadable program guide.

La madre de Tutankhamon podría ser Beneretmut, la hermana pequeña de Nefertiti

Originally published June 27, 2009 | Teleprensa World

Could Nefertit's younger sister, Beneretmut, be Tutankhamun's mother? Follow the link to read the theory.

I've also provided a link to read this article in English (Google Translation). It's not very good, but you'll get the gist of it.

Saving the Serapeum

Originally published June 25, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

Zahi Hawass writes about the Serapeum, about the importance of the Saqqara plateau and the key figures who had a hand in its development; it's role in past and recent-present history, spanning from Strabo to Auguste Mariette; and his attempts to find a solution to preserving and protecting this unique monument, which has been closed to visitors for safety reasons, asking for every authoritative person's advice. He describes the Serapeum's current state and how he's keeping a loving and watchful eye on this mysterious place.

Featured in the post are beautiful pictures showcasing the support and ventilation systems that are meant to help preserve and stabilize the Serapeum.

Press Release - New Tombs Found on Luxor's West Bank

Originally published June 17, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass and his team of Egyptian archaeologists have found a new 18th Dynasty tomb in the Dra Abu el-Naga necropolis and near this, two more undecorated tombs bearing seals. Mummy fragments and ushabtis figures have also been found.

Diving into History: Min of the Desert

Accessed June 15, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine | by Eti Bonn-Muller

Florida State University's maritime archaeologist Cheryl Ward recreates a near-exact Ancient Egyptian ship of the 18th Dynasty, dubbed Min of the Desert, having used archaeological evidence to create the impressive and surprisingly efficient vessel.