Exile Over - the Little Ushabti that Could

Originally published October 15 - 21, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref

This is a brief story about an adorable 26th Dynasty ushabtis, which is now on its way back to Egypt, after having spent some time in the US for a mere 14 years. This is another page in the saga that is Zahi Hawass' efforts to regain all significant Egyptian artifacts. Although I wouldn't consider this artifact as being very contributory in extending what we already know about the Afterlife and the role ushabtis play in the process of getting there, it will make a nice little addition to the Egyptian Museum's collection.

Picture - Dr. Hawass Examines the KV55 Mummy

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

Centamin Follows the Ancients in Big Quest for Egyptian Gold

Originally published August 15, 2009 | The West Australian

Below is a preview of an article at the West Australian which tells of an explorers means of discovering a gold mine in Egypt by using one of the oldest papyri found as a resource. The topic is a bit off-topic, but still interesting (and hey, it mentions a discovery that came as a result of using ancient artifacts; it's like piecing together a real map and finding real pirate treasure!).

The popular mythology behind Centamin Egypt goes that it was WA geologist Sami El-Raghy who came across the ancient papyrus map dating back to 1200BC hanging in an Egyptian museum.

That map, believed to be the oldest of its kind, included the location of 1300 historic gold mines and inspired Mr El-Raghy to hunt for some treasure of his own.

The tale is probably apocryphal.

Egyptian Study Tours 2010 - Egypt, Germany, Paris

Originally published July 15, 2009 | Challenging the Past Blog

For a fee between $520 and $2,500, you can register to participate in any of the three tours set for the early part of 2010: Cairo and Siwa oasis in Feburary, 2010 for 14 days; Hildesheim, Germany in May, 2010 for 4 days; or Paris, France in June, 2010 for 3 days. Download the program guide if you are interested, which includes a more detailed description of each study tour and contact information.

University Denies Test on Egyptian Bust in Berlin

Originally published July 20, 2009 | Earth Times

A German university denied Monday that it had analysed the bust of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, an Egyptian sculpture at a Berlin museum, or suggested the statue was a forgery. The bust of the female ruler is one of the icons of the Egyptian Museum in the city. It was acquired for 1 million marks (510,000 euros or about 715,000 dollars) two decades ago.

Monuments Discovered in Egyptian Museum

Originally published July 4, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

Genuine ancient monuments are unearthed near the Egyptian Museum during its development. Read on to learn more about this happy accident.

Photo Gallery: Cairo's Egyptian Museum

Accessed June 30, 2009 | WLFI - Indiana

This web page features many photo galleries of various locations where Ancient Egyptian artifacts can been seen including the Egyptian Museum, Luxor and Karnak Temples, the Valley of the Kings, and more.

The King and I: An Audience with Tutankhamun

Originally published June 28, 2009 | The Independent | by Sankha Guha

One person's account of Egypt par dahabiyya: from standing in wonderment inside the Great Pyramid to gazing in awe into the blinkless eyes of Tutankhamun's funeral mask, from the seemingly inadequacey of the Egyptian Museum to the vastness of the cities and monuments of the dead, into Tutankhamun's tomb and through Edfu and Philae, and out of the suks of Aswan only to be wooed by the setting sun.

The article ends with Nile cruise, Egypt flight, and dahabiyya departure information, should you endeavor to experience the same.

Egypt's Ancient Sites Are a Wonder to Behold

Originally published June 21, 2009 | STL Today | by Sally Bixby Defty

This special interest editorial follows the author's adventures in Egypt, where she describes the awe-inspiring Giza pyramids; the magnificent Temple at Abu Simbel; an experience with tourism at Luxor; the vastness of the Valley of the Kings, the beauty of Hatshepsut's mortuary temple, and the east bank's Luxor and Karnak temples; the sensational treasures of Tutankhamun; the future plans of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo; and dreamlike travels, floating across the Nile.

Video - A Rich Exhibit: the Tomb of Tutankhamun

Originally published June 19, 2009 | San Francisco News | by Spencer Christian

Follow this link to watch a video where Dr. Hawass gives Spencer Christian a tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, speaking about the importance of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. This article ends with links to various resources.

Museum Offers Sneak Peek Inside Tut's Tomb

Originally published June 18, 2009 | The Indy Channel

Officials from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis showed off 100+ artifacts in the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit that will be coming to the museum June 27 - October 25. A video from 6 News accompanies this article along with a link to the exhibit's web site.

Part of the proceeds from the exhibit will help build a children's museum in Egypt and improve the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Eagle's Eye: Reminiscences of Egypt

Originally published June 17, 2009 | Central Chronicle

The author of this editorial recollects an eventful experience in Egypt, which included bargaining at the bazaars where haggling is an art, musing over the pyramids at Giza, viewing artifacts at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, talking about the plights of the Egyptian government, and smelling the sweet scents of Ramses' Perfume Palace.

Taking a Shot at Archaeology

Accessed June 12, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref

This article at Al-Ahram Weekly Online gives more information on the new photography exhibit at the Egyptian Museum, as experienced by Nevine El-Aref, the opening of which Zahi Hawass announced on June 4, 2009 (see my blog entry from June 6). It is called Europe-Egypt: A long lasting Archaeological Cooperation and highlights more than a century of archaeological cooperation between Europe (16 countries-worth) and Egypt. It runs through July 30, 2009.

A few pictures accompany the article, which feature exploration at Bir Al-Showish, restoration work at the funerary temple of Thutmosis III, and copper melting experiment in Ain Sokhna.

A poster of this exhibit is also provided.

Oriental Institute Trip - Splendors of The Nile

Accessed June 9, 2009 | the Oriental Institute

Travel with the OI par dahabya November 15 through December 1, 2009 with Dr. Nadine Moeller as your escort. Visit famous landmarks and get an in-depth tour of Tell Edfu.

A more detailed itinerary is available for download, which includes trip price, areas to be visited with descriptors, a registration form, and contact information.

Egypt Opens Second DNA Lab for Mummies

Originally published June 1, 2009 | Xinhua News | by Xiong Tong

The article describes the reason for this second Egyptian lab (to execute comparative studies; with a single lab, that is hard to do) and it's priority (to discover Tutankhamun's parentage). The complete results will be published in August. The process is sponsored and will be documented by the Discovery Channel.

Royal Bling Glitters For the Crowds - Jewels Moved to the Egyptian Museum

Originally published 21 - 27 May 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online

After it had been discovered that some pieces in the Mohamed Ali family jewels collection were missing, they were packed away in 45 wooden boxes, sealed with red wax, and moved from the Central Back of Egypt to the Egyptian Museum. Dr. Zahi Hawass heads the ordeal.