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.

Excavations in the Valley of the Kings

Originally published March 14, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass | An excerpt:

One of the most famous sites in Egypt has always been the Valley of the Kings, which has revealed to us such wonders as the tomb of Tutankhamun. However, all of the major discoveries of the past were made by foreign archaeologists. I was determined that Egyptian archaeologists should become part of the process of excavation and discovery, so in November 2007, the first all-Egyptian team to ever work in the Valley began excavating the area behind the tomb of Merenptah.

In the cliffs behind the tomb we discovered channels that the ancient Egyptians dug to redirect the “tears of the gods,” the flood, in order to preserve the tombs. In the course of our excavations, we recorded many new graffiti in the Valley and found many ostraca, which are pieces of limestone or pottery with drawings and inscriptions. The inscriptions found were very interesting, including a picture of an old lady, the cartouche of Ramses II and many descriptions and other things.

New Exhibit - Abu Simbel: the Salvaging of the Monuments

Originally published February 5, 2010 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Nevine El-Aref | This article is a reaction by the author to the new exhibit entitled Abu Simbel: the Salvaging of the Monument, which is currently in Al-Sama Khana in Sayeda Zeinab and will soon be touring Europe and then worldwide. It highlights in photographic form, Italy's help in rescuing Nubian monuments during the Salvage Campaign of the 1960s and 70s. Follow the above link to read Nevine's detailed description of the history and importance behind this exhibit.

The following is an excerpt:

The idea for an exhibition was dreamed up last year in Rome by the World Wide Artists Association and the Chamber of Commerce in Rome to highlight the role of Italy in rescuing Nubian monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The exhibition was previously shown in 2009 in Rome inside the Temple of Hadrian. The exhibition will later tour some of the principle capitals of Europe and worldwide.

[...]

The event is taking the form of a worldwide documentary exhibition and will have a high impact, with images never before published. It will enhance not only the natural and historical value of the archaeological site, but also the anthropological aspect, paying particular attention to the human resources involved in the feat, the methodologies employed and the machinery and equipment used, as well as the projects throughout their development and realization.

[...]

According to the official statement by the organiser, the exhibition will strive to meet two main objectives: one that of reaching a global public, bringing to them awareness of the history of man, of what was achieved, the ideas that took shape in the knowledge of the convergence of historical and archaeological themes, in an effort to involve the "public at large", not only those who dedicate themselves daily to this fascinating field, the other is that of taking advantage of this unique opportunity to valorise the entrepreneurial network between Rome, Italy and Egypt's social and economic realities.

Egypt Relics Chief Pulls in Revenue as He Fights for Nefertiti

Originally published January 26, 2010 | Bloomberg | by Daniel Williams | This article highlights the past and future endeavors of one Dr. Zahi Hawass, none of which have come without controversy. Such endeavors have been the following: the request to return fragments from the Louvre, numerous attempts to regain the Nefertiti bust in the Neues Museum, the discovery that Egyptian workers had built the pyramids and not Hebrew slaves, the collection of billions in revenue from the Tutankhamun traveling exhibit to fund Egyptological projects, and the like.

Festival of Archaeologists at Cairo Opera House

Origianlly published January 28, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass | On a very significant day every year for the past four years, Dr. Hawass and friends get together to celebrate the achievements and progress of Egyptian archaeology, create a place for them to cohort with each other and their foreign colleagues, watch a video representation of all the projects that Egyptian archaeologists are overseeing and training programs that they are implementing, and honor current and long past Egyptian archaeologists of great importance. This blog post chronicles this year's festival.

New Discovery of Greek Cat Goddess Temple at Alexandria

Originally published January 19, 2010 | Dr. Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass | Naturally, I'm going to direct you to the more authoritative source of this latest discovery - at Dr. Hawass' Blog, of course. Here is an excerpt from his post:

An archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) led by Dr. Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, Head of Antiquities of Lower Egypt, discovered the remains of a temple of Queen Berenike, the wife of king Ptolemy III (246-222 BC), along with a cachette of 600 Ptolemaic statues.

An inscribed base of a granite statue from the reign of King Ptolemy IV (205-222 BC) was also unearthed. It bears ancient Greek text written in nine lines stating that the statue belonged to a top official in the Ptolemaic court. Dr. Maqsoud believes the base was made to celebrate Egypt’s victory over the Greeks during the Battle of Raphia in 217 BC.

Yahoo! News has two resources covering the same discovery:

• Ancient Greek Temple Found in Alexandria
• Egypt Announces Find of Ancient Cat Goddess Temple

New Tombs Found at Saqqara

Originally published January 5, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass |

Saqqara yields two rediscovered tombs, dating back 2,500 years, the oldest found in the area, replete with human and falcon remains and pottery. Despite it having been looted and explored throughout the millennia, it proves that Saqqara has many more secrets.

Three sources announce different facts about the discoveries in addition to Dr. Hawass' account, which is far more descriptive: The Sydney Morning Herald, which discloses mostly topographical information; IOL, which contains a few dates and measurements; and possibly the most interesting source from the Discovery New, which includes great photographs of the discovery.

Sacred Pharaonic-Era Lake Found in Egypt

Originally published October 2009 | Press TV

This discovery is of particular interest (possibly "significant" is a better word) to me, considering Tanis is the location that plays a fundamental role in my historic novel, set during the 1926/7 archaeological season in Egypt, one full year prior to the first discovery of a sacred lake in Tanis in 1928 (funny how none of these articles mention Pierre Montet...hmph). Naturally, as with all instances of Egypt-inspired novels, there is a curse involved; yet, this curse is less gimmicky that depicted in film ;)

Here are some other places that are reporting on the same story: the Star Online and Earth Times.

Video: New Tombs Discovered at Dra Abu el Naga

Originally published September 23, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Zahi Hawass

SCA Youths Travel to USA

Originally published September 21, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Photo Blog

VIDEO: The New Inscribed Finds from the Valley of the Kings

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

International Conference - Achievements and Problems of Modern Egyptology

Accessed September 15, 2009 | CESRAS (Centre for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences)

Coming to Moscow September 29 - October 4, 2009, the CESRAS will host an international conference to share experience between scholars of different countries and to discuss the latest achievements in the field of Egyptology and Egyptian archaeology, study of history, culture, religion and languages of Ancient, Graeco-Roman and Coptic Egypt. In addition, there is an exhibit associated with the conference called The Royal Cache. Secrets of Pharaohs, which features objects from the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Follow the above link to information about the committee, the themes, location, and fees of the conference, and contacts.

Mubarak Sends Greeting Message to Egypt's "Sunken Treasures Exhibition" in Japan

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Egypt State Information Service

Egypt State Information Services announces the opening of an exhibit called Egypt's Sunken Treasures, which runs from June 27 through September 23 and will feature nearly 500 Ptolemaic Period artifacts that Egyptian archaeologists salvaged from the Mediterranean Sea in Alexandria.

A special event - a tourist week - will run from June 20 through July 5 in conjunction with the exhibit.

Press Release - New Discoveries at Saqqara

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

While performing routine conservation work, Egyptian archaeologists stumble upon some artifacts inside a deep hole near the southern side of the Step Pyramid, the likes of which are illustrated in pictures in this press release.

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.

Egyptian Museum Opens Exhibit on Eve of Obama’s Arrival

Originally published June 4, 2009 | eTurbo News | by Hazel Heyer

This article announces Hawass' launching of a new photo exhibit that showcases European and Egyptian archaeological endeavors since the early 19th century. The show illustrates continued efforts to promote and preserve archaeology.

A short paragraph describes what treasures the Cairo Museum currently holds, despite the lack of space, which includes the recently recovered relics that had been smuggled into Switzerland.

Jacqueline Phillips - Aegyptiaca on the Island of Crete in Their Chronological Context: A Critical Review

Accessed June 2, 2009 | Rosetta - University of Birmingham | by Marsia Sfakianou Bealby

Marsia Sfakianou Bealby reviews Jacqueline Phillips' two volume work, which is based on the re-visited and updated PhD thesis of the author. Bealby's review also includes a bibliography and footnotes.

Egyptian Sands and Columbus Waves

Originally published May 27, 2009 | UWeekly - University Media Group | by Bram Fulk

Columbus' Center for Science and Industry (COSI) kicks off the season with an exploration of the wonders of Ancient Egypt through science and technology with its traveling and interactive exhibit "Lost Egypt: Ancient Secret, Modern Science," which looks at the process of archaeology in modern Egypt and Egypt's ancient culture and focuses less on the nobleman and more on the common Egyptian.

Dig Days: What can I do? Dr. Zahi Hawass Defends Himself

Originally published 21 - 27 May 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Dr. Zahi Hawass

Dr. Zahi Hawass states in this article his thoughts on the following: the lack of public knowledge about what he does, having been inspired by an article in the New York Times that polled the general public, the reason he established rules for Egyptologists and archaeologists to follow when excavating and announcing and publishing their findings, and the slow rise in Egyptian archaeologists making discoveries on their own turf and the need for more recognition to be credited to them instead of to foreign teams.

He further defends his actions as secretary-general, interpretations of KV 63, and his right to share his ideas and theories.

Personally, I believe Dr. Hawass doesn't have to apologize for his opinions and actions, but he's a great man and scholar for having done so.