More Regarding Pyramid Builders' Tombs

Originally published January 13, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass | Not to be outdone by the mass of media disseminating the recent news about new tombs of the Giza Pyramid builders, the finding of which prove that Jewish slaves did not build the pyramids (this is nothing new to the Egyptology world, but it definitely shows that Ancient Egypt - more specifically pyramid building - still intrigues the world, even if "most people" believe aliens helped the Egyptians execute this feat that we moderns have not yet executed), Dr. Hawass' speaks of his press conference on Monday about this subject, which spans much details.

Upcoming Lectures and Events in Egyptology

If you have any free time, you may wish to attend any or all of the following upcoming lectures and events around the world (to attend them all, you would need to spend some money on plane tickets, so perhaps it is silly to encourage visiting them all):

When: January 27
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes High School Auditorium in Poughkeepsie, NY
Lecture: Dr. Bob Brier's The Secret of the Great Pyramid
Price: Free admission

When: January 16
Where: press room of the Palma-Arena, C/ de l'Uruguai s/n, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Lecture: Marina Escolano Poveda's Beyond the Rosetta Stone. The Fundamental Role of the Coptic Language in the Decipherment of the Hieroglyphic Script

When: Through May 2010
Where: Greece (contact info is provided at Challenging the Past)
Seminars: Hellenic Society for the Study of Ancient Egypt

When: February 20
Where: University of London, Garden Halls - London, England
Workshop: Forensic Aspects of Ancient Egypt

Exact Date Pinned to Great Pyramid's Construction?

Originally published September 21, 2009 | National Geographic News | by Andrew Bossone

Sothis, the Dog Star, turns out to be the variable that solves the problem of the exact dating of the construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza for one Egyptian team. Like any good debate, this article examines both sides: the Egyptians present their evidence and others counteract.

I like to stray from saying "a culture always did something this way" when describing a peoples' endeavors because people are quite unpredictable (even Ancient Egyptians, who seemed to be very purposeful when it came to all aspects of the humanities!). Although scholars like to pin things down (or try to), sometimes one has to be satisfied with words like "probably," "about," "perhaps" and the like.

Hawass Debunks Collins' Cave Controversy

Originally published September 9, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass describes in detail why Andrew Collins' observation about a "cave complex" under the Giza Plateau. Hawass is right to call the theory out for what it is: hokum, if you know anything about the Giza Plateau; although I think his words are a bit snooty. Not everyone is a scholar like you and I dear reader ;)

He provides an example of good reading, and I will provide just the opposite because I think it is a terribly amusing book, albeit very old, out of date, and a sign of the times: Everett W. Fish's, The Egyptian Pyramids, an Analysis of a Great Mystery.

Governor Stirs Controversy Over Great Pyramid of Giza

Originally published September 6, 2009 | Gulf News | by Ramadan Al Sherbini

Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, has objected to the governor of Giza’s announcement of an annual "Giza Day" on August 23. He objects because we don't know the exact day the Great Pyramid was built. I wouldn't mind a "Giza Day;" it doesn't have to reflect the exact day of construction (or completion for that matter), just a day that is dedicated to the structure. I'm sure if Farouk Hosni proposed it that way, Dr. Hawass wouldn't raise any objections.

Alternatives to the World's Worst Tourist Traps

Originally published August 29 (UK time), 2009 | Times Online

It mostly speaks of the Meroe pyramids in the Sudan; it's less an article that bashes the pyramids (as the title seems to suggest), more one that gives detailed information about the Meroe pyramids in the Sudan and the Meroe civilization.

The following is a preview of the contents of the article; click the above link to read it in its entirtey:

Some ideas are too good to be forgotten. When Egypt’s pyramid boom burnt out in 2500BC, the country’s signature tomb design found its way up the Nile to northern Sudan, where it was embraced more than 2,000 years later by the Kushite Kingdom.

Evidence of this architectural revival can be found at the great royal cemeteries of Bagrawiya, better known as the pyramids of Meroe, where dozens of steep-sided pyramids litter the desert. This may be Sudan’s most iconic sight, but visitors are likely to have the tombs all to themselves, with only the sound of the desert wind in their ears.

Explore Ancient Egypt with Fairmont & National Geographic

Originally published August 26, 2009 | Yahoo! News

If you're willing to spend $960 and would like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the secrets of Egypt through lectures, tours, and a felucca ride in the company of Zahi Hawass, then this offer is certainly for you. This Global Explorer Series from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and the National Geographic Society runs from November 27 - 30, 2009 and has many fabulous incentives (as if Dr. Hawass wasn't enough, my goodness!). Click on the above link to read more on this offer.

The following is a direct link to the Fairmont Towers web site, where you can book the tour.

Archaeology Magazine's Special Ancient Egypt Issue

Accessed August 20, 2009 | Archaeology Magazine Online The following is quoted from AIA's e-Update, which will bring you to more information on what's inside this issue and how to purchase it:

Learn why mummies are the icons of ancient Egypt and why the pharaohs' tombs were designed to last forever. Discover how Napoleon's expedition led to the birth of Egyptology and how the Great Pyramid was built. Explore a City of the Dead and the Valley of the Kings. Come along with Archaeology to the banks of the Nile--and beyond. There are mummies, pharaohs' treasures, unsolved mysteries, and an entire civilization to uncover.

I think I voted for this cover! I'm glad to have helped Archaeology Magazine :)

I'm thinking I might request that my library buy this issue for its magazine collection. I'm sure someone other than myself will find this a great addition.

Video - Cool Jobs: Mummy Hunter

Originally published May 1, 2009 | Discovery Channel | by Rossella Lorenzi

Follow the link to watch this video that captures the interview between Rosella Lorenzi and Dr. Zahi Hawass, where the latter speaks of many well-known ancient place including Saqqara and the Step Pyramid, Giza and the Great Pyramid, and the Valley of the Kings and popular names such as Tutankhamun, Ramesses, and Nefertari.

The Pyramids of Dashur 2: The Red Pyramid

Originally published August 13, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | Dr. Hawass

The following is an excerpt from Zahi Hawass' Blog; click the above link to read his article in it entirety:

The Red (or North) Pyramid at Dashur was King Sneferu’s third attempt at building a massive pyramid. He had already built at Meidum, near the Faiyum Oasis, and at Dashur, resulting in the Bent Pyramid. This time he would get it right from the start, and pave the way for his son Khufu to build the Great Pyramid of Giza.

His article features a few beautiful pictures with captions and a map of the area.

British Writer Discovers the Pharaohs' Lost Underworld

Originally published August 5, 2009 | Response Source | by Andrew Collins

The following is a claim about a new discovery beneath the Giza Necropolis, which Zahi Hawass poo-poos (I understand the reason he doesn't want people to jump the gun and start spewing speculation; although, he is no stranger to getting excited over new findings and discoveries). To Collins, the evidence is clear, and he chronicles it in his latest tome: Beneath the Pyramids. Featured alongside the synopsis are links to Andrew Collins' web site, his newsletter, and contact information.

At first glance, his speculation does seem a bit like yellow journalism, partly due to the misuse of "pharaoh" in relation to the Giza Pyramids (the title wasn't used during the Old Kingdom). I feel a tangent coming, so I'll stop there.

Egyptian Researchers Claim to Have Exact Date for Great Pyramid

Originally published August 4, 2009 | RIA Novosti

Has the Great Pyramid given up another secret?

A group of Egyptian researchers claims to have hit on an exact date for the construction of Khufu's pyramid, the largest of the three Great Pyramids at Giza.

The team, led by Dr. Abdel-Halim Nureddin, says work on the pyramid was started on 23 August, 2470 BC. The local governor told reporters that the date will now be celebrated as National Giza Day.

Click the above link to read the full story at RIA Novosti.

Dr. Hawass and Princess Sirivannavari of Thailand

Originally published August 3, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass describes a Thai princess' visit to Egypt. He dedicates some lines to the princess' love for art history and follows with a few more paragraphs about his having led a tour through the Giza Necropolis with her. Featured are lovely pictures chronicling the international visit and a map.

Obama and the Secrets of the Pyramids

Published Week of 23 - 29 July 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online | by Dr. Zahi Hawass

Zahi Hawass gives a detailed description of his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and having led him on a tour of the Giza Necropolis:

I have met many famous people at the Pyramids, but I can say that one visit stands out in my mind as one that I really enjoyed -- that of US President Barack Obama.

When he arrived in at the Pyramids, Obama was casually dressed. He was very nice to me from the moment that we first met, and it was truly a pleasant surprise when Rahm Emmanuel, his chief of staff, mentioned to the president my profile that was recently published in The New York Times.

Follow the above link to read the full article. My favorite part is when the President remarks the uncanny resemblance of his own face to the hieroglyphic sign for "upon" (a face head on with protruding ears).

President Castro of Cuba Visits Giza

Originally published July 20, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Zahi Hawass

I would be completely speechless if Dr. Hawass presented me with a stunning replica of Tutankhamun's golden statuette of the goddess Selket. She would make an excellent addition to my teetering bookcase.

I really enjoyed meeting President Castro at Giza. When I first met him I discovered that he had heard of me, and that he was very interested in pharaonic history. When I took him over to the front of the Great Pyramid I learned that he knew a lot about it, and he told me that he had been to Egypt forty-nine years ago as a young man.

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.

Dr. Hawass Receives Honorary Doctorate

Originally published June 23, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

Dr. Hawass tells of his having been presented with two awards - an honorary doctorate and an award of recognition - in Thailand on June 16; his first meeting with Princess Maha and Thailand's Ambassador to Egypt Noppadon Theppitak and how they've become close friends; the events and feelings during the ceremony; and speeches giving including his own, where he expresses gratitude to all involved and announces future archaeological plans and projects.

Accompanying Hawass' blog post are beautiful photos captured from the event, provided by Garry Shaw.

Egyptology Books Free to Read Online

Accessed June 22, 2009 | Pyramid Texts Online

This web site features many Egyptological books, brought to you digitally for you reading pleasures.

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.

Early Pyramid Photo Revealed

Originally published June 15, 2009 | Amateur Photographer | by Chris Cheesman

Images of Egypt will be part of a Vintage Photography sale at Dominic Winter Book Auctions in Gloucestershire, UK Wednesday, June 17.

Visit the Dominic Winter Book Auctions web site to view what's for sale.

The following are direct links to images of Egypt:

• Egypt and Syria


• Egypt


• Frith's Series. The Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx


• Frith - Egypt A


• Frith - Egypt B


• Sebah - Statue of Ramses II at Luxor