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Zahi
Hawass is a world-renowned Egyptian archaeologist. Dr.
Hawass received a Fulbright Fellowship and got his PhD
from the University of Pennsylvania (U.S.A.) in Egyptology
in 1987. A prolific author, Hawass has published numerous
articles and several books on various topics in Egyptology.
His latest book, The Valley of the Golden Mummies,
was published in five languages and became a bestseller.
He teaches archaeology at the Faculty of Arts at Cairo
University, the American University in Cairo, and UCLA
in the United States.
Dr. Hawass is responsible for many discoveries. Most
recently, he discovered the Valley of the Golden Mummies
in Bahariya Oasis, perhaps the most important Egyptological
find since the discovery of King Tut's tomb. Dr. Hawass
is currently working with the Giza Plateau Conservation
Project, and is announcing a new approach for how to
unite tourism with archaeology.
The
recipient of numerous awards and honors, Dr. Zahi Hawass
became the National Geographic Explorer in Residence
in July 2001.
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For
links to Zahi Hawass' home page and other related infomation
please see our resources
page
Hawass
responds :
 11/01/01:
Mercedes asks:
I have been following your excellent work for many years,
and I have a profound respect for both your ability to
speak to the layman and your scholarship. Many years ago
I came upon a theory that suggested that the building
of the pyramids was connected to an effort on the part
of the leadership of Egypt to bring together the disparate
cultures of Upper and Lower Egypt---the idea being that
when people who had regarded the other culture with suspicion
and hostility worked side-by-side with each other, they
were bound to go home not only with a respect and friendship
for former enemies, but with a message of friendship for
the people back home. I have not heard anyone speak about
this subject since. What is your opinion of this theory.
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Hawass'
response:
Dear
Mercedes,
The building of the pyramids was the National project
of Egypt. The national project was established in pre-dynastic
time, the ancient Egyptians believed that the king would
be a god when he died and one of his duties during his
life was to build a tomb. Every household in Egypt had
to participate in building the pyramid (tomb of the
king) as his duty to the nation. The pyramid has a religious
meaning, so the building of the pyramid creates the
unification of two lands. Sincerely,
Dr. Zahi Hawass
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11/01/01:
Chrissie asks:
Hi, I'm a student who is very interested in this subject.
I just wanted to ask if you were me. what would you do
to get started? |
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Hawass'
response:
Dear
Chrissie, I am happy you want to be an Egyptologist.
I would suggest that you start reading books on Egypt
and when you go to undergraduate go to the University
of Pennsylvania or the University of Chicago or Brown
University or UCLA. When you are ready to get your fieldwork
experience contact a person in Egypt by the name of
Dr. Zahi Hawass. Good Luck, Dr. Zahi Hawass.
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11/02/01:
Eric asks:
Dear Dr. Hawass: Does the discovery of the builders of
the pyramids disprove the Biblical story of Jewish slaves
being used to build the structures, and Moses' leading
an exodus from Egypt? Thank you |
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Hawass'
response:
Dear
Eric,
The Jews were not in Egypt at the time when the pyramids
were being built. They came to Egypt 700 years later.
No evidence of the Jews has ever been discovered in
relation to building the pyramids. If you would like
more information on this subject please read the story
about the pyramid builders in National Geographic's
Novemnber issue.
Sincerely, Dr. Zahi Hawass
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11/05/01:
Larry asks:
I would like to know more about the tomb of Osiris. Specifically:
You know it is Osiris' tomb as it is written on the four
stelae that he ordered this tomb to be excavated for him.
But it must say more than just that. Also, how is the
excavation of the two tunnels that lead off from the burial
chamber going? |
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Hawass'
response:
Dear
Larry,
The Osiris shaft is a shaft that is located underneath
the causeway of the pyramid of Khefra. When we discovered
it, the shaft was filled with water. After we pumped
the water out of the shaft we found 4 pillars and a
large sarcophagus. We know from ancient Egyptian text
that the Giza plateau was connected to the god Osiris,
who was controlling the underground tunnels at the Giza
plateau It only has one tunnel/shaft that we will explore
later. For more information on this subject please go
to my web page: http://www.guardians.net/hawass/
Sincerely, Dr. Zahi Hawass
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11/11/01:
David asks:
My name is David. I am 8 years old and a big fan of your
work. I want to be an Egyptologist when I am older. I
have seen a couple of TV shows and books and Internet
articles about you. My question is Do you always work
at Giza or are you studying other sites in Egypt also?
I would also like to know how many mummies you have found?
Thank you very much. |
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Hawass'
response:
I
am in charge of Cairo, Giza and Bahariya Oasis. Therefore,
I only excavate at these 3 sites. I have discovered
234 mummies in Bahariya Oasis, I have also discovered
the tombs of the pyramid builders at Giza. If you would
like to read more about my discoveries go to my web
page: www.guardians/hawass.com Sincerely, Dr. Zahi Hawass
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