Introduction

The study of ancient Egypt is known as Egyptology. The scholars associated with the study of Egyptology are known as Egyptologists. In this following series, we will be familiarised with some of the greatest Egyptologists who have shaped the study of ancient Egypt in a fascinating and interesting way.

Who is Zahi Hawass?

Zahi Hawass is an Egyptologist and former Minister of State of Antiquities Affairs. He was born in a small village near Damietta in Egypt on 28 May 1947. He had contributed a lot to the study of Egyptology.

Education

Zahi Hawass started his career by acquiring a B.A degree in Greek and Roman Archaeology from Alexandria University in Alexandria, Egypt in 1967. Then he learned about Egyptology through a diploma program at Cairo University 1979. Then, he started to work as an inspector at the Giza Complex for some time.

In 1983, he completed his M.A in Egyptology and Syro-Palestinian Archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania. This time, he got the chance of receiving a Fullbright Scholarship. Later, in 1987, he completed his Ph.D. in Egyptology from the Graduate Group in the Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranian World. His research topic was ‘The Funerary Establishments of Khufu, Khafra and Menkaure
During the Old Kingdom’.

Supervising the Giza Complex

One of the significant portions of Dr. Hawass’s career was his supervising the Giza Complex. Because, during his tenure, he made several important discoveries in this region, and also played an important role in the conservation and preservation of this complex.

Previously, he was the Chief Inspector of the Giza Pyramid Plateau till 1993. Then he resigned for some reason. He again started working in the same position since 1994. Later, in 1998, Govt. appointed him as the Director of the Giza Plateau.

Minister of Antiquities

In 2011, protests were going on throughout Egypt against the govt. of Hosni Mubarak. Because people were not happy with the activities of that govt. During the same year, President Mubarak had created a new post in the cabinet – Minister of States for Antiquities affairs.

Govt. appointed Dr. Zahi Hawass in this newly created position on 31 January. He stated that he would continue the excavations under security measures and also ensured the protection of the archaeological treasures of Egypt. But, his tenure was not very smooth. Because during that time, several news agencies brought it to the light the stealing of a number of Egyptian Antiquities. When the situation went beyond control, Dr. Hawass resigned on March 3.

The then Prime Minister Essam Sharaf appointed him at the same position on March 30. But again, he resigned on July 17. Although the exact reason behind this resignation was not clear, according to external reports, PM sacked him. Thus, we can say that as a Minster or Administrator, he could not sustain for a long period.

Works & Discoveries

One of the several important discoveries by Dr. Hawass was the mummy (possibly) of Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Kings in 2006 – 07. He has also initiated a movement for the returning of artifacts to Egypt.

He was not very positive about the DNA analysis of mummies. It is really strange because, in this age of growing scientific investigations, DNA analysis is important.

One of his significant hypothesis was related to the death mystery of King Tutankhamun. In 2010, he and his research team has announced that the main reason for King Tut’s death was malaria, followed by a leg fracture. But other scholars generally don’t accept this hypothesis.

He has also authored many books and articles on magazines related to Egyptology. He regularly uses to write on ‘Egypt Today, magazine.

Appearance on Digital Media

Dr. Hawass has been appearing in several TV shows related to history and archaeology. He has been featured on the National Geographic Channel, History Channel, and Discovery Channel. Some of his famous shows were ‘Digging for the Truth’, Chasing Mummies’, ‘Unsolved Mysteries’, etc.

Controversies

The one aspect which differentiates Dr. Hawass from other Egyptologists is a great number of controversies associated with him. Many used to say that Dr. Hawass had a very dominating nature. Thus, he had no good relationships with other archaeologists.

Through his political stands also, he fused controversies many times. There were some possibilities being taken for normalizing the relationships between Israel and Egypt. But, Dr. Hawass openly has been acted as a strong opponent of this decision.

The most triggered controversy against this Egyptologist was his association with Hosni Mubarak. During his tenure, one of his statements went viral and people highly criticized that. He appealed people to stop protests and stood beside Mubarak through highlighting his need for the transformation of Egypt.

Conclusion

Although Dr. Zahi Hawass’s career had not been totally free from any controversy, we cannot neglect his achievements and works what he has done to promote the study of Egyptology. He has been a great personality who has inspired millions of minds to enter the fascinating world of Egyptology. In 2006, Times Magazine has chosen him as one of the world’s 100 most influential people.

One of the uniques characteristics of Dr. Hawas was commercializing his own personality as well as archaeology also. He made a specific clothing combo – a line of rugged khakis, denim shirts, and carefully worn leather jackets. Although, again, he has been severely criticized for taking these decisions.